Construction work, especially demolition, is often a challenge in a bustling city like New York that is surrounded by numerous landmark buildings and historic districts. To help protect these structures from potential damage caused by construction-related activities, the city enacted the Technical Policy and Procedure Notice #10/88 (TPPN 10/88) thirty five years ago.
To comply with TPPN 10/88, many firms turned to construction monitoring services to ensure that none of their activities produced vibrations that result in movements, cracks and other forms of damage that could potentially contribute to the instability of these structures.
With the recent enactment of new NYC construction codes that direct project engineers to determine the specific monitoring services and the scope of the respective services required during demolition, the need for construction monitoring services has never been more vital.
With over 15 years of experience in the construction monitoring industry, Saltus can help your organization comply with these new regulations to ensure the safety and stability of the structures within your construction zone and protect your firm from potential liability.
Below, we’ll explain why the importance of construction monitoring is greater than ever, provide a brief overview of the many services we provide, and demonstrate what sets our company apart from the competition.
Why Is Construction Monitoring Important During Building Demolition?
Demolition work in a crowded city has the potential to create a variety of hazards such as excessive vibrations that could possibly damage the neighboring structures.
Monitoring of demolition activities helps detect and identify potential hazards early to allow engineers and construction crews to take immediate corrective action to prevent or reduce risks.
Monitoring services also ensure that all demolition activity is being performed in compliance with all existing and new NYC construction codes and regulations. This is important in the event of a dispute. If the demolition project’s compliance is questioned, the monitoring data and documentation can serve as evidence to demonstrate compliance with the specific codes and policies.
What Construction Monitoring Services Does Saltus Offer?
Saltus offers a wide-range of monitoring services that suit the various needs of any demolition or construction project. Our services include:
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- Existing Conditions Documentation – Before and after demolition, a team inspects the buildings and structures in the construction zone to identify, record and photograph any existing damage or concerns such as foundation cracks. The teams use this information to produce pre- and post-demolition reports that outline all of the identified conditions before and after demolition.
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- Crack Gauge Monitoring – In the event that existing condition documentation identifies any structural cracks in nearby properties prior to demolition, Saltus can install sophisticated gauges to monitor, measure and record the identified cracks’ progress during the demolition process. If the cracks’ conditions change during demolition, crews can halt work to take corrective action.
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- Vibration Monitoring – Measures and analyzes ground vibrations caused by demolition methods such as implosion and excavation to ensure compliance with the mandated vibration thresholds and prevent/reduce damage to nearby properties. Should the vibrations exceed the threshold is detected, demolition stops until preventative measures can be taken.
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- Optical Structural Surveying – Using manually operated or fully automated equipment, Saltus can optically monitor the neighboring properties to ensure that the vibrations and shocks produced by demolition activities are not causing lateral and horizontal movements in these structures. If movement is identified, demolition progress is stopped until corrective measures are implemented.
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- Wireless Tiltmeter Monitoring – Saltus’ monitoring experts install sophisticated sensors on neighboring structures to identify and alert the construction crew of any tilting, slanting, and/or leaning caused by demolition-related vibrations. In essence this service acts as an early warning system for any rotations or inclinations in nearby buildings.
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- Video Caisson Inspections – Similar to existing documentation services, Saltus can use state-of-the-art remote-controlled cameras to safely and accurately inspect caisson interiors to identify and record any evidence of existing damage or defects. By inspecting and documenting the conditions of caissons, firms can protect themselves from potential liability before, during and after construction.
What Sets Saltus Apart From Other Monitoring Service Providers?
Since 2008, Saltus has provided construction monitoring services throughout New York City. Our team of industry experts possess the knowledge and experience required to tackle any challenge and tailor our services to suit the specific needs of any construction or demolition project.
As we’re headquartered in downtown NYC, we can respond quickly to any monitoring concern or emergency in the city. From our leadership to our field teams, each member of our company is committed to providing each of our clients with unparalleled customer service for complete satisfaction and our tech policy ensures compliance with all relevant codes and regulations.
Our remarkable reputation has made us a trusted partner for construction and demolition experts throughout the city and beyond.
Construction Monitoring That Meets Your Needs
The new additions to the NYC construction codes regarding demolition monitoring have increased the responsibilities of engineers. As it is now up to them to not only decide which specific monitoring services are required for their demolitions projects, but also determine the extent to which they are needed, engineers need the guidance and help of a monitoring services company.
Saltus is ready to be the go-to choice for engineers throughout the city.
Contact us today to learn how we can help you comply with the latest NYC construction codes and ensure the safety of your demolition project.