The Building Systems
What smart NYC coop or condo owners should know about their building systems
When it comes to building operation, there are many different systems at play in a NYC coop or condo. The main building systems can be divided into three main categories: exterior, interior, and mechanical. Each one of these systems are what keeps a building running efficiently and safely, and they must work together in order for the building to function properly. In this article, we summarize some of the building systems by category:
Exterior building systems
Exterior systems, also referred to as the building envelope, are exactly that, the systems that are on the exterior of a building. Exterior building systems are responsible for protecting a structure from the elements.
The most talked about type of exterior building system is the façade, which is the wall that helps to keep weather and pests out. Facades can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common ones in New York are brick or glass.
Another exterior building system is the roof, which helps to keep rain and snow from entering a structure and if properly insulated, the heat from escaping the building during heating season. Most New York buildings do not use their tar roofs, but recent NYC laws require all new construction and roof replacements to be developed or replaced with green roofs.
Windows and doors are also important exterior building systems as they help to keep the interior of a structure protected from the elements.
Upkeep and safety of sidewalks in New York City are the responsibility of the building owner or coop and condo; the board, the building staff, and the property manager.
Exterior building systems are important in order to protect the building from the elements and to ensure the safety of those inside and passing by. Exterior building systems should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure their continued effectiveness. In New York City, the façade inspection and safety program, FISP, formerly known as Local Law 11, requires a buildings’ façade to be inspected every 5 years.
Interior building systems
Interior building systems are responsible for providing a comfortable and functional interior space for NYC coop and condo owners. These systems are what is visible and can be viewed as esthetically appealing or appalling, depending on which coop or condo owner you ask. Examples of interior systems include:
Hallways & Lobby, which are the transient areas that NYC coop and condo owners only see when entering and exiting their apartment and/or building
All interior amenity spaces including fitness centers, laundry rooms, community rooms, storage rooms, and many more.
Professionals who improve the interior systems include architects and interior designers as well as general contractors. Professionals who help with the upkeep of the interior are typically the building staff as instructed by the property manager, as well as building maintenance companies like Long Island Carpet Cleaners.
Mechanical building systems
The mechanical systems can be located indoors or outdoors, but are serviced by the professionals who specialize in one particular area of the mechanical system. NYC coops and condos have a lot of mechanical systems, and they vary depending on the building’s size and age. Some examples are:
Electrical: The electrical system provides power to lights, appliances, and other equipment. It is not uncommon that the electrical system and boxes are original to the building since they are not visible to NYC coop and condo owners, their supers, or property managers.
Plumbing: Proper upkeep of the plumbing system cannot be stressed enough. The plumbing system provides clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing as well as removing waste from the building. Many buildings have plumbing pipes that are original to the building. This is a huge problem as they are inside the walls and not easily accessible and can cause enormous damage when they burst.
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC): HVAC is responsible for maintaining a comfortable indoor environment by regulating the temperature, humidity, and air quality. If the HVAC system isn’t working properly, it can make the building very uncomfortable (and even unhealthy) to live in.
Fire alarms, detectors and sprinkler system all help detect, prevent and extinguish fires.
Another common type of interior building system is a security system, which helps to deter criminals and keep occupants safe.
Elevators: Elevators are vital to NYC coop and condo owners as they provide vertical transportation within the building.
Mechanical building systems are important to maintain the safety and comfort of all NYC coop and condo owners who live in their buildings. Interior building systems should be regularly inspected and maintained to ensure their continued effectiveness.
Building systems are important to protect NYC coop and condo owners to stay safe and to protect what is oftentimes their largest single investment. All building systems should be regularly inspected and maintained. Many laws are in place for qualified inspectors to regularly test and inspect many of the systems, while others are inspected by the property manager and super.
We hope you found this article helpful.
Please tell us what your board is working on by emailing us at info@thefolsongroup.com. At the Folson Group, we are here to make your NYC coop and condo board assignment filled with joy and sense of accomplishment while making your building safe, sustainable, and affordable.