The purpose of this article is to provide regulations and standards
applicable to the installation and maintenance of fire alarm systems,
fire sprinkler systems, and other fire protective systems that require
Fire Department response so as to ensure competent standards of workmanship
and thereby lessen the possibility of false alarms resulting from
malfunctions of unrecognized installations and lack of maintenance.
[Amended 5-14-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
CENTRAL ALARM STATION
Any entity which receives signals from fire alarm systems
and relays information pertaining to such fire alarm systems to the
local Fire Department Headquarters or County Regional Dispatch Center.
CONTACT LIST
A list of names and telephone numbers for five representatives,
one of who shall be capable of reporting to the premises within 60
minutes of being contacted. This list shall be provided by the applicant.
EMERGENCY
An unforeseen occurrence or condition that calls for immediate
action.
FALSE FIRE ALARM
An alarm of fire, other than a malicious false alarm, which
causes the response of the Fire Department when there is no discernible
fire, abnormal heat, smoke or other occurrence that constitutes an
emergency.
FIRE ALARM DEVICE
Any device, including manually operated ones, which, when
activated by fire, smoke or other emergency requiring Fire Department
response, transmits a signal to local Fire Department headquarters
or to a central alarm station and/or produces any audible or visible
signal to which the local Fire Department is expected to respond.
Excluded from this definition and from the provisions of this article
are devices designed to alert the occupants of a building of an emergency
condition therein and which do not produce any audible or visible
signal which is perceptible outside of such building.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Any arrangement of fire alarm devices, connected together
and to a control panel or panels, designed so that the activation
of any one device will cause an appropriate signal to operate.
FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN
Any person, licensed by the State of New York, who maintains,
installs, repairs, tests, inspects or otherwise performs work on fire
alarm systems.
FIRE PROTECTION SYSTEM
Any fire alarm or any fire sprinkler system, fire mains,
and fire hydrants. One or more single-station or interconnected smoke
detectors, without central station monitoring or an exterior notification
device, shall not be considered a fire protection system. In the case
of one premises with more than one fire alarm control panel, each
fire alarm control panel shall be considered a separate fire protection
system. In the case of multiple sprinkler risers, each group of risers
protecting the same tenancy shall be considered one fire protection
system. The fire service main and fire hydrants connected thereto
shall be considered one fire protection system.
FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
Any arrangement of sprinkler heads, valves, piping and accessories
connected together, installed within a building or structure and intended
to discharge water in the event of a fire or abnormal heat condition
within the building or structure.
FIRE WATCH
The patrol of a building or portion thereof at intervals
determined by the Fire Marshal, by one or more individuals, for the
purposes of identifying and controlling fire hazards, detecting early
signs of unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire and notifying the
local Fire Department when deemed necessary and authorized by the
Fire Marshal.
MALICIOUS FALSE ALARM
The willful and knowing initiation or transmission of a signal,
message or other notification of an event of fire, smoke or other
emergency when no such danger exists.
REPORT OF TESTING
A report indicating that a licensed contractor has inspected
a fire protection system in accordance with the applicable standard(s)
of the NFPA. The report shall contain at least the name and location
of the premises, any deficiencies noted and/or corrected, the name
and original signature of the inspector, his/her certification that
the inspection has been properly conducted and all statements related
thereto are true and correct and additional information as may be
deemed necessary by the Chief Fire Marshal.
[Amended 5-14-2019 by L.L. No. 2-2019]
A. Prior
to repairing, modifying, testing or inspecting any fire protection
system, equipment or device, or any auxiliary system, equipment or
device connected thereto, the person conducting such work shall notify
all entities that would receive automatic notification of the activation
of the fire alarm system, equipment or device. Such entities include,
but are not limited to, the Fire Prevention Bureau, the local Fire
Department, the central station monitoring agency, and the occupants
of the building.
B. Upon completion of the repairing, modifying, testing or inspection
of any fire protection system, equipment or device, or any auxiliary
system, equipment or device connected thereto, the person conducting
the work shall notify all entities that would receive automatic notification
of the activation of the fire alarm system, equipment or device that
the work is complete, as well as the operational status of the system,
equipment or device. Such entities include, but are not limited to,
the Fire Prevention Bureau, the local Fire Department, the central
station monitoring agency, and occupants of the building.
C. Fire watch.
(1) A fire watch shall be initiated by a property owner whenever a fire
protection system is out of service and authorized by the Fire Marshal
and shall meet the following requirements:
(a)
At least one dedicated person shall be required to conduct patrols.
The Fire Marshal will determine the frequency of the patrols based
on the building and occupancy. Additional personnel shall be added
as necessary to meet the interval requirements;
(b)
All personnel conducting patrols shall be at least 18 years
of age, competent to identify fire hazards, capable of effectively
communicating the need for a fire department response, physically
capable to perform patrols and self-preservation, and familiar with
the structure and the emergency plan for the structure;
(c)
No personnel assigned to conduct patrols are to be assigned
any other duties during the fire watch;
(d)
All personnel assigned to conduct patrols are to be provided
with at least one means approved by the Chief Fire Marshal or their
designee for notification of the local fire department; and
(e)
An activity log shall be maintained in which all personnel conducting
patrols shall document their name, the date and time of each activity
performed related to the fire watch, and a description of each activity
performed related to the fire watch.
(2) The Fire Marshal may waive the requirement of a fire watch where
there is not a substantial risk to life safety or where alternatives
to maintain an equivalent level of safety are prescribed.
[Added 12-13-2022 by L.L. No. 8-2022]
Every building/business owner that has an installed fire protection
system which automatically notifies the local Fire Department upon
activation shall provide a contact list. At least one of the representatives
listed shall respond to the location upon notification of a system
activation within 60 minutes of said notification.