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

908.1 General.

Emergency alarm systems required by the construction codes, this code or the rules for the detection and notification of a release of a hazardous material or other hazardous materials incident, or other physical or health hazard, including systems designed to detect flammable, toxic, asphyxiant and other gases, shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with the construction codes, the Electrical Code, the code requirements referenced in FC Table 908.1, this section and the manufacturer's instructions.

FC Table 908.1 Required Emergency Alarms

Hazard

Occupancy / Use

a

Section

Carbon dioxide

Occupancies with a carbon dioxide beverage dispensing system

5307

Carbon monoxide

Residential occupancies; other occupancies with carbon monoxide-producing equipment

Building Code BC 915

Flammable alcohol vapors

Distilleries

4003

Gaseous hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel gas rooms

5808

Hazardous materials

High-hazard occupancies (Group H)

5004 and 5005

Hazardous production materials

Semiconductor production facilities (Group H-5)

2703

Lighter-than-air motor fuels

Motor fuel-dispensing facilities; repair garages for vehicles fueled by lighter-than-air motor fuels

2308, 2309 and 2311

Medical gases

Hospitals, nursing homes and hyperbaric facilities with a medical gas system

5306

Natural gas and other flammable gases (except lighter-than-air motor fuels)

Mechanical rooms, microturbine rooms and power plants with flammable gas distribution piping operating above 15 psig; residential occupancies

5810; Building Code BC 908 

Ozone gas

Ozone gas-generator rooms

6005

Refrigerants

Mechanical rooms with a refrigerating system

606

Toxic/highly toxic materials

Group H-3 occupancies

6004

a. Typical occupancy/use. Other occupancies/uses as approved.

908.2 Plan approval.

Design and installation documents for emergency alarm systems shall be submitted for department review and approval when required by FC 105.4 and the rules.

908.3 Signage.

Signs shall be posted in a conspicuous location near the emergency alarm system control panel and each alarm notification device to inform building occupants in the affected area of the meaning of the alarm activation and the appropriate response.

908.4 Central station monitoring.

Emergency alarm systems required to transmit an alarm signal to a central station shall transmit such signal through the central station-monitored fire alarm system for the building or occupancy, or through an approved central station-monitored control panel. Such central station connections shall be maintained in compliance with the requirements of NFPA 72, as modified by FC Appendix B, and the rules.

908.5 Periodic inspection and testing.

Sensors and other mechanical and electrical components of emergency alarm systems shall be tested by a trained and knowledgeable person on not less than an annual basis to ensure that they are in good working order, and a record kept of such testing.

908.5.1 Five-year retest.

All emergency alarm systems and other detection systems shall be retested once every five years from the date of acceptance of the system. The first retest of emergency alarm 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.