NYC Parapet Wall Inspection

What is a Parapet wall?

A parapet wall is a low protective barrier preventing from falling or any structure above the roof level. In some cases, instead of a parapet wall, you can see a railing that extends along the edge of a roof, balcony, terrace, walkway, or other structure’s perimeter.

Parapet walls vary in height, design, and materials depending on the specific requirements of the building and the desired aesthetic and functional outcomes. They can be constructed from various materials like brick, stone, concrete, metal, or glass, and may feature decorative elements or be designed for utilitarian purposes. Overall, parapet walls play a vital role in enhancing safety, aesthetics, and functionality in various architectural and construction contexts.

Per NYC code, parapet walls need to have a minimum height to be acceptable by the Department of Buildings.

Parapet walls have several functions as below:

Safety:

Prevents people or things like debris or HVAC equipment from accidentally falling off the edge of roof.

Aesthetics:

Enhances the architectural appearance of the structure and especially in cities like New York, you can see many old buildings with ornaments and details attached on the outside of the parapets facing the public streets called Cornice.

Weather Protection:

It provides some shielding against wind, rain, and other weather elements, and by extending the façade structure above the roof level, you can provide better insulation and weather protection for the building envelope.

Functional Use:

You can use the inside of the parapet walls to hang or attach HVAC units and keep the rooftop organized and clean. In the case of extension and enlargement of the existing buildings, due to safety requirements by the Department of Buildings, and cannot add more waits on the existing roof, you can add HVAC dunnage by placing the beams on the parapet walls to create more space for necessary equipment like HVAC condensers.

Parapet inspection rule of the NYC Local Law 126

From January 1, 2024, onwards every building owner must provide annual parapet reports for their building facing any public right of way, per NYC Code Section 28-301.1.1, and keep the record for at least 6 years in their archive.

But there are some exemptions, detached 1 and 2-family homes or buildings which have fences or any kind of barrier that prevents public access to the building facade are exempt from providing parapet wall annual reports.

How to provide the Annual Parapet Observation Report

The person overseeing the inspection or the property owner, working jointly with the inspector, must create a comprehensive report outlining the findings of the observation. It is mandatory for owners to preserve these reports for at least six years and furnish them to the Department of Buildings (DOB) when requested.

If you spot any hazardous or unsafe conditions during your parapet inspection, it’s crucial to act swiftly to ensure public safety. Here’s what you should do:

1.    Notify the Department of Buildings (DOB):

Immediately inform the DOB by calling 311. Additionally, send an email to [email protected] to report the unsafe condition.

2.  Implement Safety Measures:

As the building owner, promptly set up protective measures like sidewalk sheds, fences, or safety netting to safeguard the public. These protections should stay in place until the hazardous situation is fully resolved.

3.    Affirm Sidewalk Shed Installation:

If installing a sidewalk shed is necessary, ensure that the application filed in DOB NOW confirms its relevance to the required periodic observation of the building’s parapet, as specified in 1 RCNY §103-15.

4.    Address Unsafe Conditions Promptly:

Ensure that any identified unsafe conditions are corrected within 90 days of notifying the DOB.

Your parapet inspection report should include:

• Property Details: The property’s address.
• Owner Information: The owner’s name, mailing address, and telephone number. If the owner is an entity, provide the name, mailing address, telephone number, and position/title of a principal of the owner.
• Inspector Details: The name of the person performing the observation. If it’s someone other than the owner, include their mailing address, telephone number, affiliation with the building or owner, and business name, if applicable.
• Observation Dates: The date(s) when the observation took place.
• Parapet Location Plan: A location plan of the observed parapet(s).
• Parapet Construction Details: Information on the parapet’s construction, including material, height, and thickness.
• Condition Assessment: General conditions were noted, any unsafe conditions were found, and actions were taken to remedy them.
• Repair History: Details of any repairs made to the parapet since the previous report.
• Photographic Evidence: Dated photos documenting the conditions at the time of observation.

Who Can Perform the Parapet Wall Inspection?

Regarding who can perform these observations, NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) regulations specify that individuals with the necessary expertise are qualified. This includes:

• Construction Professionals: Bricklayers, building superintendents, handymen, masons, or those in similar construction-related trades.
• Licensed Professionals: Licensed architects or engineers in New York State.
• Authorized Inspectors: Authorized building inspectors or inspectors employed by authorized insurance companies.
• Competent Individuals: Anyone proficient in identifying hazards present on the parapet structure.

It’s essential to ensure that the person conducting the inspection is competent in identifying potential hazards to maintain the safety and integrity of your building’s parapet.

Source: NYC DOB