[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6455250,"mediaKeyId","5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede","parentId",5850702,"title","DOB, FDNY warn against expanding single‑stair exceptions in proposed building‑code change","audioSeconds",2703,"startMs",942000,"endMs",3645000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede&start=942&end=3645","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede/thumbnail_942000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455250/New-York/DOB-FDNY-warn-against-expanding-singlestair-exceptions-in-proposed-buildingcode-change","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455250-437a4a09aa77b8bbac71066b0a7f4201/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757517&Signature=LOCI0YTGymFvUKZsGsr8J4ecDpCVaLzPDeike9oeUHkjG8qEjSpWwH2n1fUkz9PudLXIvJiJgx7l6eywD5Wo1~yovbJ4xrETgIguSQ4CIWUdNUDyMOo1KwYV9pwpJsqHAk46c2Oci26lnqpbtTHRJWMIcqF1rAU9FRr8cd-shdzihfc7t8misONmr2s8HJw4wtC4HF~3cBHt0SlcS0cK8Y23dw-K0i6uTiWku5ZrMFlTgbha9zBKrvMe2Mh~4yrlYB~mhhTiCtvWaTru3apf2Hod2QpflYGlCvoPd-Xugly4~mj1DX55qVV6d16gIF4KVLpmUoIp2cUQZUI~VSChpw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of New York, NY","date","2025-09-29T14:00:51Z","article","Council members heard contested testimony about Intro 2-61, which would amend the New York City building code to permit a single exit stairway in additional residential (R-2) buildings. The sponsor and supporters say the change could ease construction of small residential buildings; the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department warned the committee that expanding the single-stair exception could increase occupant loads and complicate firefighting operations.

Council member Rita Joseph described the proposal in opening remarks as allowing “certain new residential buildings to be constructed with only 1 staircase if they meet the following conditions, no more than 6 stories tall, built to fireproof construction standards, no more than 4,000 square feet per floor, no more than 20 feet from any apartment door to the exit staircase.” The current code’s item 7 limits that per-floor allowance to 2,000 square feet, according to DOB testimony.

Guillermo Pacino, deputy commissioner for policy and legal affairs at DOB, summarized the department’s safety concerns: increasing the floor‑area allowance from 2,000 to 4,000 square feet “would essentially double the number of apartments allowed per floor and in turn potentially increase occupant load by a 100%.” The department explained that item 7 presently limits occupant load in part by restricting floor area and noted the code does not account for accessory or assembly spaces that could add dozens of occupants to a single stairway.

DOB witnesses said first responders share their concerns. Keith Wynne, assistant commissioner for code and zoning interpretation, told the committee that “intro 2-61, item 7 specifically, does not provide sufficient safety requirements for the 1 exit condition.” A Fire Department representative gave a more vivid account of operational risks: the stairwell is central to search and rescue and suppression; single stairways can become contaminated and impede both egress and firefighting. A FDNY witness cited a 2017 Bronx fire that resulted in multiple fatalities after a stairwell became contaminated.

Committee members pressed DOB and FDNY for technical detail and acknowledged the council’s housing‑production goals. No vote occurred during the hearing; DOB said it would continue to provide technical advice and the committees signaled they would pursue further debate and potential amendments to balance safety and housing objectives.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","🔴 LIVE: \"Worker Safety and the Effects of Climate Change on Labor\"","oneSentenceSummary","Council members heard contested testimony about Intro 2-61, which would amend the New York City building code to permit a single exit stairway in additional residential buildings; the Department of Buildings and Fire Department warned the change could increase occupant loads and complicate firefighting operations.","taxTitle","New York City Council, New York City, New York County, New York","taxId",77593,"location","New York","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6455255,"City agencies back mental health and substance-misuse topic for site safety cards, seek code fixes",388,1085000,1473000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede&start=1085&end=1473","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede/thumbnail_1085000.jpg","/articles/6455255/New-York/City-agencies-back-mental-health-and-substance-misuse-topic-for-site-safety-cards-seek-code-fixes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455255-a502ec7b4f9d458512e6408e2aac526e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757518&Signature=KjPWIRWAhNWYEGN3fopCtH3vqwkEYFGOWMy9IZmOYgAtTGZQcj2zBGCt3yiSjzjqkXPrcHYL8WPjLrII7Q1lCB7lVizUICOxSisxWj4QJtoo26fYaRQkyBGWY1YouWaq0Q5HpSet11cKxVl~w-SnHvDWl9mztxgG0DyPWhSbZaDE86LUxRDjkPBu7AlsmXJgmuzDE02VuKKq~gMVCXoW632CiKDwBYBOjk~K56hBRKcMQu9aUjJYGzn8cQTgvQ61N72J64q29SFVkA4sSADENmsazBxFaAiUPkkCXvlteg6JRcoeQ8eyhG0BHJa1CaCmWHpotiJC1~D0ev4W3uPUfw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Buildings told the New York City Council that it supports Intro 13-84, a bill that would expand the definition of the city’s site safety training (SST) card to require at least two SST credits addressing mental health and wellness, suicide risk and prevention, and alcohol and substance misuse. Guillermo Pacino, deputy commissioner for policy and legal affairs at DOB, said the department has “no objection to incorporating mental health and wellness as well as suicide risk and prevention into the 40 hour course curriculum for site safety training.”

DOB witnesses also described implementation problems they say the legislation could correct. Pacino and Reynaldo Cabrera, assistant commissioner for investigations and compliance, said the code’s current wording can force workers to retake the full 40‑hour course if a printed card cannot be produced before an expiration date. Cabrera, who works with training providers, said delays in provider administration can leave workers unable to obtain printed cards even after completing required refresher credits.

To address those problems, DOB proposed two changes for the council’s consideration: add a grace period following SST card expiration so workers who completed refresher credits before expiration are not required to retake the full course solely because of a printing delay; and recognize the DOB‑approved 40‑hour site safety course as a qualification pathway for the SST card alongside OSHA pathways.

Pacino described the current certification rules: “Site safety training cards, once issued, are valid for 5 years and can be renewed contingent upon successful completion of the required refresher training within the 1 year preceding submission of a renewal application.” He added the department has received “significant feedback from the industry regarding the challenges” caused by the code’s rigidity.

Contractors and building trade representatives who testified expressed support for the training expansion. Samuel Ludo of the Building Trade Employers Association told the committees the industry has been “directly affected by the mental health and substance abuse crisis” and supports adding the curriculum to the SST framework because SST cards are “required for the vast majority of construction workers.”

The committees did not take a vote on the measure at the hearing. DOB said it will provide additional technical proposals to the council to ensure the bill’s language addresses the identified implementation issues.","The Department of Buildings told the New York City Council that it supports Intro 13-84 to add mental‑health, suicide‑prevention and substance‑misuse training to the site safety training curriculum and proposed code fixes for SST card renewal and qualification pathways.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6455260,"Council hearing spotlights worker safety gaps as bill would require DOHMH guidance on extreme weather",3543,587000,4130000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede&start=587&end=4130","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede/thumbnail_587000.jpg","/articles/6455260/New-York/Council-hearing-spotlights-worker-safety-gaps-as-bill-would-require-DOHMH-guidance-on-extreme-weather","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455260-480da3f4b9ad6ede1253aaa3b7a70912/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757518&Signature=U0ZkD-0s~OHxvQ-4W7-cbgVNQIm7fIQ7SYIl1mkle~BYr3WJQsdepppuXZZ~OJ04Rd2hcxPyNeiy3BkVkeqaSrUxY6qBhRSSYrXVgT4VuLLIPALrfLBpS~KZyF9tGV3kFnBtLuzh2phcK0m1nJFKVJH3niHJLrAWS1W2DT4vsEQxlwq-gvseXfmWEmjw-HUijq2sXfNnNdGg7aVuk3dtT-UvXPDeGqr8bcSW58-R0FT1IlRa~uaTD87B0q27j84bMPnr6Qqu7BcnOHdBBtIOLMq8mU2pIQ5nbs9mxE~Y1hh2GJoR3oa5HvE2k3pdMDlcLRGyoVVkkIGSsXL9tDpPkg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Council members and agency witnesses on the New York City Council’s Committee on Housing and Buildings, sitting jointly with the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, on Thursday discussed protections for outdoor workers and endorsed a bill that would direct the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to publish best-practice guidance on extreme weather. Council member Carmen De La Rosa, chair of the Committee on Civil Service and Labor, said she was “proud to sponsor intro 13-76,” which would require DOHMH to post guidance on conditions such as extreme heat and low air quality.

The measure responds to growing climate threats that affect workers who must perform outdoor labor. The bill’s supporters said simple, consistent guidance from DOHMH would help employers, unions and workers take protective steps during heat waves, wildfire smoke events and other extreme conditions.

Guillermo Pacino, deputy commissioner for policy and legal affairs at the Department of Buildings, testified that the administration supports the bill. “The administration supports this legislation as extreme weather events pose recognized occupational health risks and are found to be associated with higher accident rates, illness, injuries, and deaths,” Pacino said during testimony on behalf of the administration.

Council members and witnesses described overlapping jurisdictions and uneven enforcement. Pacino noted that workplace safety enforcement often falls to federal and state agencies: “OSHA has jurisdiction over worker safety in places, certain requirements on employers related to heat,” he said, adding the Department of Buildings does not perform heat‑safety compliance inspections. Frank McCartan, assistant commissioner for emergency services at the Fire Department, described citywide communications during emergencies and said the administration distributes heat and air quality notices through established channels including NotifyNYC and social media.

Public witnesses and city offices called for concrete employer requirements in addition to public guidance. Matan Diner, policy analyst for the New York City Comptroller’s Office, cited the office’s analysis estimating roughly 1,400,000 workers — about a third of the city’s workforce — work outdoors for prolonged periods and said protections should include mandated water, shade and paid rest breaks.

Committee members asked agencies to follow up with data on reported heat incidents and air‑quality alerts. Pacino said DOB had received roughly 10 notifications of heat‑related incidents at construction sites since 2020 and offered to provide further information. The committees did not vote on any measure at the hearing; sponsors said they will work with DOHMH and other agencies on next steps.","City Council members and agency witnesses discussed climate-driven risks for outdoor workers and backed Intro 13-76, which would require the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to post best-practice guidance for protecting workers from extreme heat, cold and poor air quality.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6455240,"Council hearing draws broad support for Daily News union, resolution condemning Alden Global Capital",5015,1095000,6110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede&start=1095&end=6110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede/thumbnail_1095000.jpg","/articles/6455240/New-York/Council-hearing-draws-broad-support-for-Daily-News-union-resolution-condemning-Alden-Global-Capital","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455240-81d3e55fe74069373672de9c216fbcfe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757518&Signature=YjTny1KrN-JnWT4i0Nwz2v7fo4Re0qBLd9ew7LqYvqg2a2S~Dj47HlYfUeG~pn55l3h11mj3qoObVKNAypxHIr2zaj64BbRmSiDhSNJCkd50TFFJL2Xdi1RWLaD~Ty-TOMdtRLNO4CUhP9jMtHBEBj9OuQvH2SZrD7m7I4k6b5DxqwzPWVpn7DWBOYEaESm6u7kvTm~NyGqMqNLbypr2HN04JJ24pT3BG3rpYViK05bG0wAbdYPD3olmUbw5hICMMfN8jjcyeh6XcITlgbw0hCEwGEL6UVxmtFWd3TOSc0OLO73i3UHl4AAVEn6WwCkw2Gp4fuLgf-pyyf45GKCHiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Resolution 10-15, introduced by Council member Carmen De La Rosa, which condemns Alden Global Capital’s cuts and managerial hostility toward unionized New York Daily News staff and calls on the hedge fund to reach a contract deal with the newspaper’s union, drew substantial public testimony and endorsements at the joint hearing.

Susan DeCarava, president of the NewsGuild of New York, described Alden as a predatory owner that has “slashed staff, cut salaries, and froze funding for the newsroom” since acquiring the Daily News in 2021. Multiple union leaders and Daily News journalists said that newsroom staffing has been greatly reduced: witnesses told the committee the Daily News editorial staff had shrunk to about 65 journalists assigned to cover a city of roughly 8.5 million people.

Journalists who testified said the staffing cuts have narrowed the newsroom’s capacity to cover local government, courts and public-safety matters and have made it harder to pursue investigative and trend reporting. Michael Sheridan, a video and photo editor at the Daily News and unit chair for the Daily News Union, said journalists want “a fair contract in the nation’s most expensive city” that includes living wages, paid time off and affordable health care.

Labor leaders joined the journalists in urging action. Logan Needle, deputy political director at Communications Workers of America District 1, called Alden’s model “the moniker destroyer of newspapers” and urged the council to pass the resolution. Brendan Griffith, president of the New York City Central Labor Council, told the committee that “now is a critical moment for newspapers to invest in their workers and staff” and urged passage to send a message against predatory corporate practices.

The floor of the hearing saw repeated public calls to schedule related legislation, including Intro 11-80, which supporters say would restore elements of Local Law 97. Committee chairs thanked witnesses for their testimony; no formal council action on the resolution occurred at the hearing.","Council member Carmen De La Rosa's Resolution 10-15, condemning Alden Global Capital's cuts at the Daily News and urging a fair contract with the newspaper's union, drew extensive public testimony from journalists, unions and labor leaders at the joint committee hearing.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6455245,"HPD says Intro 14-04 corrects drafting error to allow seller units as apartments in new ADU rules",1458,3413000,4871000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede&start=3413&end=4871","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5850702-66b370e2d683cf32776fd641cae4cede/thumbnail_3413000.jpg","/articles/6455245/New-York/HPD-says-Intro-14-04-corrects-drafting-error-to-allow-seller-units-as-apartments-in-new-ADU-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455245-210a4990857f2990187ceb0a71fcb49a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770757518&Signature=A~sUTbgDybLBOZi9VBx6Y1p3HXASi3gabbEipJno0oOTZnj9D-yenZsl3iVaSGOYyU7ddov1QbazeAElbQiPFYtbZOkjoILKWhbXn-0pN7V3WEgqFqEuCzkGPYPmO9eIxbf3wXLMAqxDJ0uC4dq7Go7JuX4HeloakbBLENQmbzMLiiwvGXL-qh4G~Er4DiD3gqKnm4VlFqXvTDGBdEHyK13jvx2jR9xlMbNlIZKzdMG1y19e6GobKB70VUjrC59seB~nCQo7Uhr3YO~vrpsd2FcrcthfsH~QxVBs-orPsDfFO4b8Lek1usEJkryvW2eqAPrTpiJyuKbez9qqh2b64g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Department of Housing Preservation and Development told the council that Intro 14-04 would correct a drafting error in the city code that unintentionally prevented certain seller units in new construction from being used as apartments. Steven Erdman, assistant commissioner for homeownership opportunities and preservation at HPD, said the provision in the housing maintenance code remained inconsistent with the ADU and legalization reforms passed late last year.

“Unfortunately, there was a drafting error when we passed legislation back in November to facilitate the creation of ADUs and the legalization of basement apartments across the city,” Erdman said. He told the committee that HPD had failed to address a provision in the housing maintenance code, section 27-2087, “that prohibits the use of sellers as apartments in new construction.” Intro 14-04 would align the administrative code with the policy intent of the November law, Erdman said.

HPD urged prompt passage so that homeowners and officials can move forward with implementation of the state-authorized conversion pilot, but staff said additional rulemaking and an implementation plan are still needed. Kate Leach of the Citizens Housing and Planning Council testified in support of the bill and urged the council to follow the correction with interagency implementation rules, tenant protections and community outreach.

Committee members acknowledged the technical nature of the fix and thanked HPD for clarifying the drafting error. No vote was recorded at the hearing.","An HPD official told Council committees that Intro 14-04 is a technical fix to correct a drafting error in recent ADU‑legalization legislation so cellar and basement seller units in new construction can be occupied as intended under the earlier reforms.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DOB, FDNY warn against expanding single‑stair exceptions in proposed building‑code change

City agencies back mental health and substance-misuse topic for site safety cards, seek code fixes

Council hearing spotlights worker safety gaps as bill would require DOHMH guidance on extreme weather

Council hearing draws broad support for Daily News union, resolution condemning Alden Global Capital

HPD says Intro 14-04 corrects drafting error to allow seller units as apartments in new ADU rules