N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 912: Section BC 912: Fire Department Connections

912.1 Installation.

Fire Department connections shall be installed in accordance with the NFPA standard applicable to the system design and shall comply with Sections 912.2 through 912.6.

912.2 Location.

With respect to hydrants, driveways, buildings and landscaping, Fire Department connections shall be so located that fire apparatus and hose connected to supply the system will not obstruct access to the buildings for other fire apparatus.

912.2.1 Fire Department Connections.

The location of Fire Department connections shall be as follows:

912.2.1.1

One Fire Department connection shall be provided for each 300 feet (91 140 mm) of exterior building wall or fraction thereof facing upon each street or public space.

912.2.1.2

Where buildings face upon two parallel streets or public spaces without an intersecting street or public space, one connection shall be provided for each 300 feet (91 140 mm) of exterior building wall or fraction thereof facing upon each such parallel street or public space.

912.2.1.3

Where a building faces upon two intersecting streets or public spaces and the total length of the exterior building walls facing upon such streets or public spaces does not exceed 300 feet (91 140 mm), only one Fire Department connection need be installed provided the Fire Department connection is located within 15 feet (4572 mm) of the corner and on the street with the longest building frontage.

912.2.1.4

Where a building faces on three streets or public spaces, one Fire Department connection shall be provided for each 300 feet (91 140 mm) of building wall or fraction thereof facing upon such streets or public spaces provided that at least one Fire Department connection is installed on each of the parallel streets or public spaces, and further provided that the Fire Department connections shall be located so that the distance between them does not exceed 300 feet (91 140 mm).

912.2.1.5

Where a building faces upon four streets or public spaces, at least one Fire Department connection shall be provided on each street front or public space; however, only one Fire Department connection need be provided at the corner of two intersecting streets or public spaces if the Fire Department connection is located within 15 feet (4572 mm) of the corner and on the street with the longest building frontage or public space, and if the distances between Fire Department connections, in all cases, do not exceed 300 feet (91 140 mm).

912.2.1.6

In any case where the exterior building walls of a building facing a street or public space are obstructed in part by another building, one Fire Department connection shall be provided for each clear three hundred feet of exterior building wall or fraction thereof facing upon such street or public space.

912.2.2 Existing buildings.

On existing buildings, wherever the Fire Department connection is not visible to approaching fire apparatus, the Fire Department connection shall be indicated by an approved sign mounted on the street front or on the side of the building. Such sign shall have the letters "FDC" not less than 6 inches (152.4 mm) high and words in letters not less than 2 inches (50.8 mm) high or an arrow to indicate the location. Such signs shall be subject to the approval of the Fire Department.

912.3 Fire hose threads.

Fire hose threads used in connection with standpipe, sprinkler and combination standpipe-sprinkler systems shall be approved and shall be compatible with New York City Fire Department hose threads.

912.4 Access.

Immediate access to Fire Department connections shall be maintained at all times and without obstruction by fences, bushes, trees, walls or any other object.

Exception: Fences, where provided with an access gate and a means of emergency operation that shall be maintained operational at all times in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.

912.4.1 Locking Fire Department connection caps.

The Fire Department may require locking caps on Fire Department connections in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.

912.4.2 Clear space around connections.

A working space of not less than 36 inches (914.4 mm) in width, 36 inches (914.4 mm) in depth and 78 inches (1981.2 mm) in height shall be provided and maintained in front of and to the sides of wall-mounted Fire Department connections and around the circumference of free-standing Fire Department connections, except as otherwise required or approved by the Fire Commissioner.

912.4.3 Physical protection.

Where Fire Department connections are subject to impact by a motor vehicle, vehicle impact protection shall be provided in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.

912.5 Signs.

Fire Department connections shall be provided with signage in accordance with Section 912 of the New York City Fire Code.

912.6 Backflow protection.

The potable water supply to automatic sprinkler and standpipe systems shall be protected against backflow as required by the New York City Plumbing Code.