39. Sec. II. In that tie rods in the first tier of steel beams are not properly set, are of improper lengths and are loose; same being defective work contrary to law. 40. Sec. 122. In that platforms on exterior stairway at the rear of the building are not properly secured in place against displacement; in that hand rails have no brackets and lack rigidity; all these being defective work contrary to law. 41. Sec. 122. In that 6 in. x 6 in. upright angles in the rear exterior stairways do not bear at splices. 42. Sec. 122. In that bridle irons supporting the wood girders on 3rd and 4th tier are weak and defective. 43. Sec. 122. In that girders supporting floor beams at 8th tier are not strapped and bolted together and to the beams. 44. Sec. 122. In making connections of 12 in. to 15 in. beams on the third tier by means of 3/4 in. bolts passing through burnt holes; in using slotted holes in standard connections in place of 13/16 in. round holes. 45. Sec. II. In that the iron grating over the area on the 5th Ave. side is not properly supported and secured. 46. Sec. 122-129. Omitting a field coat of paint after the erection of all iron work in the pent house framing; using loose 1⁄2 in. diam. bolts in 13/16 in. holes without providing washers; omitting bolts in connections of 4x4 angles to 12 in. channels on the S. side of the pent house; using loose bolts and bolts without nuts in connections of T. irons to pent house roof beams; all these being defective work contrary to law. 47. Sec. 122-140. In that the stiffeners used in girder to column connections for wind bracing do not bear on ends, causing lack of rigidity against wind pressure; same being defective work contrary to law. 48. Sec. 129. In using unpainted uprights and stringers in the exterior iron stairway at the rear of the building, same being contrary to law. 49. Sec. 129. In erecting unpainted iron floor beams and columns; in omitting one coat of paint after erection. 50. Sec. 131. In overloading steel floor beams on first tier with construction material causing injury to connections and creating a dangerous condition. 51. Sec. 140. In that the connections of columns and beams supporting the roof tank on the north side of the roof lack rigidity against wind pressure, the braces provided at present being insufficient. Dismissing Violations. As soon as a violation has been reported, the inspector will usually re-examine the premises at frequent intervals to ascertain whether or not the law has been complied with within ten days from the date of the violation, and whenever possible the exact date of completion of the work should be entered in the journal. When the law is no longer being violated, the inspector recommends the case to the Superintendent for dismissal. The inspector cannot dismiss a violation. He can only recommend it for dismissal. Special Reports. These reports are used in all cases when the inspector thinks it is necessary to call the attention of the Superintendent to any unusual or dangerous conditions. Special reports are used to describe collapses, accidents to men and structures, defective or missing safeguards required by law, and defective methods of erection. They are also used in answering letters or complaints from citizens, in reporting results of special examinations and in notifying the Superintendent that defective work specified in a previous violation is about to be covered or bricked in. Special reports are also made when alterations will temporarily block fire exists, etc. All special reports must be addressed to the Superintendent and must contain the location, date of letter or complaint answered-if any; the number of the violation pending, if any; then the subject matter of the report and finally the signature of the inspector. Following are several reports, relating to common occurrences in actual building work : I. A citizen complains to the Superintendent of Buildings that the new 12 story building under construction and adjoining his property has too many open tiers. The citizen thinks that the wind may blow down the new structure and cause untold damages to his property. The inspector receives the letter through the Superintendent and after investigating conditions, he reports as follows: Premises: 26 W. 68th St. New York City, Jan. 15, 1913. In Re: N. B. 1386 of 1913, and Letter of January 13th from John Dobbs, 23 W. 23rd St., City. Violation: None. Examined: Jan. 14th, 1913. Sir: Richard Johnson, Esq., Relative to the above examination I respectfully report as follows: In the building at 26 W. 68th St. the steel work has been completed up to the 8th tier inclusive, and the 9th and 10th tiers are being set up. Floor arches have been filled in up to and including the 6th tier and wooden centres are being hung on the 7th tier. The building has a base of 50 feet by 90 feet, is of a solid construction and the floor arches are completed as required by law. In addition the new structure is protected on the west side against wind pressure by a tall building and a sufficient number of temporary steel cables are being used, throughout the upper part of the steel frame, to secure the necessary rigidity until the floor aches will be filled in. In my judgment, there is no reason whatever that would justify the above complaint. 2. Respectfully submitted, James Wilson, Inspector of Iron and Steel Construction. During an alteration to an existing loft building a fire escape is temporarily closed by placing building materials on some of the balconies. Write a report and suggest a suitable remedy. New York City, Feb. 15th, 1913. Premises: N. W. Cor. 26th St., and 5th Ave. In re Alteration No. 1265 of 1913. Violation: No violation pending. Examined: Feb. 14th, 1913. Sir: John Smith, Esq., Relative to above premises I respectfully report as fol lows: The building is a 12 story fire proof loft, with all floors occupied by clothing manufacturers. The existing fire escape has been found inadequate and a new fire escape is being built in compliance with a violation of the Bureau of Fire Prevention. During the erection of the new fire escape, the present fire escaped is being completely blocked with construction materials, thus making it useless as a means of egress in case of fire. I respectfully suggest that this case be brought to the attention of the Fire Prevention Bureau, for whatever further action it may deem necessary. Respectfully submitted by Nicholas Carter, Inspector Iron and Steel Construction. 3. After ten days from the time a violation is issued, the inspector usually gets an inquiry slip from the violation clerk, to re-examine premises and report. The inspector finds that nothing has been done with regard to the violation and recommends the case to be held for prosecution. N. Y. City, March 20th, 1913. Premises: S. E. Cor. 26th St. and B'way. In re: New Building 763 of 1913. Examined: March 19th, 1913. Sir: John Smith, Esq., Relative to the above premises, I respectfully report as follows: Nothing has been done to comply with the law. I therefore recommend that the case be sustained. Respectfully submitted, Nicholas Carter, Inspector Iron and Steel Construction. In the following reports the introduction, title, date and signature are omitted and only the body of the report is given. It is obvious, that a complete report will be of the form shown in the three previous reports. 4. Notice from a citizen is received to the effect that at 56 Water St. a man erects steel beams in front of the house for the purpose of constructing a vault without a permit. The inspector investigates and reports: Relative to above premises I respectfully report as fol lows: Six 8 in. I. beams, four feet on centres and 6 feet long have been erected beyond the building line between the front wall of the building, on one side and an old retaining wall on the street side. The construction is intended to support a vault. As no permit has been issued by our department for this work, I have filed to-day a violation for erecting iron work without a permit. In the same time I recommend that this case be referred to the Bureau of Highways, for any further action it may deem necessary. Respectfully submitted by, 5. Short and defective ladders are being used by the iron men in erecting a steel framing for a tall building. The inspector investigates and reports: Relative to the above premises I respectfully report as follows: Iron beams and columns are being erected on the 7th and 8th tiers. The ladders used by the iron men consist of 3x10 planks with 2x34 in. cross pieces every 16 in. These ladders. are not tied on top to floor beams as required, and even when fixed in place are extremely dangerous. I respectfully suggest that the builder be notified by our department to discontinue the use of these ladders. I also recommend that the State Labor Bureau be notified about this case, for whatever action it may deem necessary. Respectfully submitted, 6. Report for Dismissal of a Violation.. When a violation has been complied with in all respects, the inspector writes a report to the Superintendent, recommending the case for dismissal. Every item in the original violation must be mention in this report. For instance, to dismiss violation on page 174 the inspector's report will read like this: Relative to above premises I respectfully report as fol lows: The defective connections between 8 in. I. beams and 201 in, girders on the 1st tier west have been fixed, by replacing all defective bolts by new, good bolts; by making all loose parts tight, and by providing four 3/4 in. additional bolts in each connection, as directed. All iron work has been painted a field coat of good paint after erection. As the law is no longer being violated, I respectfully suggest that this case be dismissed. Respectfully submitted by, 7. When the construction work becomes dangerous, the inspector must notify the Superintendent as soon as possible to that effect. This is usually done on special (pink) report blanks. For instance: Relative to above premises I respectfully report as fol lows: The structure is a fire proof 10 story loft 50x90 ft. with cast iron columns throughout. The 7th tier of beams is in place. The floor arches have been filled in up to and including the 3rd tier only. Tiers 4-5-6-7 are open. The masonry walls are up to the 2nd tier. Due to heavy west winds and to the exposed location of the premises, the columns near the middle of the structure have a tendency to bulge out from west to east. In fact three lines of columns have been pushed out of plumb nearly 3/4 in. in this direction. Efforts are being made |
