(a) Scope. These rules apply to all hotels, as defined in the Administrative Code and the Multiple Dwelling Law; to all lodging houses having more than 15 sleeping rooms, or accommodating more than 15 lodgers above the first or ground story; to all public and private hospitals and asylums having more than 15 rooms, or accommodating more than 15 patients or inmates above the first or ground story; to all nurseries accommodating more than 30 children, or having a Board of Health permit for the accommodation of more than 30 children; to all Turkish or other special treatment bath houses where there are sleeping accommodations for more than fifteen persons on the premises; to all department stores having two or more departments where the public is admitted above the second floor; to all public schools, and to all single and tenant factory buildings, as defined in the Labor Law and specifically required by § 279 of said Law.
(b) Definitions.
Approved. The term "approved" shall mean approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals.
Coded closed circuit fire alarm signal systems. The term "coded closed circuit fire alarm signal systems" shall mean a fire alarm signal system consisting of sending stations and signaling devices operated on supervised closed electric circuits which transmits rounds of coded signals to indicate the floor or portion of the same from which the alarm was sent.
Commissioner. The term "Commissioner" shall mean the Fire Commissioner of the fire department specifically charged with the enforcement of law relating to interior fire alarm systems in the City of New York.
Hereafter. The term "hereafter" shall mean after December 31, 1936.
Heretofore. The term "heretofore" shall mean before December 31, 1936.
Non-coded closed circuit fire alarm signal system. The term "non-coded closed circuit fire alarm signal system" shall mean a fire alarm signal system consisting of sending stations and signaling devices operated on supervised closed electric alternating current circuits, so arranged that the operation of any station will automatically sound the signaling devices throughout all portions of the building.
(c) General
(1) All fire alarm signal systems and devices shall be approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals.
(2) All devices and equipment that have been approved by the Board, shall have securely fastened thereon, a manufacturer's plate bearing the words "Approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals – No _____ ", together with any other electrical data that the Commissioner may require.
(d) Examination and approval of plan. Before the installation or extension of any fire alarm system, specifications and plans thereof, showing complete details of the proposed installation, shall be submitted by the owner or his agent to the Commissioner for examination and approval.
(e) Classification.
(1) Fire alarm signal systems shall be classified as follows:
(i) Non-coded closed circuit fire alarm systems.
(ii) Coded closed circuit fire alarm systems. The code numbers that are used shall be submitted for approval to the Commissioner and shall be sounded at least four (4) times for each operation of sending station.
(2) A non-coded closed circuit system shall be so arranged that the operation of any station will automatically sound the signaling devices until hook is restored to its original position; and in the break-glass type until the glass has been replaced.
(3) Coded closed circuit system shall be divided into three (3) classes:
Class 1 – General Systems.
Class 2 – Pre-signal or dual operation systems.
Class 3 – Unit and general systems – or Duplex systems.
Special systems.
(4) Class 1 systems shall be a general alarm system of the coded closed circuit type so arranged that the operation of any station will cause the signaling devices to sound the code number of that station at least four (4) times throughout the entire building.
(5) Class 2 system shall be a pre-signal or dual operation system of the coded closed circuit type so arranged that the operation of any station will cause the sounding of the signaling devices located in the engine room, elevator shafts, basement or other places in the building where the members of the fire brigade work or assemble.
(i) Approved means shall be provided at each station, so arranged that a subsequent operation of any station shall cause the sounding of all signaling devices throughout the building.
(ii) This subsequent operation shall be performed with the aid of a key or plug designed so as to prevent unauthorized sounding of the general alarm.
(iii) The pre-signal or dual operation key or plug shall be so designed that it can be readily identified by the person whose duty it would be to use same.
(6) Class 3 system shall be a unit and general alarm or Duplex system of the coded closed circuit type so arranged that the operation of a station within a unit will cause all of the signaling devices in that unit and all of the signaling devices on the general alarm circuit to sound the code numbers of the unit and zone at least four (4) times.
(i) A register and time stamp, acceptable to the Commissioner, may be used in connection with a Class 3 system.
(ii) The register, if of closed circuit type, shall be operated from a separate closed circuit control board or from separate panel isolated by barrier from main control panel in main control board cabinet.
(iii) Approved closed circuit trouble and unit annunciators shall be installed as part of all Class 3 systems when required by the Commissioner.
(7) Special systems shall include a complete Class 1, 2 or 3 systems supplemented by special circuits for the operation of other fire alarm devices in the systems; or electric control systems for stopping machinery, closing doors or ventilators as may be required by the Commissioner; or to call the central station of a private operating company or the fire department. Automatic fire detecting systems may be connected to operate an interior fire alarm system when connected thereto by an approved coded transmitter. In no case shall the transmitter be considered to replace the standard approved interior fire alarm station, except where a transmitter has been approved for both purposes. The special control circuits shall be separate and distinct from the fire alarm system but shall be brought into action whenever the fire alarm system is set in operation.
(f) Systems permitted in factory and other buildings.
(1) Non-coded closed circuit fire alarm systems shall be permitted only in a factory building not exceeding five (5) stories in height having not more than twenty-five hundred (2,500) square feet in area in any one story and having not more than one hundred (100) persons in a single factory; nor more than fifty (50) persons in a multiple tenant factory above the first or ground floor.
(2) Coded closed circuit systems shall be required in a factory building exceeding the requirements of 2 RCNY § 4-06(f)(1).
(3) Special fire alarm signal systems shall be permitted in factory buildings at the direction of the Commissioner.
(4) Coded closed circuit systems shall be required in all other types of buildings requiring an interior alarm system.
(g) Installation and construction requirements.
(1) All work in connection with the installation of a fire alarm signal system shall be performed in a neat and workmanlike manner to the satisfaction of the Commissioner.
(2) In any fire alarm system there shall be not more than fourteen (14) direct nor more than ten (10) alternating current gongs or other approved sounding devices connected in one circuit.
(3) There shall not be in any fire alarm system more than twenty (20) stations connected to one circuit or loop.
(4) All gongs and signaling devices shall be located not less than eight (8) feet to the center above the floor.
(5) All fire alarm stations shall be located five (5) feet three (3) inches from handle to floor.
(6) An instruction card properly marked and framed under glass shall be installed at each fire alarm station.
(7) All materials and devices used in fire alarm signal systems shall be securely fastened in position in a manner satisfactory to the Commissioner.
(8) For fastening to masonry walls, through bolts, metal expansion shields or toggle bolts shall be used.
(9) Wood screws shall be used for fastening equipment to wood surfaces.
(10) The use of nails or wood or fibre plugs is prohibited.
(11) When fire alarm apparatus is mounted upon a wooden back board, such back board shall be not less than seven-eighths (7/8) inch thick, impregnated with a non-absorptive compound. The back board shall be so mounted as to provide an air space of at least one-quarter (1/4) inch between the back board and the wall for free circulation of air.
(12) All electrical conductors shall be installed in standard rigid metal conduits, in accordance with the Electrical Code of the City of New York.
(13) All conduits shall be grounded to a water pipe by approved ground clamps with a conductor equal to the largest conductor used on the system and the smallest size ground conductors used shall not be less than No. 10 B. & S. gauge.
(14) The wiring used and the connections made between component parts of the alarm system shall conform to the requirements of the Electrical Code of the City of New York.
(15) Electrical conduits shall enter only at the side or the bottom of the control cabinet.
(16) In coded fire alarm systems using break glass type stations, at least one (1) extra glass shall be provided for each station in the system.
(17) All openings in walls, floors or ceilings where conduits pass through, shall be properly fire stopped.
(18) Conduits shall contain only conductors used in connection with the fire alarm system.
(19) Where wires pass underground from one building to another, they shall be enclosed in conduits, and shall be lead encased. Wires between buildings, when not run in conduit, shall be at least equivalent in conductivity and tensile strength to No. 8 B. & S. gauge copper wire for box and signaling circuits and shall be supported at least every seventy-five (75) feet on approved glass insulators and brackets, and be protected by approved lightning arrestors when required by the Commissioner. As far as possible, they shall run under, rather than over, electric light or power wires.
(h) Sending stations. There shall be at least one (1) fire alarm sending station in each story of any building requiring a manual fire alarm signal system, located in a natural path of escape from fire at a readily accessible location designated by the Commissioner, which always shall be kept unobstructed. Additional sending stations shall be installed so that no point on any floor in a non-fireproof building shall be more than one hundred (100) feet distant from the nearest sending station upon such floor. In fireproof or sprinklered buildings, the distance shall not be more than one hundred and fifty (150) feet.
(i) Sounding devices. Sounding devices shall be sufficient in number to be clearly audible to all occupants of the building.
(j) Subdivided buildings. Where a building is subdivided by fire walls, each section shall be deemed a separate building for the purpose of fire alarm signal system installations. One control board may be used, if so arranged, as to operate the signaling devices in each section of the building independently; or may be operated as one unit when deemed necessary by the Commissioner.
(k) Mixed occupancy. In buildings requiring fire alarm signal system, of which parts are occupied by other than factory tenants and in which the condition of construction and occupancy warrant the establishment of a local fire brigade, the Commissioner may accept dual operation systems.
(l) Existing installations. Fire alarm signal systems heretofore installed in buildings in the City of New York and installed in accordance with the rules then in force, shall be accepted as long as they are maintained in proper working order.
(m) Sources of electrical energy.
(1) Sources of electrical energy used in operating fire alarm signal systems shall be:
(i) Generated electric power, not exceeding a potential of 250 volts, including:
(A) Central Stations
(B) Isolated Plants
(ii) Storage battery power Either source of power shall be used under conditions and limitations as set forth by the Commissioner.
(2) One source of energy shall be connected to the fire alarm system at all times. All auxiliary sources of energy when required shall be so arranged and controlled by an automatic switch that when the primary source of energy fails, the secondary source will be automatically connected to the fire alarm signal system.
(3) Central stations. When the energy for a fire alarm signal system is supplied by a central station power system it shall be accepted as the sole source of supply; connections shall be made on the street side of the service switch except that in case where the master meter is within thirty (30) feet of the main switch of the premises, permission may be given by the Commissioner to connect to the house side of the meter when a certificate of recent date from an authority of competent jurisdiction has certified that the electrical wiring throughout the premises is in a safe condition. When a house side connection is made, the fire alarm cutout shall be the first connection and as near as possible to the meter. Same shall be enclosed in a locked or sealed metal cabinet, painted fire department red and stenciled "Interior Fire Alarm." Fuses shall be of the enclosed cartridge type. Screw plug fuses will not be accepted. The cutout shall be a three pole cartridge fuse cutout with neutral fuse replaced by a solid copper bar. The smallest size fuse used on a fire alarm system shall be fifteen (15) amperes.
(4) Isolated plants. Energy from isolated electric light and power plants shall be used for fire alarm signal systems only when there is more than one generating unit and the plant is always in operation when the building is occupied. When only one generator unit is employed, the source of energy shall be supplemented by storage battery or other auxiliary service. The fire alarm service connection shall be taken from the main bus of the house switchboard and installed in accordance with the service requirements under central stations. When a house side connection is made, the fire alarm cutout shall be the first connection and as near as possible to the meter. Same shall be enclosed in a locked or sealed metal cabinet, painted fire department red and stenciled "Interior Fire Alarm." Fuses shall be of the enclosed cartridge type. Screw plug fuses will not be accepted. The cutout shall be a three pole cartridge fuse cutout with neutral fuse replaced by a solid copper bar. The smallest size fuse used on a fire alarm system shall be fifteen (15) amperes.
(5) Storage battery.
(i) When a storage battery equipment is used as the sole source of current for a fire alarm signal system, the storage battery shall be provided in duplicate; or an approved type trickle charger may be substituted for the duplicate storage battery located in a room sufficiently ventilated. Such installations shall be equipped with a switchboard or panel of approved material on which are mounted volt meters, ammeters, circuit breakers, fuses, resistances, switches, starting devices for motors, field rheostats for generator and other apparatus required for charging and operating the battery.
(ii) Storage batteries shall be so located and ventilated as to avoid danger of sparking contacts igniting flammable gases or vapors. In no case shall a storage battery be located in the same room with a gas meter.
(n) [Repealed.]
(o) [Repealed.]
(p) [Repealed.]
(q) Alarm boxes.
(1) In fire alarm signal systems the metal case enclosing the exposed or surface alarm boxes shall be of cast iron or other approved cast metal, and drilled and tapped to receive the conduit. When exposed to moisture the box shall be enclosed in a suitable weatherproof outer shell. In new buildings, approved back-boxes embedded in the wall may be used and the conduits shall be properly secured by lock nuts and bushings.
(2) All current carrying parts shall be insulated from parts of opposite polarity with approved insulating material.
(3) All coded pull lever type stations shall be fitted with a door to protect the pull lever against accidental injury. Such door shall have a handle rigidly secured thereon and be so constructed as to open readily. The wording "In Case of Fire Open Door and Pull Down Lever" in raised letters or equivalent instructions shall appear on the door.
(4) All break-glass type fire alarm boxes shall be provided with suitable hammers on chains of approved type attached to or near the boxes with which the glass can readily be broken; or other methods may be used to break the glass when approved by the Commissioner.
(5) All break-glass boxes shall have in raised letters on the fronts, the words "Fire Alarm – In Case of Fire Break Glass," and such additional instructions as may be necessary to send an alarm.
(6) The box or station shall be so designed that once started, the proper transmission of a complete set of signals cannot be interfered with by manipulation of its starting device.
(7) Each closed circuit coded box or station shall be arranged to send a definite code of signals to indicate the floor or portion of same on which it is located.
(8) No less than three (3) or more than twenty (20) taps or blasts shall be given at each revolution of the code wheel.
(9) The code wheel shall revolve at least four (4) times for each operation of its starting device and be of factory machine cut metal or other approved material properly insulated from ground.
(10) Boxes or stations used in systems in which whistles, vibrating bells or horns are employed shall be so timed that the sounding devices will give the code signals clearly.
(11) Contact point shall be in multiple.
(12) Contact points and contacts of the testing devices shall be of silver or other approved material and be of the scraping type, secured in a substantial manner to phosphor bronze or other approved material springs, and be so designed as to positively break a circuit carrying one-tenth (1/10) ampere at two hundred and fifty (250) volts actual working conditions.
(13) Lever boxes shall be so designed as to automatically wind when the lever is pulled for an alarm. Boxes requiring glass replacements shall be so arranged that replacement cannot be made without resetting mechanism for another alarm.
(14) Where it becomes necessary to install more than one set of contacts operating from code wheel, permission in writing in advance must be obtained from the Commissioner. This shall not include pre-signal features.
(15) The box shall have plainly marked thereon its code signal number.
(r) Non-coded boxes.
(1) Non-coded closed circuit fire alarm stations may be operated by a break-glass or pull lever device so arranged that the alarm cannot be interfered with except by resetting or replacement of the glass by an authorized person.
(2) The construction and materials shall be equal to that of the standard approved type coded closed circuit station except that the contacts shall be of ample capacity to safely carry the entire operating current of the gong circuit without excessive heating.
(s) Station testing devices.
(1) Each fire alarm system shall be provided with an auxiliary device to test the signaling devices located in one of the alarm boxes or mounted on the control board. Such testing devices shall be arranged to make the test without operating the break wheel of the box or interfering with the dual operating feature.
(2) Provision shall be made for a silent test of coded alarm box mechanisms without operating the signaling devices. Such device shall be designed to prevent any person except those in authority from operating the same and to prevent the possibility of the box being left inoperative after the test.
(t) Supervising current.
(1) A small current flow to constantly supervise each circuit shall be maintained. A milliammeter, or other approved current indicator shall be provided and so connected as to indicate the supervising current.
(2) The supervising circuit shall be provided with a trouble bell operating on open circuit arranged to ring continuously in case of failure of the system. The trouble bell shall be so located that it will be within audible range of some responsible person in the building and shall be connected to the electric light or power service in the building. Permission may be granted by the Commissioner to connect the trouble bell to battery of approved type.
(3) Trouble bells shall not be fitted with silencing switches except in such a manner that the act of silencing the bell by the operation of the switch, automatically and positively transfers the trouble signal to a red lamp on the control board fed by some auxiliary source of current supply. This auxiliary source of current shall be a house lighting circuit or any other approved source.
(4) The trouble bell shall be of an approved design of the vibrating type and give a distinctive signal.
(u) Protection of sending and sounding devices.
(1) In fire alarm signal systems, all moving parts of sending stations and sounding devices shall be enclosed in metal casing, made dust-proof and damp-proof when necessary, and clearly marked with instructions for use.
(2) Whenever necessary, hammer rods of gongs shall be suitably protected against mechanical injury or derangement by the use of a guard or other suitable means. If subject to mechanical injury, the entire device shall also be enclosed in a protecting case made of suitable wire mesh netting or perforated metal. All casings shall be insulated from current carrying parts, and shall be grounded to the conduit.
(v) Standards of electric alarm apparatus.
(1) All electrically actuated apparatus used in fire alarm systems shall be so designed and constructed that it will operate satisfactorily at a current flow of twenty-five (25) percent above or below the normal operating current.
(2) Insulation.
(i) Insulating materials used in electric fire alarm signal systems shall be varnished, cambric, bakelite, mica or other approved insulating material. The use of fibre or paper as an insulating material for fire alarm signal systems shall not be permitted.
(ii) The insulating material used on electric fire alarm signal systems shall be capable of withstanding an insulation break-down test of one thousand (1,000) volts A.C. plus twice operating voltage applied for one (1) minute.
(3) Electro-magnets.
(i) Electro-magnet windings shall be impregnated with an insulating moisture repelling compound or shall be of silk enameled wire.
(ii) Electro-magnet coils to be used on alternating current when composed of enameled wire shall have an additional approved insulation on each wire. The coils may be of the form wound type.
(iii) A protective cover to prevent mechanical injury shall be provided over the entire coil.
(iv) Electro-magnet coils shall be securely fastened to prevent floating.
(v) Electro-magnet cores shall be of the best grade of ferrous material so as to reduce to a minimum the possibility of failure due to residual magnetism.
(vi) Electro-magnet cores for use on alternating current shall be of laminated construction or other approved method to prevent heating and promote efficiency.
(vii) Electro-magnet cores of relays and gongs shall be treated to prevent corrosion. Paint or varnish for this purpose shall not be used.
(viii) Non-magnetic freeze pins shall be used which will prevent two magnet surfaces coming in actual contact.
(4) Gongs.
(i) Gong shells shall be pinned to prevent turning and then securely fastened to its support by a machine cap screw at least three-eighths (3/8) inch in diameter.
(ii) Gong shells shall be covered with an approved rust preventive.
(iii) The gong shell support and gong frames shall be cast in one piece.
(5) Wiring.
(i) All connections shall be properly protected, securely made and where subject to motion shall be of approved flexible wire.
(ii) All wiring of control board, station and gong circuits shall conform to the Electrical Code of the City of New York.
(iii) Binding posts shall be of such a character that the wire is held between two flat surfaces.
(iv) Binding posts shall be mounted on an approved terminal block or insulating strip spaced not nearer than one-half (1/2) inch to each other, unless separated by approved barriers.
(6) Relays.
(i) The armatures of all relays shall depend on gravity or magnetic attraction for their operation.
(A) This action may be assisted by flat type springs.
(B) The use of spiral springs is prohibited.
(ii) Adjustments shall be of such a character that they can be securely locked.
(iii) Contact points shall be ample in area not only to take care of current used in operation but to insure long life and shall be of pure silver, or other approved material, properly riveted to their support.
(iv) Contact arms shall be of phosphor bronze and be of the dead beat type.
(v) Contact assemblies shall be of such a character that their operation will be of a scraping self-cleansing nature.
(vi) The use of condensers across contacts to absorb the arc or in any part of a fire alarm circuit is prohibited.
(vii) Relays shall be free from objectionable hum when used on alternating current.
(w) Time limit delay device.
(1) All gong circuits shall and special signal apparatus may, when required by the Commissioner, be protected by a Time Limit Delay Device. Note: This time limit delay device shall consist of a heating coil so designed that the normal operating current will have little or no effect upon a thermostatic bi-metal bar or strip contained therein. Any abnormal increase over operating current or the continued accumulative heating effect thereof after a period of not less than three (3) minutes nor more than twenty (20) minutes shall cause the thermostatic element to expand. The expansion of this element shall automatically open the source of current supply to the gongs or devices protected.
(2) The operation of the time limit delay device shall cause the trouble bell to ring.
(3) Time limit delay devices shall be so connected in the fire alarm circuit that their operation will not open the fire alarm box circuits.
(4) Where due to the extent of the installation, it becomes necessary to install a number of time limit delay devices, the operation of a single time limit delay device shall not affect other sounding devices similarly protected.
(5) A contactor relay to operate the sounding devices shall be provided on all direct current gong circuits exceeding three (3) and all alternating current gong circuits exceeding two (2) in number.
(6) Gong circuits not requiring contactor relays shall be operated by contacts properly placed on the armature of the box circuit relay.
(7) A separate time limit delay device, contactor relay, contactor supervisory relay and gong supervisory relay shall be provided for each four (4) gong circuits or fraction thereof.
(8) Switches. Triple pole, double throw, broken back knife switches properly supervised and connected to emergency resistors shall be provided on all box and gong circuits when they exceed three (3) in number.
(9) Instruments. A separate approved milliammeter or other approved current indicating device shall be provided for the box circuit and each four (4) gong circuits on the control board when the gong circuits exceed three (3) in number. A separate milliammeter shall be provided to indicate the supervisory current of contactor relays and emergency switch circuits. This meter shall be know as the Board Meter.
(10) Resistors.
(i) Resistors shall be mounted on the front or face of control panels and shall be of vitreous enameled type. Note: Wire wound resistors, when protected by a suitable metal guard, may be used in special cases when approved by the Commissioner.
(ii) Ferrule or knife contact type resistors shall not be used.
(iii) A protective resistor shall be placed in the negative or live lead of all box circuits to protect the contacts of the boxes in the event of a ground. This resistor shall be not less than three hundred (300) nor more than seven hundred and fifty (750) ohms resistance.
(x) Control boards.
(1) All relays, current indicators, resistances, time delay devices and other apparatus used in connection with the operation and supervision of closed circuit fire alarm signal systems shall be properly mounted on a panel of approved material, in a metal cabinet provided with lock and key. The control board shall be located in a place subject to the least vibration, free from moisture, flammable gases, dust and mechanical injury and under frequent view of a responsible occupant of the building delegated by the owner to be in charge and holding a Certificate of Fitness issued by the Commissioner.
(2) Control board panels shall be of insulating material such as ebony asbestos, bakelite or other approved materials at least one-half (1/2) inch in thickness.
(3) Control boards mounted in each cabinet shall be fastened in each corner.
(4) Provision shall be made for ample wire gutted space around the panel.
(5) Conduit knockouts shall not be provided in top of control board cabinet.
(6) A wiring diagram of the alarm system and card of instructions properly marked and securely fastened shall be provided within the control board cabinet. When it becomes necessary to mount the diagram outside of the cabinet, the diagram shall be properly framed under glass.
(7) All control board cabinets shall be provided with sight hole and glass panel to make meters on the inside of the cabinets visible from the outside.
(8) Wire in gutter spaces shall be properly laced in a neat and workmanlike manner on all control boards having a capacity for more than three (3) gong circuits.
(y) Battery cabinets.
(1) All electrical batteries for fire alarm signal systems shall be placed in substantial protecting cabinets thoroughly ventilated, elevated not less than one (1) nor more than five (5) feet above the floor and located in clean, dry and cool places where the temperature will not be less than forty (40) nor more than one hundred and ten (110) degrees Fahrenheit. Main battery cabinets shall be so constructed that the condition of the elements may be observed without disturbing the cells.
(2) Metal battery cabinets shall be constructed of sheet iron or steel, not less than No. 15 U.S. gauge in thickness, properly reinforced by angle irons with self-closing doors provided with lock and key and wood shelves not less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch thick, unless the battery is of the spray-proof type, properly fastened and secured to prevent sagging. The interior and the exterior of the cabinet shall be protected with three (3) coats of asphaltum compound, each coat to be thoroughly dry before the next is applied, or with baked enamel.
(3) Wood battery cabinets shall be constructed of the first grade of kiln dried wood and not less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch thick and shall be provided with self-closing door and approved lock. The shelves shall not be less than seven-eighths (7/8) of an inch thick properly fastened and secured to prevent sagging. The cabinet shall be of substantial construction painted on the interior with three (3) coats of asphaltum compound and on the exterior with three (3) coats of lead paint or two (2) coats of varnish.
(4) Storage batteries may be placed on enameled metal battery racks, provided the batteries are installed in a place where they will not be subject to mechanical injury, and will be ventilated as required in 2 RCNY § 4-06(m)(5)(ii).
(z) Painting of equipment. All enclosing cases for fire alarm apparatus shall be finished in fire department red, except where special permission is given by the Commissioner to deviate from this requirement.
(aa) Closed circuit annunciators.
(1) Annunciators used in connection with Class 3 fire alarm systems shall be of an approved closed circuit type.
(2) The annunciators shall have approved type of relays equipped with a suitable target, shutter or other indicating device. The indicating device shall have marked thereon a suitable description of the purpose it serves.
(3) The printed designation on unit or building annunciator's indicators shall be legible. The mechanism shall be so arranged that once operated the indicating device shall be reset manually.
(4) A unit annunciator shall be so designed that the operation of any station in the unit shall cause a visible and audible signal.
(5) The unit annunciator shall be actuated by contact on code wheel of the fire alarm station or by contact on a relay connected to the fire alarm box circuit. In no case shall the station fire alarm circuit be used for this purpose.
(6) Trouble annunciators shall be so arranged that the indicating device will reset automatically when cause of trouble has been removed.
(7) The trouble annunciator shall be so designed that it will indicate visible and audible trouble signals in the event of trouble occurring on any circuit, control board or unit annunciators.
(8) The trouble annunciator shall be actuated by the operation of contacts on all supervisory relays. Each relay of this annunciator shall be provided with two (2) sets of contacts so arranged that one will operate the one hundred and ten (110) volt trouble signal, the other set to actuate the register if a register is used.
(9) A trouble buzzer switch and lamp shall be mounted on the inside of each unit annunciator cabinet on the panel.
(10) A trouble bell, switch and lamp shall be mounted on the inside of each trouble annunciator cabinet on the panel. Trouble bell may be placed at a distance from the annunciator by special permission of the Commissioner.
(11) Relay drops of annunciator shall be so designed that vibration from without or that caused by the trouble signal within will not operate the indicating devices.
(12) All annunciators shall be installed in a separate red enameled steel cabinet provided with an approved lock and key.
(13) Annunciators shall be properly marked with white letters at least one (1) inch high with the words: "Fire Alarm Annunciator," Zone – or "Fire Alarm Trouble Annunciator," whichever the case may be.
(bb) Licensed contractors. No person shall install, alter or repair or cause to be installed, altered, or repaired electrical wiring or apparatus for fire alarm systems in any building, except a person holding a license, or a special license in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Administrative Code. The enforcing authority shall not approve any installation, alteration or repair done in violation of this rule.
(cc) Used or rebuilt apparatus. Used apparatus shall not be re-used for any interior fire alarm system under these rules and regulations until the same has been reconditioned in the shop of a reliable manufacturer building interior fire alarm apparatus which has been approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals. Approval in writing shall be obtained from the enforcing authority prior to installation. The enforcing authority shall not approve for use, used or reconditioned apparatus that may not give satisfactory service.
(Renumbered and amended, City Record 4/4/2019, eff. 5/5/2019)