(a) Scope. This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for:
(1) the monitoring and related maintenance of all fire alarm systems that are installed in premises located in New York City and that transmit an alarm signal to a central station that monitors such systems for the purpose of re-transmitting or otherwise reporting fire alarms to the Department; and
(2) the operation of the central stations that monitor and maintain fire alarm systems.
(b) Definitions. The following terms shall, for purposes of this section and used elsewhere in the rules, have the meanings shown herein:
Alarm service. The service provided by a central station company commencing upon the transmission from the protected premises of an alarm signal, a supervisory signal, or a trouble signal.
Approved central station company. A central station company that has been issued a valid certificate of operation.
Central station company. A person or entity engaged in the operation of a central station.
Central station signaling system. A system comprised of the protective signaling system at the protected premises, the central station physical plant, the exterior communications channels, and satellite stations, if any.
Designated representative. A person or entity designated by the subscriber who shall be responsible for receiving notifications from the central station company concerning the status of the protective signaling system at the protected premises and who is authorized to take action with respect to such system.
Mandatory system. A protective signaling system whose installation at a protected premises is required by law.
Proprietary central station. A central station operated by or on behalf of the owner of the protected premises monitored by the central station, that monitors protected premises other than the premises in which the central station is located. For purposes of this section and 3 RCNY § 8104-01, unless otherwise specifically provided, reference to "central station company" shall be deemed to include proprietary central stations.
Protective signaling system. A system or device installed at a protected premises and designed to transmit an alarm signal, a supervisory signal or a trouble signal.
Runner service. The dispatching to the protected premises of individuals designated by a central station company, other than the required number of operators on duty to monitor signals, to silence, reset and otherwise restore the protected signaling system to normal service. Such runners may be employees of the central station company, another approved central station company, or a service retained by the central station company, provided that the individuals are trained in and knowledgeable of the protective signaling systems for which they are providing runner service.
Subscriber. An owner of a protected premises, or an owner of a fire alarm system installed on such a premises, who has arranged for a central station company to monitor the fire alarm system on the protected premises for the purpose of reporting fire alarms to the Department.
Terminal. A number assigned by the Department which indicates a specific location and/or type of alarm signal at a protected premises.
Transmitter. A component of a protective signaling system that provides the link between a fire alarm system and the transmission channels.
Voluntary system. A protective signaling system whose installation at a protected premises is not required by law.
(c) Prohibited Fire Alarm System Monitoring. It shall be unlawful for:
(1) Any person or entity, pursuant to FC 901.6.3.5, to operate a central station company or central station that monitors fire alarm systems in protected premises without having first obtained a certificate of operation pursuant to 3 RCNY § 115-01. A central station company shall obtain a certificate of operation prior to operating any central station or transmitting any alarms to the Department received from a protected premises.
(2) Any owner of a protected premises, or other person or entity to contract for, arrange, or otherwise cause or allow, a central station company to receive or retransmit alarm signals from a protected premises, unless such central station company possesses a valid certificate of operation. This provision shall apply whether the protective signaling system installed at a protected premises is a mandatory or voluntary system.
(d) General Provisions.
(1) Applicable provisions of law. All central stations and proprietary central stations shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with the requirements of FC Chapter 9, this section and NFPA 72. The relationship between the provisions of the Fire Code, this section and such referenced standard shall be as set forth in FC 102.6.2.
(2) Compliance with Building Code and Electrical Code. All central stations and proprietary central stations shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with the requirements of the Building Code and the Electrical Code.
(e) Central Stations. Central stations shall comply with the following design and installation requirements.
(1) Security. The central station operating room shall be locked at all times and access restricted to authorized persons only.
(2) Emergency power. Emergency power shall be provided for the exclusive use of the operating room and other areas vital to the continuous operation of the central station and its provision of fire alarm monitoring services. The emergency power supply shall function automatically upon failure of the normal power supply system. Emergency power systems shall be maintained in accordance with FC 604.
(3) Listed equipment. The central station shall be equipped with devices, equipment and systems capable of automatically receiving and recording signals, as required by NFPA 72. Such devices, equipment and systems shall be listed by Factory Mutual, Underwriters Laboratories or other approved nationally recognized testing laboratory.
(4) Circuit adjusting equipment. Circuit adjusting instruments or equipment for emergency operations may be automatically initiated or manually operated upon receipt of a trouble signal.
(5) Retransmission of alarm signals. The retransmission of an alarm signal received at the Department shall be effected as follows:
(A) by the use of two (2) telephone lines provided with suitable voice transmitting, receiving and automatic recording equipment, provided that these lines shall not be used for any purpose except communication between the Department and the central station and shall have terminal equipment located at the central station and the Department and shall be provided with twenty-four hour standby power; or
(B) any other means of retransmission deemed by the Commissioner to effect a retransmission at a level of reliability that equals or exceeds that under 3 RCNY § 901-01(e)(5)(A).
(6) Alternative voice communication capabilities. The company shall maintain at each central station at least one cellular telephone available for communication with the Department and the protected premises in the event that telephone circuitry is inoperable.
(7) The central station company shall bear all costs associated with the retransmission of fire alarm signals to the Department, including any costs incurred by the Department.
(f) Central Station Operations.
(1) General responsibilities. A central station company shall be accountable to its subscriber to provide all of the requirements of this section, and shall set forth such obligation in its contract with the subscriber. In all cases where an approved central station company has subcontracted with another entity to provide services, the central station company shall be responsible for ensuring that the services provided by the subcontractor comply with this section and with all other applicable laws, rules, regulations and reference standards. A central station company may not subcontract signal monitoring or retransmission services or maintenance to a separate entity unless said separate entity is itself an approved central station company.
(2) Maintenance of central stations and transmitters.
(A) A central station company shall be responsible for the maintenance of its central stations and the transmitters at protected premises within New York City monitored by such central stations. A central station company shall have available at all times designated individuals trained and knowledgeable in the maintenance and repair of central station devices, equipment and systems, including transmitters, so as to prevent or minimize any disruptions in fire alarm system monitoring. Such individuals shall be employees of the central station company (other than the required number of operators on duty to monitor signals); another approved central station company; or of the holder of a fire alarm installer license issued by the New York Secretary of State pursuant to Article 6-D of the New York State General Business Law or a master electrician licensed by the Department of Buildings and registered with the New York Secretary of State in accordance with such Article 6-D, who has been retained to provide such service. In the event of a malfunction, repairs shall be immediately undertaken so as to restore proper operation and system monitoring as soon as possible.
(B) A central station company shall ensure that a complete and satisfactory test of all transmitters is conducted at each protected premises in compliance with the requirements of NFPA 72.
(C) A central station company shall test all paths of communication for the central station signaling system that are not supervised at least once every twelve hours. A record of such tests shall be maintained in the central station log.
(3) Monitoring of fire alarm systems.
(A) A central station company shall have sufficient personnel on duty at all times to ensure immediate attention to all signals received. This shall include a minimum of two (2) operators at each central station, each of whom shall possess a certificate of fitness to operate central station equipment. A trainee functioning as an operator must work under the direct supervision and in the presence of an operator holding a certificate of fitness and may not be counted as one of the two (2) operators holding certificates of fitness as required by this section.
(B) Central station operators shall monitor and process all fire alarm signals before any other signals, regardless of the order in which they are received.
(C) Alarm signals shall be re-transmitted to the Department immediately upon receipt of the full signal at the central station. A full signal is deemed to be received at the time it is capable of being decoded.
(D) Alarm signals transmitted to the Department shall indicate the type of alarm received (e.g., automatic, valve or manual).
(4) Recordkeeping.
(A) All records required to be maintained under this section shall be entered in a central station log which shall be maintained at each central station. The central station log shall be available at all times to the Department for inspection and copies shall be provided upon the Department's request. The central station log shall be kept on a yearly basis and be maintained for six (6) years following the period of use.
(B) The format of the central station log shall be either:
(1) a bound (not spiral bound) logbook for each calendar year, with consecutively numbered lined pages with entries made in ink;
(2) a computer database with a legend or key to all symbols and abbreviations; or
(3) any other format approved by the Commissioner. Where a computer format is used, the data may be stored on tape, disk or hard copy, provided that hard copies are maintained for 18 months following the period of use, in addition to the storage of the tape or disk for six (6) years following the period of use.
(C) A central station signaling system shall receive and retransmit all signals and information which the subscriber is required by law to transmit, such as the location of the alarm source (building, floor, section, zone, or subdivision) and/or the type of alarm signal (e.g., automatic, valve or manual). Central stations presently unable to determine the type of alarm signal received due to the lack of sufficient transmitters at the protected premises shall be granted a period of time, as the Department deems reasonable, to make the conversions necessary to comply with this requirement.
(D) Subsequent alarm and supervisory signals received from the same building shall be retransmitted to the Department upon receipt.
(E) A combination alarm signal that by its nature is indicative of waterflow in a sprinkler system at the protected premises shall be retransmitted in the same manner as a fire alarm signal. In addition, the designated representative for the protected premises shall be notified as soon as possible.
(F) The dates and times of the receipt and retransmission of all signals shall be recorded in the central station log.
(5) Runner service. A central station company shall ensure that a fire alarm system requiring manual silencing or resetting is restored to normal service no later than 90 minutes from receipt of an alarm signal. The central station company shall dispatch a runner to the protected premises for such purpose and shall immediately notify the Department once the system has been restored. A runner need not be dispatched and may be recalled if the central station confirms that the fire alarm system has already been restored, in which case the central station company shall immediately notify the Department of such fact.
(6) Notification of service disruptions.
(A) It is imperative that disruptions in central station service be detected as soon as possible and that service be restored immediately. The Department shall be notified of any disruption of fire alarm monitoring services regardless whether the disruption is due to failure of a fire alarm system, a fire suppression system, a protective signaling system, or central station equipment. The central station company shall make the following notifications:
(1) The central station company shall notify the Department whenever a fire alarm system or fire protection system is expected to be out of service for eight (8) hours or longer at a protected premises, where such information is available. This provision shall apply only to the installation of mandatory systems.
(2) The central station company must notify the Department and the designated representative for the protected premises forthwith in the event that a central station is either unable to receive alarm signals from a protected premises or to retransmit signals to the Department due to inoperative central station equipment or telephone circuitry. In making the above-described notifications, the central station company shall identify to the Department the terminal assignment number(s) for the affected premises, where such information is available.
(B) A central station company shall record in the central station log the following information relating to disruptions in service:
(1) All instances in which a fire alarm system or fire protection system is out of service for eight (8) hours or more at a protected premises, where such information is ascertainable. This record shall identify the terminal assignment number for the protected premises, as well as the date, time and duration of the disruption of service.
(2) All instances in which a protective signaling system at a protected premises is out of service for two (2) hours or more. This record shall identify the terminal assignment number for the protected premises, as well as the date, time and duration of the disruption in service.
(7) Posting of certificate. A copy of the certificate of operation shall be posted at each central station operated by the central station company.
(g) Compensation. Every central station company shall pay compensation to the Department in accordance with the provisions of 3 RCNY § 8104-01. Failure to timely remit such compensation shall be grounds for non-renewal, suspension or revocation of a certificate of operation, or denial of a new certificate of operation, in addition to any and all other remedies provided by law.
(h) Registration of Central Station-Monitored Fire Alarm Systems.
(1) Central station companies shall register each fire alarm system on each protected premises that it is monitoring by submitting to the Bureau of Fire Prevention, on the application form prescribed by the Department, the following information and such other information and documentation as the Department may require:
(A) The address of the protected premises in which the fire alarm system(s) are installed;
(B) The number and type of fire alarm systems monitored at the premises, regardless of the number of terminals associated with each such system;
(C) The floors, or portions thereof, monitored by each fire alarm system;
(D) The name, address and telephone number of the owner or operator of each fire alarm system; and
(E) The type and location of each terminal, including manual fire alarm boxes, sprinkler and standpipe system flow alarms and tamper switches, and heat, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, associated with each fire alarm system.
(2) A central station company shall register with the Department each fire alarm system it proposes to monitor prior to the commencement of the receipt or retransmission of alarm signals from the fire alarm system, including resumption of previously discontinued or suspended monitoring service.
(3) The Department may deny a registration application upon a determination that the fire alarm system has not been installed and/or is not being operating in accordance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, or other good cause. The Department may conduct an inspection of the protected premises to verify the proper installation and operation of the fire alarm system. A central station company shall not monitor any fire alarm system as to which the Department has denied registration.
(4) A central station company shall give prior written notice to the Department, on a form prescribed by the Department, of the discontinuance or temporary suspension of its monitoring of a fire alarm system, at least ten (10) days prior to such discontinuance or suspension. Five (5) additional days notice shall be provided if notice is given by mail.
(5) A central station company shall give written notice to the Department within seven (7) days of any change in any of the information set forth on its fire alarm system application form.
(Amended City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)
(a) Scope. This section sets forth requirements for the periodic maintenance of pressure tanks that supply water to sprinkler systems.
(b) General Provisions. Water tanks that supply water to sprinkler systems shall be maintained in compliance with the requirements of FC 901.6, NFPA 25, and this section.
(c) Periodic Maintenance Requirements. Sprinkler system pressure tanks shall be inspected and tested at least monthly by a certificate of fitness holder and if necessary, corrective action taken, in accordance with the following procedure:
(1) Close both the top and bottom valves on the sight glass level gauge.
(2) Open the petcock at the bottom of the gauge glass and drain the water out of the glass by cracking the top valve to clear the glass. Close the petcock. Open the top valve and allow air to enter the glass.
(3) Open the bottom valve to allow water to enter the gauge glass. Open the top valve.
(4) When the air and water levels stabilize, the level should be at the 2/3 level or the level required for the design of the system. Immediate corrective action shall be taken in the event the water level is below the design level.
(5) If the water level is too high, drain water using the emergency valve on the tank. After draining to the design level, introduce compressed air into the tank until the design air pressure is obtained.
(d) Notification of Central Station. If the sprinkler system pressure tank is monitored by a central station, the central station company shall be notified before any testing is conducted.
(a) Scope. This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for the design, installation, operation and maintenance of premises or parts thereof that are operated and/or occupied, on a temporary basis, to provide emergency shelter for more than 15 persons.
(b) General Provisions.
(1) Temporary use and occupancy of premises as emergency shelter. The provisions of this section shall apply to premises, or parts thereof, including but not limited to armories, auditoriums, community centers, gymnasiums, houses of worship and schools, that are not designed to be occupied as emergency shelter, but that are operated and/or occupied for such purposes for more than 15 persons more than 30 days in any year.
(2) Notification. Notification shall be made to the Department of Buildings and the Public Buildings Unit of the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the intent to operate and/or occupy any premises or part thereof as an emergency shelter for more than 15 persons, prior to commencing such use or occupancy.
(3) Compliance with the Building Code. Nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to excuse compliance with the Building Code. The Department and the Department of Buildings will resolve any issues arising from the application of the section to a particular premises.
(c) Design and Installation Requirements. Premises, or parts thereof, operated and/or occupied as an emergency shelter shall comply with the following design and installation requirements:
(1) Sprinkler system. The premises, or parts thereof, shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with the Building Code. Activation of the sprinkler system shall cause an alarm to be transmitted to an approved central station and sound an alarm throughout the premises.
(2) Fire alarm system. The premises shall be equipped with a fire alarm system designed and installed in accordance with the Building Code and provided with:
(A) an approved fire command center at an approved location;
(B) an approved system of smoke detectors that, upon activation, will cause an alarm to be transmitted to an approved central station and sound an alarm throughout the premises; and
(C) an approved one-way voice communication system capable of making announcements from the fire command center to all parts of the premises.
(3) Emergency lighting. The premises, or part thereof, shall be equipped with emergency lighting in accordance with the Building Code.
(4) Means of egress. The premises, or part thereof, shall be operated and/or occupied so as not to be overcrowded and to ensure adequate means of egress, including:
(A) The emergency shelter shall provide a livable area of not less than 80 square feet per shelter occupant.
(B) Adequate aisle space shall be maintained throughout the emergency shelter. Aisles shall not be less than 36 inches in width, except that cross aisles shall not be less than 48 inches in width.
(C) Means of egress shall be provided that are:
(1) sufficient in number.
(2) remote from one another.
(3) arranged to open in the direction of exit travel.
(4) equipped with panic hardware.
(5) equipped with doors that are self-closing device.
(6) maintained unobstructed and unimpeded, and unlocked in the direction of egress at all times.
(5) Additional areas protected. The Department may require that the fire protection and life safety systems specified in this section be extended to other parts of the premises if the use and occupancy of the premises as an emergency shelter presents an increased fire safety risk to other parts of the premises.
(d) Operational and Maintenance Requirements. Premises operated and/or occupied as an emergency shelter shall comply with the following design and installation requirements:
(1) Smoking prohibited. It shall be unlawful to smoke in any premises, or part thereof, being operated and/or occupied as an emergency shelter.
(2) Storage and removal of combustible waste. The emergency shelter shall be provided with noncombustible combustible waste containers with tight fitting lids. At least one (1) container shall be provided for each 50 persons in each occupied area of the emergency shelter, but not less than two (2) containers shall be provided in each sleeping area, dining area and other gathering place. Combustible waste containers shall be regularly emptied and shall not be allowed to overflow. Combustible waste awaiting collection shall be stored outdoors in accordance with FC 304.4, or indoors in a separate locked room protected by a sprinkler system located on the ground floor.
(3) Fire safety and evacuation plan. Pursuant to FC 404.2.1 and 3 RCNY § 404-01, a fire safety and evacuation plan shall be prepared and submitted to the Department for approval.
(4) Fire drills. Pursuant to FC 405, fire drills shall be conducted at least monthly on each shift, and FSP staff training at least one (1) hour quarterly on each shift.
(5) Staff identification. Emergency shelter staff shall be readily identifiable at all times while on duty by means of an approved identification (such as a uniform, cap, nameplate, or armband).
(6) Fire watch. Pursuant to FC 401.6.8.3, all parts of premises operated and/or occupied as an emergency shelter, including sleeping areas, shall be continuously patrolled by a person holding a certificate of fitness. An approved method of supervising the conduct of the fire watch, such as a watchman's clock and key stations, shall be provided.
(7) Below grade areas. Below grade areas shall not be used for sleeping purposes. Below grade areas that are not protected throughout by a sprinkler system shall not be used for lounges, recreation rooms, or other gathering places.
(8) Decorations. Decorations shall comply with the requirements of FC 805.
(9) Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided in accordance with FC 906.
(10) Signage. Durable, legible signs shall be securely and conspicuously posted as follows:
(A) Exit signs. Exit signs in accordance with the Building Code, including BC 1013.
(B) Stairwell identification signs. Stairwell floor number and stairwell identification signs in accordance with the Building Code, including BC 1023.9.
(C) Elevator identification and emergency signs. Elevator identification and emergency signs in accordance with the Building Code, including BC 3002.3.
(D) Sleeping room signs. Signs in sleeping rooms in accordance with the Building Code, including BC 1031.10.
(E) Fire emergency reporting. Signage shall be provided in compliance with the requirements of FC 401.2.
(F) Other signage. Such other signage that may be required by BC 1031.
(11) Recordkeeping. A record shall be maintained at the fire command center or other approved location, and made available for inspection by any representative of the Department, of all fire safety-related activities, including but not limited to:
(A) Fire watch patrols;
(B) Cleaning of commercial cooking filters and ducts;
(C) Standpipe/sprinkler system inspection, testing and servicing;
(E) Fire alarm system inspection, testing and servicing;
(F) Fire department connection testing;
(G) Smoke detector inspection, testing and servicing;
(H) Portable fire extinguisher inspection, testing and servicing;
(I) Emergency lighting testing and servicing;
(J) Conduct of fire drills and FSP staff training; and
(K) Proof of flame-resistant decorations.
(Amended City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)
(a) Scope. This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for flow testing of sprinkler systems in buildings, or parts thereof, classified as Occupancy Group R-2 and certain other residential occupancies. This section applies to all such sprinkler systems, including sprinkler systems that only protect a part of the building or space, such as compactor sprinkler systems.
(b) Definition. The following term shall, for purposes of this section and used elsewhere in the rules, have the meanings shown herein:
Inspector's Test Connection. A pipe with a diameter of not less than one (1) inch, that is connected to the sprinkler system on the uppermost story of the building, at the end of the most remote branch line, to which is attached a valve that discharges the flow of water equivalent to one (1) sprinkler head of a type having the smallest orifice installed in the system.
(c) General Provisions.
(1) Flow testing of sprinkler systems. Sprinkler systems in buildings or parts thereof, classified as Occupancy Group R-2 (including sprinkler systems in apartment houses, apartment hotels and other residential buildings with three (3) or more dwelling units that are primarily occupied for the shelter and sleeping accommodation of individuals on a month-to-month or longer-term basis), and in every converted dwelling, or every tenement used, in whole or in part, for single room occupancy, regardless of occupancy classification, in which a sprinkler system has been installed pursuant to the requirements of the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law, shall be flow tested in compliance with the requirements of FC 903.5.1 and 903.5.2 and this section.
(2) Scheduling. Flow tests shall be scheduled on behalf of the owner by the plumber or master fire suppression contractor who is to conduct the test.
(3) Other flow testing. The procedure and standard set forth in this section for required sprinkler system flow tests shall not be construed to prohibit an owner of a sprinkler system from conducting any other lawful flow test of such a system. The provisions of this section shall not be applicable to any such other flow test, except for the provisions governing the reporting and correction of sprinkler systems that fail flow tests.
(4) Frequency. Sprinkler systems shall be flow tested annually, except that in buildings other than converted dwelling, or tenements used in whole or in part for single room occupancy, such system may be flow tested once every 30 months, provided that the pressure gauge located at or near the inspector's test connection is checked during the required monthly inspection to make certain that the system design pressure is being maintained.
(5) Witnessing. A flow test of a sprinkler system shall be witnessed by a representative of the Department at least once every five (5) years. Fees for such witnessed test shall be as set forth in FC A03.1(29).
(6) Reporting of required flow tests. The initial flow test result reported to the Department shall include a copy of the installation contractor's Department of Buildings B Form FP85.
(7) Reporting of other flow tests. The result of a flow test not required by this section shall be reported to the Department in accordance with 3 RCNY § 903-01(e) to the extent required by such section.
(d) Flow Test Procedure and Standard.
(1) The flow test required by this section is intended to ascertain whether there is sufficient pressure in the sprinkler system to ensure the flow of water in the event the system is activated. The flow test shall be conducted in the following manner:
(A) All control valves on the system, including the main supply control valves, shall be inspected and determined to be sealed in the "open" position either by an approved wire and seal or a lock and chain.
(B) The flow test shall be conducted using an inspector's test connection. Such inspector's test connection shall be installed in accordance with the Building Code. If a sprinkler system is not provided with an inspector's test connection, such test connection shall be installed in accordance with the Building Code prior to conducting any required flow test.
(C) The contractor's testing apparatus shall be attached liquid tight to the sprinkler system inspector's test connection. The contractor's testing apparatus shall consist of:
(1) an adapter that connects to the inspector's test connection valve;
(2) a calibrated pressure gauge with at least a two (2) inch diameter dial graduated in psi to at least twice the static pressure of the sprinkler system; and
(3) a valve and a length of hose suitable to drain the discharged water to a safe location.
(D) The inspector's test connection valve shall be opened, the contractor's testing apparatus valve shall be closed and the static pressure indicated on the inspector's test connection pressure gauge, if provided, and the contractor's testing apparatus pressure gauge recorded.
(E) The contractor's testing apparatus valve shall be fully opened allowing water to discharge from the system until the water runs clear, but in no event shall less than ten (10) gallons be discharged.
(F) The contractor's testing apparatus valve shall be closed and the static pressure indicated on the inspector's test connection pressure gauge, if provided, and the contractor's testing apparatus pressure gauge recorded.
(2) A sprinkler system shall be determined to have passed the flow test if:
(A) the static pressure indicated on the contractor's testing apparatus pressure gauge before and after draining the water is unchanged when all control valves are sealed in the open position;
(B) the contractor's testing apparatus pressure gauge indicates a pressure of at least 15 psig or the pressure required by hydraulic calculations, whichever is greater;
(C) the inspector's test connection pressure gauge, if provided, and the contractor's testing apparatus pressure gauge readings recorded, as required in 3 RCNY § 903-01(d)(1)(D) and (d)(1)(F), are similar.
(D) there is no other indication that the sprinkler system is not in perfect working order.
(e) Flow Testing Reporting Requirements.
(1) Reporting of successful flow tests. When a sprinkler system passes a flow test required by this section, the plumber or master fire suppression contractor conducting such flow test shall certify that all control valves associated with the sprinkler systems covered by the report have been identified, inspected and observed to be sealed in the open position by either an approved wire seal or chain and lock; that they conducted a flow test of such sprinkler systems in accordance with the procedures and standards specified in 3 RCNY § 903-01(d); that the sprinkler systems passed the flow test in accordance with the criteria specified in 3 RCNY § 903-01(d); and that there is no other indication that the system is not in perfect working order. Such results shall be certified by completing a Residential Sprinkler System Flow Test Report in a form prescribed by the Department Such report shall be submitted to the Department and maintained for examination as follows:
(A) Residential Sprinkler System Flow Test Reports for flow tests that are not required to be witnessed by a Department representative shall be completed and mailed to the Department within five (5) business days after the completion of such test. Such mailings shall be addressed to:
New York City Fire Department Bureau of Fire Prevention 9 MetroTech Center, 3rd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201-3857 Attn: Fire Suppression Unit.
(B) Residential Sprinkler System Flow Test Reports for flow tests witnessed by a Department representative shall be certified immediately upon completion of the flow test.
(C) The owner or managing agent of the building or space shall maintain a copy of each Residential Sprinkler System Flow Test Report for a period of not less than five (5) years from the test date. Such reports shall be maintained on the premises and made available for examination by any Department representative. Such reports shall be made available for examination by the occupants of the building or space during regular business hours.
(2) Reporting of unsuccessful flow tests. Any sprinkler system that fails a flow test, whether or not such test is required by this section, is in violation of the requirement of FC 901.6 that such system be maintained in good working order at all times. The owner of such sprinkler system shall take immediate corrective action and shall continue such corrective action until such time as the sprinkler system passes a flow test conducted in accordance with the procedure and standard required by this section. If such corrective action cannot be completed and a successful flow test result obtained by the close of business of the same day, the plumber or master fire suppression contractor conducting such flow test shall notify the Department by telephoning the Department communications office (dispatcher) for the borough in which the premises is located. Nothing contained herein shall preclude the Department from taking enforcement action with respect to any sprinkler system that is not in good working order.
(Amended City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)
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