Help - Need to know about building code jurisdiction on a military base.

Guys, I need help.I am fighting a battle for the people I work with (mostly because no one would stick up for themselves).

I need to know if local building code is enforced on a military installation. Use the state Ny, and the city of New York as your basis for comment.

Most importantly, this is dealing with a condemned building, that is being "renovated". no work has been done to this building. I need to know if a building on a military base requires a certificate of occupancy like any other building would require for people to be inside, let alone living in it.

Help guys, I'm fighting for whats right for my fellow servicemen and woman. They should not be working in this building, let alone living in it as well. There is a severe mold/mildew problem for sure, you can feel it in your lungs, and the air quality is below poor. The building is not healthy. I am now just making the connection with this building and the elevated health problems of the people who work in it.

Give me any ammunition you can. Its just me fighting people much higher up who are whiling to look the other way, and pencil whip inspection forms. This is unsatisfactory. Tomorrow I will be calling the ny state health department, and I already talked to a civil engineer for the DOT, and someone who works for the DEC (stab in the dark). I'm trying to compile as much information as possible. If in fact a building on a military installation falls under local building code - I have a more robust case. (As I'm pretty sure there is no certificate of occupancy).

HELP!

 

i wish you luck with this battle. hopefully this will work out in your favor, as well as the service men/women who work/ let alone live there also. i dont know the rules, so i cant really say........but i will say that being as bad as it appears to be, hopefully, that building will be torn down.

 

Thanks tacoman. I'm really good at stepping on peoples toes, and getting to places not meant to get to if you catch my drift. I'm not your typical junior enlisted - I'm a pain in the ass, and I try to get things done. There is a lot I can not talk about, maybe one day over a beer.

 

I worked 40 years in the architectural/building field and from my experience the local guys don't/can't have a thing to say about anything on federal property. I recall doing some post offices years ago and brought up the fact that their parking wasn't up to the local ordinances...they just laughed, said "We're the federal government". and not to be concerned about anything the local people said about the parking or anything else having to do with the construction. Good luck.

 

When I was stationed at Ft. Jackson, S.C. the barracks were pretty bad, but nothing compared to your case. After everything was said and done I got this extra payment in my last paycheck: substandard living quarters. I never complained but somebody must have. So the Military addressed the issue and paid us off, it is obvious that they know the problem, maybe make an anonymous phone call to the local media, have them do a segment on how the living quarters are poor. Then something will get done, I betcha.

 

its good to be that way(a pain in the ass), and i understand completely!!! plus......i love beer!!

 

Hey when you're right you're right. Wanna get something done in a hurry? Do what Jedi says-Threaten to contact the media..or have your family do it. They'll scramble like cockroaches to establish standard!

 

I'm not familiar with US laws however that will not fly in Canada. BTW Canadian and US laws are somewhat similar in this regard. An employer, no matter who it is, is responsible for the well being of their employees. Health and Safety is primarily the responsibility of the employee (you), therefore any employee can demand reasonably safe conditions to work in or walk off the job. Check your NY Occupational Health & Safety Act and related code book and NOT the building codes.

Under certain conditions, the Health and Safety Committee can demand to review the results of an Air Quality Test or force property management to conduct such a test and to take necessary action to correct any deficiencies. If no deficiencies exist, the landlord has the right to bill the tenant for the associated costs. A test can cost upwards of 5K so you better be very certain you know what you are harping about. A soldier and their support staff have the same rights as any other citizen of the country.

If you win this battle, be prepared to be deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan for a long long time.

 

Jamie, a building with asbestos is safe to occupy as long as you dont disturb the asbestos or it (asbestos's insulation) is not falling apart.

 

Along with contacting the media you might try contacting a congressman or politician from your home state. When I served I heard of some people doing this and getting some results. Good luck with this, its a shame how servicemen and women are treated sometimes.

 

Thanks guys for the great support, and suggestions. Tomorrow I will be calling the state health department, and hopefully I get somewhere. I am certain of the mold/mildew. The air quality is extremely bad. Good call about calling a congress person, or senator. I really am going to try and solve this at the lowest possible level. Thanks guys!

 

Must hurt to learn from a Canadian, huh? You walk like an Egyptian, Camel Boy.

 

Well, I resigned this morning. Got to stand up for what you believe in. Besides, I can do more from the outside. On the outside, a 2 star general does not trump me. Here I go, getting myself into more trouble!