The collapse of the Champlain Towers South in Florida in 2021 emphasized the importance of maintaining a building’s structural health. This tragedy, which claimed the lives of 98 people, led to the crafting of legislation prioritizing structural integrity in multi-family structures. New Jersey Senate Bill No. 2760 or Assembly 3484 establishes procedures for structural inspections and reserve studies of residential housing in the state.
The legislation supports the State Uniform Construction Code Act (UCCA), which regulates the construction, modifications, maintenance, and occupancy of buildings in New Jersey. Under this regulation, a licensed structural engineer NJ needs to review proposed building plans to create or alter the primary load-bearing system of a cooperative building or condominium. This is now one of the requirements when applying for a construction permit in the state, whether intended for new or existing buildings.
The structural inspector may be designated by the permit applicant or selected by an enforcing agency. The assigned building inspection engineer NJ has several responsibilities, which include reviewing the submitted construction plans. They must also set a schedule for pre-occupancy inspection to verify whether the primary load-bearing system follows the approved plans. After, the professional engineer will issue a written inspection report and determine the timing of other required inspections.
A Certificate of Occupancy (CO) will not be issued until the inspector confirms that the load-bearing system adheres to the approved plans. Under the law, the CO must be issued after all the needed alterations or repairs are conducted.
The newly implemented S2760/A4384 created new responsibilities for property owners, developers, and community associations. With the new legislation, property owners of condominiums and cooperatives must have sufficient reserves for the costs of post-building inspections and building maintenance. Community associations must also be more stringent in their financial planning and responsibilities to achieve compliance.
Early detection and remediation of structural issues under the S2760/A4384 minimize the risks and enhance the safety of NJ residents. It helps prevent incidents like the collapse of Champlain Tower South from happening again.
Learn more about the implementation of the S2760/A4384 with this infographic by Lockatong Engineering.
