Mayor Bill de Blasio's Vision Zero Campaign Promotes Pedestrian Safety

There's no question that when many think of NYC streets they think of, well, traffic. Our roads are not flooded with just cars, but also bicyclers, pedestrians and - rather often - construction.

To help keep pedestrians safe, the Vision Zero campaign recently required a reduction in the city's speed limit; from 30 mph to 25 mph. Next, some of the most dangerous streets in the five boroughs will be redesigned to promote safer traveling conditions for all.

A few other implementations you can expect to see include:

• Adding speed cameras 
• Increasing pedestrian crossing times 
• Targeting police enforcement, especially in the evening and overnight hours. 

Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Interested in learning more about the Vision Zero campaign and how it aims to decrease the number of pedestrian fatalities citywide? Click here »

AM & Associates is your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more.

Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

An Evolution of Special Inspection in Masonry Construction

Today, buildings need to be built with the potential for higher magnitude forces in mind, whether it be an earthquake or some other nature force. Therefore, even though an earthquake is not necessarily more likely, masonry must be designed more "robustly."

Quality assurance programs have thus too become more important due to this increased focus on reinforced masonry. Since inspection is one of the key components of QA, special inspection in masonry construction has become a critical activity. Special inspectors are instructed to assure masonry walls are built both properly and to code. 

The primary goal of masonry construction special inspection is to catch any mistakes while they are still fairly easy to correct. Public safety is also inevitably in the hands of the various procedures these special inspectors perform. 

Want to know more? Visit www.cement.org »

AM & Associates is a team of NYC special inspectors providing masonry and various other special inspection services to the entire metropolitan area. Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information. 

Steps for Creating a Safer Construction Site

There are an endless number of considerations that go into a construction job and safety precautions are certainly one of them. While special inspections and engineering services ensure that all buildings are built properly and to code, individual workers and team members must be in on overall regulations in order to maximize safety. 

Keep your job site a safe and successful one by incorporating these few tips below:

Instill safety as a core value. From the top down, safety and it's importance should be understood by all. Executives should lead by example and provide all-level managers with the proper safety training needed. 

Hold everyone accountable. If individual employees are not held accountable for risking safety they are more likely to cut corners and cheat the system. Set safety goals early on and make sure they are addressed in routine reviews. 

Evaluate your subcontractors safety performance. What is the safety culture and safe day-to-day operations of the subcontractor you are looking to hire? It is a poor idea to hire a subcontractor that could put your current safety standards at risk. 

Develop a detailed fall management program. With falls being the number one cause of death and injury on construction sites, it is essential that an effective fall management program be developed. At just 6 feet or higher a reliable procedure should be known and put into place. 

Talk about safety regularly. Don't leave safety guidelines behind at the planning stage but always circulate safety reminders and crucial procedures regularly. Whether it be in the weekly meeting or at the start of the day, make sure the important aspects of your safety plan are remembered and respected by all. 

AM & Associates is your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more.

Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

What is an IAS Accreditation?

An IAS Accreditation by the International Accreditation Services proves that a company operates at the highest level of ethical, legal and technical standards. Therefore, you as a customer can fully trust in the IAS accredited business you hire to perform work properly and to code. 

Before an IAS accreditation is given, a company must prove its ability to perform quality special inspections under the observation of IAS' technical experts. There are also stringent quality management requirements that the Special Inspection Agency must live up to. 

Interested in learning more about what it takes to be an IAS Accredited Special Inspection Firm? Check out the online Building Safety Journal »

Alan Margolin & Associates are IAS accredited experts in NYC construction and applicable building codes. With over 30 years of experience providing engineering services to the New York area, we have focused our craft entirely on Special Inspection engineering, making ourselves a leader in our field. Visit our website for more information. 

NYC DOB Special Inspections Q&A

Alan Margolin & Associates provides a full range of special inspection services including architectural, mechanical, fire protection, structural, and civil inspections. Do you have questions regarding special inspections? These questions explain the basics of the NYC DOB’s Special Inspections program.

When did Special Inspections replace Controlled Inspections?

With the 2008 NYC Building Code, Special Inspections took the place of Controlled Inspections for all construction jobs whose applications were submitted on or after July 1, 2008.

Are Progress Inspections the same as Special Inspections?

Progress Inspections, while similar to Special Inspections, are different.  They are performed during the overall progress of work, while Special Inspections are more specialized and occur at specific points during construction.  Both Progress and Special Inspections confirm compliance with the NYCBC and construction documents, along with any relevant reference standards.

What is required from the Owner during the pre-design phase?

The owner is ultimately responsible for hiring the Special Inspection Agency, so the owner should be aware of the necessity to provide special inspections and reserve the funds to cover all inspection requirements.

What is required from the Design Applicant of Record (Architect or Engineer) during the pre-design phase?

The design applicant is responsible for determining the required list of inspection items that will be included on the TR1 submitted to the NYC DOB.

AM & Associates is your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more.

Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

New York's Landscape is Changing! Here's How

New York is a city of rich & vibrant history and you know more stories are set to be told in the year 2015. How will our favorite skyline be altered and tweaked in the upcoming year?

See below for a few major highlights:

Famous architects are taking action - bring oddly shaped structures and a few tall pieces of work to our city. 

Price growth will continue to be paired with a boom in luxurious condo buildings. 

Cultural renovations will meet completion. The Whitney Museum along the High Line will open on May 1st and the St. Patrick's Cathedral has set a goal to wrap up its restoration in time for Christmas! 

For more details on what you can expect throughout the upcoming months, visit ny.curbed.com »

AM & Associates is your source for special inspection and related services in New York and the entire metropolitan area. With over 50 years of experience, we are known for both our high standards and specialized services. We have supported the work of some of the largest and most prestigious developers, retailers and more.

Call us today at 212.867.6720 or visit our website for more information.

Questions All People Considering Renters' Insurance Should Ask

Renter's insurance can make all the difference. If you choose the right one, that is. To start - the biggest mistake you could make is not purchasing any at all. Second, these important questions will help guide you toward a good decision. 

Ask what's covered. Policies will cover a bulk of your personal property but different belongings hold a different value for everyone. For items not on the list, consider purchasing additional coverage. 

Know what "perils" are covered. Similar to the above, policies tend to cover theft, fire, water damage and similar conditions. It's important to know what's not covered so you can take proper action to avoid them. 

Talk out all the details on liability. If someone gets hurt in your apartment, who pays for the injuries? This can be slightly different depending on the reason for the person's stay. Are they visiting? Do they work there full time? Are they subletting? It's important to understand every detail. 

Inquire about the company's age. An insurance company that has been in business for quite awhile is better informed on the area and is more committed to helping you protect yourself and your home. While it is not the most important aspect of your decision, it is definitely helpful to know. 

For a complete list of important questions to ask, click here »

Don't be overwhelmed! Building regulations and city codes are meant to protect you from unsafe living conditions as both a renter and an owner. As always, report unsafe conditions by calling 311. 

AM & Associates has been providing special inspection and engineering services to NY for over 30 years. Call us today at 212.867.6720 and connect with us on social media. 

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