N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 908: Section BC 908: Emergency Alarm Systems

908.1 Group H occupancies.

Emergency alarms for the detection and notification of an emergency condition in Group H occupancies shall be provided in accordance with Section 415.5 of this code and the New York City Fire Code.

908.2 Group H-5 occupancy.

Emergency alarms for notification of an emergency condition in a Hazardous Production Material (HPM) facility shall be provided as required in Section 415.11.3.5. A continuous gas detection system shall be provided for HPM gases in accordance with Section 415.11.7 of this code and the New York City Fire Code.

908.3 Highly toxic and toxic materials.

A gas detection system shall be provided to detect the presence of highly toxic or toxic gas at or below the permissible exposure limit (PEL) or ceiling limit of the gas for which detection is provided. The system shall be capable of monitoring the discharge from the treatment system at or below one-half the immediately dangerous to life and health (IDLH) limit and shall comply with the New York City Fire Code.

Exception: A gas detection system is not required for toxic gases when the physiological warning threshold level for the gas is at a level below the accepted PEL for the gas.

908.3.1 Alarms.

The gas detection system shall initiate a local alarm and transmit a signal to a constantly attended control station when a short-term hazard condition is detected. The alarm shall be both visible and audible and shall provide warning both inside and outside the area where gas is detected. The audible alarm shall be distinct from all other alarms.

Exception: Signal transmission to a constantly attended control station is not required when not more than one cylinder of highly toxic or toxic gas is stored.

908.3.2 Shutoff of gas supply.

The gas detection system shall automatically close the shutoff valve at the source on gas supply piping and tubing related to the system being monitored for whichever gas is detected.

Exception: Automatic shutdown is not required for reactors utilized for the production of highly toxic or toxic compressed gases where such reactors are:

1. Operated at pressures less than 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103.4 kPa);

2. Constantly attended; and

3. Provided with readily accessible emergency shutoff valves.

908.3.3 Valve closure.

The automatic closure of shutoff valves shall be in accordance with the following:

1. When the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a gas cabinet or exhausted enclosure, the shutoff valve in the gas cabinet or exhausted enclosure for the specific gas detected shall automatically close.

2. Where the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a gas room and compressed gas containers are not in gas cabinets or exhausted enclosures, the shutoff valves on all gas lines for the specific gas detected shall automatically close.

3. Where the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas detection system alarm is within a piping distribution manifold enclosure, the shutoff valve for the compressed container of specific gas detected supplying the manifold shall automatically close.

Exception: When the gas-detection sampling point initiating the gas-detection system alarm is at a use location or within a gas valve enclosure of a branch line downstream of a piping distribution manifold, the shutoff valve in the gas valve enclosure for the branch line located in the piping distribution manifold enclosure shall automatically close.

908.4 Ozone gas-generator rooms.

Ozone gas-generator rooms shall be equipped with a continuous gas-detection system that will shut off the generator and sound a local alarm when concentrations above the PEL occur and shall comply with the New York City Fire Code.

908.5 Repair garages.

A flammable-gas detection system shall be provided in repair garages for vehicles fueled by enumerated gases in accordance with Section 406.8.5 of this code and the New York City Fire Code.

908.6 Refrigerant detectors.

Machinery rooms shall contain refrigerant detectors with audible and visual alarms. The detectors, or sampling tubes that draw air to each detector, shall be located in all areas where refrigerant from a leak will concentrate. The alarm shall be actuated at a value not greater than the corresponding TLV-TWA values for the refrigerant classification indicated in the New York City Mechanical Code. Detectors and alarms shall be placed in approved locations. Refrigerant detectors shall initiate all functions as required by the New York City Mechanical Code and New York City Fire Code.

908.7 Carbon dioxide (CO2) systems.

The emergency alarm system for a carbon dioxide system, including detection, pre-discharge and discharge alarms, shall be provided in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.

908.8 Gas detection systems.

Gas detection systems shall be provided in accordance with Section 918.

908.9 Medical gas.

Medical gas pressure monitoring and alarm systems shall be provided in accordance with NFPA 99.

908.10 Flammable gas.*

Rooms and spaces containing flammable gas distribution piping operating at or above 15 pounds per square inch gauge (psig) (103.4 kPa) shall be provided with an approved flammable gas detection-alarm system and shall comply with the New York City Fire Code.

908.10 Natural gas alarms.* [Repealed]

(L.L. 2016/157, 12/6/2016, eff. 5/1/2019; Repealed L.L. 2025/102, 7/30/2025, eff. 7/30/2025)

908.10.1 Location. [Repealed]

(L.L. 2016/157, 12/6/2016, eff. 5/1/2019; Repealed L.L. 2025/102, 7/30/2025, eff. 7/30/2025)

908.10.2 Additional installation requirements. [Repealed]

(L.L. 2016/157, 12/6/2016, eff. 5/1/2019; Repealed L.L. 2025/102, 7/30/2025, eff. 7/30/2025)

908.11 Construction documents.

Construction documents for emergency alarm systems shall be submitted for review and approval to the Fire Department prior to system installation.

(L.L. 2018/195, 12/1/2018, eff. 5/30/2019)

908.12 Acceptance testing and maintenance.

Acceptance testing and maintenance of emergency alarm systems shall be performed in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.

(L.L. 2018/195, 12/1/2018, eff. 5/30/2019)

908.13 Natural gas alarms.

Natural gas alarms listed in accordance with a standard established or adopted by department rule shall be provided and installed in accordance with department rules.

(L.L. 2025/102, 7/30/2025, eff. 7/30/2025)