N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 412: Section BC 412: Aircraft-Related Occupancies

412.1 General.

Aircraft-related occupancies shall comply with the New York City Fire Code and Sections 412.1 through 412.8 of this code.

412.2 Definitions.

The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:

FIXED BASE OPERATOR (FBO).

HELIPORT.

HELISTOP.

RESIDENTIAL AIRCRAFT HANGAR.

TRANSIENT AIRCRAFT.

412.3 Airport traffic control towers.

The provisions of Sections 412.3.1 through 412.3.9 shall apply to airport traffic control towers occupied only for the following uses:

1. Airport traffic control cab.

2. Electrical and mechanical equipment rooms.

3. Airport terminal radar and electronics rooms.

4. Office spaces incidental to the tower operation.

5. Lounges for employees, including sanitary facilities.

412.3.1 Type of construction.

Airport traffic control towers shall be constructed to comply with the height limitations of Table 412.3.1.

Table 412.3.1 Height Limitations for Airport Traffic Control Towers

Type of Construction 

Height

a

(feet)

IA

Unlimited

IB

240

IIA

100

IIB

85

IIIA

65

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. Height to be measured from grade plane to cab floor.

412.3.2 Stairways.

Stairways in airport traffic control towers shall be in accordance with Section 1011. Stairways in airport traffic control towers are not required to comply with Section 1011.12. Stairways shall be smokeproof enclosures complying with one of the alternatives provided in Section 909.20. The stairway shall be separated from elevators by a minimum distance of one-half of the diagonal of the area served measured in a straight line.

Exception: The stairway and elevator hoistway are permitted to be located in the same shaft enclosure without the minimum separation distance, provided they are separated from each other by a 4-hour fire barrier having no openings. Such stairway shall be pressurized to a minimum of 0.15 inch of water column (43 Pa) and a maximum of 0.35 inch of water column (101 Pa) in the shaft relative to the building with stairway doors closed.

412.3.3 Exit access.

From observation levels, airport traffic control towers shall be permitted to have a single means of exit access for a distance of travel not greater than 100 feet (30 480 mm). Exit access stairways from the observation level need not be enclosed.

412.3.4 Number of exits.

Not less than one exit stairway shall be permitted for airport traffic control towers of any height provided that the occupant load per floor is not greater than 15 and the area per floor does not exceed 1,500 square feet (140 m

2

).

412.3.4.1 Interior finish.

Where an airport traffic control tower is provided with only one exit stairway, interior wall and ceiling finishes shall be either Class A or Class B.

412.3.5 Automatic fire detection systems.

Airport traffic control towers shall be provided with an automatic fire detection system installed in accordance with Section 907.2.

412.3.6 Automatic sprinkler system.

Where an occupied floor is located more than 35 feet (10 668 mm) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access, airport traffic control towers shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

412.3.7 Elevator protection.

Wires or cables that provide normal or standby power, control signals, communication with the car, lighting, heating, air conditioning, ventilation and fire detecting systems to elevators shall be protected by construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour, or shall be circuit integrity cable having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour.

412.3.7.1 Elevators for occupant evacuation.

Where provided in addition to an exit stairway, occupant evacuation elevators shall be in accordance with Section 3008.

412.3.8 Accessibility.

Airport traffic control towers need not be accessible as specified in the provisions of Chapter 11.

412.3.9 Standby power and emergency power.

A standby power system and an emergency power system that conform to Chapter 27 shall be provided in airport traffic control towers more than 65 feet (19 812 mm) in height. Standby power shall be provided to the following equipment:

1. Pressurization equipment and mechanical equipment provided in accordance with Section 412.3.2.

2. Elevator operating equipment.

3. Fire alarm and smoke detection systems.

412.3.9.1 Means of egress illumination.

Emergency power shall be provided for means of egress illumination in accordance with Sections 1008.3.4 and 1008.3.5.

412.4 Aircraft hangars.

Aircraft hangars shall be in accordance with Sections 412.4.1 through 412.4.6.

412.4.1 Exterior walls.

Exterior walls located less than 30 feet (9144 mm) from lot lines or a public way shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than 2 hours.

412.4.2 Basements.

Where hangars have basements, floors over basements shall be of Type IA construction and shall be made tight against seepage of water, oil or vapors. There shall be no opening or communication between basements and the hangar. Access to basements shall be from outside only.

412.4.3 Floor surface.

Floors shall be graded and drained to prevent water or fuel from remaining on the floor. Floor drains shall discharge through an oil separator to the sewer or to an outside vented sump.

Exception: Aircraft hangars with individual lease spaces not exceeding 2,000 square feet (186 m

2

) each in which servicing, repairing or washing is not conducted and fuel is not dispensed shall have floors that are graded toward the door, but shall not require a separator.

412.4.4 Heating equipment.

Heating equipment shall be placed in another room separated by 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. Entrance shall be from the outside or by means of a vestibule providing a two-doorway separation.

Exceptions:

1. Unit heaters and vented infrared radiant heating equipment suspended not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) above the upper surface of wings or engine enclosures of the highest aircraft that are permitted to be housed in the hangar need not be located in a separate room provided they are mounted not less than 8 feet (2438 mm) above the floor in shops, offices and other sections of the hangar communicating with storage or service areas.

2. Entrance to the separated room shall be permitted by a single interior door provided the sources of ignition in the appliances are not less than 18 inches (457 mm) above the floor.

412.4.5 Finishing.

The process of "doping," involving use of a volatile flammable solvent, or of painting, shall be carried on in a separate detached building equipped with automatic fire-extinguishing equipment in accordance with Section 903.

412.4.6 Fire suppression.

Aircraft hangars shall be provided with a fire suppression system designed in accordance with NFPA 409, based upon the classification for the hangar given in Table 412.4.6 of this code.

Exception: Where a fixed base operator has separate repair facilities on site, Group II hangars operated by a fixed base operator used for storage of transient aircraft only shall have a fire suppression system, but the system is exempt from foam requirements.

Table 412.4.6 Hangar Fire Suppression Requirements

a, b, c

Maximum Single Fire Area (square feet)

Type of Construction

IA

IB

IIA

IIB

IIIA

IIIB

IV

VA

d

VB

d

³

40,001

Group I

Group I

Group I

Group I

Group I

Group I

Group I

Group I

Group I

40,000

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

30,000

Group III

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

20,000

Group III

Group III

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

Group II

15,000

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group II

Group III

Group II

Group III

Group II

Group II

12,000

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group II

Group II

8,000

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group II

5,000

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group III

Group II

Group II

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.0929 m

2

.

a. Aircraft hangars with a door height greater than 28 feet shall be provided with fire suppression for a Group I hangar regardless of maximum fire area.

b. Groups shall be as classified in accordance with NFPA 409.

c. Membrane structures complying with Section 3102 shall be classified as a Group IV hangar.

d. Construction Types VA and VB are not permitted in Fire Districts. See Tables 504.3, 504.4 and 506.2.

412.4.6.1 Hazardous operations.

Any Group III aircraft hangar according to Table 412.4.6 that contains hazardous operations including, but not limited to, the following shall be provided with a Group I or II fire suppression system in accordance with NFPA 409 as applicable:

1. Doping.

2. Hot work including, but not limited to, welding, torch cutting and torch soldering.

3. Fuel transfer.

4. Fuel tank repair or maintenance not including defueled tanks in accordance with NFPA 409, inerted tanks or tanks that have never been fueled.

5. Spray finishing operations.

6. Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the unsprinklered single fire area in excess of 1,600 gallons (6057 L).

7. Total fuel capacity of all aircraft within the maximum single fire area in excess of 7,500 gallons (28 390 L) for a hangar with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1.

412.4.6.2 Separation of maximum single fire areas.

Maximum single fire areas established in accordance with hangar classification and construction type in Table 412.4.6 shall be separated by 2-hour fire walls constructed in accordance with Section 706. In determining the maximum single fire area as set forth in Table 412.4.6, ancillary uses that are separated from aircraft servicing areas by a fire barrier of not less than 1 hour, constructed in accordance with Section 707, shall not be included in the area.

412.5 Residential aircraft hangars.

Residential aircraft hangars shall comply with Sections 412.5.1 through 412.5.5.

412.5.1 Fire separation.

A hangar shall not be attached to a dwelling unless separated by a fire barrier having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour. Such separation shall be continuous from the foundation to the underside of the roof and unpierced except for doors leading to the dwelling unit. Doors into the dwelling unit shall be equipped with self-closing devices and conform to the requirements of Section 716 with a noncombustible raised sill not less than 4 inches (102 mm) in height. Openings from a hangar directly into a room used for sleeping purposes shall not be permitted.

412.5.2 Egress.

A hangar shall provide two means of egress. One of the doors into the dwelling shall be considered as meeting only one of the two means of egress.

412.5.3 Smoke alarms.

Smoke alarms shall be provided within the hangar in accordance with Section 907.2.11.

412.5.4 Independent systems.

Electrical, mechanical and plumbing drain, waste and vent (DWV) systems installed within the hangar shall be independent of the systems installed within the dwelling. Building sewer lines shall be permitted to be connected outside the structures.

Exception: Smoke detector wiring and feed for electrical subpanels in the hangar.

412.5.5 Height and area limits.

Residential aircraft hangars shall be not greater than 2,000 square feet (186 m

2

) in area and 20 feet (6096 mm) in building height.

412.6 Aircraft paint hangars.

Aircraft painting operations where flammable liquids are used in excess of the maximum allowable quantities per control area listed in Table 307.1(1) shall be conducted in an aircraft paint hangar that complies with the provisions of Sections 412.6.1 through 412.6.6.

412.6.1 Occupancy group.

Aircraft paint hangars shall be classified as Group H-2. Aircraft paint hangars shall comply with the applicable requirements of the New York City Fire Code and this code for such occupancy.

412.6.2 Construction.

The aircraft paint hangar shall be of Type I or II construction.

412.6.3 Operations.

Only those flammable liquids necessary for painting operations shall be permitted in quantities less than the maximum allowable quantities per control area in Table 307.1(1). Spray equipment cleaning operations shall be conducted in a liquid use, dispensing and mixing room.

412.6.4 Storage.

Storage of flammable liquids shall be in a liquid storage room.

412.6.5 Fire suppression.

Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with fire suppression as required by NFPA 409.

412.6.6 Ventilation.

Aircraft paint hangars shall be provided with ventilation as required in the New York City Mechanical Code.

412.7 Aircraft manufacturing facilities.

In buildings used for the manufacturing of aircraft, exit access travel distances indicated in Section 1017.1 shall be increased in accordance with the following:

1. The building shall be of Type I or II construction.

2. Exit access travel distance shall not exceed the distances given in Table 412.7.

Table 412.7 Aircraft Manufacturing Exit Access Travel Distance

Height (feet)

b

Manufacturing Area (sq. ft.)

a

³

150,000

³

200,000

³

250,000

³

500,000

³

750,000

³

1,000,000

³ 25

400

450

500

500

500

500

³ 50

400

500

600

700

700

700

³ 75

400

500

700

850

1,000

1,000

³ 100

400

500

750

1,000

1,250

1,500

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

a. Contiguous floor area of the aircraft manufacturing facility having the indicated height.

b. Minimum height from finished floor to bottom of ceiling or roof slab or deck.

412.7.1 Ancillary areas.

Rooms, areas and spaces ancillary to the primary manufacturing area shall be permitted to egress through such area having a minimum height as indicated in Table 412.7. Exit access travel distance within the ancillary room, area or space shall not exceed that indicated in Table 1017.2 based on the occupancy classification of that ancillary area. Total exit access travel distance shall not exceed that indicated in Table 412.7.

412.8 Heliports and helistops.

Heliports and helistops shall be permitted to be erected on buildings or other locations where they are constructed in accordance with Sections 412.8.1 through 412.8.5.

412.8.1 Size.

The landing area for helicopters less than 3,500 pounds (1588 kg) shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) in length and width. The landing area shall be surrounded on all sides by a clear area having a minimum average width at roof level of 15 feet (4572 mm) but with no width less than 5 feet (1524 mm).

412.8.2 Design.

Helicopter landing areas and the supports thereof on the roof of a building shall be noncombustible construction. Landing areas shall be designed to confine any flammable liquid spillage to the landing area itself and provisions shall be made to drain such spillage away from any exit or stairway serving the helicopter landing area or from a structure housing such exit or stairway. For structural design requirements, see Section 1607.6.

412.8.3 Means of egress.

The means of egress from heliports and helistops shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 10. Landing areas located on buildings or structures shall have two or more means of egress. For landing areas less than 60 feet (18 288 mm) in length, or less than 2,000 square feet (186 m

2

) in area, the second means of egress is permitted to be a fire escape, alternating tread device or ladder leading to the floor below.

412.8.4 Rooftop heliports and helistops.

Rooftop heliports and helistops shall comply with NFPA 418 and the New York City Fire Code.

412.8.5 Standpipe system.

In buildings equipped with a standpipe system, the standpipe shall extend to the roof level in accordance with Section 905.3.6.