New York City recently made over 600 major updates and thousands of smaller changes to its construction codes—the first such wholesale revamping since 2014.
The changes are “intended to improve safety for New Yorkers, and incorporate the latest in building technologies,” according to a statement from the city. “The new codes use the highest international standards for the design, construction, and maintenance of buildings as a baseline, while continuing our city’s proud tradition of implementing additional enhancements to ensure we have among the strongest building regulations anywhere in the world.”
Revisions include:
· Increased material choices available to builders by expanding the use of sustainable building materials such as cross-laminated timber and structural composite lumber.
· Expansion of the applicability of flood zone requirements of the 100-year flood hazard area to all critical facilities (including fire, rescue, ambulance, police stations, and designated emergency shelters) located in the 500-year flood zone.
· Policies to support the use of alternative energy production processes including hydrogen fuel cells.
· Clear compliance criteria for elevator systems to ensure greater accessibility and usability for building occupants with physical and intellectual/developmental disabilities.
· Reduction of the required 8-foot basement clearance height for two-family homes to 7 feet to increase affordable housing opportunities.
· Permission to use netting, low barriers, and chain link fencing in lieu of solid fencing that creates blind tunnels for pedestrians.
· Creation of a new license type for advanced crane technology, such as articulating boom cranes and roto-telehandlers.
The updated code requirements will go into effect next year, with some regulations taking effect on Jan. 1, 2022.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jan 3, 2020
Car-free streets could become common in major cities
New York and San Francisco establish thoroughfares dedicated to transit, pedestrians.
Codes and Standards | Jan 2, 2020
CRE professionals have increased interest in embodied carbon accounting, smart buildings
Survey also shows that interest in resiliency lags behind.
Codes and Standards | Jan 2, 2020
White paper focuses on Metal Composite Material labeling
Document part of effort to uphold industry standards for the product.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2019
Hard Rock Hotel collapse in New Orleans puts spotlight on undocumented workers
Having helped rebuild the city after Hurricane Katrina, many under threat of deportation.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2019
Maryland lawmakers take on blocked sidewalks during construction projects
Legislation clarifies developers’ responsibilities.
Codes and Standards | Dec 18, 2019
New York City passes legislation to prevent bird strikes on buildings
Requires bird-safe materials on first 75 feet of a structure.
Codes and Standards | Dec 16, 2019
New Buildings Institute seeks entries for Zero Buildings Database
Listing illustrates feasibility of ultra low-energy buildings.
Codes and Standards | Dec 13, 2019
USGBC launches new tool to prioritize sustainability strategies
Highlights building design features that can lead to better performance.
Codes and Standards | Dec 12, 2019
Coalition calls for consistent building data disclosure regulations in Canada
Major real estate firms are driving the effort.
Codes and Standards | Dec 10, 2019
Utilities rolling out more grid-interactive efficient building programs
Focus is on energy savings and demand flexibility.