New York City Annual Parapet Inspections
A Parapet is simply a small wall or an upward extension of a wall along the edge of a roof, terrace, balcony, or other structures. Pararapets can serve many purposes, such as wind load reduction, fall protection, or fire retardants.
All building parapets facing the public right of way in New York City must undergo an annual inspection. In this article, we will provide you with the necessary information about parapet inspection and how to meet the requirements, including:
The NYC parapet inspection rule
NYC buildings that are subject to the Parapet inspection rule
Who can conduct the inspection
Parapet inspection criteria
Notification of unsafe or dangerous conditions of the parapet
Report requirements
The NYC Parapet Inspection Rule
Starting on January 1st, 2024, the parapet rule went into effect, requiring an annual inspection of every building parapet facing a public right of way
NYC Buildings that are Subject to the Parapet Inspection Rule
The inspection rule applies to all public or private buildings located in New York City, irrespective of the height, as long as the parapets face a public right-of-way. The building owner is responsible for initiating the inspection. However, detached single or two-family buildings, as well as residences with a fence or barrier that prevents access to the external wall, are exempt from this annual regulation.
A building is considered publicly accessible and not exempt from the inspection rule if the external wall is on private property and a pedestrian can easily walk up to the exterior part of the building. Furthermore, a building must comply with the inspection rule if the building has a barrier that is located within a perpendicular distance from the external wall which is equal to or less than half of the height of the external wall.
Who can conduct the Inspection?
As a building owner, to ensure you comply with the parapet observation or inspection rule, you must hire a qualified professional or any other personnel capable of identifying hazards on the parapet. Bricklayers, handymen, building superintendents, a person with construction experience, an engineer, an architect, an authorized building inspector from New York State, or anyone with experience in identifying hazards on the parapets are all qualified to perform the inspection. If you want to schedule a parapet inspection or need guidance regarding parapet inspections, you can reach out to AG Engineering PLLC.
Parapet Inspection Criteria
The parapet inspection must be conducted thoroughly, with detailed examinations of the entire parapet. Scaffolding, boom trucks, roofs, fire escapes, and other observation platforms can all be used to conduct the inspection. The inspection must include, but is not limited to:
Confirmation that the parapet is plumb by a horizontal distance within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness in any location.
Assessment for excessive deterioration of the parapet which includes the following but is not limited to, horizontal or diagonal cracks, displacement, loose or missing bricks or coping stones, spalling, deteriorated mortar joints, or rot.
Verification that appurtenances such as roof access rails, railings, telecommunications equipment, gooseneck ladders and handrail attachments for fire escapes, as well as signs, are installed and maintained properly.
Parapet Inspection Criteria
The parapet inspection must be conducted thoroughly, with detailed examinations of the entire parapet. Scaffolding, boom trucks, roofs, fire escapes, and other observation platforms can all be used to conduct the inspection. The inspection must include, but is not limited to:
Confirmation that the parapet is plumb by a horizontal distance within one-eighth of its cross-sectional thickness in any location.
Assessment for excessive deterioration of the parapet which includes the following but is not limited to, horizontal or diagonal cracks, displacement, loose or missing bricks or coping stones, spalling, deteriorated mortar joints, or rot.
Verification that appurtenances such as roof access rails, railings, telecommunications equipment, gooseneck ladders and handrail attachments for fire escapes, as well as signs, are installed and maintained properly.
Notification of Unsafe or Dangerous Conditions of the Parapet
In a situation where the parapet shows unsafe or hazardous conditions during the inspection, certain actions are required to be taken by the inspector to ensure the safety of pedestrians, which include:
The person conducting the inspections must notify the Department of Buildings immediately by calling 311 and emailing parapets@buildings.nyc.gov.
The owner of the building must immediately install public protection measures such as constructing a sidewalk shed, removing hazardous conditions, closing off the unsafe area with a fence, and/or setting up safety netting to ensure the safety of the public.
All hazardous conditions must be addressed within ninety (90) days from the notification to the Department of Buildings. The public protection system must be kept in place until the hazardous conditions are fully resolved.
Reporting Requirements
A detailed report of the parapet inspection must be prepared by the person conducting the inspection or by the building owner in collaboration with the inspector. The report must include the following information:
The building’s address.
The building owner's name, mailing address, and telephone, or in the case of a non-individual owner, the principal’s name, mailing address, telephone number, and position/title.
The name of the person conducting the inspection. If the owner is not performing the inspection provide the address, telephone number, connection to the building or the owner, and business name.
Date(s) of the inspection.
Location plan of the parapet(s) inspected or observed.
The details of the parapet construction, such as height, materials, and thickness
Observation of the overall condition of the parapet, including the discovery of any hazardous conditions and safety measures implemented to address the unsafe conditions.
Documentation of any repairs made to the parapet since the last report.
Dated photograph of the parapet’s condition at the time of inspection.
AG Engineering PLLC: The Best Company for Parapet Inspections
AG Engineering PLLC is an engineering firm with experienced professional engineers who are solely dedicated to ensuring that your project complies with local regulations. At AG Engineering PLLC, we conduct parapet inspections and issue reports at affordable rates. Schedule parapet inspections with us and enjoy:
Building prioritization and pedestrian safety
Identification of necessary repairs and maintenance requirements
Transparent assessment of the parapet
Comprehensive report on your building’s parapet inspection
Affordable rates and reliable service
If you would like to schedule a parapet inspection or you require additional assistance regarding parapet observation, kindly reach out to us at (347)-314-6801 and
Ariel@agengineeringpllc.com. You can also visit our website for more information.
FAQs
How do I submit a Parapet Report?
No submission to the Department is required. An observation report must be supplied to the owner. Owners must maintain the observation reports for at least 6 years and must make the reports available to the Department upon request.
What is the start date of the program and are there deadlines?
Parapets subject to this rule must be inspected annually starting January 1, 2024. A parapet inspection must be completed by December 31, 2024, and by December 31 every year thereafter. Owners must have an observation report on file by December 31.
How should DOB be notified of an UNSAFE condition?
The person performing the observation must immediately notify the Department of Buildings by calling 311. If a building is subject to FISP (Façade Inspection Safety Program) filing an Unsafe Notification (FISP3) in DOB NOW Safety is also required.
How is a parapet defined?
1 RCNY 103-15 defines a parapet as the part of any wall entirely above the roof line.
Do parapet walls on balconies need to be inspected?
No, these do not fit the parapet definition above.
In the year a FISP report is submitted for a building can that count toward the parapet report for that year or does a separate report need to be created?
If the FISP report includes all information required to satisfy rule 1 RCNY 103-15 no separate report is required. The owner must have a copy of the FISP report available upon request.
Do the close-up inspections requirements include boom trucks, scaffolds, or rope access for cornices and other non-easily accessible parapet appurtenances on a yearly basis?
Physical examinations from scaffolding or other observation platforms must be performed annually. Inspections conducted from fire escapes or roofs are also acceptable.
Where access to the outer face of the parapet is limited by building geometry, is it acceptable to perform the physical inspection from the inside face of the parapet?
It is acceptable for the physical inspection to be done from the inside of the parapet and a detailed visual inspection from a fire escape, balcony, or any location that affords an unobstructed view of the parapet and appurtenances. If any potentially unsafe conditions are apparent at visual inspection, a hands-on inspection may be required to determine the status of the parapet and appurtenances.
Do all parapets along a public right of way elevation need to be inspected, including those that are setback from the street?
All parapets on the public right of ways must be inspected.
If UNSAFE parapet conditions are found requiring more than 90 days to correct can the building file some kind of extension of time such as we do for the FISP reports?
There are no extensions.
Do cornices need to be inspected?
Cornices attached to the front wall/roof with no parapet behind do not need to inspected, however, cornices that are attached to parapet walls are subject to annual inspections as they are considered an appurtenance.
What is considered a public right-of-way?
The elevation of an exterior wall is part of the public right-of-way if a member of the public who is not associated with the property in question can freely walk up to the façade of the building, even if that exterior wall is on private property. Buildings with a continuous barrier within a perpendicular distance from the exterior wall that is equal to or less than half the height of the exterior wall must be inspected.
What if my building has a fence, wall or other barrier?
Buildings with a continuous barrier within a perpendicular distance from the exterior wall that is equal to or less than half the height of the exterior wall must be inspected. Buildings with a continuous barrier beyond half the height of the exterior wall need not be inspected.
Would parapets over an adjoining property’s rear or side yard, occupied by persons not associated with the property, be subject to inspection?
The Rule requires that, at a minimum, parapets fronting a public right-of-way be inspected. Other parapets may be inspected at the inspector’s discretion.
Is there a template for the report?
The format of the report must follow RCNY 103-15 (c) (1). The order and sequence as outlined in the rule must be followed.
Do we need to remove the waterproofing membrane to observe the condition of the structural substrate underneath?
Not required. The inspector must determine the inspection methods that will allow them to assess the status of the parapets.
Would inspections cover compliance with parapets/guardrails provisions for height, opening limitations, and positive securement?
Code compliance does not have to be included in the report. We are looking for a structural stability inspection only.
Do we need to provide a status on the building parapet?
The observation report must state if the parapet is unsafe, safe or requires maintenance. The observation must indicate the general condition of the parapet. If it is unsafe or requires maintenance indicate what actions are necessary to remedy the conditions.
Must the report include photos to document the safe status of the parapet?
Photos are not required; the inspector must determine how to best document the results of their inspection.
