New York, NY – Despite a booming construction industry that has grown dramatically over the years, the city’s building codes have not changed in nearly four decades.
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Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Thursday that he is try to change that by proposing a number of changes to the city building code that he says will make construction easier, faster, and less expensive.
The mayor says the revamped code is also easier to understand and encourages environmentally friendly building.
“We had a code that was difficult to interpret in the modern day — it just didn’t really apply to a lot of things when it was written so many years ago,” said Bloomberg. “Now a builder, an owner, a union, or an individual can pretty much know a lot better where they stand.”
“For the first time, we’re releasing a proactive code that not only makes it easier, safer and faster, but a code that will allow New York’s construction industry to use new technologies and innovative design,” said Buildings Commissioner Patricia Lancaster.
The new proposal also includes new safety measures, including expanded sprinkler requirements and increased use of smoke detectors that are hardwired and interconnected.
The new code now has to be approved by the City Council. [ny1]