3307.6 Sidewalk Sheds

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, 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 the demolition work. 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.
   Exceptions: Except where specifically required by the commissioner to protect the public from unique hazards at the site, sidewalk sheds are not required for:

   1. Sidewalks, walkways, and pathways, or portions thereof, that are closed to the public.
   2. Temporary walkways in accordance with Section 3307.2.3 that are provided with lighting and overhead protection equivalent to that afforded by a sidewalk shed.
   3. Inspections, including a façade inspection, provided no work occurs during the inspection.
   4. Sign hanging occurring by or under the direct and continuing supervision of a licensed sign hanger.
   5. Window washing.
   6. Work confined to the roof of an existing building, provided that:
      1. The edge of the roof is enclosed to a height of 42 inches (1067 mm) with a solid parapet;
      2. Such parapet is of sufficient strength to resist accidental impact during construction;
      3. The work does not exceed the height of the parapet or is set back from the edge of the roof at a distance that is equal to or greater than half the height of the work; and
      4. No work occurs on the parapet itself, and no material is placed or stored on the parapet during the course of the work.
   7. Subject to the approval of the commissioner, work of limited scope and duration provided that:
      1. During the course of the work the area immediately under the work zone is temporarily closed to the public by means of barriers, cones, or caution tape, and flagpersons are provided to direct pedestrian traffic;
      2. At the end of the day the façade of the building is left in a safe condition and fully enclosed; and
      3. There is compliance with Section 3307.2.1.
   8. Locations where a cantilevered platform has been installed, provided that:
      1. The cantilevered platform is approved by the commissioner;
      2. The cantilevered platform provides overhead protection equivalent to a sidewalk shed; and
      3. The cantilevered platform is installed below the level of work to be performed, excluding work performed at the first story.
   9. Areas along an exposure that are located more than 5 feet (1524 mm) beyond those required for compliance with Item 1 of Section 3307.6.2, provided that:
      1. The work is limited to the alteration, maintenance, or repair of a façade, and does not constitute a façade recladding as defined in rules promulgated by the commissioner; and
      2. The entire exposure where façade work is to occur is covered by either:
         1. A supported scaffold with netting and guardrails in accordance with Section 3314.8; or
         2. A site specific engineered enclosure system in accordance with Section 3309.17.

The decking of the sidewalk shed shall extend:

1. 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 the curb line, whichever is less; or 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 decking of the sidewalk shed shall extend the full length of the area that falls within in the zone specified in Section 3307.6.2, plus an additional 20 feet (6096 mm) on both ends beyond such length, or to within 18 inches (457 mm) of the curb line, whichever is less.
2. The full width of the sidewalk, walkway, or pathway that falls within the zone specified in Section 3307.6.2, except for a clearance to avoid existing obstructions, not to exceed 18 inches (457 mm) along the curb.
   Exceptions:

   1. Where it is not possible to bring the deck tightly against the face of an abutting building, structure, or fence, the deck shall be brought to within 1 inch (25 mm) of the face of such building, structure, or fence, with the resulting gap sealed or covered by material of sufficient manner and strength capable of trapping falling debris.
   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 Sections 3307.6.4.1 through 3307.6.4.11.

All sidewalk sheds shall be designed by a registered design professional. The sidewalk shed design shall be detailed on plans developed by the registered design professional. The plans shall be specific to the site and shall, at a minimum, include a plan view and an elevation view, with full dimensions, detailing:

1. The site;
2. The sidewalk shed;
3. Design load of the sidewalk shed (e.g. light duty, heavy duty);
4. All obstructions at the site that may interfere with the sidewalk shed, including but not limited to those listed in Section 3307.6.4.9;
5. Dunnage, blocking, or other founding material for the sidewalk shed, including details necessary to satisfy the requirements of Item 2.3 of Section 3307.6.4.10;
6. Anchorage of the sidewalk shed to the sidewalk or building, if necessary;
7. Materials or items to be placed or stored on the sidewalk shed, if authorized, in accordance with the requirements of Section 3307.6.4.2.2;
8. Any items connected to or attached to the sidewalk shed;
9. Locations, dimensions, and connection details of all signage, including parapet information panels, to be installed on the sidewalk shed; and
10. Location of any scaffolds and reference to a related application, if applicable.

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 (1464.7 kg/m²). 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 (732.4 kg/m²), provided that no item is stored or placed upon the shed.

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