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Waterfront Warehouse Rehab > Episode 5: Electrical Work, Navy Yard Tour, and Insulation Install

Residential Electrical Wiring

Project: Waterfront Warehouse Rehab, Episode 5, Part 1

Rough electrical work is underway and Bob discusses the challenges of wiring an old building, particularly in New York City where there are strict code requirements.

The electrician, Eddie Fisher, uses metal-shielded cable to reduce the possibility of damaging power lines, both during installation and over the building's lifespan.

Insulation is also going on. Bob joins George Saylor from Owens Corning to learn more about the type of insulation being used in the apartments.

Taking a break from the action at the project building, Bob tours the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the country's oldest dry dock. Now converted for a variety of functions, the Navy Yard houses everything from television and film production studios to commuter boat docks.

Part 1: Residential Electrical Wiring: Bob meets Eddie Fisher, the master electrician on the Brooklyn project's infrastructure team. A team of five electricians from AC/DC Electric is rewiring the building from basement to roof deck. New York City building codes often require the use of materials and techniques not usually seen in residential construction. For example, between the main electrical box and each GFI (Ground Fault Interrupt) circuit, there must be separate power lines. Also required by code is the use of metal-shielded cable (known as BX cable). BX is a rigid, flexible metal conduit with a wire bundle, consisting of individually insulated conductors covered by a flexible spiral-wound layer of metal. BX typically lasts longer than vinyl-clad cable.
Part 2: Brooklyn Navy Yard Tour
Part 3: Insulation Install

Bob Vila heads to the DUMBO neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY, for this project involving an abandoned warehouse built in the mid-19th century. Bob's adaptive reuse will yield three ultra-hip apartments with commercial space at street level. Project manager is Bob's oldest son, Chris Vila, who helps guide this complete rehabilitation of a beat-up building in the city that never sleeps.

Also from Waterfront Warehouse Rehab

Episode 1 - Welcome to Brooklyn!
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Description:
Bob begins a project in Brooklyn, New York, in an area known as "DUMBO", or Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass. With beautiful downtown Manhattan in the background, Bob delivers a brief history of Brooklyn's waterfront area. Next, he joins his son, Chris Vila, who is manager of the project, to discuss what's in store. Slated for three floors of residential space, the building will reserve its ground floor for commercial use. Jared Della Valle and Andrew Bernheimer chat with Chris about possible floor plans, while Bob talks with Jacker Beyer, of Beyer Blinder Belle, about restoring the façade.
Episode 2 - Demolition and Preservation in Brooklyn
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Description:
Bob and his son Chris tour a loft space in the nearby Sweeney Building. On top of stunning views of the Brooklyn Bridge and downtown Manhattan, the building boasts a "tar beach" rooftop deck.<br> <br> David and Jed Walentas of Two Trees Development communicate their vision for the area. Back on site, demolition is underway and preservation expert Bill Higgins, of Higgins and Quasebarth, tells us more about the history of the building.
Episode 3 - Interior Demolition, Water Taxi Tour, and Framing With Metal Studs
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Description:
Interior work and demolition are progressing simultaneously. Bob and his son, the project manager Chris Vila, review three weeks' worth of progress. Work performed to date includes removing an old elevator shaft and sandblasting exposed wood and brick surfaces. A new tongue and groove plywood subfloor is being installed and basic wall framing has begun. Also, Bob takes us on a water taxi tour to learn more about the history of heavy industry along Brooklyn's waterfront.
Episode 4 - Brick Façade Restoration and Window Installation
Episode 6 - Interior Construction and Skylight Install
Episode 7 - Rooftop Work and Wood Floor Installation
Episode 8 - Marble Tile, Cherry Cabinets, and the Brooklyn Academy of Music
Episode 9 - Stone Countertop Installation and Interior Trimwork
Episode 10 - Noise Reduction and Security
Episode 11 - Roof Deck and High-Tech Bathroom Features
Episode 12 - Penthouse Interior Design
Episode 13 - Brooklyn Project Wrap-Up

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