DOB Findings and Recommendations for WTC, Feb 2003

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

The following principles and conditions guided the task force in completing its mission; • New York City is a unique environment because of its tall buildings, high density and historical pattern of physical development; • Strengths and successes of the current Building Code should be noted where no changes are necessary; • Safety and economic viability need to be appropriately balanced, but neither should be compromised;'' • The Task Force should endeavor to make specific recommendations but may refer issues or concerns for further study where sufficient information is not available.

The Task Force recognizes that buildings cannot be designed and built for all eventualities, just as building codes cannot regulate every detail of building design, construction or operation. While the Task Force discussed various risk scenarios, it could not establish a uniform set of specific risks to address. It agreed, however, that the scope of consideration has necessarily been widened by the events of September 11. Recommendations made by the Task Force must strike a balance between the physical impact of a catastrophic event, the assurance of life safety under normal, everyday circumstances and the livability, usability and cost of buildings.

2.2 Task Force Structure and Participation The Task Force was made up of an Executive Committee and five Working Groups, bringing together a broad coalition of experts from the public arid private sectors. It gathered input from other government entities, professional design and engineering societies, the construction industry, private real estate owners associations, private and academic experts, and individuals directly affected by the. events of September 1.1th, including emergency services personnel and victims' families. The Task Force heard presentations from eyewitnesses and experts and reviewed inspection reports, news articles, research reports, national standards, and, in 'some cases, empirical test results.

2.2.1 Executive Committee ■fl

1 The following organizations were asked to participate as part of the Executive Committee; • NYC Department of Buildings • Fire Department of New York • NYC Office of Emergency Management • NYC Department of Design & Construction • Real Estate Board of New York • Building Trade Employers Association • Architects Council of New York • New York State Society of Professional Engineers All recommendations were adopted by the entire Executive Committee prior to inclusion in this 1 report. f

J I February 2003 WTC Building Code Task Force Page 13 Findings and Recommendations

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