CONTENTS:

The Building Block Volume 6 , Issue 9

September 11, 2015

1

BUZZ OF THE MONTH 2

ARTICLE– THE

ONGOING SITE SAFETY

PROBLEM

3

HORROR STORIES 4

SERVICE UPDATES 5

MEET CRSG

ALESSANDRA RIPLEY

6

RECRUITMENT 7

CRSG NEWS 9

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

SEPTEMBER

10

CONSTRUCTION & REALTY SERVICES GROUP

68 Whitehall Street

Lynbrook, NY 11563

Tel: (516) 256-0317

Fax: (516) 256-0335

307 West 38th Street, Suite 1218

New York, NY 10018

Tel: (212)736-6900

Fax: (212) 736-6910

www.crs-group.com

Cooling Tower Registration Deadline Approaching!

The deadline for Cooling Tower Registration with NYC coming up on September 17th 2015. To prevent the spread of

Legionella bacteria the State Department of Health recently adopted emergency regulations that took immediate ef-

fect. The new statewide regulations require registration, testing, inspection, and certification of cooling towers. The

regulations mandate timeframes and processes for each of these requirements. All building owners must use a

statewide electronic system to register and to report actions required by the new regulations. These emergency regu-

lations are in effect for 90 days, at which point they will be adopted into permanent regulations. During the 90 day

time period the regulations can be amended before they become permanent.

Registration can be completed through the DOB website nyc.gov/buildings through a link on the main page. Respon-

sible parties may access the Cooling Tower Registration link to enroll. Once enrolled, each registrant may report

multiple towers or locations.

To register your cooling tower, evaporating condenser or fluid cooler, you must first enroll in the electronic tracking

system by providing simple identifying information such as your name, telephone number and email address.

You may then register the applicable equipment including the location of the device/s and the location of all buildings

serviced by the device/s. To complete the registration, you will also need to enter the following information.

An officer, employee or agent of the Department or local health department may enter onto any property to inspect

the cooling tower for compliance with the requirements of the regulation. If an owner does not properly register,

certify, inspect, clean or disinfect their cooling tower the Department or local health department may determine that

such condition constitutes a nuisance and may take such action as authorized by law.

A violation of the regulations is subject to civil and criminal penalties, and each day that an owner remains in viola-

tion of any provision constitutes a separate and distinct violation of the provision.

DOB BULLETINS

Polypropylene Piping

Systems

Bulletin 2015-020

This document establishes

acceptance criteria for the use

of polypropylene (“PP”) piping

systems and water cycling

distribution piping systems as

alternative materials in NYC

Constriction Codes.

Fuel Oil Storage Tanks

Bulletin 2015-021

This document establishes

acceptance criteria for

above-ground nonmetallic

fuel-oil storage tanks as

alternative equipment in the

NYC Construction Codes.

Water Recycling Distribu-

tion Piping Systems

Bulletin 2015-022

This document establishes

acceptance criteria for the use

of chlorinated polyvinyl

chloride (CPVC) water

recycling distribution piping

systems as an alternative

material in the NYC

Construction Codes.

Fuel-Gas Fired Ceramic

Kilns

Bulletin 2015-023

This document establishes

standards for fuel-gas fired

ceramic kilns used for hobby

and non-commercial

purposes.

02

BUZZ OF THE MONTH

Major developers are starting to go back too union CM alternatives on

“high end” projects. A growing consensus is that union/non-union cost

gap narrows substantially in high end projects and union contractors are

more capable of “finishing” and delivering the product within guaranteed

timeframes.

Does your project involve partial demolition? Are you exempt from

demolition submittal document requirements? Unless your proposed

demolition operations are "limited to handheld devices performed during

the course of a minor alteration or ordinary repair", drawings filed under a

Demolition Submittal Certification Form (DS1) are required and must be

approved by the department before demolition work begins. Despite what

you may hear, partial demolition submittal documents are not exempt from

the scrutiny of the B.E.S.T. Squad review process!

NYCTA vibration monitoring has become an incredible cost during

demolition, excavation, and foundation on new buildings within the area

of influence. Owners have to pay private companies to monitor as well

as pay the NYCTA for their staff.

The DOB has made the delivery of any function associated with 421A a

priority. Site safety plans, plan exams, demolition applications, waving

of required items have been moved to the front of the line. Although it

is a benefit, it will fall upon the owner/contractor/design professional to

“clean up” any problems that occur because of haste on resolving

these items prior to the job progressing.

DID YOU KNOW…?

Professionally Certified Alt 3 for Site Safety Plan Submis-

sion/Façade Alteration

Professional applicants can now file a Site Safety Plan for typical

façade alterations as a professionally certified Alteration Type 3.

Recent city council hearings on Construction Site Safety and reports from

NYCOSH have shined the spotlight on non-union construction companies

for their safety performance.

03

ARTICLES

THE ONGOING

SITE SAFETY

PROBLEM

As time progresses, the site safety situation seems to be getting worse. It has

been several months since we began telling you all about the site safety crisis.

As you are aware, there are many projects waiting to start due to the lack of

safety managers available in the city.

The demand for Licensed Safety Managers has also caused the hourly rate to

rise significantly. Despite tremendous efforts to prevent this from happening,

the crisis is here and it does not seem to be getting any better. We are con-

stantly recruiting and as we have made you aware, we developed an on the job

training program to promote home grown safety managers but this does not

help with what is currently happening.

We are doing all that we can to get projects to be released from the site safety

program as soon as possible. Additionally, we've been successful obtaining

some accommodations from DOB that offer additional options to cover the pro-

jects.

Some of our alternative solutions are:

ASM / alternative safety management; We provide a qualified safety profes-

sional to work under a licensed super or PM on the project, we perform all

safety duties, responsibilities, and do the paperwork for the job, but the

"license" is provided by CM/GC. This also results in a cost savings to the

project.

Reduction of license/requirement for manpower - getting CCD1's approved

which allow a Coordinator to take place of a Manger thru excavation/

foundation, which gives us a greater labor pool to pull from. OR for renova-

tion projects reducing the requirement of onsite fulltime presence to only

during exterior work/demolition/high risk operations (also via CCD1)

Combining projects and safety managers- 2 projects with close proximity

(next block) allowed to use 1 safety manager for both projects (this is very

project specific) same owner, same contractor, same stage of construction.

Although these alternatives have alleviated some of the pressure, the issue will

soon be insurmountable if a change is not made soon. Your continued support

and understanding is appreciated as we work thru these difficult times.

I had a HUB NB Filed with over 100

comments. We worked diligently with the

examiner for one year through numerous plan

exams to get the comments resolved and the

NB approved. During our final meeting we

agreed that the comments had been resolved

and the NB application would be approved,

pending one typographical error on the Schedule A and ZD1 be fixed. Both of these items were corrected the

same day and uploaded to the portal, and the examiner was notified. She then took an additional week before

reviewing the documents for approval. Instead of approving the application as agreed, she decided to issue

an additional thirteen comments! One of which completely changes the layout and design of the entire

high-rise building! This comment not only is detrimental to the building design, but is in reference to a section

of code that was reviewed during seven other comments, and resolved. The examiner took it upon herself to

decide that she no longer agreed with the resolution and revoked her resolutions! When the Borough Deputy

Commissioner was notified of the eleventh hour comment, he arraigned an emergency meeting for the

architect, owner, and design team. During this meeting he promised to review the ZRD1 needed to approve

the application expeditiously with the Commissioner. We were told that during his meeting two days later the

ZRD1 would be discussed and a decision issued. We are now at a month later, and the Deputy has yet to

answer a phone call, email or come out in person to speak with us. Every time we attempt to make good on

his promise for a resolution, or the very least an answer, we are told by his clerical staff that he has some

question for the architect, the zoning specialist or some other person. When an attempt is made to have this

question asked and answered, he does not respond.

06

HORROR STORIES

Inside Scoop

From Domani

We recently realized that a certain NB we filed had an open PAA for change of applicant. We needed to amend

the applicant anyway to a new architect with our firm. We prepared the necessary DEAR forms and

submitted them to the borough office. The DEAR section of the DOB then lost the application- a total of three

times! The process of losing our paperwork took roughly about two months. We went to the borough

manager to help with expediting the PAA. He promised to help and directed us to leave the documents with

him for entry. Two weeks later he had not entered the PAA. When asked why he stated that they could not

amend the previous filing, we needed to withdraw it and resubmit because a work type needed to be added.

We followed his direction and withdrew the document and notified him. He stated he could no longer help and

sent us back to DEAR to resubmit the PAA. After resubmission to the DEAR section, they rejected the PAA

sighting that the job had expired a week ago and now needed to be reinstated! We then appealed to the bor-

ough manager again, who replied, " I understand the application expired because of the DOB holding it up,

however it is expired now and I cannot help you. You will need to reinstate and then submit again." We did

this, three weeks ago. The PAA is still not in the system and no one will help.

People at one borough DOB have been lining up to get A tickets (the ticket necessary to do just about

anything) at midnight of the previous day. They then get the ticket at 8:30am , and wait all day for the tickets

to be called. As an exercise this past week, myself and a few of my coworkers timed a specific clerical to see

how many of these tickets she would process in a given amount of time. Sadly to say, not to our surprise,

she averaged about 2 applications every 1.5 hours. This means that she would take roughly an hour and a

half to process an application, or issue a permit, or do a DEAR entry. If you get your ticket at 8:30 am and are

number 30, let's say, you will be called roughly around 2-3pm. Consequently this means that each expeditor

can handle roughly TWO items a day. The max allowed transactions on an A ticket are TWO. You are also

only allowed ONE ticket. If you miss your number, you are out of luck. Also, if the clerk finds anything, and I

mean ANYTHING not on the paperwork or missing, they do not process your ITEMS and you need to come

back another day. I have been rejected because an owner has forgotten to date a PW1 or a PW3. After

rejecting you, the clerts do not initially call another number either. We have found that they take a "breather"

and text on the phone, or talk to the person next to them. Or get up and go to the bathroom for an hour or

so. When this problem has been brought to the borough managers attention, he becomes childishly

defensive and argumentative. Often reprimanding the person making the complaint rather than correcting the

issue with his staff.

05

40 Hour Safety 30 Hour Concrete 30 Hour OSHA 7 Hour SSM Refresher

Tues. 9/1: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 9/3: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 9/8: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 9/10: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 9/15: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 9/17: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 9/22: 4-9:30pm

Thurs. 9/24: 4-9:30pm

Tues. 9/29: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/2: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 9/7: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/9: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 9/14: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/16: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 9/21: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/23: 4-9:30pm

Mon. 9/28: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/30: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/2: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 9/4: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 9/11: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 9/18: 4-9:30pm

Fri. 9/25: 4-9:30pm

Wed. 9/30: 4-9:30pm

Sat. 9/5: 8-3:30pm

Sat: 9/19: 8-3:30pm

10 Hour OSHA

Sat: 9/12: 8-7pm

Sat: 9/26: 8-7pm

SAFETY COURSES

SERVICE UPDATES

As of September 18, 2015

Improved Customer Service & Q-Matic System Enhancements

DOB is improving their customer service ticketing and queue management processes to better manage

and provide quicker and more reliable service levels.

The Staten Island Borough Office will be the first to implement an enhanced Q-Matic system this

month.

The service areas to be upgraded are: Application Processing, Certificate of Occupancy, Property Re-

search, Records, Express Cashier, Fast App, Fee Adjustments, Enforcement and Development Inspec-

tions.

The enhanced Q-Matic system will improve access to customer service windows and includes: self-

service kiosks for ticket issuance, service tickets issued upon valid scan of a DOB issued ID, improved

visual displays for customer status in the queue, and better tracking of service needs for the public.

As of September 7, 2015

Elevator Permit Applications & Category 3&5 Inspections: Electronic Submission

The elevator unit begin accepting requests for copies of outstanding Elevator Permit Applications and

requests for copies of outstanding penalties for Category 3&5 Inspections (Look-up sheets) via email

only.

Customer service representatives will no longer accept these requests in person and will direct constit-

uents to email these inquiries.

Email requests for copies of outstanding Elevator Applications and Category 3&5 Look-up Sheets to

the following email addresses

Copies of Elevator Applications: elepermitcopies@buildings.nyc.gov

Category 3&5 Look-up Sheets: elelookup@buildings.nyc.gov

As of August 2015

Build it Back Program: Applications & Permit Fees Waived

Application and permit fees are waived for owners whose properties were damaged in Hurricane

Sandy and who are rebuilding or repairing their homes through the City’s Build it Back (BIB) program.

Contractors are no longer required to pay DOB filing fees and submit for reimbursement.

06

MEET CRSG

ALESSANDRA

RIPLEY

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING AND

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

NYC FUN FACTS

Hog Island, a one-mile-long island south of Rockaway

Beach, was never seen again after the hurricane of 1893.

Q: What is your exact title?

A: My exact title is Director of Marketing and Business Development for Construction and Realty Ser-

vices Group.

Q: What precisely do you do?

A: I am responsible for the integration off business processes, procedures, and management of all mar-

keting efforts. I am also the key person accountable for the company's social media presence,

advertising, and publication placement as well as the lead for coordination between clients and the

operational companies for all cross-company projects.

Q: What was your title when you first started?

A: When I first started here in 2009, my title was Operational Support which is an administrative func-

tion. I assisted all of our operational and field staff for both Domani Inspection Service Inc and Con-

struction Realty Safety Group. It was a unique experience starting as an administrator because I

received a great education on what the companies do from the inside out.

Q: In what way did this type of work interest you and how did you get started?

A: This position interested me because I would be working closely with our President as well as directly

coordinating with our clients. This is an amazing opportunity to learn about all of the areas in our

industry and how our business is managed on a day to day.

Q: Do you find your job exciting or boring? Why?

A: I find my job to be very exciting because every day is a very different day when it comes to market-

ing and projects. Working for CRSG, we are fortunate enough to work with major developers on

some of the largest construction projects in the city.

Q: What social obligations go along with a job in your occupation?

A: CRSG is a part of many associations in the industry. One of my responsibilities is to attend the net-

working events and committee meetings. We also host a Dinner Forum once a month with some of

the major developer in the city.

Q: Why did you decide to work for this company?

A: I decided to work for this company because I saw the potential to grow. This company has more

than doubled since I started here. I was fortunate enough to work for a few of our companies which

helped me grow into the position I am in today.

Q: Why do customers choose this company?

A: I feel that customers choose us because we are a service oriented company and our clients always

come first. With all of our divisions and the opportunity to provide multiple services, we are like no

other company.

07

CRSG NEWS

Please visit www.crs-group.com and check it out!

You can find useful information on our companies, our services, personnel,

recruitment, and safety training and events.

Look for the CRSG Newsletter on the second Friday of every month!

Tell us how we’re doing! Send an email to info@crs-group.com

CRSG is a “one stop” compliance, safety and engineering entity for the NYC

real estate and construction industry.

Domani Consulting can provide all compliance services from the filing and ap-

proval of plans to the signoff of D14 applications; to obtaining TCO/C of O for

Alt 1 or NB applications. Domani’s expeditors work through all agencies (DOB,

DOT, NYCFD, Landmarks, DEP, etc.) to prepare, file, approve and signoff pro-

jects. In conjunction with Domani Design, plans can be prepared and engi-

neering and architectural services can be provided. Combine these services

with Domani Inspection for either Alt II D14, special inspection requirements

and/or all controlled inspections/test requirements (with its certified affiliate-

Labs) for either major alterations or NB’s. Our “one stop” filing, controlled com-

pliance program/mechanism completes the full service package.

EWBC offers full scale labor services that will provide all required collective bar-

gaining labor as well as fully managed general condition labor.

CR Safety offers services for safety management combining program, plan and

safety design development, safety inspection, management, record keeping,

physical protection and training to meet any or all safety needs on a site.

ABOUT US

Don’t forget to check

out our website at

www.crs-group.com

08

Our Construction &

Realty Services Group

seeks dynamic

individuals to join our

team!

RECRUITMENT

08

Our Construction &

Realty Services Group

seeks dynamic

individuals to join our

team!

RECRUITMENT

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

The following will be some of your tasks, but will not be limited to:

1. Responsibilities of the Site Safety Manager (SSM), Site Safety Coordinator (SSC) and Concrete Safety

Manager (CSM) are to monitor compliance with the safety requirements of Chapter 33 of the NYC Building

Code, as well as OSHA and to perform all other safety duties assigned by CRSG, the owner or contractor to

meet legal requirements by record-keeping and reporting on major buildings in New York City.

2. The SSM, SSC CSM shall maintain a daily log book notating any unsafe acts or deficiencies with locations as

well as maintain a permit log.

3. Check Site Safety Plan daily to ensure that the approved Plans are current and up to date.

4. Meet on a weekly basis with the designated representative of each subcontractor to ascertain that all

subcontractors are complying with the applicable provisions of Chapter 33 of

the NYC Building Code, OSHA, FDNY and any applicable local or federal agen-

cies.

5. Any additional tasks identified by your supervisor

Qualifications:

NYC Site Safety Managers License

Must be a team player and have the ability to effectively multi-task

Detail-oriented and ability to work independently with moderate supervision and

guidance

Good written and verbal communication skills

Architecture and/or construction experience a plus

Must be internet savvy & have experience with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Excel,

Word, etc.)

General knowledge of NYC building codes and/or filing process a plus.

Safety Management, Analyzing Information, Informing Others, Written Communication, Legal Compliance,

Judgment, Integrity, NYC DOB Chapter 33, OSHA, FDNY & DOT Compliance, Presentation Skills. Microsoft

Word & Excel.

SITE SAFETY MANAGERS

CONSTRUCTION FIELD INSPECTOR

Key Duties & Responsibilities:

1. The following will be some of your tasks, but will not be limited to:

2. Performing field inspections at construction sites per Department of Buildings requirements.

3. Prepare written reports on multi-discipline inspections per Management.

4. Coordination of drawings and field conditions during onsite inspections.

5. Other miscellaneous tasks requested by your supervisor.

Company will support obtaining necessary ICC certifications to perform various special inspections.

Qualifications

Construction, Architecture, and /or Engineering experience desired

General knowledge of NYC construction codes and/or filing process a

plus

Request 5 years minimum experience in related fields.

Must be internet savvy & have experience with Microsoft Office

(Outlook, Excel, Word, etc.)

Good written and verbal communication skills

Ability to interpret engineering/architectural plans and specifications

Must be a team player and have the ability to effectively multi-task

Detail-oriented and ability to work independently with moderate super-

vision and guidance

Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines

09

DOB INFO

Searchable Licensee Database

Search our comprehensive directory of all construction professionals

monitored by the Department for disciplinary actions or surrendered li-

censes.

9/2: REBNY– Retail Committee @ The Cornell Club 12-2pm

9/9: REBNY– Residential Sales Council @ Litwin Classroom

12-2pm

9/10: NYSAFAH– Breakfast @ The Yale Club

9/10: REBNY– Residential REBNY Queens Committee @ LINC

Building 9-11am

9/11: BOMA– Codes & Regulations @@ BOMA NY 8:30-9:30am

9/15: REBNY– RLS Board of Directors Meeting @ REBNY

Boardroom 2-4pm

9/16: BOMA– Annual Membership Event @ 230 5th Ave Rooftop

5:30-8:30pm

9/16: REBNY– Residential Rental Committee @ REBNY Boardroom

9/17: REBNY– Education Committee @ REBNY Boardroom

9:30-11am

9/21-23: BOMA– Accelerated Class: Asset Management 12-1pm

9/22: REBNY– Residential Ethics Course for New Members @

Medik Edu. Center 12-1pm

9/24: REBNY– Residential Sales Agent Boot Camp Seminar @

Mendik Edu. Center 9-11am

9/25: BOMA– Asset Managers Roundtable @ 8:30-9:30am

9/29: REBNY– Residential Deal of the Year Committee @ Halstead

Property

9/30: NYSAFAH– 13th Annual Upstate New York Affordable Hous-

ing Conference @ Turning Stone Resort and Casino,

Verona, NY

9/30: REBNY– Building Agents Rental Meeting @ REBNY Board-

room 8:15-9:15am

For More Events, please visit

www.crs-group.com

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 2

REBNY– Retail

Committee

3 4 5

6 7 8 9

REBNY– Residen-

tial Sales Council

10

NYSAFAH–

Breakfast

11

BOMA– Codes &

Regulations

12

13 14 15

REBNY– RLS

Board of Directors

Meeting

16

BOMA– Annual

Membership Event

17

REBNY– Educa-

tion Committee

18 19

20 21

BOMA– Accelerat-

ed Class: Asset

Management

22

BOMA– Accelerat-

ed Class: Asset

Management

23

BOMA– Accelerat-

ed Class: Asset

Management

24

REBNY– Resi-

dential Sales

Agent Boot

Camp Seminar

25

BOMA– Asset

Managers

Roundtable

26

27 28 29 30

BOMA– Asset

Managers

Roundtable

SEPTEMBER 2015

10