1705.25.2 Construction operations influencing adjacent structures.
What is Construction operation as per BC 1705.25.2
A new special inspection item is introduced as special inspection in the NYC Building Code chapter 17. This type of special inspection is required where construction operations have the potential to affect structurally the condition or occupancy of the subject structure and/or an adjacent structure, the structural stability of such structures shall be subject to special inspections in accordance with Sections 1705.25.7 through 1705.25.10.
1705.25.7 Inspection program.
Prior to the commencement of work requiring special inspection per Section 1705.25, the special inspector shall review the approved construction documents, related reports, and contractor’s sequence of operations and confirm that all areas of work requiring special inspection per Section 1705.25 have design documents addressing the structural stability temporary protections and sequence. A written statement shall be included in the design documents prepared in accordance with Section 1705.25.8, indicating:
1. The portions of work requiring design documents in accordance with Section 1705.25.8.
2. The names and addresses of the licensed professionals that have been engaged to supply design documents for applicable work.
3. Where the filing of plans is required, the application and permit numbers for the design documents for the applicable work.
4. A schedule of special inspections, at agreed intervals, including adequate frequency to assure the contractor’s continued compliance with the proposed designs and sequence of construction operations. At a minimum, the site must be inspected twice, once at a pre-construction meeting with the contractor and once during construction operations.
1705.25.8 Design documents.
Design documents, including shop drawings, sketches, and written descriptions of proposed work regarding structural stability in construction operations shall be prepared by a registered design professional in the employ of the owner or the contractor. Where required by this section or elsewhere in this code, the work associated with the structural stability protection methods shall be filed with the department. When the filing of the design of protection methods is not required, such designs may be revised at any time by the registered design professional. Copies of the special inspection log book, the design documents, and revisions thereof, shall be maintained at the job site, and at the office of the special inspector, available for use and review at all reasonable times, until the work subject to special inspection is complete. In the case of alteration to existing structures, the structural stability design documents shall be reviewed by the registered design professional of record.
1705.25.8.1 Monitoring.
The design documents for structural stability shall include any requirements for monitoring of the subject structure and/or adjacent structures, as determined by the registered design professional responsible for the design. The monitoring plan shall be specific to the buildings to be monitored and operations to be undertaken and shall specify the scope and frequency of monitoring, acceptable tolerances, and reporting criteria for when tolerances are exceeded, including when the department is required to be notified. The monitoring plan shall include provisions for daily monitoring, at a minimum, until the structural stability protection methods are no longer necessary. Such monitoring can be accomplished by remote means, in-person monitoring or any combination thereof.
1705.25.8.1.1 Additional monitoring requirements for demolition.
The design documents for structural stability shall identify and specify the monitoring required for the demolition operation and be specific to all phases of the demolition operation. These specifications must be part of the requirements identified for special inspection.
1705.25.8.2 Additional requirements for design documents for demolition.
Design documents for demolition shall indicate a project-specific required minimum interval for special inspections. A written statement of what the special inspection must include shall be provided on the design documents. The minimum special inspection interval must be incorporated into the demolition sequence. Building components and phases of demolition deemed to be structurally critical must be identified for inspection. A monitoring protocol must be provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 1705.25.8.1.1.
1705.25.8.3 Additional requirements for design documents for underpinning and alternate methods of support of buildings and adjacent property.
Design documents for underpinning and alternate methods of support of buildings and adjacent property shall comply with the requirements of Section 1817. Such drawings shall indicate a project-specific required minimum interval for special inspections. A written statement of what the special inspection must include shall be provided on the design documents. The minimum special inspection interval must be incorporated into the sequence of operations. Building components and phases of operations deemed to be structurally critical must be identified for inspection. A monitoring protocol must be provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 1705.25.8.1.1. At a minimum, underpinning shall be subject to continuous special inspection for structural stability of the structure being underpinned while work is occurring.
1705.25.8.4 Additional requirements for design documents for the protection of the sides of excavations and blasting.
Design documents for the protection of the sides of excavations and blasting methods of support of buildings and adjacent property shall indicate a project-specific required minimum interval for special inspections. A written statement of what the special inspection must include shall be provided on the design documents. The minimum special inspection interval must be incorporated into the sequence of operations. Building components and phases of operations deemed to be structurally critical must be identified for inspection. A monitoring protocol must be provided in accordance with the requirements of Section 1705.25.8.1.1. At a minimum, protection of the sides of excavations and blasting work shall be subject to continuous special inspection for structural stability of the structure or adjacent property being affected while work is occurring.
1705.25.9 Inspection during construction operations.
The special inspector shall visit the job site at agreed intervals, assess the ongoing work and verify that operations conform with the design documents. Deficiencies shall be reported as required by Section 1704.1.2(responsibilities of special inspection agencies). In the event unsafe conditions are discovered, the commissioner and the registered design professional employed by the contractor shall be immediately notified by the special inspector.
1705.25.10 Records of special inspections.
The special inspection logbook shall be maintained at the special inspector’s office and shall contain the following information:
1. Project identification, application number, and address.
2. Date and time of each inspection.
3. Names of personnel who performed each inspection.
4. Dates of on-site and off-site meetings, names of the participants, and a summary of the conversations.
5. Any significant observations or instructions given related to structural stability in any of the following:
5.1. Deviations from the design documents.
5.2. Anticipated field conditions.
5.3. Proper execution of the work.
5.4. Safe job site conditions.
5.5. Precautions taken to maintain safe conditions, if work is stopped for any reason.