(a) Scope. This section consolidates the Fire Prevention Code and former Fire Department rules in effect on June 30, 2008 that are applicable to the design and installation of fire protection systems in pre-existing facilities.
(b) Definitions. [Reserved.]
(c) General Provisions. Pre-existing facilities with fire protection systems the design and installation of which would not be allowed or approved under the Fire Code, but which, pursuant to FC 102.3 and 3 RCNY § 102-01, may be continued with respect to such fire protection systems under the applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect prior to the Fire Code, shall continue to comply with the provisions of such laws, rules and regulations, including former Fire Department rules §§ 15-04, 17-01(d)(3)(iii), 17-07 and 17-08, as applicable, with respect to such fire protection systems, until such time as such facilities may be required to comply with the Fire Code and the rules with respect to the design and installation of such fire protection systems.
(d) Commercial Cooking Fire Extinguishing Systems.
(1) Former Fire Department Rule § 15-04
§ 15-04 Extinguishing Systems for Hoods, Vent Pipes, Flues or Ducts*
[*FOOTNOTE IN ORIGINAL: Section is applicable to systems installed on or after 12/14/62 but before 12/6/68. Systems or system changes made post 12/6/68 shall be in accordance with RS 13-3 (Building Code) and NYC Administrative Code §§ 27-4275 & 27-779.]
(a) Plans. The installer or occupant shall submit three (3) sets of paper cloth drawings to the Bureau of Fire Prevention for approval before any work is commenced. These shall show the entire installation in plan and section, viz: all hoods; ducts; dampers; heat detector units; pipes; nozzles; fans; gas controls; automatic trip devices; manual operating controls; all other details for compliance with these regulations.
(b) Tests. The completed system shall be tested by the installer or occupant, at his or her own risk, in the presence of a Fire Department representative before an approval shall be issued.
(c) Cleaning. The hood and exhaust ducts shall be thoroughly cleaned and be in good repair before the system is installed. They shall be so maintained at all times.
(d) Operation and control. The extinguishing system shall be automatic or both automatic and manual in operation. The manual controls shall be accessibly located at least ten (10) feet from the range and sealed in the closed position with a light wire seal or a break glass control. A sign to indicate the purpose of such valve or control shall be affixed thereto. The automatic operation shall be arranged to shut off the gas, exhaust fans and close the dampers in the exhaust system. The automatic releasing equipment and heat detecting units shall be Underwriters Laboratories approved.
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(f) Location of nozzles and heat detectors. The entire duct system and any deep frying units shall be provided with an adequate number of nozzles. One nozzle shall be installed at the inlet of each duct and one at the inlet side of the damper. Duct nozzles shall not exceed ten (10) feet on centers. Heat detecting units shall be located at all duct inlets.
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(h) Carbon dioxide.
(1) Where carbon dioxide is used: There shall be provided at least one fifty (50) pound cylinder of such gas for each installation up to four hundred (400) cubic feet of hood and duct volume up to the damper. For every additional four hundred (400) cubic feet, or portion thereof, an additional fifty (50) pound cylinder shall be installed.
(2) Electrical requirements for the installation of thermostatic detection systems and the operation of safety devices when carbon dioxide systems are used as the extinguishing agent in hoods, vent pipes, flues or ducts to exhaust interior cooking spaces are:
(i) Plans. The plans submitted for approval shall have marked thereon the location of the thermostatic detectors, the damper locations, all alarms, the electrical and mechanical operations of the safety devices as hereby required.
(ii) Equipment approval. All the electrical equipment shall be approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals or the Underwriters Laboratory for the installation for the class of detection, operation and alarm.
(iii) Wiring. The electrical equipment shall be operated on closed circuits, 120 volt systems. The wire shall be rubber covered RHW #14 AWG, installed in rigid iron or steel conduits.
(iv) Operation requirements.
(A) The thermostatic device shall be either of a type that is manually reset or the control system shall be so arranged that some manual operation is required to restart the fan after the thermostat has operated. The thermostats shall operate on a 350°F. temperature. The thermostats shall be installed in a manner to enable the removal of the thermostat for repair or testing.
(B) A light, normally on, installed within the hood installation room, to give indication that the source of current for the carbon dioxide system is out of service shall be required.
(C) An alarm bell will be required when two or more 50 lb. carbon dioxide cylinders are required. The alarm shall sound upon the operation of the thermostatic device.
(D) An emergency manual control, preferably in the form of a break glass station, to operate the system is required.
(E) The fan shut down, gas valve closure, damper operations may be electrically or mechanically operated to operate the electric controls.
(i) Fine water spray. Where a fine water spray is used: All pipe sizes shall conform with and all valve sizes shall conform to the Building Code of the City of New York. The minimum static pressure at the highest nozzle shall not be less than thirty (30) p.s.i. One half (1/2) inch open, wide pattern nozzles shall be installed throughout. A water flow alarm may be installed if desired.
(j) Steam. Where steam is used: A continuous source of steam supply of not less than fifteen (15) p.s.i. shall be provided. The pipe sizes at the source of supply shall not be less than one and one-half (1 1/2) inches in diameter and not less than three quarter (3/4) inch for the last steam jet or outlet. Such outlet shall be a standard one-half (1/2) inch open sprinkler head. The pipe fittings and valve shall be steam standard. A control valve sealed open shall be located at the source of steam supply. A steam trap shall be installed on the steam line in such a location so as to remove all condensation up to the automatic control valve located at or near the ranges or ducts.
(k) Application. These rules shall apply to all new installations and to existing systems hereafter altered in any manner.
(e) Fire Alarm Systems.
(1) Former Fire Department Rule § 17-07
§ 17-07 Installation of Interior Fire Alarm Signal Systems in Multiple Dwellings Having Single Room Occupancies.
(a) In every such building there shall be provided an adequate and reliable electric, closed circuit interior fire alarm system in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Commissioner.
(1) Buildings exceeding six stories in height, or having more than five thousand square feet in area in any one story, shall be provided with a coded system.
(2) Buildings not exceeding six stories in height, or having more than five thousand (5,000) square feet in area in any one story, shall be provided with a coded system or a non-coded system.
(b) The interior fire alarm system shall be installed in a workmanlike manner and in accordance with standard trade practices.
(c) The alarm system shall be so arranged and connected that the operation of any fire alarm station shall sound an alarm on the sounding devices simultaneously throughout the premises.
(d) Sending stations.
(1) There shall be provided, on each story, and in the basement at least one fire alarm sending station located in a natural path of escape from fire at a readily accessible location designated by the Fire Chief and Commissioner, which always shall be kept unobstructed.
(2) Additional sending stations may be required where the travel distance from any one point, on the floor, exceeds one hundred and fifty (150) feet to the fire alarm station. (Not more than twenty (20) stations will be permitted on any one circuit or loop.)
(e) Sounding devices.
(1) There shall be provided sufficient sounding devices, such as bells, gongs, horns, or whistles, so that the signals will be clearly audible to all the occupants of the building. In no case shall the sounding devices be less than two (2) in number.
(2) Not more than fourteen (14) direct, nor more than ten (10) alternating current gongs will be permitted on any one gong circuit.
(f) Control board.
(1) There shall be provided in the basement pump room, engine room of janitors quarters, an approved control board designed to operate the alarm system.
(2) The control board shall be provided with an approved type trouble bell so connected that any disarrangement of the circuit wiring will sound a distinctive signal continually.
(g) Wiring.
(1) All electric wiring for the interior fire alarm system shall be of copper, rubber insulated, protected by a braid, and be not less than number 14 Brown & Sharpe wire gauge. The wiring shall be protected from mechanical injury by standard weight, rigid iron conduit, properly bonded and grounded.
(2) The conduit shall be grounded to a water pipe by at least number 10 B. & S. gauge copper wire and approved copper ground clamps.
(h) Sources of electric energy.
(1) The source of energy used to operate the interior fire alarm system shall be obtained from the public service companies' mains, and shall not exceed a potential of 240 volts, either alternating or direct current.
(2) When energy cannot be obtained from a central station power system, storage batteries in duplicate may be accepted when specifically approved by the Fire Chief and Commissioner.
(3) When energy is supplied by a central station power system, the fire alarm cutout shall be the first connection, and as near as possible to the electric meter registering current consumed by the hall lighting system.
(4) The fusible cutout shall be contained in a sealed or locked metal cabinet painted Fire Department red, and stenciled, "Interior Fire Alarm." Not less than fifteen (15) ampere, enclosed type cartridge fuse will be accepted. Screw plug fuses are prohibited.
(i) Layout. Before the installation or extension of any fire alarm system, specifications thereof, showing complete details of the proposed installation shall be submitted by the owner or agent to the Fire Chief and Commissioner for examination and approval.
(j) Instruction cards.
(1) There shall be provided an approved instruction card, properly marked, framed under glass and securely mounted at each fire alarm station.
(2) The location of the nearest street fire alarm box or the quarters of the nearest engine or truck company shall be shown on this card.
(k) Watchmen's time detector system.
(1) There shall be provided an approved system of watchmen's time detectors to record the movements or patrol of the watchmen.
(2) The watchmen's time detector stations shall be so located that the watchman will be compelled to cover all public portions of the premises at least once every two hours to record complete round of signals upon the watchman's time detector clock.
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(2) Former Fire Department Rule § 17-08
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(f) Watchman's Time Detector Systems and Watchman Service.
(1) Former Fire Department Rule § 41-01
§ 17-08 Telegraphic Alarm Communications in Theaters, Opera Houses and Concert Halls.
(a) By virtue of the authority vested in the Fire Commissioner under § 15-127(b)(1) of the Administrative Code, telegraphic communication to the Fire Department shall be required from theaters, opera houses, concert halls and similar places of amusement if such occupancies are provided with a stage, scenery and dressing rooms, seating capacity exceeds 299 persons and live performances are presented. The telegraphic communication (alarm box) shall be tested daily and prior to each performance and maintained unobstructed and in proper working order at all times.
(b) Telegraphic alarm communications to the Fire Department shall not be required from motion picture theaters or common show motion picture theaters. A motion picture theater is a public hall or room in which motion pictures are displayed, in which the seating capacity does not exceed 600 persons and in which no stage or scenery is provided. A common show motion picture theater is a theater, with or without stage, scenery and dressing rooms, in which the seating capacity exceeds 600 persons and motion pictures only are exhibited.
(c) A common show motion picture theater provided with stage, scenery and dressing rooms may periodically present live performances. In so doing, such occupancies convert to live performance theaters and as such, telegraphic communications to the Fire Department shall be required in accordance with subdivision (a) above, except that such telegraphic communications shall not be required if six or less live performances are presented annually and the following is complied with:
(1) Licensee shall notify the Bureau of Fire Prevention, in writing, at least five (5) days in advance of the time and dates of such live performances.
(2) A non-coin operated telephone without connection through any switchboard shall be installed backstage prior to any live performance. This telephone shall be for the exclusive purpose of transmitting a telephone alarm in the event of fire or other emergency. A card of instructions for reporting a fire or other emergency to the Fire Department shall be posted at the location of the telephone. Such card shall be approved by the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(3) Two (2) competent persons in the employ of the licensee shall be constantly available during the live performances to perform the following emergency duties:
(i) One (1) such person shall remain near the backstage telephone during the performance for the exclusive purpose of transmitting an alarm via the phone in the event of fire in the theater. Such person shall not be required to perform any other duties during the live presentation.
(ii) The second person shall be assigned by the licensee as a "street box runner" who shall be familiar with the nearest city fire alarm box and how to operate same. He or she shall be required to perform no other duties during the live presentation than to transmit any necessary alarm from the street box.
(d) Any of the foregoing notwithstanding, theaters constructed in accordance with the provisions of the 1968 Building Code shall be provided with telegraphic alarm communications to the Fire Department, as required by the 1968 Building Code as follows:
(1) All occupancies classified by the Department of Buildings as F-1a occupancies, regardless of seating capacity. F-1a occupancy is an occupancy in which persons assembled comprise a seated or otherwise passive audience to a performance or presentation and have their attention focused in a common direction and in which scenery and scenic elements are used. (§ 27-255) Typical occupancies are theaters, playhouses and opera houses (§ 27-239-Table 3-2). F-1a occupancies shall be provided with an emergency control panel located in stage area equipped with an alarm system and intercom system connected to manager's office, the dressing rooms, and to supervisory central fire station. (§ 27-546(b)(10)). Emergency control panel in F-1a occupancies shall be manned in accordance with the requirements of the Fire Department. Since the fire control panel alarm system is a required system, a person holding a Certificate of Fitness shall be required. (§§ 27-546(b)(1) and (g)).
(2) All occupancies classified by the Department of Buildings as F-3 or F-4 occupancies, having stages with scenery or scenic elements, regardless of seating capacity. F-3 occupancy is an occupancy in which persons assembled are physically active and do not have a common center of attention (§ 27-257). Typical occupancies are exhibition halls, galleries and museums. (§ 27-239-Table 3-2) F-4 occupancy is an occupancy in which persons assemble for dancing, eating or for a combination of dancing, eating, drinking, or entertainment. (§ 27-258) Typical occupancies are night clubs, cabarets, dance halls and banquet halls. (§ 27-239-Table 3-2) Section 27-549(a) of the Building (Administrative) Code provides that F-3 or F-4 occupancies having stages with scenery of scenic elements regardless of capacity shall comply with the provisions of the Building (Administrative) Code applicable to F-1a occupancies. As indicated in subdivision (d)(1) above emergency control panels with an alarm system connected to a control station is required in F-1a occupancies. A Certificate of Fitness is required for person manning such emergency control panel. Note: Theater management shall be required to record Certificate of Fitness information in the Theater Inspection Log Book. See § 31-04 of these rules.
(e) When non-required telegraphic alarm communication systems are installed, such systems shall be maintained in proper working order or shall be removed from the premises.
§ 41-01 Installation of Watchman's Time Detector Systems and [Watchman] Night Watch Service.
(a) [Watchman] Night watch. In every building used or occupied as a hotel, lodging house, public or private hospital or asylum there shall be employed by the owner or proprietor, or other person having the charge or management thereof, one or more [watchmen] night watch whose exclusive duty it shall be to visit every portion of such building at regular and frequent intervals, as hereafter provided under regulations established by the commissioner, for the purpose of detecting fire, or other danger, and giving timely warning thereof to the occupants of the building. There shall be provided a [watchman's] night watch clock or other device to be approved by the commissioner, by means of which the movements of the [watchman] night watch may be recorded. The commissioner may, however, in his or her discretion, accept an automatic fire alarm system in lieu of [watchmen] night watch and time detectors.
(b) Scope. This section shall apply to all hotels and lodging houses and single room occupancies as defined in the Multiple Dwelling Law, 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, and to all Turkish or special treatment bath-houses where there are sleeping accommodations for more than 15 persons on the premises.
(c) [Watchman] Night watch service. [Watchman] Night watch service shall be performed every night. Patrol tours shall be made at least every two hours, beginning at 10 p.m. and continuing until the day staff of employees have assumed their duties. Persons employed as [watchmen] night watch shall be physically and mentally competent to perform required duties and shall not be assigned to any other work that will interfere or prevent them from making their proper tours. A proprietor, clerk or other employee may be permitted to serve as a [watchman] night watch in a lodging house, provided his or her duties are such as will not interfere with proper performance of tours.
(d) Time detectors, types.
(1) Central station system, approved by commissioner. Central station system shall consist of watch-boxes of approved type, used for no other purpose and located so watchman in making rounds must visit every portion of the building (see partial occupancy). Boxes shall be arranged so fire signals distinct from watch signals may be sent from each station installed. Before acceptance of any system operating through a central station, the company furnishing such service shall file with the Bureau of Fire Prevention a general description of the apparatus it proposes to install, together with sample boxes and such detailed information and drawings necessary to the complete understanding of the operation of the system. Diagrams showing means of delivering signals to patrol and fire headquarters shall also be furnished.
(2) Local or private station system, approved by Commissioner. Local or private station system. Approved single station clocks or a portable [watchman's] night watch clock may be used to record the movements of [watchmen] the night watch. Single station clock for each station, or portable clock, shall be so located as to compel watchmen to visit every portion of the building in making tours. (See partial occupancy). Records shall be made by embossing or perforating paper dials which shall be clearly legible. Dials shall be of sufficient size so that time at which record is made can be accurately determined. Both single stations and portable clocks shall be made so that watch record dials cannot be seen without opening case, also the opening or closing of the case will make distinctive record on the dial of such action. Keys for portable clocks shall be of a type difficult to duplicate and shall be of a pattern susceptible to variations tending to reduce the probability that a set of keys fitted for one clock will operate other clocks. Key stations shall be fixed so that they cannot be removed without giving evidence of the fact.
(e) Numbering of stations. Stations shall be numbered in the order that the [watchman] night watch is required to make his or her patrol. The location number and order of stations shall be subject to the approval of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(f) Reports of [watchman] night watch service. Central station system companies shall furnish such daily reports to the Bureau of Fire Prevention as may be required, of all buildings equipped by them with time detectors. Where either single station clocks or portable watchmen's clocks are used, records shall be maintained for at least thirty (30) days which shall be subject to inspection by the fire department. The insertion and removal of record dials from the time clock, indicating the hours of [watchman] night watch patrol shall be performed by owner, proprietor or supervisor only. [Watchmen] Night watch shall not be permitted to perform this function. Each dial shall be dated upon insertion and removal from the time clocks and initialled by person charged with this duty. Only one dial may be inserted in the clock at any one time.
(g) Exception. Where an automatic closed circuit, automatic thermostatic fire alarm system, or an automatic wet sprinkler system is installed to cover all portions of the building and are so arranged that the operation of either system will sound all of the gongs on the interior fire alarm system, a watchman's time detector system [of time detectors] shall not be required.
(h) Existing installations. Time detectors heretofore installed in compliance with orders of the commissioner may be accepted in lieu of the above requirements, provided they are properly maintained so as to render the service intended.
(i) Partial occupancy of building. Where any hotel, lodging house, hospital or asylum occupies only a portion of a building and such portion does not include all of the floors above and below ground levels, provisions shall be made whereby [watchmen] night watch shall cover all portions so occupied and, in addition, all portions which are at the same level above or below the floors occupied by the hotel, lodging house, hospital or asylum.
(Renumbered City Record 9/20/2023, eff. 10/20/2023)