Blizzard-Safety Alert: What Co-op / Condo Boards Must Do to Keep Buildings Safe

And if you're doing Local Law 11 work, with scaffolding and rigging in place, or have a half-finished capital-improvement project waiting for warmer weather to be completed, there are additional precautions you need to take.

It's also, need we point out, the law in New York City — Section 28-301.1 of the city's Administrative Code — that property owners are legally obligated to maintain your  property in a safe condition. And that brings up liability issues in case of, say, slip-and-falls on the sidewalk in front of your co-op or condo building.

Since you know all that, you're almost certainly taking all these precautions already. But it's possible there may be one or two things you might be overlooking. Like satellite dishes.

Here are the Department of Building's recommendations of some things you can do ahead of the next blizzard. And there will be one….

• Bring inside loose, lightweight objects such as lawn furniture, potted plants, garbage cans, garden tools and toys.
• Anchor objects that would be unsafe outside, such as gas grills or propane tanks.
• Close up and secure patio umbrellas.
• Secure retractable awnings.
• Secure netting and scaffolding.
• Remove aerial antennas and satellite television dishes.
• Tie down and secure material and loose debris at construction sites.
• Cover electrical equipment from exposure to the weather.
• Store loose tools, oil cans and extra fuses in a tool box.
• Secure netting and scaffolding.

Also, keep in mind that water from melting snow that collects on roofs can present a threat to the structural integrity of a building, since the accumulated weight may become too great. In addition, the colder temperatures may lead to icicles that could pose a threat to public safety if not promptly removed. To combat these specific threats,

• Clear ice and snow from areas around the property that are used by the public. One way is with an environmentally friendly sidewalk deicer such as this.
• Safely remove ice and snow from flat roofs, gutters, and overhangs. 
• Clean out gutters and roof drains to allow water to drain.

Remember, there are people who will call the city's 3-1-1 hotline to report non-compliant conditions — as well they should when there are genuinely dangerous circumstances, but still — so you could wind up with fines. It really is a case of, literally, better safe than sorry.

For articles going back to 2002, join our Archive >>