Town of Clarkstown, NY Fire-Protection Equipment

[Amended 6-22-1982 by L.L. No. 9-1982]

Sprinkler systems, standpipe systems, fire-detection systems and other fire-protective or extinguishing systems and other fire safety devices which have been installed as a requirement of a building permit, order or because of any law or ordinance shall be maintained in operative conditions at all times. It shall be unlawful for any owner or occupant to reduce the effectiveness of the protection so required, except that this shall not prohibit the owner or occupant from temporarily reducing or discontinuing the protection, where necessary, to make tests, repairs, alterations or additions. The Chief Fire Safety Inspector shall be notified before such tests, repairs, alterations or additions are commenced if the work is not to be completed within a twenty-four-hour period.

[Amended 12-31-1996 by L.L. No. 18-1996; 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

In order to ensure fire protection devices will operate properly when and if required, routine inspections, tests and maintenance is required. These inspections, tests and maintenance shall be performed by a qualified individual and in accordance with NFPA or other applicable standards and codes or as and when required by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector. Whenever inspection, tests and maintenance is done, a written report on a form approved by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector shall be submitted to the Chief Fire Safety Inspector's office within five days.

[Amended 9-25-1990 by L.L. No. 4-1990; 12-31-1996 by L.L. No. 18-1996; 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

(1)

Sprinkler systems.

(a)

Sprinkler systems shall be maintained in operative condition, free from mechanical injury, structure failure, water failure or obstructions. Sprinklers shall be maintained clean and free from corrosion, paint, whitewash and other coatings which impair their operation. Sprinkler systems shall be inspected and tested in accordance with the National Fire Protection Association Standard for the inspection, testing and maintenance of Water Based Fire Protection Systems (NFPA 25), but not less than on a semiannual basis.

(b)

Valves controlling water supply to sprinklers shall be readily accessible at all times and shall be free of any obstructions.

(c)

Supports for piping and equipment shall be structurally sound.

(d)

Portions of the system subject to freezing shall be appropriately protected.

(e)

Storage of materials shall not interfere with the effective discharge of water from the sprinklers.

(f)

Riser flow tests shall be made quarterly from water supply test pipes.

(g)

Control valves.

[1]

Each valve shall be numbered and shall have a sign indicating the portion of the system it controls.

[2]

Each control valve shall be secured in its open position using a lock or tamper switch.

[3]

Valves locked in the open position and valves with tamper switches shall be inspected monthly.

[4]

Valve stems shall be lubricated at least once a year using manufacturer's approved lubricant.

[5]

Post indicator valves shall be operated quarterly to assure proper operation and shall be left in a locked open position.

(h)

Fire Department connections shall be inspected monthly.

(i)

Gauges shall be checked monthly to assure normal pressure is being maintained. Gauges shall be checked with an inspector's gauge every five years.

(j)

Water flow alarm devices shall be tested quarterly.

(k)

Sprinkler systems shall be flushed every five years to assure that sprinklers receive an unobstructed flow of water. Flushing shall include mains, risers, feed mains, cross mains and branch lines and shall be done as per National Fire Protection Association requirements.

(l)

Security personnel shall be notified, in writing, of:

[1]

The location and use of control valves, drain valves and alarm devices.

[2]

The requirement to promptly transmit a fire alarm to the Fire Department.

[3]

The requirement for daily visual inspection of sprinkler control valves to ascertain that they are open. Proper notification shall be made of any valve found closed.

(m)

Valve inspection reports shall show that the valves are:

[1]

In normally open or closed position.

[2]

Properly sealed, locked or equipped with a tamper switch.

[3]

In good operating condition.

[4]

Provided with a wrench, where required.

(n)

The Chief Fire Safety Inspector shall be notified:

[1]

Of the installation or modification to a system.

[2]

Of the extent of protection provided and the location and arrangement of control valves and connections for Fire Department use.

[3]

When any portion of the system is taken out of service.

(o)

Records shall be kept of all inspections, tests and maintenance functions relating to sprinkler systems. Copies of all service, repair, inspection and testing reports shall be forwarded to the Chief Fire Safety Inspector's office on an approved form within 10 days of such service, repair, inspection or testing. See other requirement of § 143-38C.

(2)

Standpipe systems.

(a)

Valves shall be maintained tight against leaks.

(b)

Hoses shall be properly stored, ready for operation, dry and free of deterioration.

(c)

Hose stations shall be conspicuously identified, located for easy accessibility and installed to provide for the quick and easy use of equipment.

(d)

Valves in the water supply pipe for the standpipe system, other than hose station valves, shall be open and readily accessible at all times and shall be free of any obstructions.

(3)

Fire pumps.

(a)

Suction pipes, intakes and screens shall be examined semiannually to assure that they are free from any obstruction.

(b)

The pump room shall be maintained at a temperature above 40° F.

(c)

Oil in internal-combustion-engine-driven pumps shall be changed not less than once a year.

(d)

Storage batteries shall be checked weekly to determine battery condition and the amount of charge in the battery.

(e)

Fuel storage tanks shall be kept full at all times.

(f)

Pumps shall be operated weekly at rated speed to determine satisfactory condition of pumps and control equipment. Electric-motor-driven pumps shall be tested monthly.

(g)

A flow test shall be performed at least semiannually to assure that the pumps are operating properly and that there are no obstructions in pumps or suction pipes.

(4)

Yard hydrant systems.

(a)

Connection to hydrants on the distribution system for other than fire-protection purposes shall be prohibited unless authorized by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector.

(b)

Hydrants shall be readily accessible at all times and shall be free of any obstructions, including but not limited to fencing, vehicles, snow and ice, etc.

(c)

All hydrants shall be inspected and tested at least annually to assure the proper operation thereof.

(d)

Yard hydrant systems employing outside fire hoses shall have said hoses properly stored so as to be readily accessible and protected from the weather.

(e)

Underground gate valves with roadway boxes shall be operated quarterly to verify the open position.

(5)

In order to ensure that firefighters utilize the proper siamese connection, all siamese connections and/or the protective covers installed on the siamese connection shall be color coded as follows:

RED

Siamese supplying a standpipe (fire hose) system.

GREEN

Siamese supplying a sprinkler system.

YELLOW

Siamese supplying a combination standpipe and sprinkler system.

Fire alarm systems.

(1)

Heat, smoke, flame detectors, water flow devices and similar devices shall be maintained in a proper operating condition at all times. Such systems shall be inspected and tested for proper operation at least quarterly. Such inspections shall include all items as specified by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector.

[Amended 12-31-1996 by L.L. No. 18-1996; 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

(2)

False alarms.

[Amended 6-19-2007 by L.L. No. 10-2007]

(a)

A "false alarm" is the dispatching of the Fire Department to a condition that is unnecessary because there is no fire or smoke and which is determined by the Fire Department officer in charge to not be a good-intent call. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligence of the owner or alarm user shall also constitute a false alarm.

(b)

The Chief Fire Safety Inspector or his designee(s) shall investigate written reports of each alleged false alarm submitted by the Fire Departments within the Town of Clarkstown. Notice of said written report alleging violation shall be given to the alarm user after the second false alarm.

(c)

A third or additional false alarms reported to the Chief Fire Safety Inspector's office within a calendar year are violations of this chapter and subject to penalties as provided in § 143-6 of this chapter.

[Amended 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

(d)

A false alarm caused by the failure of a person, firm or corporation to properly put a fire alarm system out of service while making repairs, tests, inspections or other maintenance is a violation of this chapter and subject to penalties as provided in § 143-6 of this chapter.

[Amended 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

(3)

Required equipment.

[Added 12-31-1996 by L.L. No. 18-1996]

(a)

Fire alarm or fire detection systems shall have an annunciator or remote, located at or near the main entrance of the building. Such annunciator shall show the location and type of alarm. A floor plan of the protected premises shall also be provided at this location. The location of any annunciator or panel not clearly visible upon entry of the main entrance of a building shall be marked with a sign.

(b)

Upon activation of a alarm the person in charge of a premises shall cause the premises to be evacuated unless an evacuation plan preapproved by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector and fire department is in place. In such case the provisions of the plan shall be followed.

(c)

No fire system shall be reset from an alarm condition unless approved by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector or fire department officer-in-charge. A sign stating such shall be provided on all fire alarm panels.

(d)

The owner or responsible party of any premises containing a fire alarm or fire detection system shall ensure that a qualified technician is available to respond with two hours of notification to initiate needed repair or service of the system.

(e)

If the fire alarm system signal transmission is not tested on a daily basis to 44-Control, all dedicated phone lines used for the purpose of transmitting fire alarm signals shall be equipped with a visual/audio signal to operate in the event of a line failure or disablement. It shall be the sole responsibility of the property owner to maintain all fire alarm system phone lines active at all times.

(f)

A red name plate with one-inch white letters shall be located below the visual/audio signal with the following information:

[1]

Name of alarm company.

[2]

Telephone number of alarm company.

Commercial cooking appliances.

[Added 12-31-1996 by L.L. No. 18-1996[1] ]

(1)

All commercial cooking appliances producing grease-laden smoke shall be required to have an approved exhaust removal system with related duct work; all to be protected by an approved automatic fire suppression system installed and maintained in compliance with current applicable National Fire Protection Association standards.

(2)

These systems shall be inspected by an approved service firm on a semiannual basis. To ensure proper inspection, a uniform inspection form, provided by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector, shall be utilized with a copy of the completed form forwarded to the Chief Fire Safety Inspector within 10 days of the inspection.

[1]

Editor's Note: This local law also redesignated former Subsection D to become Subsection E.

Elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters.

[Added 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010[2]]

(1)

General. Elevators, escalators and dumbwaiters shall be maintained to safely sustain all imposed loads, to operate properly and to be free from physical and fire hazards. The most current certificate of inspection shall be on display at all times within the elevator or attached to the escalator or dumbwaiter or available for inspection in the office of the building operator.

(a)

Elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and platform lifts shall be maintained and meet the schedule of inspections in accordance with the Building Code of New York State, Section 3001, and Appendix N, Table-1 of ASME A17.1 and ASME A18.1.

(2)

Elevators. In buildings equipped with passenger elevators, at least one elevator shall be maintained in operation at all times when the building is occupied. Exception: Buildings equipped with only one elevator shall be permitted to have the elevator temporarily out of service for testing or servicing.

[2]

Editor's Note: This local law also redesignated former Subsection E as Subsection G.

Emergency and standby power systems.

[Added 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

(1)

Maintenance. Emergency and standby power systems shall be maintained such that the system is capable of supplying service within the time specified for the type of duration required.

(2)

Inspections. Inspection, testing and maintenance of emergency standby power systems shall include the date of service, name of the servicing technician, a summary of conditions noted and a detailed description of any conditions requiring correction and what corrective action was taken. Such records shall be kept on the premises served by the emergency or standby power system and be available for inspection by the Code Enforcement Official.

(3)

Switch maintenance. Emergency and standby power system transfer switches shall be included in the inspection, testing and maintenance. Transfer switches shall be maintained free from accumulated dust and dirt. Inspection shall include examination of the transfer switch contacts for evidence of deterioration. When evidence of contact deterioration is detected, the contacts shall be replaced in accordance with the transfer switch manufacturer's instructions.

(4)

Operational inspection and testing. Emergency power systems, including all appurtenant components, shall be inspected and tested under load at least annually.

(5)

Transfer switch test. The test of the transfer switch shall consist of electrically operating the transfer switch from the normal position to the alternate position and then back to the normal position.

(6)

Supervision of maintenance and testing. Routine maintenance, inspection and operational testing shall be overseen by a properly instructed individual.

Whenever such tests, repairs, alterations or maintenance inspections are made, a written report in a form specified by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector shall be forwarded to the Building Department by the person, firm or corporation making said tests, repairs, alterations, inspections or additions.

[Amended 12-31-1996 by L.L. No. 18-1996; 3-16-2010 by L.L. No. 1-2010]

A.1.	Strobe lights.
	(1)	In order to notify responding firefighters of conditions within a building or structure equipped with sprinkler system, fire alarm system or containing hazardous materials or other hazards to firefighters, identification strobe lights shall be installed on the exterior of the building as follows:
		(a)	Red strobe light: located above the fire department siamese connection of a sprinkled building to indicate activation of the water flow alarm.
		(b)	Yellow strobe light: installed to indicate activation of a pull station, smoke detector, heat detector or other alarm device.
		(c)	Blue strobe light: installed to indicate the presence of hazardous materials, conditions or other danger to firefighters.
	(2)	The exact location of these lights shall be determined by the Chief Fire Safety Inspector. Said strobes shall be labeled with signs hung directly below the strobe identifying the strobe, i.e., for red strobe, signed to read "Water Flow Alarm"; for yellow strobe, signed to read "Fire Alarm"; and for blue strobe, signed to read "Hazards."