N.Y.C. Admin. Code § FC 907: Section FC 907: Fire Alarm and Detection Systems

907.1 General.

This section governs the design, installation, operation and maintenance of fire alarm systems and their components.

907.2 Where required.

An approved manual, automatic, or manual and automatic fire alarm system shall be provided where required by the construction codes, including the Building Code or this code.

907.3 Design and installation.

An approved manual, automatic, or manual and automatic fire alarm system shall be installed in accordance with the construction codes, including the Building Code, the Electrical Code and NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B.

907.3.1 Design and installation documents.

Design and installation documents for fire alarm systems shall be submitted to the department for review and approval prior to system installation. Design and installation documents shall include such design and installation details as may be required by the construction codes, including the Building Code, and this code.

907.3.2 Fire alarm system control panel.

Fire alarm system control panels shall be of a type for which a certificate of approval has been issued in accordance with FC 112 and the rules. Fire alarm control panels shall be installed at an approved location and, when applicable, in accordance with FC 904.3.6. Fire alarm system control panel design and operation for mass notification purposes shall require department approval.

907.3.3 Fire extinguishing systems.

Fire extinguishing systems shall be connected to the building fire alarm system whenever a fire alarm system is required or is otherwise installed.

907.3.4 Manual fire alarm box protective covers.

The department may require the installation of manual fire alarm box protective covers to prevent malicious false alarms or provide the manual fire alarm box with protection from physical damage.

907.4 Fire command center.

Where required by this code or the construction codes, including the Building Code, a fire command center shall be provided for a building, structure or premises.

907.4.1 Location.

A plan identifying the proposed location and layout of the fire command center, including the location of the fire alarm system control panel, shall be submitted to the department for approval prior to installation. The location and layout of the fire command center shall be approved by the department in accordance with the following requirements and such other design, installation, operational and maintenance requirements as it may prescribe:

1. The primary fire command center, as required by Sections 403 and 911 of the Building Code, shall be installed in the building lobby at the main front entrance, mounted in the front desk, on the wall behind the front desk, on a wall in the lobby that provides a clear view of the elevators and lobby, or other approved location.

2. The secondary fire command center, when required by Appendix G to the Building Code or voluntarily installed, shall be installed at a location above the flood elevation in close proximity to the building lobby at the main front entrance, on the second floor near the elevators and/or stairwells, or other approved location.

3. The fire command center shall not be installed in a room.

4. The fire command center fire alarm control unit display shall not be mounted more than 6 feet (1829 mm) above the finish floor.

5. A durable sign reading "Fire Command Center" in 2-inch red letters on a white background shall be conspicuously posted at the fire command center.

907.4.2 Fire command center printer.

Buildings with a fire command center shall be equipped with a printer or other approved device connected to the fire alarm system control panel to facilitate review by firefighting personnel of the incident history associated with an alarm activation.

907.4.3 Required documentation and other items for firefighting operations.

Access keys for building rooms and areas and any other items that will assist firefighting or other emergency response operations shall be kept at the fire command center, together with the following documentation when required by the code or the rules:

1. Building information card.

2. Emergency preparedness plan.

3. Floor plans.

4. Non-sequential floor numbering chart.

5. Safety data sheets.

6. Standpipe elevation chart.

907.5 Reserved.

907.6 Reserved.

907.7 Reserved.

907.8 Presignal system.

Where a presignal system is installed, personal supervision shall be provided at an approved location, in order that the alarm signal can be activated in the event of fire or other emergency.

907.9 Reserved.

907.10 Reserved.

907.11 Reserved.

907.12 Reserved.

907.13 Access.

Access shall be provided to each detector for periodic inspection, testing and other maintenance.

907.14 Reserved.

907.15 Monitoring.

Where required by this code, the rules or by the construction codes, including the Building Code, such monitoring by a central station shall be performed in compliance with the requirements of the rules.

Exception: Central station monitoring is not required for:

1. Single- and multiple-station smoke alarms required by Section 907.2.10* of the Building Code.

2. Smoke detectors in Group I-3 occupancies.

3. Sprinkler systems in Group R-3 occupancies.

907.15.1 Discontinuance or other change of service.

Notification shall be made to the department in accordance with the rules upon discontinuance, change of service provider or other change in service of central station monitoring.

907.16 Automatic telephone-dialing devices.

Automatic telephone-dialing devices used to transmit an emergency alarm shall not be connected to any department telephone number unless approved by the commissioner.

907.17 Acceptance testing.

Upon completion of the installation of a fire alarm system, including alarm notification appliances and circuits, alarm-initiating devices and circuits, supervisory-signal initiating devices and circuits, signaling line circuits, and primary and secondary power supplies, such system shall be tested in accordance with FC 901.5.

907.18 Record of completion.

A record of completion in accordance with NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B, this code and the rules, verifying that the system has been installed in accordance with the approved design and installation documents and specifications shall be provided by the installing contractor.

907.19 Instructions.

Inspection, testing, operation and maintenance instructions, as built design and installation documents and equipment specifications shall be provided on site at an approved location.

907.20 Inspection, testing and other maintenance.

Fire alarm and fire alarm detection systems shall be operated and maintained in accordance with this code, FC 901, the rules and NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B.

907.20.1 Reserved.

907.20.2 Testing.

Testing shall be performed in accordance with the schedules in NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B, or more frequently where required by the commissioner.

Exception: Devices or equipment that are inaccessible for safety considerations shall be tested during scheduled shutdowns where approved by the commissioner, but not less than every 18 months.

907.20.3 Detector sensitivity.

Detector sensitivity shall be checked in compliance with the manufacturer's instructions and NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B, and the rules. Detectors which are connected to a fire alarm system that automatically transmit signals to the department or to a central station shall, as applicable, also be checked in compliance with the rules.

907.20.4 Method.

To verify that each smoke detector is within its listed and marked sensitivity range, it shall be tested using one of the following methods or types of equipment, and detectors found to have a sensitivity outside the listed and marked sensitivity range shall be cleaned and recalibrated or replaced:

1. A calibrated test method;

2. The manufacturer's calibrated sensitivity test instrument;

3. Listed control equipment arranged for the purpose;

4. A smoke detector/control unit arrangement whereby the detector causes a signal at the control unit where its sensitivity is outside its acceptable sensitivity range; or

5. Another calibrated sensitivity test method acceptable to the commissioner.

Exceptions:

1. Detectors listed as field adjustable shall be allowed to be either adjusted within the listed and marked sensitivity range and cleaned and recalibrated or they shall be replaced.

2. This requirement shall not apply to single-station smoke alarms.

907.20.4.1 Testing device.

Smoke detector sensitivity shall not be tested or measured using a device that administers an unmeasured concentration of smoke or other aerosol into the detector.

907.20.5 Maintenance.

The owner shall maintain all types of fire alarm and detection systems in good working order at all times. Service personnel shall possess the qualifications set forth in NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B, and the rules, for inspecting, testing, servicing and otherwise maintaining such systems. When required by the rules, a smoke detector maintenance log book and an alarm log book shall be maintained.

907.20.5.1 Five-year retest.

All fire alarm and other detection systems shall be retested once every five years from the date of acceptance of the system. The first retest of fire alarm and other detection systems lawfully existing on the effective date of this provision shall be conducted on or before the fifth anniversary of the date of acceptance after such effective date. Such test shall be conducted, and reported to the department, in the manner prescribed by rule, by a person holding a certificate of fitness for professional certification of fire alarm and emergency alarm installations and testing, as set forth in FC 104.2.1(1) and the rules, or a fire alarm system installer with NICET-Level II certification licensed by or registered with the State of New York and holding a certificate of fitness in accordance with the rules.

907.20.6 Smoke detector maintenance.

The owner of any premises, or part thereof, monitored by a fire alarm system or sub-system thereof, whether required or not required by this code, which automatically transmits signals to the department or to a central station, shall be responsible for preventing unnecessary and unwarranted alarms as set forth in rules. Cleaning and testing of smoke detectors shall be performed as set forth in the rules.

907.20.7 Hold-open devices.

The fire alarm system connections for hold-open devices installed on fire doors pursuant to the Building Code, including hold-open devices provided for vertical exit enclosure doors pursuant to the exception to Section BC 708.7* of the Building Code, shall be inspected, tested and otherwise maintained in accordance with FC 703.2 and 907.20 and NFPA 72. Hold-open devices and automatic door closers provided for such vertical exit enclosure doors shall be inspected and tested annually to ensure the proper functioning of:

1. the manual control on the fire alarm system control panel, or the fire command center where a fire command center is required, that transmits a signal to release the hold-open devices;

2. the fire alarm system output programming, which automatically transmits a signal to release the hold-open devices upon activation of an automatic alarm initiating device or manual elevator recall;

3. the circuitry for each hold-open device, which upon receipt of a manual or automatic signal, releases the door; and

4. each automatic door closer, which, upon release of the door by the hold-open device, mechanically moves the door to its fully closed position.