Super Says
"Do you work with the city/DOB?"
DO: No, I was contracted by the building to help avoid penalties from the city.
DONT: YUP!
You enter a laundry room to find a tenant giving you a confused/questioning stare.
DO: “Hello! I’m/we’re just looking at the lights.”
If resident not satisfied: “We’re working with the building on LL88 compliance, I’ll be in and out!”
DONT: Long explanation of LL88
Are there any rebates?
DO: Unfortunately, lighting rebates have ended.
DONT: TOTALLY!
You need to know what is inside of a fixture but you can't see the bulbs. Super says:
"I don't know"
"I think its LED"
DO: Can you open it? Do you have a spare?
DONT: If you can grab me a ladder I can open it
Super: "Are you good to walk the building on your own? You don't need me, right?"
DO: After these questions, as long as everything is unlocked, I am happy to walk solo, and I can check back in later if I need access. We should definitely meet back for commercial spaces. Make sure to get a phone number!!
DONT: Please stay, I get lonely.
You see a closet and ask if the super can open it. They say, "Why do you need to look in there? It's just a regular bulb."
DO: LL88 covers the whole building
1. I need to grab a photo
2. If they can't get it open ask follow up Qs: Is there a switch? What kind? Show examples. Is it like this bulb or that one?
DONT: You're right. Let's just go ahead and skip all these rooms. NOT!
You are walking in the hall and pass a tenant who says, "We want new fixtures in the hallways. Can you recommend that in your report?"
DO: I can let the management know you're interested in new fixtures
DONT: Absolutely!
"So does this include installing everything?"
DO: So we were hired specifically to provide a LL88 report that specifies what, if any, work is required for LL88 compliance. We’re not contracted to implement any work at this time. It’s possible we’ll bid on the work but if so, it’ll be up to management to decide who implement it.
DONT: Nope, just materials!
OR
Yeah totally, we gotchu
When you ask what type of bulb is this and they say "its LED" and you REALLY think its fluorescent. What do you do?
DO: Write it down as you see fit, take lots of pictures, and see if they have any spares.
DONT: Ugh, are you kidding? It says Hg on the side! LEDs don't contain mercury!
Pushy super tries to lead you around: "Come this way and I’ll show you the BLANK area”
DO: “Let’s actually start at one end and work our way down so I can keep the scope of work organized and easy to follow”
DONT: Are you trying to confuse me?
"What are we doing today/why are you here?"
DO: I need to look at all the lights except inside apartments. This includes commercial spaces.
DONT: Give a long explanation of LL88
"Are we getting new lights?"
DO: I'm not sure, I'm just here to count your lights.
DONT: YUP!
A commercial space refuses you access. What do you do?
DO:1. Let them know that the building staff are aware you are here (Name drop the super and the building owner)
2. Ask the building staff to introduce you
3. Let them know that if you are not allowed access, they should be aware that the building may incur penalties that could potentially impact them
DONT: Leave a scathing google review
You: "How are these exterior lights controlled?"
Super: "They come on at night and turn off during the day"
DO: Ask if there is a timer or a photocell, have they ever had to change the settings, is it the timer with the metal circle and the screws? Can they show you where the control is located?
DONT: Assume its a PC with no follow up Qs
"I don’t want sensors, period, it’s dangerous"
DO: “So we were simply hired to walk the building and provide a report indicating what the law requires. If there are specific areas with safety hazards like machine and electrical rooms, we will omit those areas from the scope.
DONT: “Ok! No problem”
"Is this for LL97?"
DO: While LL88 and LL97 do look at energy consumption I am here for LL88 which is lights and switches.
DONT: LL97 gives LL88 an extension! (This is no longer available, and some buildings are not eligible so this could be misleading)
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" >:(
DO: Let them know that building staff is aware or that you checked in with security. Potentially call building staff to come meet you and confirm your presence.
If it escalates call a PM!!
DONT: HEY! I'm supposed to be here PAL! So keep walkin'!
OR
Say nothing.
"This is so much work and is going to be very expensive! How are we supposed to do all this?"
DO: Sympathize with them and let them know that we are passing along requirements from the DOB. If they would like more time the penalties are not as bad as some other LLs and let them know the penalty structure.
DONT: TOO BAD! You wanna argue with the DOB???
You ask if they have done a lighting upgrade and they say "yes, everything was upgraded" but you are noticing a lot of fluorescents.
DO: Just write it down as what it actually is, double check that you are correct with photos or back stock
DONT: When you say upgrade do you mean just replacing old bulbs?
"You guys have been here before, why are you doing it again?"
DO: That may have been a colleague of mine looking for other LL compliance. We are evaluating for LL88
DONT: Oops. Sorry, bye.
"I’m very busy today and don't have time for this. Can you hurry it up?"
DO: I do need to look at the controls and lights in all spaces for a complete evaluation. If I can have access to everything I am happy to walk on my own.
DONT: No problem, I'll come back another time
"Oh! Do you need to come look inside my apartment? Everything is LED."
OR
"I'm looking to upgrade my lights inside my apartment. Can you come in and take a look and make recommendations?"
DO: I cannot, but I am happy to notify the building staff!
OR
I may be able to refer you to someone who can help but I currently don't have that information
(Either way, the answer is no. We can't enter apartments)
DONT: Sure!
"Our commercial spaces are less than 5000 sqft so you don't need to see those because they don't need to comply" (They have >5000 sqft of commercial spaces on a single floor)
DO: LL88 says that a singular space under 5000 sqft does not need to be submetered, however you have a total larger than 5000sqft.
Also regardless of size it needs to comply with lighting and controls
DONT: You're right. Nevermind
Super: "Here are all the meters for the apartments" (This building does have commercial spaces)
DO: "I see, can you point out which belong to the commercial tenants?"
DONT: "I don't need that"
Vacancy sensors should be fine since they need to touch them to turn them on. For bi-level fixtures, the ones we recommend can have the sensors turned off via remote.