SINCE THE AUGUST 18th FIRE THAT KILLED TWO FDNY firefighters, the department has instituted a more determined effort to inspect construction and demolition sites.

After the department admitted that the Deutsche Bank demolition project had gone nearly a year without undergoing the required inspections every 15 days, they are vigorously playing catch-up.

New York Times photo

The New York Newsday reports:

The department looked at 485 sites, which included just over 350 actual buildings, and reported 122 fire hazards that required follow-up inspections by the city Department of Buildings, fire and buildings officials said. More than 200 other calls routed to the Fire Department from the city’s 311 complaint line prompted more inspections.

In the six weeks since the blaze, the Buildings Department has issued 27 stop-work orders stemming from fire-safety issues that shut down construction sites. Before the Aug. 18 fire, 67 such orders had been issued in 2007.

Some people in the department are concerned that a few engine companies in high-construction areas might be overwhelmed with inspection duties, but no doubt they will find a solution for it.

Read the complete story HERE.

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