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RAND Engineering & Architecture, DPC

Making Buildings Better Since 1987.

06/04/2026

Sand, surf, and still New York City. Some site visits have it all.

Initial observations are underway for a Facade Inspection Safety Program (FISP) repair project in Brooklyn, NY. On coastal buildings, salt air, wind, and exposure can all play a role in facade conditions, making close-up review an important part of planning the repair work.

Owners and boards of Cycle 10B and 10C buildings should be planning now. Contact RAND to discuss your FISP inspection, access, and repair planning needs: (212) 675-8844 or [email protected].

Learn more: www.randpc.com/fisp

Pictured: RAND Project Engineer Ilgaz Omer
Photo: RAND Project Architect Valerie Landriscina, RA

05/29/2026

Our Structural Team and Technical Inspection Team recently joined Kate Lorusso from DEWALT Anchors & Fasteners for an in-house Anchor 101 lunch-and-learn. The session included an overview of mechanical and adhesive anchor systems, followed by a hands-on demonstration using battery-operated installation tools.

Because anchorage shows up across many of our existing building projects, from facade and structural repairs to garage, railing, balcony, roof, and MEP support work, these sessions help connect product knowledge with the realities of existing building work, from design and specifications to installation, inspection, and field coordination.

Thank you to Kate and DEWALT Anchors & Fasteners for joining us.

05/28/2026

Own or manage a parking garage in the Bronx, Queens, or Staten Island? Your PIPS filing window is open.

Periodic Inspection of Parking Structures (PIPS) Cycle 1C requires parking structures in these boroughs to file condition assessment reports by December 31, 2027.

That sounds like plenty of time. But don’t let a two-year window turn into a last-minute scramble. We’re already approaching the first quarter of Cycle 1C, and garage repairs are not something owners want to discover, price, and plan at the last minute.

DOB penalties can add up: late filing is $1,000 per month, and failure to file is $5,000 per year. If unsafe or SREM conditions are identified and not corrected, additional penalties can apply.

Starting earlier gives owners and managers more time to schedule the inspection, understand the findings, budget for repairs, and fold needed work into capital planning before deadline pressure hits.
A strong PIPS inspection helps owners understand what is happening in the structure, what needs attention, and what can be planned before repairs become more urgent, disruptive, or expensive.

RAND’s QPSIs and structural engineering team provides PIPS/Local Law 126 inspections, condition assessment reports, and repair-phase support for parking structures throughout New York City.

Need to know where your building stands? RAND can help you confirm your filing requirements, inspection schedule, and potential repair planning needs before the filing window starts closing.

More info: www.randpc.com/pips

05/27/2026

Before your building hires a FISP consultant, do you know what to ask?

Poorly prepared reports, incomplete documentation, or limited facade repair experience can lead to DOB objections, resubmissions, delays, and avoidable costs.

The right questions can help boards, owners, and managers evaluate how the inspection will be handled, documented, planned, and supported, setting the stage for a smoother filing process if SWARMP or Unsafe conditions are identified.

Read the five questions to ask before hiring (link in bio):
https://randpc.com/news/5-questions-to-ask-before-hiring-fisp-consultant-nyc/

05/21/2026

For NYC buildings that have not completed their Local Law 97 filing, June 30 is the next critical date.

DOB is accepting LL97 annual emissions reports through June 30, 2026, as part of the 60-day grace period. That same date is also the deadline to request an extension in BEAM if additional time is needed to file.

If your building has not yet filed, the first step is to identify what is holding up the submission: missing data, incomplete documentation, pending RDP review/certification, BEAM filing issues, or the need to request an extension before the deadline.

RAND’s MEP & Energy Services Team helps building owners, boards, and managers evaluate applicable requirements, review building data, and plan practical next steps for Local Law 97 compliance.

Questions about your building’s LL97 reporting or compliance path? Contact RAND: 212-675-8844 or [email protected].

Learn more at randpc.com/ll97

05/19/2026

Getting hands-on with glass and steel during a FISP inspection of a 47-story Class A commercial tower in Midtown East.

Hands-on inspections are a required part of the FISP process, giving the QEWI close-up access to observe, document, and evaluate facade conditions. On taller buildings, access can affect the inspection method, schedule, equipment, and coordination needed for the required close-up review, especially where setbacks, curtain wall systems, appurtenances, terraces, and other hard-to-reach areas are involved.

With FISP Cycle 10 underway, owners and managers should be confirming filing windows, planning access, and identifying facade conditions early enough to avoid rushed repair decisions later in the cycle. Sub-Cycle 10A buildings must file by February 21, 2027. Sub-cycle 10B is now open, with filings due by February 21, 2028.

Questions about your building’s FISP requirements? Contact RAND: 212-675-8844 or [email protected].

05/13/2026

Can drones be used for FISP inspections in NYC?

Yes, as a supplemental tool.

Drone surveys can support facade evaluation, documentation, and access planning, especially on buildings with large exterior wall areas, setbacks, chimneys, roof structures, or areas that are difficult to evaluate from the ground.

They do not replace the close-up inspections required under FISP, but they can be a valuable part of a broader QEWI-led inspection strategy.

Read more at the link in bio.
www.randpc.com/drones-fisp-inspections-nyc/

BuildingEnvelope RopeAccess NYCCompliance

05/11/2026

Getting hands-on with the materials that help keep building envelopes watertight.

RAND staff recently took part in an in-house seminar with PROSOCO focused on their R-Guard air and water barrier system, including Cat 5, FastFlash, and Joint & Seam Filler.

The session gave our team the opportunity to work directly with the materials, ask technical questions, and take a closer look at how these products are applied in the field. For our building envelope, architectural, and construction administration teams, sessions like this strengthen the connection between product knowledge, detailing, constructability, and long-term building performance.

It’s also part of how we continue to support technical growth across the firm: learning from manufacturers, sharing knowledge across disciplines, and giving our staff direct exposure to the materials and systems they specify, review, and observe on site.

Thank you to PROSOCO for joining us and leading a valuable hands-on session.

05/07/2026

BTS: What a drone survey looks like from the ground up.

For a recent facade evaluation of a 30+ story tower in Brooklyn, RAND’s field team included Project Architect Robert Tochterman, RA as project manager, with RAND Drone Team members Patty Lozoya piloting the drone and Novel Chowdhury serving as visual observer to help monitor the aircraft and surrounding conditions throughout the flight.

On the ground, the team ran through pre-flight checks, coordinated the survey areas, and confirmed the flight approach. From there, the drone helped capture roof-level and facade conditions that would be difficult to document from the ground.

Learn more about RAND’s drone survey services: www.randpc.com/drone

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