The New York City Department of Buildings (DoB) has reported within a June 6, 2011 Freedom of Information (FOI) response, that no records could be located regarding the following request for information pertaining to the massive elevator modernization project underway at World Trade Center buildings 1 and 2 until the very morning of September 11, 2001, one of the largest ever [1]. The DoB governs elevator construction and use within New York City.

An April 15, 2011 FOI appeal request sought:

“Permits or certifications provided by the NYC Department of Buildings regarding elevator modernization/renovation work performed at the former World Trade Center buildings 1 and 2 during the 1990s and 2000s."

The DoB’s June 6, 2011 FOI answer reads as follows:

“BIS shows no elevator records for the time period in question.”

The DoB’s Building Information System (BIS) “is the Department of Buildings’ main database. The database was put into production in 1984 and supports Department functions with respect to: ... Application Processing (application submission ...)” [2]

The DoB’s description of its role regarding elevator installation and use within New York City: “The Department of Buildings' Elevator Division oversees the use and operation of New York City's elevators”. [3] Such duties include the receipt and issuance of construction applications and permits: “Applications and Permits; New Installations or Major Upgrades; File an Elevator Application (EA) to install a new device or perform a substantial upgrade, alteration, replacement or modernization to an existing device.” [4]

The New York City building code regarding elevator construction reads as follows: “SUBCHAPTER 18 ELEVATORS AND CONVEYORS; § [C26-1803.1] 27-1001 Permit required. - No construction, alteration or removal shall be commenced until a written work permit therefor shall have been issued by the commissioner” [5]

“Dear Mr. Monaghan

The New York City Department of Buildings ("the Department/DOB") is in receipt of your April 15,2011 letter appealing the Department's February 28, 2011 letter that acknowledged receipt of your FOIL request letter and advised you that it was currently working to determine if it had any of the requested documents. DOB's letter further advised that it would notify you within 30 business days regarding the status of your request. You are treating this determination as a constructive denial based on the fact that the Department did not provide an update within the 30 days as stated, and that the Department is still working on your request.

Your FOIL request asked for the following DOB records:

"Copies of inspections and certifications records issued by the New York City Department of Buildings, pertaining to construction projects performed at the World Trade Center Buildings 1 and 2 between January 2000 and January 2002.”

“Permits or certifications provided by the NYC Department of Buildings regarding elevator modernization/renovation work performed at the former World Trade Center buildings 1 and 2 during the 1990s and 2000s."

According to the Department's Building Information System ("BIS"), there was a complaint registered on January 11, 2001 at 1 World Trade Center, but the Department did not inspect in view of a lack of jurisdiction. Nor are there records of the Department having inspected 1 World Trade Center during the time period in question for any other reason. There are no records of complaints filed or inspections conducted at 2 World Trade Center for the period requested.

The Department of Buildings records show no violations issued during that period, so there would be no certification records.

BIS shows no elevator records for the time period in question.

Therefore, the Department has no records responsive to your request.

This constitutes the Department's final determination.”

References:

[1] DRIVE TO THE TOP

http://www.elevator-world.com/magazine/archive01/0103-002.html-ssi

[2] The Buildings Information System

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/bis/bis.shtml

[3] Elevators

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/applications_and_permits/elevator_home.shtml

[4] Elevators: Applications and Permits

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/applications_and_permits/elevator_appl.shtml

[5] REFERENCE MATERIALS: 1968 New York City Building Code

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dob/html/reference/code_internet.shtml