Building Code Services

LaBella relies on systems developed over time and the latest technology to provide the most efficient service to our clients. Our team utilizes well-established document control and tracking standards and can integrate them into municipal software. We understand how critical it is, especially in the COVID-19 landscape, to accept reviews in digital format. Internally, our team utilizes a cloud-based program for document storage, transfer, and plan reviews. This program allows clients to have access to our work throughout the review process and dramatically reduces project turnaround by eliminating the delay of standard document transfer. It also enables us to use the most qualified team of individuals for each project regardless of which office they are located in.

Healthcare facilities are unique. They are not only heavily regulated by building and fire codes during construction, but also face continued compliance requirements from these codes, CMS regulations, and hundreds of applicable National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards throughout their operation. The volume, complexity, and frequency of updates to these codes and standards has made it difficult for healthcare facilities to remain compliant.

LaBella provides code consulting services to healthcare facilities for new construction and ongoing compliance. While we pride ourselves on our ability to listen and solve problems, which allows us to provide support in a wide variety of ways.

The following are some of the more common services we provide:

• Pre-joint survey facility assessments
• Deficiency resolution
• Emergency preparedness plans
• Fire evacuation plans
• Risk assessments
• Barrier management plans
• Code education and training
• Health and safety training
• Annual compliance monitoring
• Condition assessments and capital asset management

By immersing ourselves in the municipal permitting and construction process, LaBella seamlessly and immediately provides support to municipal staff in jurisdictions struggling to meet the demands of both sustained development and large, technically complex projects.

LaBella, with our dedicated team of code compliance professionals, can offer full plan review, inspection, and code consultation capabilities. To support this goal, we can provide temporary staff support, digital plan review, and inspection services. Our International Code Council (ICC) Certified Permit Technician performs document control and works closely with jurisdictions to facilitate the document turnover necessary to support building permit and Certificate of Occupancy issuance.

We leverage our experience in different jurisdictions to drive efficiency in yours. And our reviews and recommendations help advance building department operations. LaBella provides ongoing services to municipal clients; these long-term partnerships allow us to not only support daily needs for plan review and inspections, but we work with each of these clients to optimize processes and operate more efficiently. We also provide support through development of policies and procedures, drafting legislation, and supporting updates to fee structures.

LaBella also has the ability to handle large and complex projects that municipalities are required to review, permit, and inspect. These include large-scale, unique projects, such as new healthcare facilities and manufacturing plants, where our team has performed or is continuing to perform full review, permitting, and inspections in support of Certificate of Occupancy.

Our team is comprised of:

• Licensed Professional Engineers (PE)
• Licensed Architects (AIA)
• NYS Certified Code Enforcement Officials (NYSCCEO)
• LEED-Accredited Professionals
• ICC Certified Building Official
• ICC Certified Fire Marshall
• ICC Certified Permit Technician
• Staff with experience as Municipal Building Officials

Our services include:

• Plan review, including cloud-based collaboration
• Inspection services
• Review and oversight of special inspections
• Delegated design and deferred submittal reviews
• Code analysis and interpretation
• Alternative means and methods review and guidance
• State variance application support
• More restrictive local standards
• Policies, procedures, and department efficiency consulting

LaBella leverages our extensive knowledge of codes with our diverse experience in design and construction to ensure our clients realize their goals of a safe, compliant building. We understand the municipal permitting process. Combined with our technical expertise, LaBella helps owners, developers, and design professionals navigate the permitting process without undue costs.

Our services include:

• Building and fire code evaluation & design guidance
• Alternate means and methods and appeals
• Jurisdictional negotiations
• Basis of design analysis
• ADA/accessibility investigations
• Hazardous Materials Inventory Statements (HMIS)
• Hazardous Materials Management Plans (HMMP)
• Hazardous waste management plans
• Electric safety and arc flash compliance
• Electric safety training
• Fire and life safety assessments
• Fire inspection and evacuation planning
• Construction fire safety plan review and preparation
• Emergency preparedness plan review and training

Modern homes and buildings incorporate the latest building codes and are designed to minimize the possibility and effects of fire and other risks. The provisions of these codes, known as Residential Code, apply to buildings and structures that meet certain criteria and are undergoing construction, alteration, movement, enlargement, replacement, repair, removal, or demolition.

Meeting Residential Code
Meeting Residential Code is up to the building owner, developer, contractor, or design consultant. As Building Code Consultants, LaBella can ensure construction documents satisfy the requirements of the code with sufficient clarity to show, in detail, that the proposed work will conform to the provisions of the applicable codes, laws, ordinances, and regulations. We can also advise on what additional submittal documents are required to define the scope of the proposed work and provide information or documentation that the authority having jurisdiction may request in order to determine whether the proposed work conforms with the Uniform Code, the Energy Code, and other relevant codes and regulations.

Enforcing Residential Code
Enforcing and upholding Residential Code is up to the municipal building departments. If working with the municipality rather than the building owner, developer, contractor, or design consultant, LaBella can support in the building permit application review process. Particularly for a community experiencing rapid growth and, therefore, a high volume of applications, LaBella can provide temporary staff support, digital plan review, and inspection services. Our International Code Council (ICC) Certified Permit Technician performs document control and works closely with jurisdictions to facilitate the document turnover necessary to support building permit and Certificate of Occupancy issuance.