Ever since the New Rule for parapet inspections were adopted, I have been thinking about how these critical inspections will benefit the public, and

NEW YORK'S BRAVEST!

A Parapet serves many purposes, one of which

includes acting as a fire wall to aid in preventing fire spread from one portion of a building to another. Parapets can also be decorative or used to hide rooftop equipment along the front and sides of a building.

"Parapets are an old danger for new firefighters (Gary Bowker, USAF Firefighter, RET)

Firefighters actually train on various types of parapet construction, and the impact of Parapet wall failures. Part of this training includes how to assess the integrity of load-bearing and non load-bearing masonry assemblies when arriving at the scene of a fire.

Parapet safety is a real concern, and the adoption of the New Rule under Local Law 126 is extremely beneficial for all buildings that are not included in Local Law 11/FISP.

Parapet deterioration is exasperated by the elements and can occur due to lack of a watertight seal where the parapet meets the roof line. Original waterproofing including flashing, canting strips, membranes or other protective sealants can degrade unless properly maintained. Once compromised, water and other elements can wreak havoc on the parapet wall - leading to deteriorating bricks, and mortar. Lack of maintenance is also be problematic for coping. Over time, coping can break loose (or be taken off for some other reason) leaving the elements to drain along the wall jeopardizing the integrity of the parapet.

Parapet observation reporting will commence January 1, 2024. Ponte Project Management in partnership with an experienced Engineer have developed a program to conduct these necessary inspections and deliver a thermal bound report to the Building for DOB review upon request. Inspections will consist of visual observations to assess the condition of the existing parapet and include a thorough review of base building drawings (when available) to understand the design intent and details of the parapet assembly.

PPM will work with Building Owners and managers to confirm any exploratory probes or other tests required to determine parapet deficiencies.

If repairs are necessary, PM's extensive resources can assist you with determining requirements, erecting required protection and vetting repair costs to ensure your building is SAFE.

We look forward to being of service to you and assisting you in complying with the New Rule.

N. Lara