Lori Ann Simon, DPC New York, Inc.Gone are the days when we could purchase an air conditioner unit from PC Richards or Best Buy and carry it home to install ourselves. The DOB wants to structure new regulations and implement fines; but safety is foremost the key factor. I know of several cases in prominent buildings where an air conditioner improperly placed fell to the courtyard. Thankfully no one was injured or killed!
Similarly, as to development of the LL-11 cycle in 1980 after the Columbia student was killed on Barnard’s Campus from bricks falling from the faltering façade, so now are potential dangers of AC units being improperly installed upon phone books, blocks of wood, or whatever scraps can pitch it into position. Half of the time the superintendent, landlord or owner is not aware of the placement. Most of the time renters or owners are purchasing on a weekend, home from work, whereby they install themselves. During this current LL cycle 8 owners of buildings must have their exterior walls and appurtenances inspected and file a technical report to the DOB/Department of Buildings. Often during these inspections for façade restoration AC units are noted as improperly placed.
Building management should establish guidelines as to size and weight of a unit for each apartment. Should the doorman or porter receive delivery it should be reported to the resident manager, property manager or superintendent before installation. Size and weight, width of windowsill and whether being installed on the top of the window or the bottom upon the sill is necessary information. The exception to this being the building has received prior notification of such a delivery and installation and will exercise their ruling based on a sign-off of a certified installer. An engineers inspection has become a DOB requirement. Yet, it’s too new for this current year. Many window sills into the LL current cycle, which commenced last February, won’t be inspected until the staggered filing period by the last digit of the buildings block number which extends to filing by end of February 2019. Many are cracked; chipped or decayed especially within prewar buildings far before modern HVAC installation and mandated code for new commercial and residential properties.
For occupants both commercial and residential prior to modern wide system HVAC, accordingly as discussed with Domingo Diaz of Diaz Architect & Associates, P.C. “Building managers should have a standard window AC support detail for various types of window openings. The design should be performed by an engineer or architect that takes into consideration the weight of the unit and the extent of the cantilever. In no case should the window closing action function be to secure the AC. A proper sill for the air conditioner and an exterior angle bracing may be required for some unique units and window conditions”.
Negligence is not the issue but common sense and safety is paramount. Additionally, units properly placed and pitched will avail run off of water or ice melt to prevent compromising the sill or infiltrating the interior wall creating leaks throughout the line or traveling an invasive course throughout the building. Being proactive will save you and your building money and most importantly will safeguard the public and prevent you from legal action.
Lori Ann Simon is Director of Marketing for DPC New York, Inc., New York, N.Y. Domingo Diaz, president at Diaz Architect & Associates, P.C., New York, N.Y. also contributed to this article.
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