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Sidewalk Bridge NYC
A Sidewalk Bridge is a structure constructed to protect pedestrians from objects falling from a building or construction site. Owners may have to erect a sidewalk bridge before beginning the renovation of a building’s facade.
Construction of a new building or demolition of an existing structure is also required to install bridging.
the necessity to erect such a sidewalk bridge is dependent upon the height of the building being repaired.
New York City a Sidewalk Bridge is required when construction work is over 40 feet high or 25 feet high for demolition work and whenever there is a dangerous condition irrespective of the height. A sidewalk shed must be erected whenever materials will be hoisted over the sidewalk, regardless of building height or horizontal distance between building and sidewalk.
Sidewalk Bridge Permit Regulations
- Loads subscribed in subchapter 9 must be used for design, including wind
- Uplift forces from wind must be considered in design calculations
- Snow and ice loads must be included in design calculations during winter months
- Tieback design must include wind factors created when netting is used, as wind load can be significantly increased with netting and screens
A permit is required prior to erecting a sidewalk shed or supported scaffold over 40 feet in height. If a scaffold is on top of a sidewalk shed, the height of the scaffold must include the height of the shed and be taken from the top of the sidewalk. If the supported scaffold is located on a setback or roof of a building, and if the outer leg of the scaffold is located a distance less than half the height of the scaffold (from the top of roof or floor slab), the height of the scaffold for permitting purposes shall include the height of the building below.
prior to erecting a sidewalk shed, an owner must obtain a permit from DOB. The applicant for a sidewalk shed permit must state the reason such sidewalk shed is needed. These permits are good for one year. Sidewalk sheds must be dismantled within thirty days of permit expiration. Should a renewal of the shed permit be required, other than a new building under construction, an architect or engineer must conduct a thorough examination and report to the commissioner on the work that has been performed and an estimate of the time needed to complete the work. Additionally, in New York City, Local Law No. 33 also mandated that the permit holder post a twenty-five square foot sign on the sidewalk shed with the permit holder name, address, telephone number and permit number and expiration date. Adequate lighting must be maintained under the shed. The Construction Division within each borough office of the Department of Buildings (DOB) has jurisdiction over sidewalk sheds.
The Department of Buildings (DOB) inspects construction sites when they receive a complaint. DOB also has a program to inspect major construction sites on a weekly basis for compliance with public safety regulations. Major construction sites are buildings that are more than 15 stories, over 200 feet in height or more 100,000 square feet in area, or any other buildings designated by DOB. The Department of Building Enforcement Safety Team (BEST Squad) checks for more than 85 onsite safety features such as safety netting, placement of cranes and protection of adjacent property. Inspectors are empowered to issue violations, summonses and stop work orders for conditions contrary to the Building Code or Zoning Resolution.
NYC Building Code Design Requirements for Temporary Equipment Constructions
Temporary equipment and constructions shall be designed so that the allowable stress values prescribed in subchapter 10 are not exceeded
Note: Wind forces are reversible and can impose suction load away from the structure as well as towards the structure
Minimum factor of safety for overturning and sliding is 1.5.
Free-standing scaffolds and sidewalk sheds must meet code requirements for overturning and sliding
Design shall be executed by or under the supervision of a licensed engineer or an architect who shall sign and seal the drawings and specifications
if the scaffold is supported on a sidewalk shed or roof structure, you must verify that the base structure can support the concentrated loads imposed by the scaffold legs
at points of anchorage, you must check the base building elements for local failure
All scaffold members shall be designed to be capable of withstanding, without collapse, 4 times the maximum loads.
Standard Scaffold Designations and Design Live Loads
Light duty scaffolding to be used for loads up to 25psf and is intended for use by carpenters, painters and other similar trades.
Medium duty scaffold to be used for loads up to 50psf and is intended for use by bricklayers and plasters.
Heavy duty scaffold to be used for loads up to 75psf and is intended for use by stone masons
Sidewalk sheds for buildings 100ft or more in height shall be designed for a live load of 300psf. For buildings under 100ft in height, the minimum sidewalk design live load is 150 psf and no storage is permitted
If the BSA approved sidewalk shed design is utilized, you must verify that the shed is within the scope of the design by ensuring that height does not exceed maximum height width does not exceed the maximum width or the parapet does not exceed the height limit details and connections are in full compliance.