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What is a Certificate of Occupancy [“C.O.”] ?

A Certificate of Occupancy describes the legal use and occupancy of a new or an existing building. For buildings built prior to 1938, no Certificate of Occupancy is required. The ASPA Engineering LLC assists the building manager or landlord to amend or obtain new Certificate of Occupancy for their building. For additional description and details of a Certificate of Occupancy, Click Here.. and Click here…

What’s a Work Permit? Do I need a Work Permit to do some interior renovations?

Yes, you need a Work Permit to do all types of renovation work, except for cosmetic work, such as painting, plastering, flooring refinishing and cabinet installations. The ASPA Engineering LLC assists the building manager and/or his contractor to obtain such permit. For additional description and details, Click here…

What is the process of applying for Plan Approval from the NYC Department of Buildings?

You start the process by hiring an architect or engineer to be the “Applicant” in filing an application for Plan Approval. The architect/engineer fills out an application [PW-1] and submits same to the Dept. of Buildings, together with plan drawings for your project. After paying the filing fee, the plan is reviewed by the Dept. of Buildings and an Objection Sheet issued if any additional information is requested by the examiners. Upon completion of the review, a stamped and perforated plan is signed as approved by the Department and you may proceed to file for a Work Permit based on such approved plans. The ASPA Engineering LLC prepares design plans and files a Plan Approval application on behalf of the building manager or landlord. For further description of the process, Click here…

What is Local Law 11 of 1998, “Exterior Walls Examination” ?

Local Law 11/98 is a law enacted by the City of New York, which requires landlords to hire an architect or engineer to perform an inspection of the exterior walls of buildings greater than six-stories, every five (5) years. The inspection report documents any dangerous conditions along the walls and is submitted for review by the Dept. of Buildings. The ASPA Engineering LLC prepares and files this LL 11/98 report on behalf of the building managers or landlord. For additional description and detail requirements of the law, Click here…

What is a Violation and How do I get it Cleared?

The ECB Notice of Violation (NOV) is the most common type of violation issued by the Department of Buildings when a property does not comply with a part of the New York City Building Code and/or Zoning Resolution. It also contains an order to correct the violating condition and to certify correction at the Department of Buildings. The ASPA Engineering LLC assists building managers and owners to cure such violations, as well as other types of violations. For further description and details, Click here…

What type of Inspections do you perform and what type of reports do you prepare ?

Our inspection reports range from detailed building-wide evaluation reports of all major structural elements & mechanical building components to specific-element/ specific-condition inspections, as well as the basic pre-purchase townhouse or coop apartment inspection report. The scope of our inspection reports may be tailored to suit the client requirements and include the following types of reports; click here…

What is Mold, is it dangerous? and What Causes it ?

Molds are fungi. Molds grow throughout the natural and built environment. Tiny particles of mold are present in indoor and outdoor air. Mold can affect the health of people who are exposed to it. People are mainly exposed to mold by breathing spores or other tiny fragments. The most common health problems caused by indoor mold are allergy symptoms, such as nasal congestion and nausea, although other and more serious problems may develop. Mold typically develops in moist, damp areas of walls and ceilings with chronic plumbing or exterior water leaks. The ASPA Engineering LLC inspects and identifies causes and sources of water penetration to the interiors which lead to mold growth, as well as identifies areas that are infested with mold and helps develop mold removal and remediation plans. For additional information regarding mold, click here…

What are Tripping Hazards and How can they be Avoided ?

Tripping Hazards are unexpected conditions of walkways, hallways, stairways and other public areas, which may lead a person to accidentally slip or trip, thereby causing an injury to occur. For example, a crack in a sidewalk with a raised edge of ½” or more has been found to be a tripping hazard. Inconsistent stair heights and slippery stair treads have been found to be a tripping hazard in a stairway. Excessively steep ramps and lack of handrails have been found to be a slipping hazard. The ASPA Engineering LLC helps to identify the existence of tripping hazards and determines whether such conditions may be in non-compliance with City and State building laws. For additional information, click here…

How can I save more on Heating & AC Fuel Bills and how can I reduce my energy consumption in the building ?

There are several ways to reduce your fuel bills and improve your boiler efficiency. Start by cleaning the boiler, water-treatment and tuning up your burner. You can replace defective valves, balance the steam or water circulation system and install energy saving monitors on your equipment that are guaranteed to save fuel. The ASPA Engineering LLC can inspect your heating equipment and identify energy saving techniques that will generate substantial savings on your monthly fuel bills. For additional description, click here…

What is lead based paint, why is it dangerous and how can I get rid of it ?

Lead-based paints were used to paint walls and ceilings in many buildings built prior to its banning by the federal government in 1978. Lead-based paints, as the name implies, contains lead. Many documented cases of lead poisoning can be attributed to lead contamination resulting from the degradation of such paints. Lead-based paints in good condition pose little risk but those that begin to peel, chip, chalk, or cracks do pose a potential health risk. For additional description and picture of lead paint, click here… For a description of the lead based paint laws of New York City, click here… and click here…

Can Building Owners in NYC request to have a street tree planted in front of their building by the City, for free ??

Yes! To request a free street tree installed in front of your building, click here…

Can Building Owners in NYC get graffiti removed off their property, for free??

Yes! To request the City to have graffiti removed off your building walls, click here…