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§ 901-02 Maintenance of Sprinkler System Pressure Tanks.
   (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.
§ 901-03 Portable Fire Extinguisher Sales. [Repealed]
§ 901-04 Buildings Temporarily Occupied as Emergency Shelters.
   (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)
§ 902 Reserved.
§ 903-01 Flow Testing of Residential Sprinkler Systems.
   (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)
§ 904-01 Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems Acceptance Testing.
   (a)   Scope. This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for acceptance testing of clean agent fire extinguishing systems.
   (b)   General Provisions. Pursuant to FC 901.5 and 904, clean agent fire extinguishing systems shall be inspected and tested before a representative of the Department prior to placing the system in operation, to ensure that such system is in good working order and operates as designed.
   (c)   Installation Acceptance Testing. Inspection and acceptance testing of clean agent fire extinguishing systems shall be conducted to determine whether the system functions in compliance with the requirements of FC 904.10, NFPA 2001, and the following standards and requirements:
      (1)   All detection, discharge, alarms and other system components are in good working order.
      (2)   All piping is clear and unobstructed.
      (3)   Except as otherwise provided in Section 4-7.2.2.12 of NFPA 2001 (where the total piping contains no more than one change in direction fitting between the storage container and the discharge nozzle, and where all piping is physically checked for tightness), the piping shall be tested to confirm that it is capable to maintain the following pressures:
         (A)   the maximum anticipated pressure at discharge for a period of ten (10) minutes with a pressure loss not exceeding 15 percent of the test pressure; or
         (B)   the maximum anticipated pressure at discharge for a period of two (2) minutes with a pressure loss not exceeding three (3) percent of the test pressure; or
         (C)   40 psig for a period of ten (10) minutes with a pressure loss not exceeding eight (8) PSI, after which the system shall be subjected to a discharge test.
      (4)   The enclosure protected by the clean agent fire extinguishing system shall be capable of maintaining the design clean agent concentration level for the required holding period. An integrity test in accordance with Appendix B of NFPA 2001 or a discharge test shall be conducted of such enclosure.
§ 905-01 Standpipe System Pressure Reducing Devices.
   (a)   Scope. This section sets forth requirements for standpipe system pressure reducing devices.
   (b)   Definitions. The following terms shall, for purposes of this section and used elsewhere in the rules, have the meanings shown herein:
      Pressure reducing devices. Devices, including valves, installed in standpipe systems at or near hose outlet connections that act to limit both the static and dynamic water pressures downstream of the standpipe outlet valve.
      Pressure restrictors. Removable fittings or "SECO Type" valves that restrict flowing water pressures by reducing the available cross-sectional area of flow.
   (c)   General Provisions.
      (1)   Certificate of approval. Pressure reducing devices installed in a standpipe system shall be of an approved type and for which a certificate of approval has been issued.
   (d)   Pressure Reducing Device Requirements.
      (1)   Location and pressure markings. Each pressure reducing device shall be permanently marked with the address of the premises in which it is installed, its floor location, and its designated pressure setting.
      (2)   Adjustments and reporting. Upon initial installation of a pressure reducing device, and at least once every three (3) years thereafter, a master fire suppression contractor shall file an affidavit with the Department on behalf of the building owner attesting to the following:
         (A)   The building address and owner's name.
         (B)   The floor location of all standpipe system pressure reducing devices and the inlet pressure (static and operating) of each device.
         (C)   The setting of each device and the corresponding discharge flow rate (gpm), discharge pressure (psig), and the maximum outlet static pressure (psig).
         (D)   The name, address, and master fire suppression contractor license number of the person submitting the affidavit.
      (3)   Flow testing. Upon order of the Commissioner, but at least once every three (3) years, standpipe systems with pressure reducing devices installed shall be flow tested with a minimum actual flowing discharge of 250 gpm. These tests shall be conducted by a master fire suppression contractor who shall provide the Department five (5) business days notice of the date and time of the test. The Department may witness these tests at its discretion.
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