HOW TO PREPARE FOR GUSTY SPRING WEATHER |
High winds can pose significant risks and challenges to the integrity and safety of a building.
As New York prepares for gusty Spring weather ahead, Property Owners are advised to maintain the safety of their buildings and construction sites, which is a legal obligation under §28-301.1 of the Administrative Code of the City of New York.
Cranes, suspended and supported scaffolding, hoists, and any other building appurtenances that may come loose from exposure to high winds should be properly secured, and roof drains and down spouts should be cleared of debris to allow for proper drainage. Which structures are at the highest risk? - Structures that have been subject to deferred maintenance or are in delicate condition could be at greater risk.To better understand your building’s potentially hazardous areas, it is best to retain an engineering professional to conduct a building study to thoroughly asses items at risk.
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Facade elements of historic buildings are at risk, particularly structures with poorly maintained masonry parapets and cornices. As a reminder, all buildings, regardless of height, must have an annual inspection of their public right-of-way facing parapets under Local Law 126. All buildings over six stories have to comply with Local Law 11/98 (FISP) requirements in order to avoid facade defects.
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Check sealant and filler conditions at the roof penetration. Be sure to reseal all areas where sealant has shrunk or cracked. Maintaining the roof system will avoid potential uplift in high winds.
- Steel and concrete structures are more resistant to high winds, compared to empirically built, wood-frame structures.
On March 14th, the NYC DOB issued a weather advisory due to gusty winds with tips on how to secure construction sites and keep buildings safe. For a complete list of tips, please continue reading here.
If you would like to schedule a building survey to assess existing conditions, or if your structure has any post wind damage, please feel free to contact us at (718) 767-0923 (Northeast) or (954) 691-0009 (Southeast region). |
FISP CYCLE 10A IS OPEN FOR FILING |
Owners and Managers of any buildings 6+ stories with a building block # ending in 4, 5, 6 or 9…
The deadline for all Sub-Cycle A buildings is February 21, 2027. Now is the time to address all SWARMP and UNSAFE items from your previous Local Law 11 (FISP) report in order to meet the deadline.
Once all necessary SWARMP or Unsafe conditions have been corrected, the Building Owner must hire a Qualified Exterior Wall Inspector, or QEWI, to perform an inspection of the building facades and appurtenances in order to assign the building a classification of Safe, SWARP, or Unsafe.
For previously filed Safe 9th Cycle FISP reports, now is the time to budget for costs associated with Cycle 10 compliance, including QEWI inspection costs, scaffolding or boom lift costs for up-close physical inspections and DOB filing fees.
Your inspection must be completed and a report filed with the DOB on time in order to avoid any violations, fines or penalties and potentially hazardous conditions to the public.
Check out the NYC DOB Local Law 11 Compliance Map. 10th Cycle Local Law 11/98 (FISP) Filing Deadlines: | How can we help?
Should you require Local Law 11/98 (FISP) inspection or repair design services, please feel free to contact us at info@merrittengineering.com. Continue to check our website for the most up-to-date information, including DOB issued amendments. |
Reminder - 2025 Compliance Deadlines |
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| In case you missed it, our Principal, Mario Cirigliano, is featured in a recently published article by NYREJ regarding compliance deadlines for Local Law 11/98 (FISP) requirements, Local Law 126 Parking Structure assessments and NYC mandated Parapet Inspections.
Read the full article, here. |
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The NYC DOB Stepped Up Enforcement for Parking Structures |
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Spring is here! Great weather means more people out and about, walking the NYC streets. Some of those very people could be DOB inspectors conducting unannounced field inspections at locations who have yet to file either a full PIPS Compliance report or an Initial Observation Report with the Department. |
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While the large majority of owners of the approximately 5,600 parking structures around the city have met their legal requirements, as of late February 2025, over 300 properties in Lower Manhattan, Midtown and the Upper West Side still haven't submitted their PIPS compliance report, and over 1,600 properties in all other areas of the city still haven't submitted their Initial Observation Report. Property owners who have not already done so are strongly encouraged to have their parking structures inspected by a QPSI and to submit these important safety reports as soon as possible.
*Check out Compliance Maps for PIPS Compliance Reports and Initial Observation Reports showing sub-cycle information, filing status, etc..
Feel free to contact us today at (718) 767-0923 or info@merrittengineering.com to schedule your initial inspection. Our team has extensive experience with parking structure investigations and is qualified to perform the mandatory Local Law 126 of 2021 inspections required by the NYC DOB. |
The online portal for filing Local Law 97 carbon emission reports is now open |
Energy use for 2024 must be reported by May 1st, 2025, and this information will determine the penalties if emission thresholds are exceeded. There are three distinct steps to filing your building’s carbon emission report.
1. Pay the Local Law 97 filing fee via DOB NOW. 2. Share your building’s energy source data with the city through the Energy Star Portfolio Manager (ESPM). 3. Access the NYC Building Energy Analysis Manager (BEAM) portal to make your submission
Read Habitat's full article here.
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| Did you know that over a decade ago, Merritt Engineering restored the rooftop helicopter slab and provided waterproofing services at 200 Park Avenue, NYC, better known as the MetLife Building?
Now, with its estimated 1.5 Billion Dollar refinancing loan, the new MetLife building offers a luxurious and hospitality experience which includes various amenities such as a fitness center, meeting space, outdoor space, and dining.
Continue reading here. |
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| On February 25th, Merritt Engineering sponsored Queens Centers for Progress at their 29th Annual Evening of Fine Food event.
QPC has provided programs and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities for nearly 75 years. From providing educational and therapeutic services to a small group of children, QCP has grown to become a major provider of services for people with
intellectual and developmental disabilities in Queens County and the New York metropolitan area.
Our firm is proud to support them in their cause. |
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FL - Has your building completed its milestone inspection?
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More than 12,000 condominium buildings in Florida are subject to new regulations put in place after the collapse of a Surfside building in 2021. All condos were required to have a Structural Integrity Reserve Study performed and have the results submitted by the end of 2024. As of late February 2025, fewer than 40% have actually done so. The visual inspection of major structural components must be performed by a licensed Architect or Engineer.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation publishes a database listing the buildings that are required to follow the inspection regulation. It also updates a list of the condo associations that have submitted their reserve studies.
For full listings by county, or to read the complete published article by WLRN Public Media, continue reading here. Our FL team has performed hundreds of inspections to confirm safe building conditions for condos and several other building types. For questions or to schedule a reserve study, please contact us at (954) 691-0009. |
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How can we help you?
We are currently helping several of our clients get their buildings in shape, coordinating inspections and testing, leak investigations, façade and roofing restoration projects. All projects are managed efficiently by our team from beginning to end and are designed to provide sustainable, cost-effective results. We believe in providing our clients with the quality service they deserve. We would be happy to do the same for you.
Call us today at (718) 767-0923.
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About Us
Established in 1986, Merritt Engineering has become a leading Engineering firm specializing in Building Restoration and Structural Design. We have extensive experience in Façade Restorations, Roofing & Waterproofing, Historic/Landmark Preservation, Design/Rehabilitations and Construction Administration.
For over 30 years, we have delivered customized, practical and cost-effective engineering solutions to properties throughout the United States including commercial, residential, healthcare, government and educational facilities. Today, Merritt continues to build a strong reputation through its commitment to preserving and enhancing our city’s skyline.
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