The developer of a New Jersey condominium development and its architecture firm face a $10 million construction defect verdict in a case involving non-compliance with fire codes.
The Grandview I building on the Hudson River, developed by Hovnanian Enterprises’ subsidiary, K. Hovnanian and designed by RTKL New Jersey Architects, was alleged to have been built in a condition that was not compliant with fire codes. The plaintiff—the condominium association--alleges that the developer knew about the non-compliance and failed to disclose this fact with buyers.
According to the plaintiff’s attorneys, the architect designed the building with plywood subflooring and later warned the developer that to comply with code the structure would have to be reclassified from Type 2 to Type 3. The reclassification would have allowed plywood if the building’s exterior steel-with-brick-veneer walls were rebuilt with code-required masonry walls.
The building codes provide for five types of buildings, ranging from the most fire-resistant Type 1 — often a skyscraper — to Type 5, typically a wood-framed house. Defense attorneys argued that the plywood flooring was not a life-safety issue, since fire alarms and exits would allow all residents to safely vacate the building. The condo association's attorneys agreed that there was no threat to residents' lives, but that property could suffer more damage as a result of the code violation.
Related Stories
| May 3, 2012
Green-roof requirement now includes industrial facilities in Toronto
A mandate that requires installation of green roofs on new commercial and residential buildings in Toronto has been expanded to include industrial facilities.
| May 3, 2012
Innovative wastewater treatment helps achieve LEED rating
LEED for New Construction, Neighborhood Development and the LEED Volume Program offer some ways to achieve LEED points when dealing with wastewater treatment.
| Apr 26, 2012
Lack of bolts on steel support caused collapse at Cincinnati casino
Too few bolts connecting horizontal steel support beams with vertical steel columns was the cause of January’s construction accident at Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, according to the report of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
| Apr 26, 2012
OSHA criticized for taking too long to roll out safety rules
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration takes far too long to adopt new safety regulations compared to other agencies’ development of rules, safety experts said during a Senate hearing.
| Apr 26, 2012
Contractors fear that GSA scandal will lead to fewer federal construction contracts
In the wake of the recent scandal at the General Services Administration in which workers spent lavishly at a Las Vegas conference, a spokesman for Associated General Contractors of America said contractors are worried the scandal will result in cuts to GSA's construction and renovation budgets.
| Apr 26, 2012
Developers can use LEED wastewater credits to help gain approvals in environmentally sensitive locales
Those wanting to pursue development in heavily regulated and environmentally sensitive areas are benefiting by designing projects that qualify for LEED points, even if the project as a whole does not achieve certification.
| Apr 26, 2012
New York City Council moves to license elevator mechanics
New York’s City Council introduced a measure last week that would require the city’s 7,000 elevator mechanics to meet national standards and be licensed by the city.
| Apr 23, 2012
AAMA releases updated specification for anodized aluminum
AAMA 611-12 describes test procedures and requirements for high performance (Class I) and commercial (Class II) architectural quality aluminum oxide coatings applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products.
