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Associated Press - November 30, 2009 3:25 PM ET
NEW YORK (AP) - The New York City Council has voted to prohibit building crews from performing demolitions at the same time as asbestos abatement.
The bill addresses problems that were discovered after two firefighters died responding to a 2007 fire in a condemned skyscraper that was undergoing both demolition and abatement.
Officials later said that doing both simultaneously made the building a death trap for firefighters.
Demolition activities increase fire risk and asbestos containment materials can impede firefighters' access.
The new law prohibits doing both at the same time unless officials have made a site visit and determine they can be done safely.
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