N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 901: Section BC 901: General

901.1 Scope.

The provisions of this chapter shall specify where fire protection systems are required and shall apply to the design, installation and operation of fire protection systems.

901.1.1 Referenced standards.

Where this code makes reference to the nationally recognized standards NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, NFPA 13R, NFPA 14, NFPA 20, NFPA 72, or NFPA 92, such standard shall be as modified for New York City in accordance with Appendix Q of this code.

901.2 Fire protection systems.

Fire protection systems shall be installed, repaired, operated and maintained in accordance with this code and the New York City Fire Code. Any fire protection system for which an exception or reduction to the provisions of this code has been granted shall be considered to be a required system.

Exception: Any fire protection system or portion thereof not required by this code shall be permitted to be installed provided that such system meets the requirements of this code.

901.2.1 Fire protection systems within a building.

Fire protection systems shall be dedicated to one building only.

Exception: Upon review and approval by the commissioner and the Fire Department, multiple buildings may be served by one fire protection system.

901.3 Modifications.

No person shall remove or modify any fire protection system installed or maintained under the provisions of this code or the New York City Fire Code without approval by the commissioner.

901.4 Threads.

Threads provided for Fire Department connections to sprinkler systems, standpipes, yard hydrants or any other fire hose connection shall be compatible with the connections used by the Fire Department.

901.5 Acceptance tests.

Fire protection systems shall be tested in accordance with the requirements of this code and the New York City Fire Code. When required by this chapter, the tests shall be conducted in the presence of the department or an approved agency. Tests required by this code, the New York City Fire Code and the standards listed in this code shall be conducted at the expense of the owner or the owner's representative. It shall be unlawful to occupy portions of a structure until the required fire protection systems within that portion of the structure have been tested and approved.

901.6 Supervisory service.

Where required, fire protection systems shall be monitored by a central supervising station in accordance with NFPA 72.

901.6.1 Automatic sprinkler systems.

Automatic sprinkler systems shall be monitored by a central supervising station.

Exceptions:

1. A central supervising station is not required for automatic sprinkler systems protecting one- and two-family dwellings.

2. Limited area sprinkler systems serving no more than 6 sprinkler heads.

901.6.2 Fire alarm systems.

Fire alarm systems required by the provisions of Section 907.2 of this code and the New York City Fire Code shall be monitored by a central supervising station in accordance with Section 907.6.5.

Exceptions:

1. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms required by Section 907.2.11.

2. Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies.

3. Supervisory service is not required for automatic sprinkler systems in one- and two-family dwellings.

901.6.3 Group H.

Manual fire alarm, automatic fire-extinguishing and emergency alarm systems in Group H occupancies shall be monitored by a central supervising station.

Exception: When approved by the Fire Department, on-site monitoring at a constantly attended location shall be permitted provided that notifications to the Fire Department will be equal to those provided by a central supervising station.

901.7 Fire areas.

Where buildings, or portions thereof, are divided into fire areas so as not to exceed the limits established for requiring a fire protection system in accordance with this chapter, such fire areas shall be separated by fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both, having a fire-resistance rating of not less than that determined in accordance with Section 707.3.10.

901.8 Construction documents.

Construction documents shall comply with Chapter 1 of Title 28 of the Administrative Code, Section 107 and other applicable provisions of this code and its referenced standards.

901.9 Special provisions for prior code buildings.

The provisions of this chapter shall apply to alterations and changes of use or occupancy to prior code buildings in accordance with Sections 901.9.1 through 901.9.6.

901.9.1 Additions, alterations or repairs.

Additions, alterations, renovations or repairs to existing systems shall conform to that required for new systems without requiring the existing system to comply with all of the requirements of this code, except as otherwise required in Sections 901.9.2 through 901.9.6. Additions, alterations or repairs shall not cause an existing installation to become unsafe, hazardous or overloaded.

901.9.1.1 Minor additions, alterations, renovations and repairs.

Minor additions, alterations, renovations and repairs to existing systems shall meet the provisions for new construction, unless such work is done in the same manner and arrangement as was in the existing system, is not hazardous and is approved.

901.9.2 Additional requirements based on change of occupancy or use.

Fire protection systems governed by this chapter shall be provided:

1. To the entire building as if the building were hereafter erected, where a change is made in the main use or dominant occupancy of such building.

2. Throughout a space, where a change is made in the occupancy group classification or usage of the space.

901.9.3 Additional requirements for enlargements.

Fire protection systems shall be provided in enlarged portions of a building and where this chapter would require such systems in new construction for a space or building.

Exception. Section 901.9.3 shall not require sprinklers to be installed in enlarged portions of unsprinklered buildings to be occupied exclusively as one- or two-family dwellings. This exception shall not apply where sprinklers are otherwise required by the provisions of Sections 901.9.2 or 901.9.4.

901.9.4 Additional requirements based on value of alterations.

Fire protection systems shall be provided to buildings and spaces in accordance with the provisions of Sections 901.9.4.1 through 901.9.4.3.

901.9.4.1 Alterations requiring fire protection systems throughout a building.

If the value of alterations to the building equals or exceeds 60 percent of the value of the existing building, or, in the case of a building containing 4 or more dwelling units, 50 percent of the value of the existing building, the entire building shall be made to comply with the fire protection requirements of this chapter as if it were hereafter erected.

901.9.4.2 Alterations requiring fire protection systems in the space being altered.

If the value of alterations of a space is between 30 percent and 60 percent of the value of the existing building, or, in the case of a building containing 4 or more dwelling units, if the value of alterations of a space is between 30 percent and 50 percent of the value of the existing building, those portions of the building being altered shall be made to comply with the fire protection requirements of this chapter.

901.9.4.3 Additional requirements for buildings containing 4 or more dwelling units.

For buildings containing 4 or more dwelling units, if the value of alterations to an existing space classified in Occupancy Group R-1 or R-2 exceeds 50 percent of the value of the space, such space shall be made to comply with the fire protection requirements of this chapter.

901.9.5 Additional provisions.

In buildings or spaces not otherwise required to provide fire protection systems in accordance with this chapter, fire protection systems shall be provided for the types of alterations described in Sections 901.9.5.1 through 901.9.5.4.

901.9.5.1 Additional requirements for providing smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in dwelling units during alterations involving removal of existing interior finishes.

Smoke and/or carbon monoxide alarms complying with the location, interconnection and power source requirements of this chapter shall be provided throughout a dwelling unit when alteration work results in the removal of existing and/or installation of new interior wall or ceiling finishes permitting the installation of concealed wiring for all the required alarms throughout the dwelling unit.

901.9.5.2 Additional requirements for providing standpipes in newly constructed stair shafts.

Where an alteration includes the addition or replacement of an entire exit stair shaft that is a required means of egress, the entire shaft shall be equipped with a standpipe in accordance with Section 905.

901.9.5.3 Additional requirements for enlargements of buildings with existing standpipe systems.

Where the alteration involves the addition of stories to a building with an existing standpipe system, and one or more stair shafts are not currently equipped with standpipes, standpipes shall be provided to all stair shafts in accordance with this chapter.

Exception. Additional standpipes are not required where:

1. The alteration involves the addition of only one story;

2. Existing standpipes in existing stair shafts are extended in accordance with this chapter;

3. Standpipe hose connections are provided in compliance with Section 905.4, Item 6; and

4. The demand on the standpipe system, including any additional demand, with respect to flow and pressure does not exceed the capacity of the existing approved system.

901.9.5.4 Additional requirements for enlargements of buildings with no existing standpipe systems.

Where the alteration involves the addition of stories to a building with no existing standpipe system, standpipes shall be provided to all stair shafts in accordance with this chapter.

Exception. Standpipes are not required where:

1. the alteration involves the addition of only one story;

2. the completed building does not exceed 7 stories; and

3. the completed building does not exceed 85 feet (25.9 m) in height.

901.9.6 Seismic supports.

The determination as to whether seismic requirements apply to an alteration shall be made in accordance with the 1968 Building Code and interpretations by the department relating to such determinations. Any applicable seismic loads and requirements shall be permitted to be determined in accordance with Chapter 16 of this code or the 1968 Building Code and Reference Standard RS 9-6 of such code.