| Questions For Supers - 1151 to 1200 | |||
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| last update on Thursday May 08, 2008 11:28 AM PT January 2008 | |||
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| QUESTIONS POSTED | |||
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Question #1173:
Can floors be soundproofed? And If so, how?
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Question #1172:
I have been a superintendent for 8 years with this management, I have
two buildings - 1 with 15 families and the other with 16 families. The
buildings are ten blocks from each other. I make 741.00 after taxes. I pay
all my utilities. I have a three bedroom apartment in a basement and for
this they are saying after eight years that I have to prepare apartments for
rent. Meaning I have to clean them out, plaster, prime and paint apartments,
install cabinets in kitchens, sinks in bathrooms, take out garbage, sweep
and mop buildings inside and outside surrounding building. My question is,
is it fair what I get paid.
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Question #1171:
Is the landlord of a six-family rental building in New York City
required to provide his tenants with heat/hot water, or is it legal for him
to install six separate hot water heaters and gas heat for the tenant to be
responsible for, and to have the tenant pay for the heat/hot water?
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Question #1170:
Someone out of laziness, as always, threw a metal drape rod down the
compactor chute. It got jammed. While clearing it, I reached in and pricked
my finger with an insulin needle. Went to the ER right away, got a tetanus
shot and also was ordered to take an AIDS test. Now, what are my rights?
Should I hire an attorney, sue, let it go by?
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Question #1169:
How can a superintendent get help when he is treated like a dog by
board members? Why can't we get help?
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Question #1168:
What would be the limit of system refrigeration tonnage requiring
refrigeration operator at the site? We have two (2) chillers installed, each
with 80-ton capacity, serving the entire building. They could be inline at
the same time. Do we need a refrigeration operator at the site 24 hours a
day? Are there any exceptions if each compressor is less than 15 HP? The
FDNY code is not clear on this.
Post your answer Answer/Comment: From what I've learned from my instructor as well as from my job experience I would say any unit over 100 tons would require an operator. But 2 80 ton units would still be considered under 100 tons, also bear in mind that fact that the unit is supplying an entire building having someone to monitor your units saves money, because remember its not only the units that need monitoring but your cooling towers, your supply water pumps as well as your condenser pumps, motorized valves and your fans as well as their motors and belts. Keeping someone 24 hours, well that depends - is your system on 24hrs? Otherwise hire people to monitor your system during your peak hours. Roberto Cardona |
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Question #1167:
Is it a New York City law that a closed room without a window must
have a working vent?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: This question has been asked many times. The answer is: a room has to have either a door and a window, two doors, or only three walls, or one door and a vent. Peter Grech |
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Question #1166:
In a building of 32 units the hot water in the bathroom shower of 2
apartments is not as hot as it use to be. Can you help me find the problem?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: I would need more information than what you have supplied. For instance, are the bathrooms on the same riser? Is one apartment affected or the entire line/rise effected? Do you have a hot water return line or is it end use? Post your answer |
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Question #1165:
I never lived in the top floor of a pre-war low-rise walk-up building
facing northeast in Manhattan. So I frankly could have questions: water
leakage on ceiling, mold, too cold in winter - are these things common
occurrences?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: These are common occurrences in buildings with poor or no preventive maintenance for the roof and outer walls. Note; even with good maintenance practices a leak could develop. Just less common. Lastly a good landlord would solve the issue fast and repair the areas fast before mold can begin to grow. Peter Grech |
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Question #1164:
I used to live in a 3 level apartment complex and it was noticeable
hotter upstairs than it was on the lower levels. As a result, our
electricity bill for the summer months was outrageous, but then practically
nothing in the winter. Is this normal (I assumed it was and got in a big
argument with my girlfriend over it)? I realize that it tends to even out
over the course of a year, but could you give me an approximate difference
in electric costs between a first floor and top floor apartment in summer
months?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: Put it to you this way: top floor apartments are hotter because heat rises; top floor apartments have the roof - depending on condition and age, the roof insulation may be old, damaged or even nonexistent, so therefore you have the heat from the sun. If the roof is black, that's even worse, some roofs now come silver to reflect heat from the sun. So yes, top floor apartments are hotter in summer and cooler in winter, thus you consume more electricity trying to keep it cool versus an apartment on the first floor. Remember, heat rises. Roofs absorb heat. Peter Grech |
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Question #1163:
I
am a live-in super and have recently taken ill with
doctors notes for time off. I returned to work and got hurt, now I am off
because of injuries. A few days later I was presented with a termination
letter; work was not progressive enough, the co-op board was not happy with
my performance. I am now laid up in bed with 30 days to vacate. Are they
allowed to do this?
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Question #1162: I live in a 5-story apartment building, in
the basement apartment. The boiler (which is located in a maintenance unit
across the hall) recently burst and water leaked through our walls, causing
water to fill our bedroom with water up to our shins. The landlord says he
is not responsible for any damages. I saw on the Department of Buildings
website that there is an open and active violation for the boiler. Is the
landlord responsible for any damages (especially because of this violation),
and is he required to fix the faulty wall?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: The landlord may or may not be responsible for your personal effects and property, you need to read the lease. However, any structural damage to the apartments such as floors, walls, doors etc., the landlord is responsible to repair or replace. Peter Grech |
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Question #1161: How do you get a adjustment manual or
adjust a Moen faucet #67315.
Post your answer Answer/Comment: This link should help you. Joseph Shkreli |
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Question #1160: I started working as a concierge at a
new condo building. Was wondering how long does it take for the building to
become a union building. Does the super send an application or do the
employees. I was told it takes about 3 years, is that true?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: it may take that much time, even more - sometimes less. Remember the owners of the building do not have to agree to your building going union. So if they don't, it will take longer time. I suggest you find out who the shop steward is on your block and ask him/her this question. By the way: no, the super does not have to begin the process. Some one on staff has to organize the staff and have a vote to unionize. Once you have a majority, then you contact the union. Peter Grech |
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Question #1159: The Department of Buildings
requires a certificate of fitness for the operator of a boiler/burner if
the fuel oil is heated. #4 oil requires preheat by electric heaters. Does
the operator need a certificate of fitness when operating a heating plant
firing #4 fuel oil?
Post your answer
Answer/Comment: No. Only number six oil requires a certificate of fitness to operate low pressure heavy oil. The Buildings Department requires a license only when high pressure steam is produced, regardless of the fuel type. Pre-heated oil in this case means oil that is preheated and circulated around the system and back to the tank. It does not mean preheat before it is burned. That is my understanding. Peter Grech |
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Question #1158: What are the five certifications I
need for an apartment maintenance job in New York City?
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Question #1157: I have a GE Profile Quiet Power II
dishwasher. Recently, we noticed after the wash and dry cycles have
completed, a level of water remains in the bottom of the washer, and the
dishes are soaking wet. Any suggestions?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: Look under your sink and see if the drain line hose is looped up. The hose should go from the other side of the cabinet up, and then down toward the sink drain pipes. If this is OK, then maybe your impeller is not working, in which case you have to call a service company. A good company is Preway. Curt Bergeest Answer/Comment: Check the drain strainer at the bottom of the washer. make sure it's not clogged. Ken Botte Answer/Comment: Most likely you have some food or other material stuck in the drain. Clean the drain and it should be fine. Peter Grech |
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Question #1156: The vent in my kitchen (in my rented
studio apartment) does not appear to work. How can I check it?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: Hold a dollar bill up to the vent, if it is sucked up to and sticks to the vent, it works. Ken Botte Answer/Comment: Place a single toilet paper square over the vent and if it sticks, then it's working. If, when you let it go it does not stay in place (stick), the vent is not working. Peter Grech |
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Question #1155: I have a tenant on the 6th floor, and
they have a air conditioner in the fire escape window. Is it a fire hazard?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: Yes, this is a fire code and building code violation. Nothing is to block the fire escape window, and nothing is to block, or block in part, the path of the fire escape. Thus, if there were two windows on the fire escape and one had the a/c unit, that a/c unit is still partially blocking the fire escape. Peter Grech |
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Question #1154: Regarding the Housing Maintenance
Code & Multiple Dwelling Law requiring a janitor to reside in a building, if
a super leaves for a country house on Friday after work and returns before
his day starts on Monday morning, and is on call over the weekend, is he in
violation of these laws?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: No. Ken Botte Answer/Comment: No, he is not. The code states that, as long as there is a 24 hour on call assistance. Also, if the building has other staff such as doorman or porter, etc., there also is no problem. Peter Grech |
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Question #1153: Is a permit required to replace a
water heater in Staten Island? What is a good price to pay someone to just
install a new water heater. Already own a new 40 gallon gas water heater.
Also, If I have someone to install the new water heater, how do I dispose of
the old one, and would I need a permit after installation for this?
Post your answer Answer/Comment: While I do not know what Staten Island requires in permits etc, most likely you will NOT need a permit to replace an existing hot water heater as long as it is electric. If it is gas you may need it, as well as a licensed plumber. Even if it is electric you may be required to hire a licensed plumber though. I would ask this question of the store you purchased the hot water heater from - they should know. How much? I have no clue. Mostly that would depend on how much re-plumbing is required. If it is just a matter of disconnecting the old heater and installing the new one on the existing lines without change to the pipes, i would think about $150.00 or so would be about right. Call your sanitation department and ask about disposal of the hot water heater. Most likely it will be treated as a metal object and would need to be put out with recycling. Peter Grech, GBOC |
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Question #1152: I have a multiple dwelling with carpeting in the hallway and on the wooden stairs. The building has 7 tenants and is in a brownstone built in 1872. The fire department says that I have to remove the carpeting. Obviously the halls will look terrible and I would have more noise. Can I get a company to spray the carpeting so it is fireproof? What law pertains to this? Post your answer Answer/Comment: This question is better asked of the Fire Department. Your violation should state the code number and the wording. If you did not get a violation, then you should call the Fire Dept and ask about fireproofing the carpets. The fire codes come under the Administrative Code (as do all codes.). Administrative code 27-4266 refers to flame proofing of decorations. I am unable to find anything specifically on flame proofing of carpets. I do know that carpets in public hallways are supposed to have a "fire rating". I do not know the fire rate of carpets. Best guess is about 3 hrs. You might want to ask a carpet store these questions also. Sorry can be of more help, but the fire codes are not clear on this issue. Peter Grech, GBOC |
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Question #1151: How to renew boiler or burner air
pollution license?
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