3307.6 Sidewalk Sheds

Sidewalk sheds shall be provided as required by this section to protect pedestrians from construction or demolition operations.

No sidewalk shed shall be installed without a permit in accordance with the requirements of Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code.

A sidewalk shed shall be installed and maintained to protect all sidewalks, walkways, and pathways within the property line of a site, and all public sidewalks that abut the property, as follows:

1. When such sidewalk, walkway, or pathway is to be located immediately below a scaffold, mast climber, or chute. The sidewalk shed shall be installed prior to the installation of such equipment and shall not be removed until such equipment has been dismantled and/or removed from the area being protected;
2. When a structure higher than 40 feet (12 192 mm) or greater is to be constructed, and the sidewalk, walkway, or pathway is within a perpendicular distance from the new structure that is equal to or less than half the height of the new structure. The sidewalk shed shall be installed when the structure reaches the planned height of the shed. Such shed shall not be removed until the structure is enclosed, all exterior work has been completed and the sash is glazed above the second story, the façade has been cleaned down, and all exterior chutes, scaffolds, mast climbers, and hoisting equipment have been dismantled and removed from the site;
3. When a portion of a façade over 40 feet (12 192 mm) above curb level is to be constructed, altered, maintained, or repaired, or a vertical or horizontal enlargement is to occur at a height over 40 feet (12 192 mm) above curb level, and the sidewalk, walkway, or pathway is within a perpendicular distance from the structure that is equal to or less than half the height of such façade work or vertical or horizontal enlargement. The sidewalk shed shall be installed prior to the commencement of work at a height greater than 40 feet (12 192 mm) above curb level. Such shed shall not be removed until the building is enclosed, all exterior work has been completed and the sash is glazed above the second story, the façade has been cleaned down, and all exterior chutes, scaffolds, mast climbers, and hoisting equipment have been dismantled and removed from the site; or
4. When a structure higher than 25 feet (7620 mm) is to undergo a full demolition, or when exterior partial demolition, other than that performed in conjunction with the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a façade, is to occur at a height greater than 25 feet (7620 mm) above curb level. The sidewalk shed shall be installed prior to the commencement of demolition work. Such shed shall remain in place until the building has been razed to the height of the shed, or where the building is not being fully demolished, until all demolition work has been completed and all exterior chutes, scaffolds, mast climbers, and hoisting equipment have been dismantled and removed from the site.

The decking of the sidewalk shed shall extend the full length of the area that falls within the zone specified in Section 3307.6.2, plus an additional 5 feet (1524 mm) beyond such length, or to within 18 inches (457 mm) of curb line, whichever is less. The decking of the sidewalk shed shall also extend the full width of the sidewalk, walkway, or pathway that remains open to the public, except for a clearance to avoid existing obstructions, not to exceed 18 inches (457 mm) along the curb and not to exceed 1 inch (25 mm) along the face of the building or structure.

Exceptions:

1. Where the sidewalk shed is installed to protect against an unenclosed façade, work, or equipment that is greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm) above the ground, the shed shall protect the full length of the area specified in Section 3307.6.2 plus an additional 20 feet (6096 mm) on both sides beyond such length, or to the curb line, whichever is less.

2. Openings in the deck to avoid tree trunks and branches, provided such opening is brought as close to the tree as practical without damaging the tree.

Sidewalk sheds shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the requirements of Section 3307.6.4.1 through Section 3307.6.4.11.

All sidewalk sheds shall be designed by a registered design professional.

Exception: Sidewalk sheds that conform to a design approved by the commissioner or the Board of Standards and Appeals, provided the shed is installed at the site in accordance with the standard design.

All sidewalk sheds shall be designed as a heavy duty sidewalk shed to carry a live load of at least 300 pounds per square foot (1464.6 kg/m). However, where the shed is installed to protect from work performed at a height of less than 100 feet (30 480 mm) above the ground, the sidewalk shed may be designed as a light duty sidewalk shed to carry a live load of at least 150 pounds per square foot (732.3 kg/m²), provided that no item is stored or placed upon the shed.

The effect of wind and other loads on the sidewalk shed, and any item placed or attached on or to the shed, shall be considered in the design in accordance with Chapter 16.

Storage on sidewalk sheds shall be as follows:

Sidewalk sheds shall be constructed out of wood, steel, or other material possessing equivalent strength and suitability.

Vertical members and beams of the sidewalk shed shall conform with the following:

1. Vertical members and beams shall be adequately braced and connected to prevent displacement or distortion of the framework.

2. The vertical members of the sidewalk shed shall be plumb, with a tolerance of L/100, with "L" measured as the distance from the ground to the first X-brace or bottom of the beam.

3. Vertical members shall not be placed into the street unless approved by the Department of Transportation and protected in accordance with Department of Transportation requirements.

4. Vertical members placed on the sidewalk shall not be placed closer than 18 inches (455 mm) from the face of the curbline.

5. Vertical members shall be placed at least 7 feet (2134 mm) from the edge of a curb cut or vehicular access point, or where placed closer, the vertical members nearest the curb cut or vehicular access point shall be protected against displacement by vehicles, or shall be identified with high visibility marking.

The deck of the sidewalk shed shall consist of 2-inch (51 mm) thick wood plank or equivalent material and shall be capable of sustaining the loads required by Section 3307.6.4.2. The deck shall be solid, or shall consist of planking laid close and made tight. Where the edge of the sidewalk shed abuts a building or structure, the decking shall be brought tight to the face of the building or structure.

Exception: Where it is not possible to bring the deck tightly against the face of the building or structure, the deck shall be brought to within 1 inch (25 mm) of the face of the building or structure, with the resulting gap sealed or covered by material of sufficient manner and strength capable of trapping falling debris.

A vertical parapet at least 3 feet 6 inches (1067 mm) high, as measured from the deck of the sidewalk shed, shall be constructed along all edges of the sidewalk shed. Such parapet shall consist of solid plywood, corrugated metal, a galvanized wire screen consisting of not less than No. 16 steel wire gage with a ¹/₂ inch (13 mm) debris mesh, or other equivalent material, and shall be securely attached to the shed with braced uprights. Temporary removal of a portion of the parapet is permitted for the handling of material, provided the parapet is immediately restored at the end of the handling operation.

Exceptions:

1. A parapet is not required along the edge of the sidewalk shed that abuts a building or structure.

2. A parapet is not required along the edge of a sidewalk shed that abuts an area that is closed to the public.

3. In lieu of a vertical parapet, angled protection of identical construction to a parapet that inclines outward at an angle of 45 degrees (0.79 rad) may be utilized provided such protection is securely attached to the deck, and provided the angled protection extends to a point that intersects a line drawn 3 feet 6 inches (1067 mm) above the level of the deck.

The passageway under the shed shall have a minimum clear ceiling height of 8 feet (2438 mm).

Exception: Lights that extend no more than 8 inches (203 mm) below the level of the deck shall be excluded from the clear ceiling height measurement.

Sidewalk shed lighting shall be in conformance with the following:

1. The underside of sidewalk sheds shall be illuminated at all times either by daylight or electric light. The level of illumination shall be uniformly distributed along the entire length of the shed with a minimum of 1 foot-candle (11 lux) measured at the level of the walking surface with a minimum luminous efficacy of 45 lumens per watt or greater and be rated to operate at temperatures of 5°F (-15°C) and higher.

2. All lamps shall be enclosed in water-resistant and vandal-resistant fixtures, and all lamps, wiring, and accessory components shall conform to the requirements of the New York City Electrical Code.

3. Photosensors may be used to control electric lighting according to the amount of daylight available. All photosensors shall be equipped for fail-safe operation ensuring that if the sensor or control fails, the lamps will provide the lighting levels required by this section.

Sidewalk sheds shall be installed and located so to not unreasonably obstruct, either visually or physically, traffic, curb cuts, vehicular access points, street lighting poles, traffic lights or signs, fire hydrants, fire department connections, water sampling stations, bus shelters, or other street furniture, trees, adjacent show windows, or means of ingress/egress.

The surface upon which the shed rests shall be capable of supporting the design loads of the sidewalk shed, including any item placed or stored upon the shed.

Sidewalk sheds erected on or after July 1, 2013, shall be painted the color of hunter green.

Sidewalk sheds shall be installed, adjusted, maintained, repaired, used, inspected, and removed in accordance with the following requirements.

Sidewalk sheds shall be maintained in a safe condition and used in a manner that eliminates hazards to the public. Any hazardous conditions or defects discovered with the sidewalk shed shall immediately be brought to the attention of the permit holder for the shed.

The installation, adjustment, repair, or removal of a sidewalk shed shall be performed under the supervision of a competent person designated by the permit holder for the sidewalk shed.

Sidewalk sheds shall be maintained and used by the general contractor, or where there is no general contractor, the contractor causing the work to be performed, or where there is no active work, the building owner.

No item shall be stored or placed upon a sidewalk shed unless such shed has been designed for such storage or placement in accordance with Section 3307.6.4.2.2. Where such shed has been so designed items shall be stored or placed only in the area designated on the drawings for storage. Any item placed or stored upon a sidewalk shed shall be secured in a manner to prevent dislodgement, displacement by wind, and shall be distributed so as not to exceed the design limits of the sidewalk shed.

The decks of sidewalk sheds shall be broom swept and cleaned of material daily while active work is occurring at the site.

Where located in an area that could pose a danger to the public, bolts and screws without a cap, and sharp edges, shall be protected to prevent injury to the public.

Upon completion of the installation of a sidewalk shed, the shed shall be inspected by a qualified person designated by the designer, the permit holder for the shed, or a third party acceptable to both the designer and the permit holder to verify that the sidewalk shed is in a safe condition and has been installed in accordance with drawings and the requirements of this chapter. Following the inspection, the qualified person who inspected the sidewalk shed shall prepare, sign, and date an installation inspection report. A new installation inspection report shall be prepared each time the sidewalk shed is reinstalled at the site.

Six months following the initial installation inspection, and every six months thereafter, the sidewalk shed shall be inspected by a qualified person designated by the designer, the permit holder for the shed, or a third party acceptable to both the designer and the permit holder to verify that the sidewalk shed is in a safe condition and is in compliance with drawings and the requirements of this chapter. Following the inspection, the qualified person who inspected the sidewalk shed shall prepare, sign, and date an inspection report.

Following a repair or adjustment at a site, the sidewalk shed shall be inspected by a qualified person designated by the designer, the permit holder for the shed, or a third party acceptable to both the designer and the permit holder to verify the adequacy of the repair or adjustment. The results of the inspection shall be recorded, signed, and dated by the person who performed the inspection.

Sidewalk sheds shall be visually inspected daily by a person designated by the general contractor, or where there is no general contractor, the contractor causing the work to be performed, or where there is no active work, by the building owner to verify:

1. The lights are functioning;

2. No brace or rail is hanging unattached at one or more ends;

3. No portions of the support structure are disconnected;

4. No section of parapet is missing; and

5. All legs remain on their support and are supported to the ground.

Exception: The inspections for a scaffold suspended or supported above a sidewalk shed shall be in accordance with Section 3314.

A written record of such inspections shall be maintained by the contractor or owner, with such record signed and dated by the person who performed the inspection. Defects discovered as a result of the inspection shall immediately be brought to the attention of the permit holder for the shed.

The permit holder for the shed shall notify the department no more than two business days following the complete removal of a sidewalk shed.