In November 2002 a Mayoral Commission was established to consider a model building code. The reasons for a new NYC building code are highlighted in the “The Need for Change.” The paper is simply an introduction into the need for and direction planned to adopt what is now our new building code.

This month and in the months ahead, Blueline will begin to highlight new code and discuss changes in the old code. We will direct the reader to resources and highlight areas of interest. This month we explore the reasons behind the new code, the timeline for implementation and the comprehensive redesign of NYC’s decades-old building code.

The new code will adapt itself to national and international standards, increase building safety, and simplify processing. These revisions to the 1968 code prepared by “…13 committees of engineers, safety experts and real estate developers appointed by the Bloomberg administration -- are not expected to make a radical difference in the way buildings are constructed. But because the codes have effectively been the city's DNA, shaping its appearance and its workings, the changes are likely to affect all the places in which New Yorkers live and work in myriad ways, big and small.”

Timeline for the New Code Program is shown in the above figure:

The new NYC Construction Codes, including the Plumbing Code Local Law 99/2005 and the Administrative Provisions, Building, Fuel Gas, and Mechanical Codes in Local Law 33/2007 will become effective on July 1, 2008. Practioners will have the option at that time to use either the old or new code for one year. On July 1, 2009, the codes will become mandated for new construction. It should be noted that certain provision, including those relating to administration, enforcement, special inspections, and construction safety will apply to all projects as of July 1, 2008.

We recommend everyone involved in the industry that builds our great city have a working knowledge of the NYC Construction Codes. The New York Society of Architects, NYSA held its 27th Technical Forum in Manhattan and hosted the first training session. The session covered some of the new terminology and approach to Construction Types, Occupancy Group and Height and Area Limitations within the code.