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Information on building repair, maintenance, upgrades, and project management.

Exterior Repair and Maintenance
FISP Fact Sheet
Playing it "Safe" with FISP

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions on NYC’s Facade Inspection and Safety Program (Local Law 11/98).

Drone Services
Drone Services

Drones provide a safe and cost-effective way to perform visual building evaluations.

DOB NOW:Safety—Electronic FISP Filing
DOB Facade Inspection Reports Now Filed Online

Under a new DOB requirement, New York City Facade Inspection Safety Reports must be submitted online only.

A Second Engineer's Opinion Saved This Co-op a Bundle
A Second Engineer's Opinion Saved This Co-op a Bundle

A Bronx co-op saved over half a million dollars after a peer review conducted by RAND.

How to Fix a Roof Leak
How to Fix a Roof Leak: First, Find it

In high-rise apartment buildings, the roofs contain layer upon layer of possible trouble.

Proper Roofing Maintenance
Proper Roofing Maintenance

It's more than just the membranes. All roof-level components should be part of a maintenance program.

using the Roof in a Co-op
Using the Roof in a Co-op

Rooftop decks, terraces and balconies are wonderful amenities, but proper maintenance and usage guidelines must be followed.

Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Managing Electrical Power
Managing Electrical Power

Boards must balance residents’ requests for more electrical capacity with the building's needs.

Plumbing Riser Replacement
Replacing Plumbing Risers

How a luxury co-op managed the disruptive and expensive upgrade of its aging domestic water system.

Boiler Maintenance Checklist
Boiler Maintenance Checklist

Periodic items to get the most out of your building's heating plant.

Local Law 152 Gas Piping Inspections
Local Law 152/16 Gas Piping Inspections

Gas piping systems in New York City must be inspected and certified at least once every four years.

Local Law 191 of 2018: Carbon Monoxide Detectors in Commercial Spaces
Local Law 191/18: CO Detectors in Commercial Spaces

Buildings with certain types of commercial spaces must have carbon monoxide detectors installed to code.

Little Engine That Could
The Little Engine That...

How four boards faced the challenge of repairing, replacing, or retrofitting their boilers.

Emergency Generators
Emergency Generators

Considerations for having an uninterrupted power source when a disaster hits.

Cooling an Overheated Apartment
Cooling Down Your Overheated Apartment

It’s freezing outside, but your apartment is a furnace. Here’s how to turn down the heat.

Hallway Vents
Old Hallway Vents Can Pose Dangers

Negative air pressure from the "stack effect" can draw smoke and odors into apartments.

Elevator Doors That Close on People
Elevator Doors That Close on People

A rubber retractable door edge will keep the elevator open when the door makes contact.

3 Things You Need to Know About Your NYC Radiators
3 Things You Need to Know About Your NYC Radiators

Tips on how control, replace, and cover up your radiators.

Local Law 26
Local Law 26/04: Fire Sprinkler Requirement

Office buildings 100 feet or taller must be fully sprinklered by 2019. Here’s what property owners and managers need to know.

Energy Efficiency
Local Law 97 Fact Sheet
Local Law 97 (Climate Mobilization Act) Fact Sheet

A guide to complying with Local Law 97's strict greenhouse gas emissions caps.

Energy Audit Fact Sheet
Energy Audit Fact Sheet

An energy audit analyzes how efficiently buildings systems are performing and identifies ways to reduce energy consumption.

Local Law 154 NYC Building Electrification Law

Local Law 154 targets new buildings and major renovations, aiming to eliminate fossil fuel combustion.

Converting From No. 6 Heating Oil
Converting From No. 6 Heating Oil

Cleaner fuel options for NYC buildings that must switch from No. 6 heating oil by 2015.

Green Roof Fact Sheet
Green Roof Fact Sheet

The types, costs, and benefits of green roofing systems, and why a feasibility study is recommend before installing one.

NYC Mandates Benchmarking, Energy Audits, and Retro-commissioning
New York City's Energy Efficiency Legislation

New local laws mandate benchmarking, energy audits, and retro-commissioning.

New York City Benchmarking Law
New York City Benchmarking Law

Local Laws 84/09 and 133/16 require property owners to submit an annual analysis of energy usage.

VFR unit
Energy Efficiency Incentives, for Local Law 97 and Beyond

Explore our list of energy efficiency incentives for Local Law 97 compliance and advancing sustainability objectives.

RAND Joins NYSERDA's Multifamily Building Solutions Network

NYSERDA Multifamily Building Solutions Network Providers work with residential owners to improve the energy efficiency of their buildings.

Surveys and Inspections
New York City Parking Structure Inspections Fact Sheet
Parking Structure Inspections Fact Sheet (NYC)

NYC parking structures must be inspected at least once every six years by a qualified engineer per Local Law 126 of 2021.

NYC Parking Garage
Parking Garage Inspections Fact Sheet (NYS)

Parking garages in New York State must be inspected by a qualified engineer every three years.

Jersey City Mandatory Structural and Facade Inspections (Ordinance 21-054)
Jersey City Structural and Facade Inspection Ordinance

Buildings of a certain height in Jersey City are now required to have regular facade and structural inspections performed by a licensed professional.

New York City Parking Garage
Maintenance Best Practices for Parking Structures

Following these maintenance practices enhances will parking structure safety, prolong their lifespan, and minimize expensive repairs.

Special Inspections Fact Sheet
Special Inspections Fact Sheet

The DOB's tighter requirements for Special Inspections apply to most repair projects.

Infrared Fact Sheet
Infrared Fact Sheet

A non-destructive diagnostic tool, infrared thermography can detect hidden problems throughout a building.

The Top Seven Construction Defects
The Top 7 Construction Defects

New doesn't mean flawless. Leaks and other deficiencies are often found in recently built properties.

Spot Building Defects Before Buying
Learn to Spot Building Defects Before Buying

Prospective buyers should be aware of common defects in newly constructed condominiums.

NYC Annual Parapet Inspections
NYC Annual Parapet Inspections

A guide to NYC’s annual parapet inspection requirement.

The Seven Worst Places to Live in a Building
The 7 Worst Places to Live in a Building

RAND looks at which areas inside a building pose the greatest potential for problems.

Lack of Luxury
Lack of Luxury

RAND’s physical condition survey of the Empire Condominium uncovered a host of defective conditions.

Sued for Report
Africa Israel Sued for Not Disclosing RAND Report

The developer of 20 Pine Street failed to disclose RAND's report, which listed $5.6 million in defects.

Historic Preservation
New York City Landmarks Fact Sheet
New York City Landmarks Fact Sheet

A guide to navigating the Landmarks Preservation Commissions permitting process.

Funding Historic Properties
Funding Assistance for Historic Properties

Grants, loans, and tax credits are available for owners restoring historic properties in New York.

Return to Glory on the Upper West Side
Return to Glory on the Upper West Side

Restoring the decorative terra cotta facade of a prewar co-op revived its architectural character.

Window Replacement
Window Replacement in an Historic District

New aluminum casement units preserved the style of the originals with improved performance.

Architectural Design
Review of Proposed Apartment Alterations
Review of Proposed Apartment Alterations

Plans to renovate an apartment must first be reviewed by an engineer or architect.

Making an Entrance Accessible
Making an Entrance Accessible

What changes must a landlord make to lobby steps to accommodate people with disabilities?

Project Planning and Management
Eight Steps to a Successful Project
Eight Steps to a Successful Project

Liquidated damages, retainage, and six other things to minimize construction problems.

Long Term Planning
Don't Fall Short with Long-term Planning

Avoid emergency repairs and expenses with a preventative maintenance program.

Establishing a Repair Budget
Establishing a Reliable Repair Budget

Itemizing anticipated funding requirements gives building owners greater repair options.

Altering Your Building
Altering Your Building: Not Just an Ordinary Facelift

Major projects can turn into major headaches if not done with the help of licensed professionals.

The Role of the Engineer/Architect
The Role of the Engineer/Architect

Common misconceptions that strain the partnership between a board and its engineer/architect.

Is Subcontractor a Dirty Word?
Is "Subcontractor" Really a Dirty Word?

Sometimes hiring subcontractors is not only appropriate but advisable—with precautions.

Local Law 11/98 Archive (6th Cycle and Earlier)
Dismantling the Scaffolding
Dismantling the Scaffolding

Staggered deadlines for NYC Local Law 11/98 offer a more realistic timetable for conducting inspections and filing reports.

A Little Leeway on Facade Repairs
A Little Leeway on Facade Repairs

An alternative filing program gives building owners some breathing room with facade inspections.

Facade Report Time
Facade-Report Time, With a Difference

Repair and maintenance items from previous inspections cannot be carried over to the next cycle.

  • RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC
  • 159 West 25th Street
  • New York, NY 10001
  • P: 212-675-8844
RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC
159 West 25th Street | New York, NY 10001
P: 212-675-8844 |