Construction in New York City and other densely populated East Coast cities presents unique challenges that can significantly impact project timelines, safety, and overall success.
At Saltus Construction Monitoring Services, we specialize in addressing these challenges head-on, offering innovative solutions that ensure the smooth progress of construction projects.
In this blog, we’ll highlight the top five challenges faced by construction teams in NYC and explain how Saltus plays a pivotal role in overcoming them.
Structural Integrity Concerns
In densely populated areas, concerns about the structural integrity of existing buildings and infrastructure are heightened.
Saltus addresses these concerns with precision through a variety of services.
First, our Existing Conditions Documentation service provides firms with the information they need to know which buildings in the construction zones are most at risk for potential structural damage.
Before construction activities commence, our team of Saltus’ specialists assess the existing conditions of the buildings in the construction zone. These specialists visually inspect the interior and exterior of each building to identify and document any current issues (such as building cracks, foundational cracks, and other visual impairments) that could be impacted by construction-related vibrations and activities.
The inspection team also identifies areas where Crack Gauge Monitors need to be installed. These monitors alert the construction team if the identified building and foundation cracks expand or contract during the project. If so, the construction team can stop work and take immediate action to mitigate crack-related risks.
To further reduce the risks of impacting the structural integrity of neighboring buildings, we can install Vibration Monitoring devices to notify construction teams if any vibrations caused by construction-related activities exceed the safety threshold. If so, construction teams can take corrective action to avoid potential damage to the surrounding structures and properties.
Additionally, activities such as excavations, underpinning, and demolition can cause significant tremors that may cause tilting or lateral and horizontal movements in the buildings and structures located in the construction zone. To help reduce the risks associated with structural movements, construction firms can rely on our Optical Structural Surveying and Tiltmeter Monitoring services.
To track and record any lateral and horizontal movements in neighboring buildings and structures, we can install Manned or Automated Total Stations. Using either option, construction crews can review the data to determine if any lateral and horizontal movements have occurred. If so they can take immediate action to remedy the situation.
Similarly, we can install sophisticated sensors known as Tiltmeters on the surrounding properties to monitor any rotations and inclinations that occur during construction. If the sensors validate any significant events that could infringe structural integrity, construction activities can halt until the risk is successfully mitigated.
Once the construction project is completed, our inspectors will re-evaluate the surrounding properties, record their findings, and provide a detailed final report to the construction team. This final report not only compares and contrasts the pre- and post-construction states of the identified existing conditions to determine if any changes occurred, but it also helps protect construction teams from liability should one of the neighboring property owners make a false claim that the project damaged their building.
Regulatory Compliance
As many major cities are heavily populated by both people and structures, many states and local governments have implemented a wide range of laws and policies designed to protect the community from excessive construction-related vibrations and noises.
Should the construction teams violate these laws, they could potentially face costly project delays, a variety of expensive fines, and other liabilities that may threaten the project’s progress.
Our suite of construction monitoring services can support compliance with these laws by alerting teams to any vibrations or noises that exceed the acceptable thresholds. By ensuring compliance with these laws, construction teams can avoid potentially damaging the neighboring structures and buildings, and avoid delays, fines, and legal action.
Project Delays
One of the biggest challenges faced by construction companies is typically caused by any of the challenges previously mentioned: project delays.
Every minute that a project is detrimental to the budget. Delays can lead to a variety of cost overruns involving the workforce, building materials, equipment rentals, permits, and other factors. Add on any potential fines or penalties that could exceed the budget and delay progress even further, and the whole project could be jeopardized.
By enlisting our’ construction monitoring services, construction teams can be more proactive in their planning and operations.
Conducting a pre-construction existing conditions inspection provides construction companies with the information they need to formulate a plan that includes the necessary monitoring services that mitigate the risks of causing structural damage to surrounding properties and support compliance with local and state regulations and laws.
By taking a more proactive approach to construction activities and implementing the required monitoring services, construction companies can help reduce the risk of delays that could negatively impact the entire project.
Safety
Safety is non-negotiable in construction, and the densely populated nature of cities amplifies safety concerns.
Construction-related activities can not only affect the integrity of surrounding structures, it can also impact the personal safety of the crew and community members in the construction zone.
Saltus prioritizes safety through meticulous monitoring and reporting. By allowing construction firms to proactively address any potential safety risks to their crew and the community, our monitoring services help contribute to a safer construction environment that reduces liability for all stakeholders.
Community Disturbances
Construction-related vibrations can also be disturbing and disruptive for nearby residents and professionals affecting their daily lives and work productivity. In turn, these effects could also potentially cause further stress and discomfort.
With our suite of construction monitoring services, construction teams can take the necessary steps to comply with the mandated vibration and noise thresholds to limit the disturbances and disruptions to residents and businesses located in the construction zone.
Overcome Construction Challenges with Saltus
The challenges of construction in NYC and other major cities are formidable — but with Saltus by your side, they become opportunities for success.
Trust Saltus to be your ally in construction excellence. From our cutting-edge technology to our dedicated team, discover why choosing Saltus is a strategic decision for the success of your construction project.
Contact us today to learn about our wide range of construction monitoring solutions!