DOB Findings and Recommendations for WTC, Feb 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

I

2 Introduction

The September 11th terrorist attack and subsequent collapse of the World Trade Center twin towers and building number seven (WTC 7) were a national tragedy that had an enormous impact on New York City. Although the typical building designs cannot anticipate or be designed for an event of this type and magnitude, the Department of Buildings felt that it was imperative for it to establish a Task Force to review these events and the New York City Building Code. Understanding the causes of this catastrophe is the first step in determining that our requirements, standards and practices in the design and construction of buildings ensure the I highest level of safety for the occupants of tall buildings. The Task Force found that the current NYC Building Code contains many provisions to ensure the integrity of structures, protection from i fire, safe evacuation, and the safe installation of mechanical systems. However, in a post I." ■ September 11th world of unknown and elevated risks we must strive to ensure our standards are the highest we can make them without compromising our ability to live, work, and build in New York City. The Task Force did not attempt to identify specific risks and does not propose designing buildings to make them safe from the impact of aircraft. The goal of the Task Force was i to examine the Building Code for areas that could enhance public safety in a practical way.

The overall performance of the World Trade Center towers and the buildings surrounding them. demonstrated their ability to protect human life during catastrophic and unforeseen events to a remarkable extent. As noted in the July 2002 report by the FEMA Building Performance Study Report: The fact that the structures were able to sustain this level of damage and remain standing for an extended period of time is remarkable, and is the reason that most building occupants were able to evacuate safely. Events of this type, resulting in such substantial damage, are generally not considered in building design, and the ability of these structures to successfully withstand such damage is noteworthy. However, as with every major failure of a building or structure in New York City, it is incumbent upon the Department of Buildings to review the events and conditions leading to the failure and I the associated standards and requirements for the construction and operation of buildings to i ensure that they adequately protect the life-safety of occupants.

2.1 Task Force Mission and Scope

On March 19, 2002 the NYC Department of Buildings convened the World Trade Center Building Code Task Force (Task Force) to review current building design, construction and operating requirements and to determine if modifications are needed to ensure public safety in new and existing buildings.

The purpose of the Task Force is to review available information regarding the events of September 11th and determine whether changes to existing design, construction and operating I requirements are needed prior to the completion of a comprehensive technical evaluation and standards development by NIST. The recommendations in this report were formulated based on a review of existing information and the current New York City Building Code and related Reference Standards and Rules and Regulations. j

Page 12 WTC Building Code Task Force February 2003

i' Findings and Recommendations

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