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

901.1 Scope.

This chapter shall govern the design, installation, operation and maintenance, including inspection and testing, of fire protection devices, equipment and systems, and other fire protection measures for the control and extinguishment of fire.

901.1.1 General.

Fire protection systems shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in accordance with this chapter and the reference standards set forth in FC Table 901.6.1.

901.1.2 Emergency alarm systems.

Except as otherwise provided in the construction codes, this code or the rules, emergency alarm systems shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in the same manner as fire alarm systems.

901.2 Design and installation documents.

The commissioner may require design and installation documents and calculations to be submitted for review for all fire protection systems. Design and installation documents required or regulated by this code or the rules shall be submitted for review and approval prior to installation, and shall certify that the design complies with the requirements of this code and the rules.

901.3 Permits.

Permits shall be required as set forth in FC 105.6.

901.4 Design and installation.

Fire protection systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with FC 901.4.1 through 901.4.6.

901.4.1 Required fire protection systems.

Fire protection systems shall be designed and installed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code, and, as applicable, this code and the rules, and the applicable referenced standards listed in this code. Required systems shall be extended or altered as necessary to maintain and continue protection whenever the building or structure is altered. Alterations to fire protection systems shall be performed in compliance with the requirements of this code, the rules, and the construction codes, as applicable. Buildings and structures shall be provided with such fire hose, portable fire extinguishers and other means of preventing and extinguishing fires as the commissioner may direct.

901.4.1.1 Fire protection systems deemed required.

A fire protection system for which a design option, exception or reduction to the provisions of this code or the construction codes has been granted shall be deemed a required system.

901.4.2 Fire protection systems not required by code.

Any fire protection system or portion thereof not required by this code, the rules or the construction codes, including the Building Code, may be installed to provide partial or complete protection of a building or structure, provided such system meets the requirements of this code, the rules and the construction codes, including the Building Code, as applicable. Where the design and installation of such fire protection system is governed by this code or the rules, the commissioner may modify such requirements, consistent with the interests of fire safety, upon a determination that such modification will promote public safety by encouraging the installation of such systems.

901.4.3 Additional fire protection systems.

Where an existing or proposed storage, handling or use of a material or the conduct of an operation in a particular occupancy gives rise to special hazards in addition to the normal hazards of the occupancy, or where the commissioner determines that size, design and arrangement of the occupancy would unduly delay the ability of firefighting personnel to gain access to the hazard, the commissioner may require additional fire protection or other fire safety measures. Such measures may include the following: automatic fire detection systems, fire alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, standpipe systems, or portable or fixed extinguishers. Where a certificate of occupancy limits the commissioner's authority to order the installation of such additional systems or the implementation of such additional measures, the commissioner may apply to the Board of Standards and Appeals for a modification of such certificate of occupancy, and such application shall be granted upon a showing that such additional systems or measures will reasonably mitigate the special hazard or delayed access.

901.4.4 Prohibition of deceptive equipment.

It shall be unlawful to install or maintain any device that has the physical appearance of fire protection equipment but that does not perform the fire protection function, in any building, structure or premises where it may be confused with actual fire protection equipment.

901.4.5 Certificate of approval.

The fire protection devices, equipment and systems listed in FC 112 shall be of a type for which a certificate of approval has been issued in accordance with this code, or which was approved by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals prior to the effective date of this section, unless such approval by the Department of Buildings or the Board of Standards and Appeals is amended or repealed by the commissioner.

901.4.6 Connection to water supply.

Sprinkler systems, and other fire extinguishing and fire protection systems, connected to a potable water supply shall be protected against backflow in accordance with the construction codes and Department of Environmental Protection requirements.

901.5 Installation acceptance testing.

Fire detection and alarm systems, fire extinguishing systems, private fire hydrant systems, yard hydrant systems, standpipe systems, fire pump systems, private fire service mains and all other fire protection systems and appurtenances thereto shall be subject to acceptance tests as set forth in the installation standards specified in this code. Where required by the construction codes, including the Building Code, this code or the rules, such tests shall be conducted, at the owner's risk, by his or her representative before a representative of the department. When an installation does not pass an acceptance test required to be witnessed by the department, the necessary corrections shall be made and the installation retested, or, when authorized by the rules, certification of such corrections by a licensed or certified professional submitted to the department.

901.5.1 Occupancy.

It shall be unlawful to occupy any portion of a building or structure until all required fire detection systems, fire alarm systems, standpipe systems and fire extinguishing systems have been tested and approved, except as follows:

1. In a new building undergoing construction, a completed floor below the level of ongoing construction may be occupied upon installation, testing and approval of the required fire protection systems on all floors up to and including the occupied floor.

2. In an existing building undergoing alteration, a completed floor may be occupied upon installation, testing and approval of the required fire protection systems for such floor in accordance with Building Code and Department of Buildings requirements.

901.5.2 Correction of non-compliant conditions.

When the Department of Buildings authorizes occupancy of a building notwithstanding the existence of installation defects or other non-compliant conditions in the fire protection systems on the floors of the building in which occupancy has been authorized, any and all prior written inspection findings of such defects and other noncompliance shall, upon issuance of the occupancy authorization, constitute an enforceable violation of this code. Such violations shall be corrected within the time for correction set forth in the inspection finding, but in any event within 60 days of occupancy, unless additional time for compliance is granted by the department.

901.6 Maintenance.

Fire protection systems shall be maintained in good working order at all times. Any fire protection system that is not in good working order shall be repaired or replaced as necessary to restore such system to good working order, or, where authorized by the Building Code, removed from the premises.

901.6.1 Standards.

Fire protection systems shall be inspected, tested, serviced and otherwise maintained in accordance with this section, the rules and the referenced standards listed in FC Table 901.6.1. Where required by this section, such inspection, testing and maintenance shall additionally comply with the rules. Where applicable, the requirements of the reference standards listed in FC Table 901.6.1 shall be in addition to those requirements specified in the rules.

FC Table 901.6.1 Fire Protection System Maintenance Standards

Fire Protection System

Referenced Standard

Fire alarm systems

NFPA 72

Fire extinguishing systems

Aerosol fire extinguishing systems

NFPA 2010

Clean agent fire extinguishing systems

NFPA 2001

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishing system

NFPA 12

Dry chemical fire extinguishing systems

NFPA 17

Expansion foam systems (low, medium and high)

NFPA 11 and NFPA 25

Foam water sprinkler and spray systems

NFPA 16 and NFPA 25

Halon 1301 fire extinguishing systems

NFPA 12A

Water mist fire extinguishing systems

NFPA 25

Wet chemical fire extinguishing systems

NFPA 17A

Portable fire extinguishers

NFPA 10

Water-based fire protection systems (including hydrant, fire hose, sprinkler and standpipe systems)

NFPA 25

901.6.2 Records.

Records of all system inspections, tests, servicing and other maintenance required by this code, the rules or the referenced standards shall be maintained in accordance with FC 107.7.

901.6.2.1 Standpipe and sprinkler systems.

A visual inspection shall be completed monthly by the certificate of fitness holder in accordance with the requirements of NFPA 25. Periodic testing and other maintenance, as required by NFPA 25, shall be conducted by a certificate of fitness holder possessing the requisite qualifications. All defects or violations shall be noted on the inspection report.

901.6.3 Supervision.

The inspection, testing, servicing and other maintenance of the following fire protection systems shall be personally conducted by a certificate of fitness holder, provided, however, that when required by the construction codes or other applicable law, rule or regulation to conduct such maintenance work, such certificate of fitness holder shall hold a master fire suppression piping contractor license, master electrician license or other required license, or be under the direction and control of such license holder.

1. Fire extinguishing systems.

Exception: Sprinkler systems in Group R-3 occupancies.

2. Standpipe systems.

3. Fire alarm systems.

4. Private fire hydrant systems.

5. Yard hydrant systems.

901.6.3.1 Servicing of portable fire extinguishers.

It shall be unlawful for any person engaged in the business of servicing portable fire extinguishers to service portable fire extinguishers without a portable fire extinguisher servicing company certificate. Any person that services portable fire extinguishers shall hold a certificate of fitness, except that a person training for such certificate of fitness may service portable fire extinguishers under the personal supervision of a certificate of fitness holder. Nothing in this section shall preclude portable fire extinguishers that are maintained on a premises for use at such premises from being serviced by the owner or occupant of the premises, or an employee of such owner or occupant, who possesses a certificate of fitness for portable fire extinguisher servicing and the tools, materials, equipment and facility necessary to perform such services.

901.6.3.2 Portable fire extinguisher sales.

It shall be unlawful for any person to engage in the business of selling portable fire extinguishers door to door to owners of buildings or businesses for use on their premises without a portable fire extinguisher sales company certificate. Persons performing such services for or on behalf of licensed portable fire extinguisher sales companies shall possess a certificate of fitness for portable fire extinguisher sales.

Exception: Sale to owners of Group R-2 and R-3 occupancy buildings.

901.6.3.3 Reserved.

901.6.3.4 Smoke detector cleaning and testing.

The cleaning and testing for smoke entry and sensitivity of smoke detectors installed in a fire alarm system shall be performed by a person holding a certificate of fitness for smoke detector maintenance. Such work shall be performed under the supervision and by employees of a person holding a smoke detector maintenance company certificate, except that such smoke detector cleaning and testing may be performed by an owner or occupant of the premises, or an employee of such owner or occupant, who possesses a certificate of fitness for smoke detector maintenance, and possesses the tools, instruments or other equipment necessary to perform such services in accordance this code and the rules. All other smoke detector maintenance shall be performed by a person possessing the requisite qualifications and experience, and any applicable license or certificate.

901.6.3.5 Central station fire alarm monitoring.

It shall be unlawful for any person to operate a central station that monitors fire alarm systems and maintain transmitters in protected premises without a certificate of operation.

901.6.4 Verification of system functionality.

Any fire protection system which is or may have been damaged or rendered out of service in whole or in part as result of exposure to fire or water or other cause, shall be inspected to verify that the system is in good working order. If not in good working order, the system shall be repaired or otherwise restored to good working order forthwith.

901.7 Out-of-service systems.

The owner and the impairment coordinator for a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system shall comply with the requirements of this section whenever such fire protection system is out of service. The department may direct that, until such fire protection system has been returned to service, fire safety measures appropriate to the size, configuration, occupancy, use and hazards be implemented that are in addition to or in lieu of those required by this section.

901.7.1 Impairment coordinator.

The building owner shall designate an impairment coordinator to take the actions required by this section when a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service. In the absence of a specific designee, the owner shall be considered the impairment coordinator.

901.7.2 Fire watch.

Unless otherwise directed by the department, the building shall be evacuated or a fire watch maintained in accordance with this section when a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service. Such fire watch shall be conducted in compliance with the requirements of FC 901.7.2.1 through 901.7.2.3.

901.7.2.1 Duties and responsibilities.

Persons conducting a fire watch shall:

1. continuously patrol the area affected by the out-of-service fire protection system to which such person has been assigned, keeping constant watch for fires;

2. be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the department and any FLS director, FEP coordinator or FEP staff on the premises;

3. immediately report any fire to the department and notify emergency preparedness staff on the premises;

4. be trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers and equipped with a portable fire extinguisher, or made aware of the location of readily accessible portable fire extinguishers in the area to which such person has been assigned to maintain a fire watch;

5. be responsible for extinguishing fires when they are limited in size and spread such that they can readily be extinguished using a portable fire extinguisher;

6. maintain a record of such fire watch on the premises during the fire watch and for a minimum of 48 hours after the fire watch has concluded; and

7. have no other duties.

901.7.2.2 Fire guards required.

The fire watch required when a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service shall be maintained in accordance with FC 901.7.2.2.1 and this section.

Exception: The impairment coordinator or other building staff trained and knowledgeable in conducting a fire watch may conduct a fire watch in lieu of a fire guard during the initial 4 hours of a planned removal from service, or after discovery of an unplanned out-of-service condition, provided that the floor or area in which the fire protection system is out of service does not exceed 50,000 square feet (4645 m

2

).

901.7.2.2.1 Fire guards required.

The fire watch required for an out-of-service standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system shall be maintained by one or more fire guards.

901.7.2.3 Fire watch coverage.

A sufficient number of fire guards shall be provided such that each floor or area in which the fire protection system is out of service is patrolled at least once an hour. The area to be patrolled by each fire guard shall not exceed more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m

2

) of floor area. The area patrolled by each fire guard may be further limited by the department depending on the configuration of the premises, impediments to patrol, nature of the occupancy, fire risk, and other fire safety considerations.

901.7.3 Planned removal from service.

The impairment coordinator shall be made aware in advance of any planned removal from service of a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system, or system component, for repair, servicing, alteration, testing and other maintenance of the system or component, or to allow construction to be performed in the area protected by the system without unnecessarily activating it. The impairment coordinator shall authorize and personally supervise the placing of the fire protection system out of service. Before authorizing the placing of the fire protection out of service the impairment coordinator shall:

1. notify the certificate of fitness holder responsible for supervising the maintenance of the standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system.

2. determine the extent and expected duration of the out-of-service condition.

3. inspect the areas or buildings involved and assess the increased risks.

4. make appropriate recommendations to the owner.

5. notify the department in accordance with FC 901.7.5, if required.

6. notify the responsible person designated by the owner to issue hot work authorizations in accordance with FC Chapter 35.

7. notify the central station and insurance carrier.

8. notify the occupants in the affected areas if the duration of time the sprinkler system or fire alarm system will be out of service is estimated to be more than 30 minutes.

9. place a tag at each fire department connection, standpipe and sprinkler system control valve and fire command center, indicating which fire protection system, or part thereof, is out of service.

10. maintain the fire protection system in service until work is ready to begin.

901.7.4 Unplanned out-of-service condition.

Any person, upon becoming aware of any condition, except a planned removal from service, rendering a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system, or part thereof, inoperable in whole or in part, shall notify the owner and the impairment coordinator of such condition. The impairment coordinator shall take the actions set forth in FC 901.7.3 and 901.7.5, and such other actions as are necessary or appropriate to protect the occupants of the building and promptly restore the system to service.

901.7.5 Notification to department.

The department shall be notified that a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service, whether by reason of a planned removal from service or an unplanned out-of-service condition, where required by FC 901.7.5.1 through 901.7.5.3.

901.7.5.1 Standpipe systems.

Notification shall be made to the department whenever a standpipe system is or will be out of service for any period of time.

901.7.5.2 Sprinkler systems and fire alarm systems.

Notification that a sprinkler system or fire alarm system, or any part thereof, is or will be out of service shall be made to the department under the following circumstances:

1. The sprinkler system or fire alarm system is or will be out of service on more than one floor of a building; or

2. With respect to a sprinkler system, the work or repairs cannot be completed, and the system restored to service, within 8 hours of the time the system was placed or went out of service; or

3. With respect to a fire alarm system, the work or repairs will require the fire alarm system to be out of service for 8 hours or more in any 24-hour period or 30 hours or more (consecutive or non-consecutive) in any month; or

4. One or more other fire protection systems in the area in which a fire protection system is out of service are or will also be out of service at the same time.

901.7.5.3 Reporting requirements.

Notification of an out-of-service condition pursuant to this section shall be made by the impairment coordinator to the department at the applicable telephone number set forth in FC 901.10. Such notification shall include the following information:

1. The owner or impairment coordinator's name and contact information;

2. The building address;

3. The type of fire protection system that is out of service;

4. Whether the fire protection system is out of service by reason of a planned removal from service (and if so, the reason for placing it out of service) or an unplanned out-of-service condition;

5. If a planned removal from service, the date and time the fire protection system will be placed out of service, and the estimated duration the system will be out of service;

6. If an unplanned out-of-service condition, the estimated duration the system will be out of service;

7. The floors or areas in which the fire protection system is out of service;

8. Whether the other fire protection systems are in good working order; and

9. The name and certificate number of the certificate of fitness holder responsible for supervision of the fire protection system that is out of service.

901.7.6 Restoring systems to service.

When an out-of-service device, equipment or system is restored to service, the impairment coordinator shall:

1. conduct necessary inspections and tests to verify that the affected systems are operational.

2. notify the department in accordance with FC 901.10.

3. notify the owner, central station, insurance carrier, emergency preparedness staff, and, if previously notified, the occupants in the affected areas.

4. remove the out-of-service tags.

901.7.7 Out-of-service standpipe systems at construction sites.

The owner, fire safety manager and/or impairment coordinator shall take the following actions whenever a standpipe system at a construction site is out of service:

1. Immediately notify the department in accordance with FC 901.10 of any unplanned out-of-service condition, and otherwise comply with the requirements of FC 901.7.4.

2. Notify the department in accordance with FC 901.10 at least 24 hours prior to any planned removal of the standpipe system from service, and otherwise comply with the requirements of FC 901.7.3.

3. Ensure that a fire watch is continuously maintained in compliance with the requirements of FC 901.7.2 while the standpipe system is out of service.

4. Repair the standpipe system and return it to service in compliance with the requirements of FC 901.7.6 and Section 3303.8.1 of the Building Code. The construction site may continue to be occupied, and construction, demolition or alteration activities may continue, pending such repair and restoration to service, except:

4.1. as otherwise provided in Section 3303.8.1 of the Building Code; and/or

4.2. as otherwise directed by the commissioner upon a determination that, in the absence of an operable standpipe system, the conduct of certain construction, demolition or alteration activities would be imminently perilous to life or property; and

4.3. that in no circumstance shall hot work be conducted on the construction site until such time as the standpipe system is restored to service and the standpipe alarm reactivated.

901.8 Tampering with or rendering equipment inoperable.

Fire protection systems and related apparatus shall not be tampered with or rendered inoperable, except as set forth in FC 107.4.

901.9 Recall of fire protection system components.

A component of a fire protection system regulated by this code that is subject to a voluntary or mandatory recall under federal law shall be replaced with an approved, listed component in compliance with the referenced standards. A record of the replacement of the component shall be maintained in accordance with FC 107.7.

901.10 Telephone numbers for department notification.

Except as otherwise required by the rules or order of the department, when this code requires non-emergency notification to be made to the department, such notification shall be made by calling one of the following telephone numbers, depending upon the borough in which the property is located:

Bronx properties

(718) 430-0200

Brooklyn properties

(718) 965-8300

Manhattan properties

(212) 570-4300

Queens properties

(718) 476-6200

Staten Island properties (718) 494-4296