From design, archiving, construction to inspection: everything you need to know
Engineering involves several technical areas, but they all have a common objective: delivering projects and products that offer high performance and safety to the end user. New York City has codes for all fields of engineering involved in construction projects, and they apply to new construction and modifications to existing buildings. The engineering process may seem complex and tedious at first glance, but it ensures that performance and safety are built into the design; Furthermore, there are legally binding requirements that make some steps in the process mandatory.
In general, the engineering process can be divided into four sequential steps: design, archiving, construction, and inspection. In particular, the design phase is characterized by involving decisions that can greatly simplify all subsequent steps.
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1) The design phase
Although the project is still a concept during the design phase, there are several important decisions at this point that have effects throughout the entire life cycle of a building and its systems. This is the ideal stage for the project owner to request changes, as they only represent modifications to the project plans and specifications; on the other hand, changes during the construction phase may involve modifying an existing structure or system, which is typically expensive.
Ideally, the design process should involve all stakeholders who will be involved during the construction and operation of the project, so that all needs and specifications can be made clear from the beginning, avoiding changes in subsequent stages when they are more expensive and disruptive.
The following are some recommendations for obtaining the best results during the design phase of a project:
- Make sure you are working with a qualified engineering company. You must submit project plans to the New York City Department of Buildings, and they will be immediately rejected if the required drawing format is not followed.
- Consider that mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installations tend to be the most complex building systems. If you hire a separate company to design each system, coordination will be difficult and you will face problems such as conflicting equipment locations. On the other hand, if you hire a company that offers full MEP design, you can delegate system integration.
- Work closely with the engineering design firm to make the best decisions regarding building systems. For example, there is a wide range of HVAC options available, each with advantages and disadvantages. A design company will meet your needs more effectively if you state them clearly.
Another advantage of working with qualified professionals is that you have design and consultancy services: they can give recommendations to improve your project before it is built. For example, there are considerable energy saving opportunities in building systems such as lighting, heating and air conditioning.
At the end of the design phase, you will receive two main outputs: project plans and technical specifications. Both serve as the basis for your project to be reviewed and approved by the New York City Department of Buildings, and are then used by contractors during the construction process.
2) Archiving
This step involves submitting your project to local authorities for review and approval, and this is where you will begin to see the benefits of working with a professional company – the modifications required will be minimal, or perhaps even zero if you have worked with qualified professionals. . professionals during project design. In the case of New York City, there are four types of permit applications:
- Note: New structures
- ALT1: Major changes that alter use, output or occupancy
- ALT2: Multiple changes that do not affect use, output or occupancy
- ALT3: Minor work that does not affect use, output or occupancy
In the specific case of new construction, the New York City Department of Buildings requests the following documentation:
- ZD1: Zoning Diagram
- PW1: Work Plan/Application
- PW1A: Annex A – Occupation/Use
- PW1B: Annex B – Plumbing, Sprinkler, Standpipe
- PW1C: Annex C – Heating and combustion equipment
- TR2: Technical Report – Concrete Sampling and Testing
- TR3: Technical Report – Concrete Project Mix
It is important to note that the PW1 application must be submitted individually for each set of plans: general construction, sprinkler protection, fire alarm, standpipe system, boiler, plumbing, flooring, foundations and earthworks, electrical and lift/elevator.
Of course, the plans themselves must also be submitted for approval, and the process can only be initiated by a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA). Basically, the Buildings Department analyzes three aspects:
- Code Compliance
- Security standards
- Zoning Requirements
Once the plans are approved, the contractor or an appointed representative can apply for a construction permit and the project can proceed to the next phase.
The New York City Department of Buildings also offers the Professional Certification Program, which allows professional engineers or registered architects to approve plans on their own, where all project stakeholders sign a binding document. However, this approach is only valid for simple projects.
The above procedure is carried out entirely with the New York City Department of Buildings. In the case of new construction, the PE or AR that carries out the process will also request a Sewage Availability Certification from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Once the contractor has been hired for the work, a licensed master plumber must request a Sewer Connection Permit, also from the DEP.
3) Construction
The project can begin as soon as the contractor obtains a work permit from the New York City Department of Buildings. If the project involves any activities that may cause disruption to public roads, a permit from the Department of Transport will also be required. The contractor must also notify the owners of all adjacent land about the project five days in advance, and the DOB must be given 24 to 48 hours' notice.
Construction work will proceed in accordance with plans and specifications completed during the design phase. However, having a project plan is equally important at this stage, as it provides a roadmap for the sequence and interdependence of activities, as well as their timing. The construction phase typically involves three different parts:
- The project owner.
- The contractor, who carries out the work. There may be subcontractors for specific systems, such as HVAC or electrical installations, but they are hired and managed by the general contractor. Ideally, the owner should have a business relationship with a single contractor to simplify the project – managing multiple contractors is not recommended as it reduces liability.
- The supervisor, who ensures that the contractor's work conforms to approved plans and specifications. The design firm is the best candidate to fill this role as they will be highly familiar with the design of the project.
Project management is a science in itself, and the best results can be achieved by following the guidelines and practices of the Project Management Institute's Project Management Body of Knowledge. The project manager will typically be an engineering professional appointed by the general contractor.
The construction phase involves a series of progress reports, prepared by the contractor and reviewed by the supervisor, where interim payments are calculated based on the percentage of work completed in each report.
- Some projects involve an upfront payment, calculated as a fixed percentage of the total project amount, which is then gradually deducted from interim payments.
- A percentage may also be withheld from each interim payment and paid to the contractor at the end of the project. The purpose of this retention is to ensure project completion.
- Depending on the terms of the contract, there may be penalties for late delivery and bonus payments for early delivery
Once the project is completed, it must be inspected and approved by several local authorities, including the New York City Department of Buildings. If the project is properly designed and planned, and if qualified companies are hired for all main functions, the construction phase should be completed without major obstacles.
4) Inspection
After the project is completed, it must be inspected and approved by several local authorities:
- Electrical Control Department
- Department of Environmental Protection
- Department of Transport
The final inspection, performed by the New York City Department of Buildings, occurs after these three are approved. Basically, the DOB evaluates compliance with approved plans and general building codes. If any non-compliance is found, it must be corrected by the contractor and a new inspection must be requested.
After approval of the project in the final inspection, the Department of Buildings issues the certificate of occupancy. As its name suggests, this document describes the occupancy and legal use of the building. The project owner cannot occupy the building prior to the issuance of this document.
Final Observations
The construction process in New York City can be complex, but it is necessary to ensure safety, especially when considering the city's population and number of buildings. It is important to highlight that the entire process can be simplified during the design phase, which is why hiring a qualified company for this task is vitally important:
- An engineering design done by a qualified firm familiar with New York Codes is more likely to be approved without modifications.
- Project plans and specifications are the instruction manual for the contractor to execute the project. The best design companies not only consider the end use of a project, but also its construction process.
- If the construction stage goes without any major problems, meeting the plans and specifications, the changes requested in the final inspection will be minimal.
Mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) installations are generally the most complex building systems, especially in vertical buildings like those found in New York City. Consider hiring a company that specializes in full MEP design to simplify plans and specifications and you will achieve high performance and simplicity.
