Unsafe facade conditions
An unsafe classification is the most urgent thing that happens in this part of the code. Public protection has to be in place immediately, which means an emergency sidewalk shed filed and erected on a rush basis, often within days.
The immediate obligation
When an inspector identifies an unsafe condition, protection of the public comes first and does not wait for the repair to be planned, priced or funded. In practice that means a sidewalk shed, and sometimes additional measures depending on the condition.
The sequence
- Unsafe condition identified and reported
- Public protection installed immediately
- Emergency shed filing prepared, submitted and permitted
- Repair program designed and filed
- Repairs completed within the required period
- Amended report filed showing conditions corrected
- Protection removed and the filing closed out
Why speed matters here
Between the condition being identified and the shed being up, there is a hazard over a public sidewalk and an owner carrying that exposure. This is the one situation in shed work where turnaround genuinely outranks price.
Key facts
- Protection
- Immediate
- Filing
- Emergency basis
- Then
- Repair program and amended report
- Priority
- Speed over cost
Common questions
Can the shed go up before the permit is issued?
Protection of the public is the immediate obligation and the filing follows on an emergency basis. The correct route depends on the specific circumstances and should be confirmed with the Department.
Who pays for an emergency shed?
The building owner. It is not an optional cost and it is not deferrable.