NYC Buildings Department is facing a lawsuit charging that
it’s violating its own safety codes in the construction of modular high rise in Brooklyn.
The Plumbing Foundation and the Mechanical Contractors
Association, which represent licensed plumbing and fire suppression trades,
allege that the DOB ignored city plumbing and fire safety requirements when it
approved plans for a residential building at the Atlantic Yards site in
This all stems from the 32 story building being modular
construction, meaning it will be constructed in pieces in a factory, with final
assembly taking place at the building site. Modular cuts out a lot of the high
priced on-site labor from The Plumbing Foundation and the Mechanical
Contractors Association.
The lawsuit argues that this will allow the DOB to avoid
safety laws requiring plumbing, natural gas and sprinkler systems to be
installed only by licensed plumbers and contractors.
The DOB released a statement saying it will comply with the law;
ensuring licensed tradesmen perform on-site work.
It will also mean that
modular construction which can save the developer millions of dollars is being
driven back to the stone age by the horse and buggy on-site workers that make $50+
an hour.
