The grace period for complying with a New York City law mandating automatic fire sprinklers in commercial facilities is up and over 1,000 buildings are non-compliant, according to amNewYork.
Local Law 26 of 2004 creates a requirement for commercial buildings of or over 100 feet to retrofit sprinklers, exit signs, and photoluminescent markings. It was enacted on October 22, 2004, and facility managers had 15 years to comply.
At a November City Council hearing, it was brought to light that about 1,100 buildings are still not in compliance with the law. Of those, 983 buildings have been issued Environmental Control Board violations for non-compliance with the sprinkler requirements, according to amNewYork. However, only 86 building owners have completely ignored the law. The majority of the stragglers are in some stage of moving toward compliance.
Included in the list of non-compliant facilities are the Trump Building at 40 Wall Street, the New York Stock Exchange, and some city buildings owned by the Department of Corrections, Parks and Education.
The $1,250 fine for non-compliance can be waived if the building is brought into compliance within 40 days of the issuance. Continued failure to comply can lead to fines of up to $25,000, in addition to the cost of re-inspection every 60 days.
Naomi Millán is senior editor of Building Operating Management.
