N.Y.C. Admin. Code § EBC H101: Section EBC H101: In-Place Material and Component Properties

H101.1 General.

The requirements for determining the in-place material strength and other properties for structural elements, when structural analysis is required by Chapter 7, shall be in accordance with Sections H101.2 through H101.3. Allowances for in-place archaic and legacy structural systems shall be in accordance with the conditions and limitations of Section H102.

Exceptions:

1. When structural design is performed in accordance with ASCE 41, the requirements for in-place material and component properties shall follow ASCE 41 in lieu of this section.

2. Material properties as specified in ASCE 41 may be used as an alternate to the properties in this appendix.

H101.2 Material properties based on data or documentation.

The in-place material strength and other properties for structural elements shall be determined in accordance with Sections H101.2.1 through H101.2.4.

H101.2.1 Acceptable engineering data or documentation.

Engineering data or documentation may be used to determine the age of buildings and materials. Only the following sources shall be used:

1. Original construction documents or applications submitted to the department.

2. Material test records or material test reports.

3. Manufacturer material specifications related to the structure.

4. Publicly available records:

4.1. New York City Department of Buildings’ “Building Information System,” “ACTIONS.”

4.2. NYC Department of Buildings “Building Information System,” “Certificate of Occupancy” using specifically those certificates marked as “new building.”

4.3. NYC Department of Buildings “Building Information System,” marked as “Landmark” and NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission “Designation Reports.”

4.4. NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development: “I-cards” for multiple dwellings provide an upper bound on the construction date. An “Old-Law Tenement” classification is sufficient to place the date of construction at 1900 or earlier.

4.5. NYC Department of City Planning “PLUTO” website, or successor website, for buildings constructed after 1950 only.

4.6. New York Public Library “NYC Fire Insurance, Topographic and Property Maps.”

H101.2.2 Lower bounds allowance.

Where the age of the existing material is determined in accordance with Section H101.2.1, lower bounds for material properties as listed in Section H103 may be used in engineering calculations. If the lower bounds listed in Section H103 are given as allowable stresses, they shall be used only with Allowable Stress Design.

H101.2.3 Data to be confirmed or adjusted.

Where material and component properties are determined in accordance with Section H101.2.1, such material and component properties shall be confirmed or adjusted by the engineer by performing an initial or detailed condition assessment required by Section 704. Where required by Section 704 or Section H101.3, such data shall be verified and supplemented by on-site investigations. On-site review by probes, test pits, or other means of visually confirming the structural components present conform to the existing documentation may be used.

H101.2.4 Unavailable or unreliable data.

Where the age of the existing material cannot be determined using the allowable sources set forth in Section H101.2.1, material properties shall be determined by material testing as required by Section H101.3.

H101.3 Material testing.

Material testing, including destructive and non-destructive testing of building materials and components, shall be performed in a manner consistent with nationally recognized standards. Material testing shall be required when any of the following occur:

1. Data relating to building materials or components is not available.

2. Data available per Section H101.2.1 is not sufficient for the method of engineering used in calculations.

3. Observed conditions indicate likelihood of original nonconformance.

4. Observed conditions indicate likelihood of past nonconforming alterations.

5. Observed conditions indicate likelihood of reduced capacity due to deterioration, including but not limited to misuse, aging, or lack of maintenance.