FIRE OPERATIONS FEATURES

Transcription

1 CHAPTER 5 FIRE OPERATIONS FEATURES SECTION FC 501 GENERAL Scope. This chapter shall govern buildings, structures and premises with respect to requirements designed to ensure safe and effective firefighting operations Reserved Design and installation documents. The commissioner may require that design and installation documents for proposed fire apparatus access roads, showing their location, dimensions and specifications, and design and installation documents for private fire hydrant systems, including hydraulic calculations, be submitted to the department for review and approval prior to installation Timing of installation. When fire apparatus access roads or a water supply for fire protection is required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of construction except when approved alternative methods of protection are provided. Temporary street signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles in accordance with Section SECTION FC 502 DEFINITIONS Definitions. The following terms shall, for the purposes of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein. AREAWAY. A space below grade, adjacent to a building, open to the outdoors and enclosed by walls. CITYWIDE STANDARD KEY. A key of special or controlled design approved by the commissioner which serves to operate elevator emergency recall and emergency in-service operation service switches and other devices or locks as required by the construction codes, including the Building Code, this code or the rules. DEVELOPMENT. A development includes the construction of a new building on a zoning lot, the relocation of an existing building to another zoning lot, or the use of a tract of land for a new use. FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD. A road that serves to provide access for fire apparatus from a public street to the frontage space of one or more buildings in a development. A fire apparatus access road includes any road that serves such purpose whether denominated as a fire lane, private street, private road, driveway or parking lot lane. FIRE COMMAND CENTER. The principal attended or unattended location where the status of the detection, alarm communications and control systems is displayed, and from which the system(s) can be manually controlled. FIRE DEPARTMENT STANDARD KEY. A key of special or controlled design, also known as a 1620 key, for the use of department personnel and others specifically authorized by the commissioner, which serves to operate all switches, locks and other devices required to be operable by a citywide standard key. FIRE LANE. A road or other passageway developed to allow the passage of fire apparatus. It may also serve as a secondary means of access to a private road. FRONTAGE SPACE. A street or an open space outside of a building that is within 30 feet (9144 mm) of the main front entrance to the building and not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) in any dimension. It shall be accessible from a public street or fire apparatus access road. It shall be designed and constructed to allow operation of department apparatus on the front side of the building and shall be maintained free of obstructions that may interfere with its use by the department. KEY BOX. A secure, tamperproof device with a lock operable only by a fire department standard key, and containing building entry keys and other keys that may be required for access in an emergency. PRIVATE ROAD. A road or other passageway to two or more buildings or structures in a development that serves to provide access from a public street and which may serve as a fire apparatus access road. Private road does not include a public street. PUBLIC STREET. All streets mapped or dedicated for public use, including mapped streets, record streets, marginal streets and restricted use streets. SECTION FC 503 FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed, installed and maintained in accordance with this section Fire apparatus access roads. Buildings or structures shall be accessible to department fire apparatus by way of a public street or an approved fire apparatus access road with an asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface installed in accordance with the standards of the New York City Department of Transportation and capable of supporting the imposed load of department apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds ( kg) and the operational load of department aerial apparatus outrigger support [48,000 pounds ( kg) over a 2-foot (610 mm) by 2-foot (610 mm) area]. When fire apparatus access roads are required by this section, such roads shall provide access from a public street to the frontage space of each building or structure in a development in accordance with this section Additional access. The commissioner may require more than one means of fire apparatus access based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle conges NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE 51

2 tion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access High-piled storage. Fire apparatus access roads to buildings used for high-piled combustible storage shall additionally comply with the applicable requirements of Chapter Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads to one or more buildings in a development shall comply with the requirements of this code and the standards established by the New York City Department of Transportation and shall be designed and installed in accordance with Sections through Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 38 feet ( mm) and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 14 feet (4267 mm). Exception: A fire apparatus access road may be less than 38 feet ( mm) in width provided that it satisfies the following requirements: 1. The fire apparatus access road has an unobstructed width of not less than 34 feet ( mm) and satisfies the requirements of Section of the Zoning Resolution; or 2. The fire apparatus access road has an unobstructed width of not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) and satisfies the requirements of Section of the Zoning Resolution; or 3. It is not less than 30 feet (9144 mm) wide, provides access to not more than 5 dwelling units, and all buildings to which the private road provides access are protected throughout by a sprinkler system Authority. The commissioner may require an increase in the minimum access widths where circumstances arising from site conditions or the design of the development render such widths inadequate for fire or other emergency response operations Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall comply with the requirements of the New York City Department of Transportation and shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus, as set forth in Section , and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities Turning radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be determined by the commissioner Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads more than 150 feet ( mm) in length, as measured from the curb line of the nearest public street which is not itself a dead-end, shall be provided with an approved turnaround area for fire apparatus in accordance with Table Such roads more than 150 feet ( mm) and up to and including 400 feet ( mm) in length shall not require a turnaround if all buildings served by the road are protected throughout by a sprinkler system. Dead-end fire apparatus roads shall not exceed 400 feet ( mm) in length unless approved by the commissioner. TABLE REQUIREMENTS FOR DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS LENGTH (feet) WIDTH (feet) b TURNAROUNDS REQUIRED None required 150 and = 400 a foot hammerhead, or 70-foot-diameter unobstructed cul-de-sac or other approved means. c Only where approved by the commissioner For SI: 1 foot = mm. a. A turnaround may not be required if all buildings served by the road are protected throughout by a sprinkler system. b. Except as otherwise provided in Section c. See Figure DIAMETER a. 70-Foot-Diameter Cul-de-Sac b. 90-Foot Hammerhead FIGURE DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD TURNAROUND NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE

3 Bridges and elevated surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the standards established by the New York City Department of Transportation. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the commissioner. Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, approved barriers, approved signs or both shall be installed and maintained when required by the commissioner Grade. The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall not exceed 10 percent unless approved by the commissioner Marking. Where required by the commissioner, approved signs shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads, in conspicuous locations, to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. A posted sign shall not be defaced, obscured, removed, mutilated or otherwise rendered illegible Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner. Vehicles shall not be parked on fire apparatus access roads, except in authorized parking locations. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section shall be maintained at all times Required gates or barricades. The commissioner may require the installation and maintenance of gates or other approved barricades across fire apparatus access roads, trails or other accessways, excluding public streets Secured gates and barricades. When required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails and other accessways that have been closed and obstructed in the manner prescribed by Section shall not be trespassed on or used unless authorized by the owner and the commissioner. Exception: The restriction on use shall not apply to government officials in conjunction with their official duties Fire apparatus access road gates. The installation of gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the commissioner. Gates and appurtenances shall not reduce the approved width of a fire apparatus access road. Where gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The emergency operation of such gate shall be maintained in good working order at all times. Gates securing a fire apparatus access road shall comply with the following requirements: 1. The minimum gate width shall be not less than that approved for the fire apparatus access road. 2. Gates shall be of the swinging or sliding type. 3. Design and installation of manually operated gates shall allow for operation by one person. 4. The gates shall be maintained in good working order at all times and replaced or repaired when defective. 5. An approved opening device for emergency access by firefighters or other emergency response personnel shall be provided for electrically operated gates. 6. Manually operated gates shall not be locked with a padlock or chain and padlock unless they are capable of being opened by standard tools such as bolt cutters. 7. Only approved locking devices shall be used Signs. Fire apparatus access roads subject to parking restrictions shall be marked with permanent NO PARK- ING FIRE ACCESS ROAD signs complying with Figure Signs shall have a minimum dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) wide by 18 inches (457 mm) high and have red letters on a white reflective background. Signs shall be posted on the sides of the fire apparatus access road upon which parking is prohibited. NO PARKING FIRE ACCESS ROAD BY ORDER OF THE FIRE COMMISSIONER FIGURE FIRE ACCESS ROAD SIGN Public streets. Access to buildings on public streets shall comply with the requirements of Sections through Dead ends. Dead end public streets in excess of 150 feet ( mm) in length, as measured from the curb line of the nearest public street that is not a dead-end, shall be provided with an approved turnaround area for fire apparatus that meets the requirements of Section Exception: A turnaround shall not be required for dead end public streets more than 150 feet ( mm) in length if all new buildings on such street are protected throughout by a sprinkler system Substandard width. Except as otherwise approved, buildings on public streets that have an unobstructed width of less than 38 feet ( mm) shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system. SECTION FC 504 ACCESS TO BUILDINGS AND ROOFS Building access. Exterior doors and openings required by this code or the construction codes, including the Building Code, shall be maintained in a manner that affords access by firefighting personnel in accordance with the requirements of this section, Chapter 10, and the Building Code. An approved access walkway leading from fire apparatus access roads to 2008 NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE 53

4 exterior openings shall be provided when required by the commissioner Frontage space obstructions. Obstructions, such as planters, fences and bollards, shall not be placed in the required frontage space unless they have been approved by the Commissioner of Buildings, the Commissioner of Transportation, or the commissioner, as applicable Maintenance of exterior doors and openings. Exterior doors and their function shall not be eliminated without prior approval of the New York City Department of Buildings. Exterior doors that have been rendered nonfunctional and that retain a functional door exterior appearance shall have a sign affixed to the exterior side of the door with the words THIS DOOR BLOCKED. The sign shall consist of letters having a principal stroke of not less than 0.75 inch (19.1 mm) wide and at least 6 inches (152 mm) high on a contrasting background. Required department access doors shall not be obstructed or eliminated. Exit and exit access doors shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 10 and the construction codes, including the Building Code. Access doors for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with the requirements of Section Stairway access to roof. Stairway access to the roof shall be in accordance with Chapter 10 and the construction codes, including the Building Code. Such stairway shall be marked at street and floor levels with a sign indicating that the stairway continues to the roof. Where roofs are used for roof gardens or for other lawful purposes, stairways shall be provided as required for such occupancy classification Rooftop access and obstructions. The rooftops of buildings 100 feet ( mm) or less in height, except rooftops with a slope exceeding 20 from the horizontal, shall be maintained in a manner that avoids or minimizes obstructions to access for firefighting operations. For purposes of this section only, rooftop shall include rooftops of building setbacks, and obstruction shall mean any fixture or other item that is not readily movable by a person without the use of tools or equipment, including air conditioning systems, billboards and other signs, cellular antenna equipment, cooling towers, fuel oil storage tanks, generators, heating systems, planters, solar panels, ventilation system ducts, intakes and exhausts, and window cleaning equipment, but shall not include nonmetallic 3 decking Rooftop access. Access to building rooftops shall be provided as follows: 1. For each 12 linear feet (3658 mm) of building perimeter accessible from the frontage space of the building and from any other exposure accessible to fire apparatus, a minimum clearance of 6 feet (1829 mm) in width and 6 feet (1829 mm) in depth from any obstruction shall be provided at the parapet wall or other perimeter of the rooftop. Where such building perimeter is 24 linear feet (7315 mm) or greater, but less than 36 linear feet ( mm), the required clearance openings shall be separated by a distance of not less than 12 linear feet (3658 mm). Where such building perimeter is 36 linear feet ( mm) or greater, the required clearance openings may be contiguous, provided, however, that such contiguous openings shall not exceed 12 linear feet (3658 mm) and shall be separated from other required clearance openings by a distance of not less than 12 linear feet (3658 mm). Each exposure accessible by fire apparatus may be treated separately for purposes of locating clearance openings and otherwise complying with the requirements of this provision. 2. A minimum clearance of 6 feet (1829 mm) in all directions shall be provided from each door opening onto a rooftop from a dwelling unit, stairway, bulkhead, or other occupied space or means of egress, as measured from the door hinge. 3. A minimum clearance of 3 feet (914 mm) in all directions shall be provided from any fire escape or rooftop access ladder, as measured from each side of the ladder or landing Rooftop obstructions. Unobstructed space shall be provided on rooftops sufficient to allow firefighting operations, as follows: 1. A clear path of not less than 6 feet (1829 mm) horizontal width and 9 feet (2743 mm) in height shall be provided from the front of the building to the rear of the building and from one side of the building to the other, except that a conduit or pipe in compliance with the requirements of this section may cross such path. Such clear path shall be accessible from each point of the rooftop access from which clearance is required pursuant to Section To the maximum extent practicable, conduits, including cable trays, and piping, shall be installed on the rooftop side of the parapet wall. If such installation is not practicable, conduits and piping shall be installed along the periphery of the rooftop, in order to minimize rooftop obstructions. Steps or ramps constructed of noncombustible 3 material and equipped with railings shall be provided in the clear paths for any conduits or piping installations that exceed 1 foot (305 mm) in height above the rooftop. All conduits and piping installations shall be color-coded 4 with continuous, durable and weatherproof reflective or luminescent markings as follows: 2.1. High voltage wiring Red Low voltage wiring Orange Natural gas piping Yellow Other compressed gas piping Yellow, labeled at regular intervals with the type of gas Fuel oil piping Yellow with black stripes Telecommunications installations. Telecommunications installations on building rooftops, including cellular antenna installations, shall additionally comply with the following requirements: 1. Transmitting antennas shall be identified by affixing to the antenna, the antenna mounting, or a conspicuous location near the antenna, continuous, durable and weatherproof reflective or luminescent markings NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE

5 and 3-inch (76.2 mm) lettering that reads, TRANS- MITTER. 2. A durable sign shall be conspicuously posted on or near any equipment closet, roof base station or similar telecommunications antenna installation, identifying the owner of the installation, providing a 24-hour/7 day per week telephone number by which such owner can be contacted, and identifying the installation by number or other unique designation Existing installations. Existing telecommunications conduit and piping installations shall comply with the operational requirements for marking and signage set forth in this section within one year of the effective date of this code Parking lots on developments. Parking lot lanes between rows of parking spaces shall have a width of at least 24 feet (7315 mm). A minimum aisle space of at least 24 inches (610 mm) between vehicles shall be provided. SECTION FC 505 PREMISES IDENTIFICATION Address numbers. All buildings and structures shall have their lawful address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed at a location on or near a building that allows such building identification to be plainly discernible from the public street or frontage space. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (102 mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm) Developments. Buildings within developments shall be identified in compliance with the requirements of Section Where required by the commissioner, additional signage shall be provided in new developments which is clearly visible at the intersection of the public street and any fire apparatus access road that provides access to buildings in the development. The additional signage shall indicate the addresses of all buildings in the development served by the fire apparatus access road Street or road signs. Streets and roads within developments shall be identified with approved signs in accordance with the requirements of the New York City Department of Transportation. Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles. Signs shall be of an approved size, weather resistant and be maintained until replaced by permanent signs. SECTION FC 506 KEY BOXES Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes, the commissioner may require a key box operable by a fire department standard key or other approved key to be installed in an approved location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the commissioner Locks. An approved lock operable by a fire department standard key shall be installed on gates or similar barriers when required by the commissioner Key box maintenance. The owner of the building shall immediately notify the commissioner and provide the new key when a lock is changed or rekeyed. The key to such lock shall be secured in the key box. SECTION FC 507 HAZARDS TO EMERGENCY RESPONDERS Hoistway and shaftway protection. The doors and/or gates to hoistways, freight elevator shafts, trap doors and other means used to provide access to vertical openings, shall be kept closed and secured, or otherwise protected, except when being used to provide access, and shall be closed, secured or protected, as applicable, at the end of each work day Shaftway markings. Vertical shafts shall be identified as required by this section Exterior access to shaftways. Outside openings accessible to the department and which open directly on a hoistway or shaftway communicating between two or more floors in a building shall be plainly marked with the word SHAFTWAY in red letters at least 6 inches (152 mm) high on a white background. Such warning signs shall be placed so as to be readily discernible from the outside of the building Interior access to shaftways. Door or window openings to a hoistway or shaftway from the interior of the building shall be plainly marked with the word SHAFTWAY in red letters at least 6 inches (152 mm) high on a white background. Such warning signs shall be placed so as to be readily discernible. Exception: Marking shall not be required on shaftway openings which are readily discernible as openings onto a shaftway by the construction or arrangement Pitfalls. Installations designed to disable, injure, maim or kill intruders are prohibited. No person shall install and use firearms, sharp or pointed objects, razor wire, explosives, flammable or combustible liquid containers, or dispensers containing highly toxic, toxic, irritant, piercing sounds or other hazardous materials in a manner which may passively or actively disable, injure, maim or kill a firefighter or other emergency responders who enters a building or premises, forcibly or otherwise, for the purpose of controlling or extinguishing a fire, rescuing trapped occupants or rendering other emergency assistance. SECTION FC 508 FIRE PROTECTION WATER SUPPLIES Required water supply. For premises requiring the installation of private fire hydrant systems or yard hydrant systems, an approved water supply capable of supplying the required design capacity for fire protection shall be provided NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE 55

6 508.2 Type of water supply. A water supply shall consist of pressure tanks, elevated tanks, water mains or other approved fixed systems capable of providing the required design capacity Private fire service mains. Private fire service mains and appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24 and the requirements of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection Water tanks. Water tanks for private hydrant systems and yard hydrant systems shall be installed in accordance with NFPA Yard hydrant systems. Outdoor amusement and exhibition places, bulk plants or terminals, lumber yards, trailer camps, industrial parks, and similar occupancies shall be provided with a yard hydrant system installed in conformance with the requirements of the construction codes, including the Building Code, this section and Section 914. Yard hydrants shall be installed such that the entire area may be reached by 250 feet (76.2 m) of hose from a yard hydrant or a street hydrant supplied from a direct connection to a city water main or other approved water supply Design capacity. The design capacity of the water supply shall be determined by an approved method Water supply test. Upon completion of the installation of a private fire hydrant system and yard hydrant system, a flow test shall be conducted to verify that the system provides the minimum design capacity required by Section Certification of the water supply test shall be submitted to the commissioner by a registered design professional Private fire hydrant systems. Private fire hydrant systems shall comply with the requirements of Sections through Where required. Where the front entrance of a building is more than 250 feet (76.2 m) from a hydrant on a public street, as measured by an approved route, private fire hydrants and mains shall be provided as required by the commissioner Inspection, testing and maintenance. Private fire hydrant systems shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the commissioner. Private fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in good working order at all times and shall be repaired when defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall comply with approved standards Department flow tests. The department may periodically inspect and test private fire hydrant systems, at the risk of the owner, for proper operation and unobstructed flow of such hydrant system Private fire service mains and water tanks. Private fire service mains and water tanks shall be periodically inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with NFPA 25 at the following intervals: 1. Private fire hydrants (all types): Inspection annually and after each operation; flow test and maintenance annually. 2. Fire service main piping: Inspection of exposed, annually; flow test every 5 years. 3. Fire service main piping strainers: Inspection and maintenance after each use Obstructions. Posts, fences, vegetation, rubbish containers, vehicles and other items shall not be installed, planted, placed, parked or stored near fire hydrants, fire department inlet connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would obscure the location of such fire hydrants, connections or valves, or that would hinder immediate access thereto by firefighting personnel Clear space around hydrants. A 3-foot (914 mm) radius clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants to allow unobstructed operation of the hydrant operating nut, except as otherwise required or approved Physical protection. Where fire hydrants are subject to impact by motor vehicles, posts that comply with the requirements of the New York City Department of Environmental Protection shall be installed. Notwithstanding the requirements of Section , these posts may be installed no less than 2 feet (610 mm) from the hydrant if they do not obstruct the use of a 24-inch (610-mm) wrench on the hydrant operating nut. SECTION FC 509 FIRE COMMAND CENTER Installation and maintenance. Where required by this code or the construction codes, including the Building Code, a fire command center for department operations shall be provided. The location and accessibility of the fire command center shall be approved by the department. The fire command center shall be installed according to the construction codes, including the Building Code. A layout of the fire command center and all operational features shall be submitted for approval prior to installation. The fire command center shall be maintained in accordance with NFPA 72. SECTION FC 510 FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS TO EQUIPMENT Identification. Fire protection equipment shall be identified in an approved manner. Rooms containing controls for air-conditioning systems, sprinkler risers and valves, or other fire detection, suppression or control elements shall be identified for the use of the department. Approved signs required to identify fire protection equipment and equipment location, shall be constructed of durable materials, permanently installed and conspicuously posted Safe access. Fire protection devices, equipment and systems, including fire detection systems and fire extinguishing systems, shall be readily accessible for inspection, operation and maintenance. Sprinkler and standpipe system control valves located at a height of 7 feet (2134 mm) or more above the floor shall be provided with permanent ladders, chains and wheels, or other approved means to provide ready access NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE

7 510.3 Natural gas shutoff tools. Natural gas utilities shall provide the department with suitable tools for the operation of outdoor gas service line valves for a building or structure or other outdoor emergency shutoff device or equipment. The number of such tools required to supply the department s needs shall be determined by the commissioner NEW YORK CITY FIRE CODE 57

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