Revised on 07/2023 (lithium-ion)
FIRE DEPARTMENT ● CITY OF NEW YORK
STUDY MATERIAL FOR THE EXAMINATION FOR
CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS FOR
F-80 Coordinator of Fire Safety and Alarm System in
Homeless Shelters (Premise Related)
FDNY is posting this study material for public to use as “a reference guide”
All applicants are required to attend the class and bring a certificate of completion
from FDNY approved school to take FDNY F-80 certificate of Fitness written exam”
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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Contents
Exam Specific Information for F-80 Certificate of Fitness ........................................................................... 4
1. Introduction .............................................................................................................................................. 14
2. Definitions and Terminology ................................................................................................................... 17
3. Fires in Homeless Shelters ....................................................................................................................... 22
4. Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems Responsibilities ............................................................... 26
4.1 Fire Guards ......................................................................................................................................... 27
5. Emergency Preparedness Plan ................................................................................................................. 28
5.1 Emergency Preparedness Plan Content .............................................................................................. 29
5.2 Periodic Inspection ............................................................................................................................. 30
6. Fire and Emergency Preparedness (FEP) Staff Training ......................................................................... 31
6.1 Staff Training Content ....................................................................................................................... 31
7. Emergency Drills ..................................................................................................................................... 33
7.1 Drill Procedure ................................................................................................................................... 34
7.2 Participation in Drills ......................................................................................................................... 36
7.3 Frequency of Drills ............................................................................................................................ 38
8. People in Shelters Who Require Assistance ............................................................................................ 39
8.1 Special Needs Occupants ................................................................................................................... 39
8.2 English as Second Language (ESL) Occupants ................................................................................. 39
9. Emergency Procedures ............................................................................................................................. 40
10. Fire Alarm Systems ................................................................................................................................ 41
10.1 Components of the Fire Alarm System ............................................................................................ 41
10.2 Fire Alarm System Power Supplies ................................................................................................. 43
10.3 Types of Fire Alarm Initiating Devices ........................................................................................... 44
10.4 Manual or pull station alarm-initiating devices: .............................................................................. 46
10.5 Carbon Monoxide Alarms ................................................................................................................ 49
10.6 Carbon Monoxide Detectors ............................................................................................................ 49
10.7 Sprinkler Water Flow Detector ........................................................................................................ 49
10.8 Supervisory Devices ........................................................................................................................ 50
10.9 Sub-System ...................................................................................................................................... 51
10.10 Audio and Visual Notification Devices ......................................................................................... 51
10.11 Communication System ................................................................................................................. 53
10.12 Central Station Transmitter ............................................................................................................ 53
11. Sprinkler Systems .................................................................................................................................. 54
12. Standpipe Systems ................................................................................................................................. 55
13. Test, Inspection and Repair Procedures for Fire Alarm Systems ......................................................... 56
13.1 Building Fire Protection Features Normally Activated By Fire Alarm Systems ............................. 56
14. Out of Service Situations ....................................................................................................................... 57
14.1 Planned Removal from Service ........................................................................................................ 57
14.2 Unplanned Out of Service Condition ............................................................................................... 58
14.3 Fire Watch ........................................................................................................................................ 58
14.4 Restoring systems to service ............................................................................................................ 59
15. Portable Fire Extinguishers .................................................................................................................... 59
15.1 Different Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers ............................................................................... 60
15.2 Labeling............................................................................................................................................ 63
15.3 Portable Fire Extinguisher Inspections ............................................................................................ 64
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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15.4 Portable Fire Extinguisher Tags ....................................................................................................... 65
16. Recordkeeping........................................................................................................................................ 67
17. Safety in Shelters.................................................................................................................................... 68
17.1 Buildings Temporarily Occupied as Emergency Shelters ............................................................... 69
17.2 Elevators ........................................................................................................................................... 72
17.3 Medical Emergency ......................................................................................................................... 72
17.4 Bomb or other explosion threats ...................................................................................................... 73
17.5 Chemical incident or release ............................................................................................................ 73
18. Common Problems in Shelters ............................................................................................................... 74
19. Lithium-Ion Battery Safety .................................................................................................................... 77
Appendix A .................................................................................................................................................. 80
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
4
Exam Specific Information
for F-80 Certificate of Fitness
Save time and submit application online!
An appointment is highly recommended to take the F-80 Certificate of Fitness
Exam.
Applicants who submitted and paid online for an exam before arriving at the
FDNY will not need to wait in line to enter the FDNY.
It can take about 30 minutes to complete. Completing application and paying
online will eliminate waiting outside in the long lines.
Simplified instructions for online application and payment can be found here:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/fdny-business-cof-individuals-short.pdf
Create an Account and Log in to:
https://fires.fdnycloud.org/CitizenAccess/SAML/NYCIDLogin.aspx
REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS APPLICATION
General requirements:
Review the General Notice of Exam:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/general-notice-of-exam-cof.pdf
Special requirements for F-80 Certificate of Fitness:
Candidates will not be allowed to take the exam without the requirements listed
below.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are qualified to take the F-80 exam before
paying online and scheduling the appointment.
When you apply for the F-80 exam online, you MUST upload the copies of all following
required materials listed below. The FDNY also recommends that you should bring the
original document(s) with you when you take the exam:
(1) A valid unexpired School Graduation Diploma (required document)
Prior to taking the FDNY computer based examination, all applicants shall
satisfactorily complete an approved course for Coordinator of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters from a FDNY accredited school.
The complete list of FDNY accredited schools can be found in the following link:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/approved-school-fire-safety-homeless.pdf
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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Applicants must attend all training classes to be eligible to take the training
course’s final examination. School Graduation Diploma will be issued after the
candidates obtain a passing score of 70% on the Graduation Test. Candidates
shall be allowed two (2) opportunities to pass the Graduation Test. Candidates
who fail the final examination on the second attempt shall be required to re-
attend the course in its entirety. The Graduation Diploma is valid for only one
year in order to take the FDNY computer based exam (F-80).
(2) Verification letter (required document)
Applicants must present a verification letter from his/her employer, shelter
director or the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The letter must be
notarized. The sample verification letter is provided on the following page and
can be obtained via the following link:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/f80-verification-letter.pdf
(3) F-80 application form (required document)
Applicants must present the F-80 application form compelted by his/her
employer, shelter director or the Department of Homeless Services (DHS). The
form must be notarized. The F-80 application form is provided on the following
page and can be obtained via the following link:
https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/f80-application-form.pdf
Other special requirements related to F-80 Certificate of Fitness:
• Applicants have two opportunities to pass the F-80 Certificate of Fitness
Examination. Applicants who fail the examination twice are required to re-
take the approved course for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters. Applicants must submit proof of course completion to the
FDNY in order to schedule an appointment to take the examination for a third
time.
• Audit requirements
The FDNY reserves the right to verify the contents of both the F-80 Verification
Letter and the F-80 Application immediately after submission by performing an
unannounced audit of the contents of the letter. This audit will occur at the
shelter location(s) in which the F-80 applicant is employed.
• Two homeless shelters only
F-80 Certificate of Fitness holders can only be certified in two homeless shelter
locations at one time without applying for a variance. You must apply for a
variance with the FDNY requesting permission to work at three or more
locations. Both the F-80 Letter of Verification and the F-80 Application for each
individual location are required.
• Exemption from S-95/F-53 Certificate of Fitness
Individuals who are certified for the F-80 Certificate of Fitness will be exempt
from having to obtain a separate S-95 or F-53 Certificate of Fitness for
Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems. This exemption
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is for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters who
work in shelters only.
The applicants who pass the F-53 Certificate of Fitness test are allowed to obtain
the S-95 Certification of Fitness for another premisese without taking the S-95
exam. However, employer recommendation letter (refer to the NOE of S-95) and
payment ($25) are still required.
• Current F-24 Certificate of Fitness holders
After July 31, 2014, the F-24 Certificate of Fitness will no longer be recognized.
F-24 C of F holders must surrender their Certificate of Fitness for a premise
related F-80 Certificate of Fitness for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters prior to July 31, 2014.
Application fee (Cash is NO LONGER ACCEPTED):
Pay the $25 application fee online or in person by one of the following methods:
• Credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa)
• Debit card (MasterCard or Visa)
• In person: Personal or company check or money order (made payable to the New
York City Fire Department)
A convenience fee of 2% will be applied to all credit card payments.
For fee waivers submit: (Only government employees who will use their COF for
their work- related responsibilities are eligible for fee waivers.)
• A letter requesting fee waiver on the Agency’s official letterhead stating applicant
full name, exam type and address of premises; AND
• Copy of identification card issued by the agency
REQUIREMENTS FOR ALTERNATIVE ISSUANCE PROCEDURE (AIP)
No AIP available. This certificate of fitness can only be obtained by passing
the computer exam at the FDNY Headquarters.
EXAM INFORMATION
The F-80 exam will consist of 50 multiple-choice questions, administered on a “touch
screen” computer monitor. It is a time-limit exam. Based on the amount of the
questions, you will have 75 minutes to complete the test. A passing score of at least
70% is required in order to secure a Certificate of Fitness.
Call (718) 999-1988 for additional information and forms.
Please always check for the latest revised booklet at FDNY website before you take the
exam.
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-f80-noe-study-materials.pdf
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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Exam site: FDNY Headquarters, 9 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn, NY. Enter
through the Flatbush Avenue entrance (between Myrtle Avenue
and Tech Place).
RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS
General renewal requirements:
Review the General Notice of Exam:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/general-notice-of-exam-cof.pdf
Special renewal requirements for F-80 COF: None
The FDNY strongly recommends the F-80 COF holders to renew the COF on-line.
To learn the simplified on-line renewal:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-simplified-renewal-short.pdf
QUESTIONS?
FDNY Business Support Team: For questions, call 311 and ask for the FDNY
Customer Service Center or send an email to [email protected]
Revised on 07/2023 (lithium-ion)
F-80 Verification Letter
Fire Department Date: ____________
Bureau of Fire Prevention
9 Metro Tech Center
Brooklyn, NY 11201-3857
Dear Sir/Madam:
I am pleased to recommend ________ ________ to apply for an F-80 Certificate of Fitness
(Name of Applicant)
for Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters. He/she has _____________(Years/Months) of relevant
experience. After obtaining his/her F-80 Certificate of Fitness, this applicant will be employed at the
following shelter:
Shelter name: ______________________________________
Address of the shelter: _____________________________________ _____________ _____ ________
(Street Address) (City) (State) (Zip Code)
during the following regular shifts (include days of the week and times):
is of good character and is physically able to perform the functions
(Name of Applicant)
required by the F-80 Certificate of Fitness. By signing below, I acknowledge that all of the above statements
are true to the best of my personal knowledge. Any intentional falsification of this letter can be grounds for
the denial, non-renewal, suspension or revocation of the F-80 Certificate of Fitness as applies to both the
applicant and the signee.
_______________________________ ____________________ __ __ __-__ __ __-__ __ __ __
Printed Name of Employer Job Title Contact Phone number
/DHS Representative /Shelter Director
____________________
Signature of Employer/
/DHS Representative/Shelter Director
(Sign only before a Notary)
___________________
Signature of Notary
NOTARY PUBLIC: [Notary Seal]
____________________
Printed name of Notary
My commission expires:
___/___/____
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
9
FIRE DEPARTMENT – CITY OF NEW YORK
BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION, PUBLIC CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION UNIT
9 METROTECH CENTER, BROOKLYN, NY 11201-3857
F-80 APPLICATION
Please print or type the information below. This form must be notarized.
This form must be completed by the Employer, DHS Representative or the Shelter Director who
witnessed that the applicant successfully performed the functions listed in this form.
Section A - Premises Verification
Does the shelter in which ____________________ is employed have a Fire Alarm System?
(Name of Applicant)
No (If “No” is marked, the shelter does NOT require a F-80 C of F holder)
Yes (If “YES” is marked, the entire application form must be completed)
Please select the type of Fire Alarm System installed in the shelter:
Interior Fire Alarm (IFA) system without voice communication
Interior Fire Alarm (IFA) system with one-way voice communication
Interior Fire Alarm (IFA) system with two-way voice communication
other, please specify: _______________________________________
Section B - Applicant Information
Applicant’s name: ________________________, ____________________________________
(last name) (first name)
Shelter Name: ___________________________________________________________________________
Address of the shelter: ___________________________________ ________________ _____ ________
(Street Address) (City) (State) (Zip Code)
Public Phone Number: (__ __ __) __ __ __-__ __ __ __
Public E-mail: ____________________________ @___________________________
Please attach the original and copy of the graduation certificate from the school.
NAME OF THE SCHOOL Date of Completion
The applicant MUST satisfactorily COMPLETED the training course for coordinator of fire safety & alarm
systems in homeless shelters from a FDNY accredited school. The complete list of FDNY accredited
schools can be found in the following link:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/approved-school-fire-safety-homeless.pdf
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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Section C - Fire alarm system and elevator operations
Function
Personally witnessed
All items must be marked “yes” or “N/A” to proceed
Initials
Date
Make a public address announcement throughout
the building, in the stairway(s), & on individual
floors
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ there is no voice communication system.
⃝ other: ______________________________
(please specify)
Acknowledge signals at the fire alarm control panel
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ there is no indicator designed to be showed
on the panel.
⃝ other: ______________________________
(please specify)
Place the fire alarm system off line
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ the system is NOT monitored by a central
station.
⃝ other:_______________________________
( please specify)
Place the fire alarm system on line
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ the system is NOT monitored by a central
station.
⃝ other:______________________________
( please specify)
Communicate with FEP staff utilizing the method
designated for an emergency (radio, intercom, etc.)
Yes
Silence the fire tones throughout the building
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ the system cannot be silenced.
⃝ other:_______________________________
( please specify)
Reset the fire command center
Yes
Phase I elevator operation
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ there is no elevator in the shelter.
⃝ other:_______________________________
( please specify)
Phase II elevator operation
Yes
N/A, because:
⃝ there is no elevator in the shelter.
⃝ other:_______________________________
( please specify)
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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Section D - Affidavit
I, ______________________________________, hereby swear that on ____________ I have personally
(Name of Signee) (MM/DD/YY)
witnessed the applicant demonstrated and performed all of the functions related to the Fire Alarm System
and elevator operations of the shelter that the applicant will be employed.
On this _________ day of __________________________, in the year __________, I have hereunto affixed
my signature and I affirm that all statements made on this application (including any attached papers) are
true under the penalties of perjury. I understand that all statements made in connection with the application
are subject to investigation and verification. I understand that any intentional falsification of this letter can be
grounds for the denial, non-renewal, suspension or revocation of the F-80 Certificate of Fitness as applies to
both the applicant and the signee.
_______________________________ ____________________ __ __ __-__ __ __-__ __ __ __
Printed Name of Employer Job Title Contact Phone number
/DHS Representative /Shelter Director
_______________________________
Signature of Employer/
/DHS Representative/Shelter Director
(Sign only before a Notary)
_________________________
Signature of Notary
NOTARY PUBLIC: [Notary Seal]
________________________
Printed name of Notary
My commission expires: ___/___/____
Revised on 07/2023 (lithium-ion)
SAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS
Which of the following are allowed to be used while taking a Certificate of
Fitness examination at 9 Metro Tech Center?
I. cellular phone
II. study material booklet
III. reference material provided by the FDNY
IV. mp3 player
A. III only
B. I, II, and III
C. II and IV
D. I only
Only reference material provided by the FDNY is allowed to be used during Certificate
of Fitness examinations. Therefore, the correct answer would be A. You would touch
“A” on the computer terminal screen.
If the screen on your computer terminal freezes during your examination, who
should you ask for help?
A. the person next to you
B. the firefighters
C. the examiner in the testing room
D. the computer help desk
If you have a computer related question, you should ask the examiner in the testing
room. Therefore, the correct answer would be C. You would touch “C” on the
computer terminal screen.
If you do not know the answer to a question while taking an examination, who
should you ask for help?
A. the person next to you
B. the firefighters
C. the examiner in the testing room
D. you should not ask about test questions since FDNY staff can not assist applicants
You should not ask about examination questions or answers since FDNY staff cannot
assist applicants with their tests. Therefore, the correct answer would be D. You
would touch "D" on the computer terminal screen.
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
13
Study Material and Test Description
This study material contains information you will need to prepare for the examination
for the F-80 Certificate of Fitness for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters.
This study material will not be provided to you during the test. It is critical that
you read and understand this booklet to help increase your chance of passing
this examination. The study material does not contain all of the information you
need to know to perform the duties of a Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters. It is your responsibility to become familiar with all applicable rules
and regulations of the New York City Fire Department, even if they are not covered in
this study material. You need to be familiar with the New York City Fire Code, the New
York City Building Code, National Fire Protection Association Standards (NFPA) 10, 25,
72 and the Rules of the Fire Department of the City of New York in order to adequately
prepare for the examination. You are responsible for checking the Certificate of
Fitness page on the FDNY website for the most current study materials prior to
taking the examination as the study material is periodically updated.
About the Test
All questions on the Certificate of Fitness examination are of the multiple choice type
with four alternative answers to each question. Only one answer is most correct for
each question. If you do not answer a question or if you mark more than one
alternative your answer will be scored as incorrect. Read each question carefully
before marking your answer. There is no penalty for guessing. You will take the
examination on a touch screen computer monitor. Applicants will receive their scores
immediately at the conclusion of the test. A passing score of at least 70% is required
in order to secure a Certificate of Fitness. There are 50 multiple choice questions on
the examination. Call (718) 999-1988 or visit the FDNY website for additional
information and forms.
Additional Information
For more detailed information regarding the test process, rules during testing, a
downloadable version of the certificate of fitness application, certificate of fitness
requirements, mail-in instructions, a schedule of fees, and any other information that
may not be included in these study materials, please visit the link below.
Certificate of Fitness Website:
http://www1.nyc.gov/site/fdny/business/all-certifications/certificates-of-fitness.page
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
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1. Introduction
An approved fire alarm system might typically be found in assembly
occupancies (e.g. theaters, school auditoriums), business occupancies,
education occupancies, factories, malls, hotels, etc. Any approved fire alarm
system must be supervised by a Certificate of Fitness holder depending upon
the nature of the occupancy and/or the type of fire alarm system. See the table
below for various examples.
Fire alarm system and/or building occupancy
C of F requirement
Fire alarm system has two-way voice communication
system with warden phone
FLSD
Fire alarm system installed in a commercial/mixed high
rise building
FLSD
Fire alarm system with one and/or two way
communication, installed in a hotel building contains 50
or more sleeping rooms above ground floor.
FLSD
Fire alarm system in a homeless shelter not requiring a
FLSD
F-80
Fire alarm system with one way communication system
(public announcement system), not requiring an
FLSD/F-80
F-53
Fire alarm system without voice communication system
and not requiring an FLSD/F-80/F-53
S-95
F-80: Coordinator of Fire Safety and Alarm System in Homeless Shelters
F-89/T-89: FLSD
S-95: Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems
A fire alarm system may include but not limit to one/some of the following
systems:
1. Standpipe fire pump
2. Sprinkler booster fire pump
3. Standpipe(limited service fire pump)
4. Other (specify)
5. Emergency voice/alarm communication system
6. Fire Department communication system
7. Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors
8. Automatic sprinkler systems
9. Alternative automatic fire-extinguishing system
10. Automatic fire alarm systems
11. Manual fire alarm systems
12. Manual and automatic fire alarm systems
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
15
13. Emergency alarm systems (gas detection system)
14. Smoke control systems
15. Fire command center
16. Post-fire smoke purge systems
17. Sub-systems (Range hood, halon and FM200 etc)
18. Auxiliary Radio Communication System (ARCS)
All Certificate of Fitness holders should ensure that their respective premises have fire
alarm systems approved by the FDNY. For further questions, you can contact your
Building owner or Property Manager.
If there is no FLSD required on the premises, persons performing the duties of the
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must hold an F-80
Certificate of Fitness. Certificate of Fitness holders must maintain all qualifications
and comply with all requirements applicable to such certificate holders throughout the
term of their certificate. The F-80 Certificate of Fitness is premise-related. F-80 C of F
holders should be trained and fully capable of operating the fire alarm control panel in
the shelter in which they are employed. As part of the qualifications to take this
examination, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
must provide the address of his/her place of employment to the FDNY.
Individuals who are certified for the F-80 Certificate of Fitness will be exempt from
having to obtain a separate S-95 Certificate of Fitness for Supervision of Fire Alarm
Systems and Other Related Systems. This exemption is for Coordinator of Fire Safety
& Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters who work in shelters only.
The F-80 Certificate of Fitness holder will be authorized to supervise Fire Alarm
Systems in homeless shelters as outlined in this study material.
F-80 Certificates of Fitness are valid for a period not to exceed three years from the
date of issuance. At the end of this period, the certificate expires unless the
commissioner approves its renewal. Please be advised that certificate renewals shall
be at the discretion of the commissioner in the interest of public safety. The
department may review the certificate holder’s qualifications and fitness and may
require a certificate holder to complete a department-approved continuing education
program and/or provide other proof of the holder’s continuing qualifications and
fitness. Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must
ensure that their original Certificate of Fitness card is available for inspection by the
FDNY during their work shift.
1.1 In what types of buildings and occupancies are Coordinators of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters Required?
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are required
in homeless shelters, including any building or occupancy required to have a
one-way voice communication system, regardless of occupancy classification,
and that is operated or occupied for more than fifteen persons for a period of
more than 30 days, including emergency shelters.
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
16
The Certificate of Occupancy shall determine the number of occupants authorized to
be in the shelter. If the Certificate of Occupancy establishes the lawful occupancy as
being more than 15 persons, a Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters is required, even if there are actually less than 15 persons in the
building at any particular time.
Any building that is required to or voluntarily installs a fire alarm system with two way
voice communication may require that the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems
obtain an additional Certificate of Fitness for Fire and Life Safety Director. A Fire and
Life Safety Director will be required in the building.
1.2 Denial, Non-Renewal, Suspension and Revocation of Certificates
Certificate of Fitness holders should be aware that they may be required to
demonstrate their knowledge and proficiency in their duties related to their certificate
at the time of original and renewal application, and at any time Fire Department
representatives are conducting an inspection of the premises. The Fire Department
can deny, not renew, suspend or revoke a certificate for misconduct, which would
include the failure of the certificate holder to properly fulfill his or her duties for any
reason.
In addition to any other penalties provided by law, misconduct on the part of an
applicant or holder of a certificate of fitness shall be grounds for denial, non-renewal,
suspension or revocation of a certificate, and denial of an application for a certificate
or the opportunity to take a certificate examination. Such misconduct includes, but is
not limited to:
the failure of certificate holders to properly fulfill their duties
any false and fraudulent conduct in connection with an application for a
certificate or the duties of a certificate holder, including:
o false or fraudulent statements or submissions
o unauthorized changes to or use of a certificate or possession of a
fraudulent certificate
o cheating on an examination
o impersonating another person or allowing oneself to be
impersonated
the failure to promptly notify the Fire Department of any change in the
applicant’s or certificate holder’s residence address, or work location
any other conduct that decreases the integrity or reliability of an
applicant or certificate holder
compromising the integrity or confidentiality of a Fire Department
examination
This study material is provided to the public for free by the FDNY.
17
2. Definitions and Terminology
Alarm Silence Switch- The alarm silence switch is used to silence the building
audible and visual devices after evacuation is complete while the source of the
alarm is being investigated. Depending on the configuration of the alarm system, this
function will either silence the system's notification appliances completely, or will
silence only the audible alarm, with strobe lights continuing to flash. The silence
switch does not prevent a signal from being transmitted to an FDNY approved central
station company.
Building Occupants – All persons in the shelter, including employees, clients, staff
and visitors.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm - A single or multiple-station alarm responsive to carbon
monoxide, containing a build-in initiation sensor, audible sounder (notification
device), and power supply (battery or electric with battery backup) and is not
connected to a system.
Carbon Monoxide Detector – An automatic device that senses carbon monoxide and
is connected to the fire alarm control panel.
Central Station Company – A facility that receives alarm signals from a protected
premise and retransmits or otherwise reports such alarm signals to the FDNY.
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters – F-80
Certificate of Fitness holders; also referred to as Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems throughout this study material.
Deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters - When
the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is absent, a
deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters shall be
present in the building and shall perform the duties of the Coordinator of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters. Deputy Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters must possess an F-80 Coordinator of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters Certificate of Fitness issued by the Fire
Department.
Evacuation – the emptying of a building of all building occupants in response to a fire
or other emergency.
Emergency Preparedness Plan – The emergency preparedness plans required ensure
that, in the event of a fire or a non-fire emergency, there are procedures in place that
can be timely implemented to provide the information, guidance, direction and
assistance needed to protect the safety of building occupants, including, if necessary,
effecting their evacuation, relocation or sheltering in place. Such emergency
preparedness plans shall assure that knowledgeable assistance is readily available on
the premises to emergency response personnel responding to a fire or non-fire
emergency at the premises. The emergency preparedness plan is also known as the
fire safety and evacuation plan and/or emergency action plan.
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Fire Alarm System – any system, including any interconnected fire alarm sub-
system, of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of
fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices.
Fire and Emergency Preparedness (FEP) Staff – The individuals identified in the
emergency preparedness plan (also known as the fire safety and evacuation plan or
emergency action plan) as responsible for the implementation of such plan. (In a
shelter, this will include the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters, deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and
fire guards)
Fire Drill – A training exercise by which building occupants are familiarized with
and/or practice the procedures for the safe, orderly and expeditious sheltering in
place, in-building relocation, partial evacuation, evacuation, or any combination
thereof, in the event of a fire, in accordance with the emergency preparedness plan for
the premises.
Fire Guard – A person holding a certificate of fitness for such purpose, who is trained
in and responsible for maintaining a fire watch and performing such fire safety duties
as may be prescribed by the commissioner. Fire guards are responsible for the safety
of all occupants, and to reduce the threat of fires and to help in the evacuation of
occupants in case of a fire emergency. Fire guards report any fire safety violations to
the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters.
Fire Protection System – Approved devices, equipment and systems or combinations
of systems used to deter a fire, activate an alarm, extinguish or control a fire, control
or manage smoke and products of a fire or any combination thereof, including fire
extinguishing systems, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems and standpipe systems.
Fire Triangle – A fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat, which are the three parts of the
fire triangle, to be sustained. If one is removed, the fire will extinguish.
Free Burning Stage of a Fire – The fully developed stage of a fire. This is the second
stage of the three stages of a fire. Generally during this stage the entire room and all
of its contents are burning. The fire is still fuel regulated but is rapidly consuming the
available fuel. If no efforts are made to extinguish the fire, it will continue to burn
until the available fuel and/or oxygen in the area or room has been consumed.
Incipient Stage of a Fire – The growth stage of a fire. This is the first stage of the
three stages of a fire. This stage begins at the moment of ignition. During this stage, a
fire increases in size from small flames to a full fire that involves an entire room or
area.
In-Building Relocation – the controlled movement of building occupants from an
endangered area of a building to an in-building relocation area within the same
building in response to a fire or non-fire emergency.
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In-Building Relocation Area (IBRA) – a designated area in a building to which
building occupants may be relocated to in accordance with the emergency
preparedness plan for the premises.
Manual Fire Alarm Box – A manually operated device used to initiate an alarm signal.
Non-Fire Emergency – A biological, chemical or nuclear incident or release;
declaration of emergency by a lawful authority; explosion; medical emergency; natural
disaster; or other emergency affecting the premises or the safety of building
occupants.
Non-Fire Emergency Drill – A training exercise by which building occupants are
familiarized with and/or practice the procedures for safe, orderly and expeditious
sheltering in place, in-building relocation, partial evacuation or evacuation, or
combination thereof, in the event of a non-fire emergency, in accordance with the
emergency preparedness plan for the premises.
Off-Line - Those periods of time when a Central Station Company will, at the request
of a building owner, not transmit fire alarm signals received from a building to the Fire
Department. Fire alarm systems can be taken "off-line" only for Fire Department
approved purposes associated with the prevention of unnecessary and unwarranted
alarms.
One-way Voice Communication – enables the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters, fire guards, FEP Staff or Fire Department personnel to
make announcements from the lobby to building occupants in their apartments,
offices, classrooms, or in building stairwells. One way voice communication is a public
address system that is capable of making announcements from the fire command
center to all parts of the buildings. The one-way voice communication system can be
used to warn and instruct building occupants in case of a fire or non-fire emergency.
Out of service signage: Impairment coordinators shall notify their supervisor and put
a placard (tag) over a defective device, indicating that it is out of service.
Out of service system: A fire protection system that is not fully functional; or whose
operation is impaired or is otherwise not in good working order.
Owner – The owner of the freehold of any real property (as defined in section two of
the Real Property Law), or of a lesser estate therein, a mortgage or vendee in
possession, assignee of rents, received, executor, trustee, lessee, agent or any other
person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of real property. Any
reference in this code to the owner of any building, structure or premises shall be
deemed to designate collectively any and all of the foregoing, including, but not limited
to, the owner of the freehold or lesser estate therein and a managing agent designated
by such owner pursuant to Section 27-2098 of the New York City Administrative Code.
Owner/occupant responsibility – The owner shall be responsible at all times for the
safe maintenance of a building, structure and premises in accordance with this code.
Correction and abatement of violations of this code and the rules shall be the
responsibility of the owner. If an occupant creates, or allows to be created, hazardous
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conditions in violation of this code or the rules, the occupant shall also be responsible
for the abatement of such hazardous conditions.
Partial Evacuation – the emptying of a building of some but not all building
occupants in response to a fire or an emergency.
Phase I Emergency Elevator Recall (Phase I) – involves using a keyed switch to
bring the elevators back to the lobby or sky lobby. This will cause the elevator car to
return non-stop and without opening the doors to the lobby or sky lobby. The
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be able to
perform phase I emergency recall.
Phase II Emergency In-Service Elevator Operation (Phase II) – involves turning the
elevator car switch to the “Firemen Service” position. This results in manual operation
of the elevators and overrides any other keyed switch controls and elevator landing call
buttons. Elevators on “Firemen Service” will only be operable by a person inside of the
elevator car. The doors will only operate when the “door open” button is pressed. The
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be able to
perform phase II emergency in-service operation.
Public Address System – an electronic sound amplification and distribution system
with a microphone, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to allow a person to address a
large public. Public address systems enable voice communications from a central
location, usually in the building lobby.
Shall – The use of the word “shall” throughout these study materials generally refers
to a requirement of the Fire Code or the FDNY.
Shelter Clients – the population that lives in homeless shelters
Shelter in Place – the precaution of directing building occupants to remain indoors,
at their present location, in response to a fire or non-fire emergency.
Should - The use of the word “should” throughout these study materials generally
refers to policies, procedures and/or best practices recommended by the FDNY, and
may not be a codified requirement.
Smoke Alarm – A single or multiple-station alarm responsive to smoke, containing a
built-in initiation sensor, audible sounder (notification device), and power supply
(battery or electric with battery backup) and is not connected to a system.
Smoke Detector -An automatic device that senses smoke and is connected to the fire
alarm control panel.
Smoldering Stage of a Fire – The decay stage of a fire. This is the third stage in the
three stages of a fire. This occurs when the fire has an unlimited supply of fuel but
limited oxygen. Visible flames will have diminished and the fire will smolder and
continue to produce smoke and toxic gases, particularly carbon monoxide.
S-97/S-98 – Certificate of Fitness for Fire Alarm Systems Inspection, Testing and
Service Technician issued by the FDNY
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Two-way Voice Communication – a form of transmission in which both parties
involved have the ability to transmit information. This enables the F-80 C of F holder,
staff, or Fire Department personnel to communicate with building occupants or each
other throughout the building. This is useful during an emergency, and allows staff
members to report the conditions of a fire emergency from the fire floor back to the
Fire and Emergency Drill Conductor in the lobby at the fire command center. Two
way voice communication uses warden phones that are placed at several locations
throughout the building, usually near the exit stairways in the building.
Unnecessary Alarm – An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which
functioned as designed, but for which a department response proved unnecessary. An
example of an unnecessary alarm is an alarm triggered by smoke from a lit cigarette in
a non-smoking area, when the presence of such smoke does not implicate fire safety
concerns.
Unwarranted Alarm – An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which failed
to function as designed as a result of improper installation, improper maintenance,
malfunction, or other factor. Examples of unwarranted alarms are alarms resulting
from improper smoke detector placement, improper detector setting for installed
location, lack of system maintenance, and control panel malfunction.
Voice Communication Capability – The ability to communicate to the occupants of a
building or occupancy, whether by means of a fire alarm system with one-way or two-
way voice communication or other approved means of communication.
If the fire alarm system is not connected to a central station and meets the provision of Section
14.4.5.2, NFPA 72 (2010) recommends a visual inspection to be performed semi-annually
(as a minimum) on all “Initiating Devices” (NFPA section 9 in 14.3.1), which includes the
manual pull stations. Testing of such devices shall be performed on annual basis (NFPA table
14.4.5).
The required visual inspections can be done by the S-95, F-25, F-58, F-59, F-80 and S-97 or
S-98 Certificate of Fitness holders.
Only certified technicians holding S-97 or S-98 Certificate of Fitness are authorized to
perform service and testing on the fire alarm systems.
Any testing requires entries to be entered into the logbook. Recording of entries must be
performed by a person who physically performed the test or visual inspection. The S-95,
F-25, F-58, F-59, and F-80 holders can maintain the log books.
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3. Fires in Homeless Shelters
Homelessness is a significant problem in New York City, and the number of men,
women and children that need shelter continues to rise. In 2013, it was estimated
that over 45,000 people spent the night in a New York City homeless shelter and
approximately 19,000 of those people were children. In 2012, just 35% of families
with children who applied to stay in city shelters were accepted, down from 52% in
2007. The number of people seeking housing in shelters in the city is increasing
significantly, and with it comes new fire safety concerns. It is imperative that
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter ensure that shelters
are maintained in a manner that provides for the safety of the residents and
employees in the event of a fire or other emergency, to immediately correct any fire
safety violations that arise, to be familiar with all aspects of the emergency
preparedness plan, and to stay informed of current fire safety laws, rules and
regulations.
Unfortunately, in New York City and elsewhere, disastrous fires have occurred in
homeless shelters. Fortunately, the lessons learned from these fires can be used to
help prevent them from occurring in the future. Three significant fires that occurred in
homeless shelters are listed below:
Fire Summary:
Location: Homeless shelter in Paris, Texas
Date: 2009
A 42 bed shelter housing 28 men caught fire due to ignition of a table inside the
shelter that was piled high with donated clothing. More than 20 residents evacuated
the shelter as a result of smoke and flames after several men attempted to extinguish
the flames with pans of water. There was a heavy smoke condition in the shelter,
making it difficult to see and even more difficult to evacuate. Five men who lived on
the second floor were killed in the blaze. An investigation of the fire determined that
the building had no sprinkler system, fire alarms or smoke detectors. Records
indicated that the shelter hadn’t been inspected for at least five years, even though
inspections were required on an annual basis. The shelter was used as a drop-off
point for paper products, rags, clothing, furniture and other material.
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A firefighter outside of the shelter after the Paris, Texas fire
Fire Summary:
Location: Homeless shelter in Bronx, NY
Date: December 7, 2012 and December 9, 2012
At this Bronx, NY shelter, improperly stored mattresses were ignited in two separate
incidents only two days apart. The first incident occurred when a child was playing
with a match, and set a mattress on fire on the second floor of the building. This was
a small fire that resulted in no injuries and was quickly extinguished. The second fire
started when another child was playing with matches who also ignited a mattress that
had been stored in the building’s lobby. Smoke and flames from the resulting fire
spread into the stairwell and the upper floor hallways. There were no building wide
alarms or hallway smoke detectors in the building to notify occupants of the fire. Two
building occupants tried to use portable fire extinguishers to extinguish the fire but
found them empty and inoperable. With the smoke and flames having filled the
hallways, many occupants tried to escape by using the fire escapes. However,
occupants reported that some of the fire escapes were broken, having missing steps
and jammed ladders. The fire resulted in four adults and two children being seriously
injured. It was determined that the mattresses that were involved in these fires had
not been properly removed from the building. Instead, they were stacked in the lobby
and propped against walls in common areas of the building. It was also determined
that the fire escapes were not in good working order, many of the fire extinguishers
were not operable, and that the building did not have a fire alarm or sprinkler system.
All of these factors contributed to the devastation that resulted from this fire.
Lessons Learned:
Periodic Fire Department inspections
should be conducted as required
Excess debris and improper storage is
a fire hazard
Lack of fire prevention devices in the
shelter increases the probability of
fatal fires
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Pictures show the interior of the Bronx, NY shelter after the second mattress fire. There
was severe smoke and fire damage in the hallways and stairwells.
Lessons Learned:
Excess debris and improper storage presents a fire hazard
Lack of a building wide fire alarm system will cause significant delays in
implementing a building evacuation
Fire escapes must be inspected to ensure that they are in working order
Fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly to ensure that they are
in working order
Fire Summary:
Location: Homeless shelter in New York, NY
Date: August 28, 2012
A homeless shelter in New York City caught fire and required complete evacuation.
The fire started when a lit cigarette left unattended by a tenant ignited a mattress on
the fourth floor. The fire was quickly extinguished by the building’s sprinkler system.
One resident suffered from and was treated for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, the
fire was confined to a single apartment. The shelter had recently been fined more
than $45,000 by the Department of Buildings for safety violations, including a
violation for failure to provide sprinkler protection. Records show that the building
had seven active building violations at the time of the fire.
Lessons Learned:
Periodic Fire Department inspections should be conducted
Ignition sources, such as lit cigarettes, should not be left unattended
Fire safety education may be beneficial to homeless shelter residents
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Picture shows firefighters in the street near the New York, NY shelter after the fire was
extinguished. The fire was ignited by an unattended cigarette.
All three shelter fires demonstrate how important it is for shelter staff to be proactive.
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and other safety
staff should make it a priority to identify any potential fire safety violations and correct
them before they are identified by the Fire Department or Buildings Department. If
any violations are issued by the Fire Department that cannot be immediately
corrected, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should
bring them to the attention of the shelter director.
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4. Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems Responsibilities
The fire safety responsibilities delegated to the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters C of F holders makes them imperative to help ensure
the safety of homeless shelter residents and employees. They are responsible for
keeping everyone safe in the case of a fire or non-fire emergency. Coordinators of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are also often the point of contact for
shelter occupants, employees and first responders during an emergency.
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is responsible
for the following:
1. They must be present at the shelter at all times. When the Coordinator of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is absent, a deputy
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters shall be
present at the shelter and shall perform the duties of the Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters.
2. Familiarity with the content of the emergency preparedness plan and ability
to implement the plan in case of a fire or non-fire emergency
3. Report to and be fully competent in the operation of the fire alarm control
panel. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
shall be capable of demonstrating all of the following tasks. Tasks shall include
but not be limited to the following, if applicable, depending on the type of fire
alarm system*:
making a public address announcement throughout the building, in
the stairway(s), and individual floors
acknowledging signals at the fire alarm control panel
placing the fire alarm system on and off line
communicating with FEP staff using the primary and secondary
means of communication designated in the emergency preparedness
plan for the building
silencing the fire tones throughout the building after authorization
by the FDNY
resetting the fire command center
*Every system may be different and therefore the Coordinator of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must evaluate what system exists and
what features and components are available in their shelter.
4. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter must
notify arriving emergency response personnel of the nature of the emergency
and the response so far, and comply with the directions of the emergency
response personnel and/or other lawful authority
5. Know the location of and how to personally operate all fire alarm systems in
the shelter
6. Awareness of the inspection, maintenance, and testing schedule for fire
alarm systems in the shelter and ensure that the schedules are adhered to
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7. Conduct drills to familiarize building occupants with the fire safety features
of the shelter, the exits available, and the proper procedures to follow in case of
a fire or non-fire emergency
8. Conduct staff training and fire and non-fire emergency drills as required by
the Fire Code
9. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters supervise
and direct the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the deputy
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters, fire guards
and other FEP staff in the shelter.
It is the responsibility of the owner of the shelter to designate a competent person to
be certified by the Fire Department to act as the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters Certificate of Fitness holder. The Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and staff must possess the
qualifications and/or hold certificates of fitness as required by the Fire Code. The
shelter owner shall ensure that adequate staff is present on the premises at other
times when the shelter is occupied, to perform the duties and responsibilities set forth
in the emergency preparedness plan.
4.1 Fire Guards
Buildings or portions of buildings occupied or operated to be occupied by homeless
persons shall be continuously patrolled by a person holding a certificate of fitness as
fire guard. Every area of the building shall be patrolled at least once every hour.
Fire guards are responsible for the safety of all building occupants and employees by
eliminating fire hazards and assisting in the evacuation of clients in case of a fire
emergency. Generally, fire guards are responsible for making sure that fire safety
regulations are being complied with in the shelter. They should be knowledgeable of
the location and operation of all fire alarm systems in the shelter and should check
their condition during their patrols. Fire guards must maintain records of their
patrols.
Fire guards must patrol the entire homeless shelter at least once an hour. Some
shelters assign a fire guard to patrol each floor. For example, if there are four floors in
a shelter, depending upon the floor area of each floor, there may be four fire guards on
duty at all times, one patrolling each floor. During their patrol they must look for
signs of fire and investigate any signs of smoke in the shelter. They must also be on
the alert for any fire safety violations and upon discovery, report them immediately to
the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters. In many cases,
the fire guard will be capable of correcting the fire safety violation during the course of
conducting his/her fire guard duties. Ultimately, the Coordinator of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must ensure that the violation is corrected.
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5. Emergency Preparedness Plan
The Fire Code requires that homeless shelters have an updated emergency
preparedness plan (also known as a Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan). Emergency
preparedness plans serve to assure that, in the event of a fire or emergency there are
procedures in place that can be implemented to provide the information, guidance,
direction and assistance needed to protect the safety of building occupants, including
effecting their evacuation, relocation or sheltering in place, if necessary. The plan is a
tool intended to ensure that knowledgeable staff have been identified and designated,
and that there is a plan in place for responding to a fire or other emergency at the
premises.
The owner of any building required to have an emergency preparedness plan shall
initiate the preparation of the plan for the premises in a form prescribed by the
commissioner, and oversee its periodic review and amendment, in accordance with the
requirements set forth in the Fire Code and the Fire Department Rules.
The procedures to follow in the event of an emergency will be set forth in the
emergency preparedness plan and will vary depending on the type of occupancy, the
height of the building and other requirements as may be set forth in the Fire Code or
the rules. It is important that building owners refer to the most recent editions of the
Fire Code and rules when creating or amending the emergency preparedness plan and
determining the response to emergencies and the level of staffing that is required for
their particular building or occupancy.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be
knowledgeable about the emergency preparedness plan for the shelter. They should
be provided with an orientation from the building owner or other on-site personnel
familiar with and responsible for the emergency preparedness plan before starting to
perform their duties.
A copy of the emergency preparedness plan must be maintained on the premises in an
approved location and it shall be made available at all times to Fire Department
representatives immediately upon request.
Emergency preparedness plans must be reviewed and updated as necessitated by
changes in staff assignments, use or occupancy of the building or its spaces, or the
design and arrangement of the premises, but at a minimum, once a year. An entry
must be made in the required log book documenting the review of the plan and
indicating the general nature of any updates that are required.
Regardless of the person responsible for making the changes in the emergency
preparedness plan, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters must be aware of when the changes are made and what they entail. The
shelter owner and employees should cooperate in the development and coordination of
the emergency preparedness plan.
Shelters must have an emergency preparedness plan that is maintained on the
premises. Shelters are required to submit the plan for acceptance as required by the
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Fire Code, Rules, and Fire Department policy. An emergency preparedness plan shall
be prepared and accepted prior to occupancy of the building.
5.1 Emergency Preparedness Plan Content
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be aware
of the information included in the emergency preparedness plan. The content of the
emergency preparedness plan for a homeless shelter should include, but is not
necessarily limited to, the following:
1. The designation of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters, by name, certificate number and position at the premises,
and other FEP staff, by name and/or position at the premises, and their
certificate of fitness numbers
2. The name and address of the shelter, the floors that are normally occupied,
the approximate number of employees, and the hours of operation
3. A site plan, floor plan, and riser diagram of the shelter
4. A building information card for high-rise buildings and occupancies
5. The location of all entrances and exits (including emergency exits and fire
escapes) and where they exit to (which street or other location)
6. The procedure by which the building will be evacuated or an in-building
relocation of occupants will be conducted during an emergency
7. Details regarding the voice communication capability and fire protection
systems in the building and that servicing of these systems will be completed by
a licensed company
8. The procedure by which a fire or other emergency is reported to the FDNY
and the staff member(s) responsible for the reporting
9. The procedure for notifying building occupants of a fire or other emergency,
and the staff member(s) responsible for the notification
10. The procedure for coordinating with firefighting, emergency medical service
and other emergency response personnel, including notifying those personnel
upon their arrival of the location of the emergency, and the staff member(s)
responsible for the coordination
11. The means for receiving and the procedure for monitoring a public
emergency notification system
12. The identity and location of CPR-Qualified staff (if CPR-Qualified Staff are
available) on the premises, and how to contact them in case of an emergency
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13. Procedures for identifying and assisting shelter occupants who require
assistance because of an infirmity, disability or other special need and the staff
member(s) responsible for assisting them during a drill or emergency
14. Since conditions regularly change in shelters and hazards may rapidly
develop, the plan should include the procedure for the periodic inspection of the
shelter to verify the following conditions, and the staff member(s) responsible for
such inspection:
a. access to means of egress is unobstructed and unimpeded
b. combustible materials and combustible waste have been properly
stored or removed from the premises
c. decorative vegetation is regularly watered or otherwise maintained
d. “no smoking” signs required by the Fire Code or Rules are posted
15. The procedure for the ongoing monitoring of the shelter to verify compliance
of the following requirements, and the staff member(s) responsible for
monitoring:
a. that the premises do not become overcrowded
b. that the allowable use of open flames and open flame devices is being
conducted properly and safely
c. that the prohibition against smoking, where required by the Fire Code
or the FDNY rules, is being observed
5.2 Periodic Inspection
Shelters shall be subject to periodic fire safety inspections by the Fire Department,
including inspections to ensure that the emergency preparedness plan has been
prepared and/or implemented in compliance with the requirements of the Fire Code.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters will be responsible
for making the emergency preparedness plan immediately available for inspection
upon request of any Department representative.
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6. Fire and Emergency Preparedness (FEP) Staff Training
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and other FEP
staff must be trained in the performance of their duties in accordance with the
emergency preparedness plan.
FEP staff must receive initial training in the content of the emergency preparedness
plan upon commencement of their authority and duties in the building. FEP staff
must participate in refresher training sessions designed to familiarize them with
their duties pursuant to the plan at least for 1 hour quarterly on each work shift.
A written record of such FEP staff training shall be maintained in a bound log book,
which is referred to as the Fire Safety Plan log book, with consecutive numbered
pages, or other form of approved recordkeeping, and maintained on the premises for a
period of 3 years from the last entry. This record of training should be made
immediately available for inspection by a Department representative upon request.
Each training session must be noted in the log book. For more detailed information
regarding Recordkeeping please reference page 62.
6.1 Staff Training Content
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should ensure that
other FEP staff (which may include deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems
in Homeless Shelters and fire guards) are fully trained on what their responsibilities
and duties are during a fire or non-fire emergency and during a fire drill.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should cover the
following content with their staff:
The appropriate actions to take in response to a fire or fire conditions
The appropriate actions to take in response to a non-fire emergency
The appropriate actions to take if a fire or non-fire emergency occurs DURING a
drill
The shelter’s fire-related features such as, but not limited to, sprinklers, exits,
manual pull stations and fire alarm fail-safe devices
How to activate the fire alarm throughout the building (if applicable)
The procedure to follow upon the sounding of the fire alarm tone (if applicable)
Locations of assembly areas and the evacuation procedures for building
occupants to reach such areas
Location of all exits and escape routes, especially those not in use on a regular
basis
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The importance of keeping fire doors closed and latched to prevent the spread of
fire, heat and smoke
Fire prevention measures appropriate for the occupancy, including daily
housekeeping within the shelter
The three components that make up the fire triangle, (oxygen, heat and fuel)
The three stages of a fire (See Definitions and Terminology for more information)
o Incipient stage
o Free burning stage
o Smoldering stage
The location of portable fire extinguishers and how they work
The typical types of fires that start in homeless shelters and fire safety
measures that can be implemented to prevent them
The locations of all egress stairs and their designation (i.e. Stair A, Stair B, Stair
C)
Location where each stair terminates (interior lobby, exterior of building, etc.)
Operation of the fire alarm panel (activate, acknowledge, on/off line procedures)
If the fire alarm system has voice communication capabilities, Coordinators of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should demonstrate how to
provide clear direction to building occupants
Training may be modified based on a homeless shelter’s available fire protection
systems.
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7. Emergency Drills
Drills and other forms of emergency preparedness education are required to be
conducted in homeless shelters to enhance the fire and non-fire emergency
preparedness of all building occupants, including clients and staff. Drills are intended
to familiarize building occupants as to the proper actions to take in the event of a fire
or other emergency and the primary and secondary evacuation and in-building
relocation routes. Drills must be conducted in accordance with the standards,
procedures and requirements of the Fire Code and the rules of the FDNY, and the
emergency preparedness plan approved by the FDNY for the shelter. Drills should be
in the form of live instruction, except as otherwise authorized by the FDNY.
Procedures should be established to ensure that all persons in the building at the time
the drill is conducted participate in the drill. Ideally, drills should be unscheduled,
and shelter employees and clients should not know the time of day they are taking
place. Drills shall be conducted at varying times of day. They shall be held with
enough frequency to familiarize all building occupants with the drill procedure. If
drills are continuously held in the same manner at the same time, participants may
lose interest in the drills and be less prepared to respond safely to a variety of different
emergencies.
Actual fires and emergencies are always unexpected. Any fire alarm activation within
a building that is not planned, or preceded by an announcement indicating that it is
not an emergency, must be treated as an actual fire condition. Coordinators of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be aware that if drills are
allowed to be considered a routine exercise, there is the potential risk that in an actual
emergency, an evacuation or relocation will not be successful. If drills are always held
in the same way at the same time, they lose their credibility. Shelter employees and
clients may panic if, in an actual emergency, it becomes dangerous to follow the exact
circumstances presented by the routine drill. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters should also have a plan in place for the rare situation in
which an actual fire or non-fire emergency occurs during a drill.
Drills should include a discussion of a variety of possible emergency situations.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are encouraged to
use fire and non-fire emergency scenarios since practicing these scenarios will help
the FEP coordinator and FEP staff to apply important drill concepts.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should ensure that
drills familiarize building occupants with the location and use of all building stairways
and means of egress. Depending on the location of the fire within a building, certain
stairwells may contain fire and/or smoke, thereby preventing their use when
evacuating or relocating building occupants. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters should also ensure that non-fire emergency drills are
conducted. Discussions between the FEP staff should include procedures to follow
during medical emergencies, bomb threats, and natural disasters. Drills should be
designed to familiarize the occupants with all available means of egress, particularly
exits that are not normally used during regular occupancy of the building.
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Prior to conducting a drill in a homeless shelter, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems should ensure that they and FEP staff are familiar with all aspects of the
building, and certain things that have recently occurred, or are currently ongoing, in a
building that impact fire safety and the emergency preparedness plan. As part of their
preparation for conducting a drill, they should be aware of the following*:
1. Vacant floors in the building, as vacant floors are often found to have
improper storage and obstructed means of egress
2. Any modifications to the fire alarm system
3. The location and functionality of emergency lighting throughout the building
4. Complete familiarity and understanding of the emergency preparedness plan
for the shelter
5. Hot work or any construction going on in the shelter
*Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should always be
aware of those things, but especially knowledgeable about those situations prior to
conducting a drill.
7.1 Drill Procedure
The purpose of conducting fire drills is to provide training exercises by which building
occupants are familiarized with and/or practice the procedures to be followed in the
event of fire.
If the shelter’s emergency preparedness plan requires that the building be partially
evacuated or fully evacuated in the event of a fire alarm, fire drills conducted to meet
the requirements of the FDNY do not require that drill participants partially evacuate
or fully evacuate the building. This is the case provided the drill conducted
familiarizes the building occupants with the procedures to follow in the event of a fire.
However, nothing precludes a building owner from conducting such partial evacuation
or full evacuation as a component of the drill.
The specific procedure Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters should follow when conducting a fire drill will differ depending on the size of
the homeless shelter and its specific emergency preparedness plan. It is the
responsibility of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
and the FEP staff to know the specific requirements for the shelter in which they are
conducting the drill. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters should, at a minimum, follow the steps below when conducting a drill in
which the emergency preparedness plan calls for the total evacuation of building
occupants in the event of a fire. The specific sequence and procedures to follow may
differ depending on the fire alarm system in the shelter; however it is important for the
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters to report to the
FACP location whenever the alarm is activated.
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It is important to note that steps 3-8 are similar steps to what a Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should do in an actual fire or non-fire
emergency. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should
treat each drill as if it were an actual emergency.
1. Call Central Station Company and take the fire alarm system OFF-LINE to
avoid an unnecessary alarm.
2. Upon confirmation of off-line status from the Central Station Company, a
system off-line entry should be made in the log book. The entry must include
all of the following information in the format shown below:
a. time the system was taken off-line
b. reason the system was taken off-line
c. central station company name and telephone number
d. time the system was restored
Logbook Format
Time Off-Line
Reason Off-Line
Central Station Name &
Telephone number
Time Restored On-Line
11:00 AM
Fire Drill
Fire Protection Services,
999-999-9999
12:30 PM
3. Report to the fire alarm control panel.
4. Activate the fire alarm and make an announcement from the fire alarm
control panel (or otherwise notify building occupants and employees as outlined
in the emergency preparedness plan) that an alarm has been activated and that
everyone in the building should evacuate.
5. Communicate with the FEP staff as building occupants evacuate.
Communication should be via the primary and secondary means of
communication designated in the emergency preparedness plan for the shelter.
Although two way radios are the most efficient way for the F-80 Certificate of
Fitness holder and FEP staff to communicate back and forth with each other
during a drill, they may not be available in all shelters.
6. Designated FEP staff should instruct and guide building occupants to
evacuate via the stairwell designated in the emergency preparedness plan on
each floor. FEP staff should ensure that everyone on the floor is participating
in the drill. After evacuating everyone on the floor, FEP staff should search the
floor (dormitories, restrooms, recreation rooms, etc.) and confirm with the
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters that all
building occupants are off the floor. Any difficulties encountered during this
process should also be reported to the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters.
7. Building occupants should either leave the shelter and gather at an outdoor
assembly area as designated in the emergency preparedness plan, or relocate to
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an area within the shelter. Some shelters choose to use the cafeteria,
recreation room, or auditorium if available and located on the first floor.
8. Determine if all building occupants have been successfully evacuated and
accounted for at the assembly point. Each shelter may have a different way of
accounting for such occupants. Some shelters use a daily updated list of who
is authorized to be in their shelter for that day to track attendance. Other
shelters use a “sign-in sheet” to determine who should be accounted for during
the drill. If a person has signed themselves out during the time frame when the
drill is conducted, FEP staff can assume that they are not in the building. It is
important to account for building occupants after a full evacuation to ensure
that there is not anyone who is still in the building.
9. Restore the fire alarm system to normal operation condition if altered for drill
purposes.
10. Call Central Station Company and request that the Fire Alarm System be
placed back “on-line.” Upon confirmation, document in the alarm log book the
time that the fire alarm system is placed back on-line.
11. Allow building occupants back into the building. Shelters should use a
procedure specific to their client population to ensure that only those clients
that are authorized to be living in the shelter enter the building.
12. Make an entry in the Fire Safety Plan logbook detailing the drill. The
“Recordkeeping” section on page 62 details exactly what should be included in
the entry.
The fire alarm system must be activated each time a fire drill is conducted to initiate
the drill and familiarize building occupants with the alarm tones. However, if the fire
alarm system in the building is connected to a central station, it is the responsibility of
the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters to notify the
Central Station Company that a drill is being conducted and that on behalf of the
building owner, they would like to request to take the fire alarm system off line. If the
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters fails to do this, and
the Fire Department responds to the premises unnecessarily, the building owner will
be subject to violations and possible fines for unnecessary and unwarranted alarms.
7.2 Participation in Drills
Procedures for drills should mimic as closely as possible the procedures that a
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters would follow during
an actual emergency. All building occupants, including shelter residents and
employees, shall participate in fire and non-fire emergency drills. A single drill
should address both fire and non-fire emergency preparedness. The Coordinator of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should inform participants that
different instructions may be given depending upon whether there is a fire or other
emergency, and the nature of the non-fire emergency.
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Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should ask for
feedback from building occupants and FEP staff to identify issues that may have been
encountered during the drill and the need to make changes in the implementation of
the emergency preparedness plan. They should answer all drill related questions from
building occupants to ensure that any confusion or necessary clarification is
addressed. Throughout the drill, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters and FEP staff should pay particular attention to and address the
following:
Difficulties experienced in determining that all building occupants are
accounted for
Difficulties experienced by people with disabilities or other special needs
Unnecessary delays or unsafe actions in implementing the emergency
preparedness plan, such as building occupants stopping to collect personal
items, attempting to hide in their rooms or attempting to use the elevators
Ensuring that drills are conducted in a safe and orderly manner
Identifying any problems with the fire alarm system
Determining the amount of time it takes to implement the evacuation of the
building (when evacuation is a part of the drill)
Visually inspecting the building for any exit, stairway or hallway obstructions
Ensuring that self-closing doors close on their own and are not propped open
Ensuring that there are no locks, bolts or chains installed on exits
Picture shows a chained exit door, which is unacceptable.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are responsible for
ensuring that all those required to participate in a drill do so. Shelters may have
different ways of handling building occupants who refuse to participate in a drill.
Some shelters may experience more resistance to participation than others. It is
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expected that the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
may experience difficulties with client participation, especially when conducting fire
drills on the overnight shift. Shelter residents may be sleeping, or taking medication
which can make participation difficult. In these situations, the Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and FEP staff should emphasize that
the drill is meant to replicate an actual emergency, and that emergencies can happen
at any time. If lack of participation becomes a perpetual issue, the Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should inform the shelter director.
7.3 Frequency of Drills
Drills in homeless shelters should be conducted monthly on each shift. All building
occupants must participate. Drills must be held with sufficient frequency to familiarize
occupants with the drill procedures and to establish the drill as a matter of routine.
Nothing precludes a Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
from conducting drills more frequently than monthly on each shift. It is the
responsibility of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
to understand and adhere to the specific fire drill requirements for homeless shelters.
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8. People in Shelters Who Require Assistance
8.1 Special Needs Occupants
In all shelters there may be building occupants who have special needs during a drill
or an emergency. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
must follow the procedures in the emergency preparedness plan for identifying in
advance building occupants and employees who require assistance to participate in
the plan because of an infirmity or disability or other special need, and the approved
procedures for providing such assistance. All procedures should be in compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It is the responsibility of the Coordinator of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters to be aware of any building
occupant who may have special needs.
8.2 English as Second Language (ESL) Occupants
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems may have ESL (English as a second
language) residents in their homeless shelter. ESL occupants may have difficulty
understanding what Public Address (PA) announcements mean and the proper actions
to take when an alarm sounds.
Clarifying the announcements and drill procedures with ESL occupants during drills
can help alleviate any confusion. For example, if there is a large portion of ESL
occupants in the building, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters can use the fire alarm system’s voice communication system to make
announcements during a drill in both English and other languages. If shelter
occupants inform the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters that it is difficult for them to understand English, the Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters may use a translator or provide other
non-verbal cues and forms of written communication to ensure that the person
understands. Resources will vary depending on the shelter.
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9. Emergency Procedures
Any owner, occupant or other person who becomes aware of a fire or explosion or any
other emergency should immediately report the emergency to the Fire Department. No
owner or other person shall issue any directive or take any action to prevent or delay
the reporting of a fire or other emergency to the department.
A durable, legible sign setting forth the following information for reporting a fire or
other emergency (including the text to be inserted based on the building’s location)
shall be posted in a conspicuous location in the lobby of the main front entrance:
Fire alarm box at __________ (name of street) and __________ (name of street)
OR
To report a fire by telephone dial “911” or, depending upon the borough in which the
property is located, insert one of the following telephone numbers:
Bronx properties 718-999-3333
Brooklyn properties 718-999-4444
Manhattan properties 212-999-2222
Queens properties 718-999-5555
Staten Island properties 718-999-6666
9.1 Emergency Preparation
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must always be
knowledgeable about the location on the premises of the following:
1. Emergency preparedness plan for the shelter
2. Floor plans
3. Firemen’s Service Elevator Keys for the elevator car doors must be kept
at the fire command station for immediate use by the department. These
keys are also known as #2642 keys, and six keys are required.
4. List of building occupants who require assistance during an evacuation
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10. Fire Alarm Systems
Building owners must ensure that their shelters have fire alarm systems approved by
the New York City Fire Department. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelter should receive training on and be familiar with the fire alarm system
in their shelter. If they become aware of any aspect of the fire alarm system that is
impaired or out of service, they must notify the impairment coordinator immediately.
Fire alarm systems are classified as automatic, manually activated, or both. If a fire
condition occurs, the alarm system warns the building occupants and employees by
activating loud sirens, bells, speakers, horns and flashing lights. The flashing lights
are otherwise known as strobes.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are responsible for
ensuring that the inspection, testing and maintenance schedule for fire alarm systems
is followed. For the full inspection, testing, and maintenance schedule for fire alarm
systems, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should
reference NFPA 72 for more detailed information. Defective equipment must be
repaired or replaced immediately by an authorized service technician. Coordinators of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be familiar with the entire
fire alarm system in their shelter, and should receive training from the building owner
or other authorized personnel prior to the start of their duties. However, Coordinators
of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are prohibited from installing or
modifying components of the fire alarm system.
10.1 Components of the Fire Alarm System
Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) – Monitors inputs and controls output through
various types of circuits. The FACP processes all abnormal conditions (alarm, trouble
& supervisory signals) and indicates appropriately based on the action programmed
for the device.
There are three types of signals:
A. Alarm Signal – A signal initiated by a fire alarm initiating device such as a
manual fire alarm pull station, automatic fire detector, water flow switch, or
other device in which activation indicates the presence of a fire. When a fire
signal is generated, the FACP activates the building audible and visual devices
connected to the fire alarm (i.e. horn/strobes), sends a signal to an FDNY
approved central station, and triggers certain building functions
B. Supervisory Signal – Indicates that a system or device being monitored has
been compromised or is in an abnormal state. A supervisory signal will audibly
and visually annunciate at the FACP to indicate the supervisory condition
needs to be investigated and corrected. The FACP will also send a supervisory
signal to an FDNY approved central station
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C. Trouble Signal – A signal initiated by the fire alarm system or device that
indicates a fault in a monitored circuit or component. A trouble signal will
audibly and visually annunciate at the FACP to indicate that the trouble
condition needs to be investigated and corrected. For example, trouble signals
will be initiated by a low battery, AC failure, phone line failure, or internal
component failure.
Acknowledge switch or button
The acknowledge button, also abbreviated as (ACK) is used to acknowledge alarm,
trouble or supervisory signals and silence the panel.
Alarm silence switch or button
The alarm silence switch is used to silence the building audible and visual devices
after evacuation is complete while the source of the alarm is being investigated.
Depending on the configuration of the alarm system, this function will either silence
the system's notification appliances completely, or will silence only the audible alarm,
with strobe lights continuing to flash. However, the silence switch does not prevent a
signal from being transmitted to an FDNY approved central station company. Audible
silence allows for easier communication for emergency responders while responding to
an alarm. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must
have FDNY authorization to silence the fire alarm control panel.
Fire Alarm System reset switch or button
This switch is used to reset the fire alarm system after an alarm condition has been
cleared. All initiating devices should return to normal condition after manually
resetting.
If an initiating device is still in alarm after the system is reset, such as smoke
detectors continuing to sense smoke, or a manual pull station still in an activated
position, another alarm will be generated.
A system reset is often required to clear supervisory conditions. A system reset does
not clear trouble conditions. Most trouble conditions will clear automatically when
conditions are returned to normal.
Never reset the fire alarm system until the condition is verified by FDNY personnel.
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TYPE OF
DEVICE
ACTIVATED BY
TYPE
OF
SIGNAL
ACTION NORMALLY REQUIRED TO
RETURN DEVICE TO “NORMAL”
CONDITION
Manual
pull station
Manually pulling
handle
Alarm
Return handle to normal position. A key or
other method may be required to reset the
station to a normal condition.
Smoke,
beam, and
duct
detectors
Detection of particles
of combustion (see
note below)
Alarm
Smoke detectors will normally reset when
the reset button is pressed at the FACP if
the condition activating the detector has
been cleared.
Heat
detectors
Abnormally high
temperature ( fixed
temperature detector)
or rapid temperature
rise ( rate of rise
detector)
Alarm
After activation most Fixed temperature
heat detectors will not self restore and will
require replacement by an S-97 or S-98
Certificate of Fitness holder. Rate of rise
detectors will normally self-restore after
activation.
Water flow
device
Flow of water in a
sprinkler system
Alarm
Device should return to normal when water
ceases to flow.
NOTE: There are other circumstances which will cause a smoke detector to signal an alarm
condition when there is none, creating false alarms and causing unnecessary Fire
Department response. Common examples would be the entrance of sheet rock dust or dust
created by the cutting of wood or sanding of floors during construction or renovations. Care
must be taken at all times to protect all smoke detectors from the entrance of foreign
particles which may be airborne. Smoke detectors which have not been properly cleaned
and maintained will also create false alarms.
Lamp test: This function is used to check the condition of the Light Emitting Diodes
(LEDs) on the FACP. All of the lights on the panel must work. This test should be
conducted by the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
daily.
Remote Annunciator panel: A remote annunciator panel when installed shall
function for visual notification of alarm, supervisory or trouble conditions only.
10.2 Fire Alarm System Power Supplies
A. Primary Power Supply - The main power supply for a fire alarm system
shall be provided with a dedicated circuit from a local utility company.
B. Secondary Power Supply - The fire alarm system shall have a secondary
power supply which provides power to the alarm system within 10 seconds of
failure of the primary power supply. Storage batteries dedicated to the fire
alarm system or engine driven generators are acceptable as secondary power
sources for the system.
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10.3 Types of Fire Alarm Initiating Devices
A. Automatic Detection Devices - Automatic detection devices have sensors
which detect heat, smoke or the flow of water in a fire alarm system. The
different types of automatic detection devices are described below:
B. Area Smoke Detector - A smoke detector is a device that detects visible or
invisible particles of combustion. Smoke detectors have been shown to be very
effective in reducing fire damage and loss of life. Smoke detectors should be
cleaned and maintained every six months by an S-97 or S-98 Certificate of
Fitness holder.
Smoke detector
C. Elevator lobby smoke detectors - Smoke detectors that when
activated will recall elevators automatically to the designated landing.
D. Beam detectors are used to protect large areas where spot type
area smoke detectors are not practical. This detector consists of a light beam
that when broken by any combustible particle will trigger the detector.
E. Duct smoke detectors are designed to sample air flow in the HVAC air duct
and to detect the presence of particles of combustion. These smoke detectors
will upon activation, shutdown the system’s fan.
Duct smoke detector
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F. Heat Detector - A sensor that detects abnormally high temperatures or rate
of temperature rise. Heat detectors have been shown to be very effective in
reducing fire damage.
Heat Detector
Heat detectors are available in two general types: rate-of-rise and fixed temperature.
Heat detectors can only be tested by authorized fire alarm technicians. Coordinators of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter are responsible for ensuring that
operational heat detectors are in place. They must notify the fire alarm maintenance
companies if the detector becomes defective or inoperable.
a. The rate-of-rise heat detectors activate the alarm when the room
temperature increases at a rapid rate of 12°-15° Fahrenheit (F) per minute.
This type of detector is more sensitive than the fixed temperature detector. The
rate-of-rise heat detector does not have to be replaced after it has been
activated.
Rate-of- rise heat detector
b. Fixed-temperature heat detectors trigger the alarm when the detector
components melt at a preset temperature level. The fixed-temperature heat
detectors normally require replacement after they have activated an alarm.
However, intelligent heat detectors will usually reset themselves.
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The fixed-temperature heat detectors consist of two electrical contacts housed in a
protective unit. The contacts are separated by a fusible element. The element melts
when the temperature in the room reaches a preset level. This allows the contacts to
touch. When the contacts meet the detector activates the fire alarm.
Fixed-temperature heat detectors
Heat detector with protective mechanical guard
Where subject to mechanical damage, a heat detector shall be protected by an
approved UL/FM mechanical guard as shown in the picture above. This guard will
also make it more difficult for building occupants to tamper with the detectors. Proper
preventative measures shall always be taken to protect all fire alarm initiating devices,
especially during construction work within the shelter.
10.4 Manual or pull station alarm-initiating devices:
All building occupants and employees must be knowledgeable and trained how to
manually activate the alarm initiating devices. Generally, these pull stations are
installed at several locations on the premises and are usually located near the exits of
a building. Activating the pull station is the most effective way to notify building
occupants and employees in case of a fire emergency.
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There are two types of manual alarm initiating devices. They are called single action
and double action stations.
A. Single action pull stations: Single action stations require only one step to
activate the alarm. The cover on these alarm stations serves as a lever. An example
of a single action station is shown below. This kind of alarm station is often found
indoors, e.g., in office buildings. When the cover is pulled down, it allows a switch
inside to close. This sends the alarm signal.
B. Double action pull stations: Double action stations require two steps in
order to activate the alarm. The user must first break a glass, open a door or lift
a cover. The user can then gain access to a switch or lever which must then be
operated to initiate an alarm. To activate this type of alarm station the cover
must be lifted before the lever is pulled. This kind of double action station is
often found indoors. Another kind of double action break glass station requires
someone to break a small pane of glass with a small metal mallet.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in shelters that have double action
break glass stations should ensure that an extra supply of glass plates are
readily available. At least one extra glass plate is required for each fire alarm
box. Extra glass plates must be stored on the premises.
Single action
stations
Activating a
single action
station
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The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and FEP staff
must know how to manually operate each alarm station on the premises. Once
activated, the fire alarm system can not be re-set at the fire alarm manual pull station
only. The alarm must be re-set at a main Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP) after the
pull station is reset to its normal condition. The alarm may be re-set by building
personnel only after being instructed to do so by a Fire Department representative.
Once activated, a key may be required to reset the manual pull station.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter should be aware
that in some buildings, Fire Alarm pull stations may exist that have a white stripe
across them. Prior to 2008 a manual pull station shall have a white stripe across it
which would indicate that such station will send a signal to the central monitoring
company. However, since 2008, the requirement of such stripe no longer exists. Any
fire alarm system which was designed under the 2008 building code in any occupancy
shall transmit a signal to the central monitoring company.
Although buildings constructed after 2008 may not have pull boxes with white stripes,
it is still important that Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters are knowledgeable about which manual fire alarm pull stations send a signal
to the Central Station Company and which pull stations do not. All fire alarm pull
stations installed or relocated after April 1, 1984 should be installed so that the
Double action
stations
Activating a
double action
station
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handle is approximately four feet from the floor and it is located within 5 feet of the
exit doorway opening. Manual stations should never be blocked or obstructed.
10.5 Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Carbon Monoxide Alarm – A single or multiple-station alarm responsive to carbon
monoxide, containing a build-in initiation sensor, notification device, and power
supply (battery or electric with battery backup) and is not connected to a system.
Local Law 7 of 2004 and1RCNY 28-02 should be referenced to determine if carbon
monoxide alarms are required in individual buildings. Most homeless shelters require
carbon monoxide alarms.
10.6 Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon Monoxide Detector – A device that senses carbon monoxide and is connected
to the fire alarm control panel.
Carbon monoxide detectors are required in any building that has fossil (gas and oil)
fuel burning equipments.
Carbon monoxide detector
A carbon monoxide detector is a device indicating a concentration of carbon monoxide
at or above the alarm threshold that could pose a risk to the life safety of the
occupants and that requires immediate action. Carbon monoxide detectors shall be
installed, tested, and maintained by qualified personnel in accordance with the
manufacturers published instructions.
If a carbon monoxide detector is in alarm condition and cannot be reset, this could
indicate that carbon monoxide is still in the premises. Until such time that carbon
monoxide can be excluded as the source of the alarm, the assumption should be that
carbon monoxide is present and appropriate life safety precautions should be followed.
10.7 Sprinkler Water Flow Detector
A sprinkler water flow detector is a device which initiates an alarm
indicating a flow of water in a sprinkler system. It is designed to
signal when water flows through the fire protection system.
Water Flow Detector
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10.8 Supervisory Devices
Supervisory devices are commonly installed as part of a fire protection system. The
supervisory devices monitor important parts of the system. A supervisory alarm such
as a bell will be sounded when there is an abnormal condition with a system or device
being monitored. For example, a signal will be sounded when a control valve is closed
or in the wrong position. This kind of signal is commonly called a supervisory signal.
The signal is always transmitted to the main control panel. When a supervisory
condition is indicated the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters should check the system in order to identify the part of the fire alarm system
that caused the signal. Once that part of the system is identified, it must be resolved
immediately. All signals, including fire, supervisory and trouble are transmitted to the
central monitoring supervising station.
Some control panels indicate the exact location of the trouble. Other panels only
display a general supervisory signal. For example, a lighted panel might indicate only
that there is a problem somewhere in the fire protection system. Each supervised
device must then be inspected to determine which part is causing the signal.
Common supervised conditions include:
1. Control valves on sprinkler systems are supervised to ensure that they
remain open. Tamper switches indicate if the main or sectional control
valves are closed instead of open.
2. The pressure supervisory switch controls the pressure level in pressure
tanks and dry pipe valves.
3. Gravity tanks are supervised for high or low water level and high or low
temperatures.
4. Electric fire pumps are supervised for pump running, pump failure, and
phase reversal.
Tamper switch on a sprinkler valve Pressure Supervisory Switch
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Tank Water Level Switch Temperature Supervisory Switch
10.9 Sub-System
The sub-system is a required system installed in a specific area or floor for a specific
purpose in a building that has a required base building fire alarm system. Sub-
systems include any fire alarm system with a panel, pre-action systems, deluge
sprinkler systems and smoke control systems with a separate panel that is connected
to the main fire alarm control panel of the building.
All sub-systems shall be maintained in proper working order, and the Coordinator of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is responsible for supervising the
maintenance of the system. A detailed record of the maintenance for such system
must be kept available for examination by the Fire Department.
All sub-systems shall be interconnected to the base building fire alarm system for
alarm and trouble supervision and shall annunciate the specific type and location of
such sub-systems. Activation of the sub-system shall activate the base building
audible and visual appliances and notify the Fire Department via the base building
Central Station Company.
10.10 Audio and Visual Notification Devices
Audio and visual notification devices are fire alarm system components such as bells,
horns, speakers, lights or text displays that provide audible, tactile or visible out puts
or any combination thereof.
A. Horns, Horn/Strobes
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Horns Strobes Horn Strobes
B. Combination speaker / strobe appliances
Speaker Speaker strobe
C. Gongs/Bells
Gongs/Bells
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Activation of Audio /Visual Notification Devices
There are two methods used to notify building occupants and employees of a fire
emergency at the fire alarm control panel.
A. General Alarm Method - This method activates all audio/visual devices
throughout the building when a fire is detected. In certain locations this may
be the only method of notifying building occupants available.
B. Selective Alarm Method - The selective method activates the audio/visual
devices only on the floor of alarm as well as the floor immediately above and
below the alarm.
10.11 Communication System
A functioning communication system is required as a part of most fire alarm systems.
One way-voice communication systems are generally found in homeless shelters. The
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems must ensure that the communication
system is working correctly at all times.
One way voice communication entails the use of a public address system. Some
buildings also have a public address system installed which is not part of the
approved fire alarm system. Although not approved, the public address system may be
used to warn and instruct building occupants in case of a fire emergency.
Communication systems that are part of the fire alarm system should only be used for
fire and drill related purposes. If the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems
needs to make a shelter-wide announcement to all building occupants, the public
address system is the best tool to use.
10.12 Central Station Transmitter
A central station transmitter is a device that receives alarm signals from protected
premises and retransmits those signals to the Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire
Communication through FDNY approved central stations.
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must make sure
that the central station transmitter is operable at all times. When transmitter
malfunctions are discovered, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters must report the malfunctions to the FDNY approved central station
company and record them in the alarm log book. Authorized central station companies
must be approved by the FDNY. The link below sourced from the FDNY website links
to an approved list of central station companies:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/approved-companies-central-station.pdf
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The central station company must arrange and facilitate any repairs as soon as
possible. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm are prohibited from performing any
repairs on the central station transmitter.
11. Sprinkler Systems
Sprinkler systems are required by law in homeless shelters. Sprinklers are devices for
automatically distributing water on a fire. Sprinkler systems are intended to control
the spread of fire.
Activation of the sprinkler system shall cause an alarm to be transmitted to an
approved central station and will also sound an alarm throughout the shelter. The
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be aware of
the location of the shut-off valves for the sprinkler system components in case the
sprinklers discharge accidentally.
The two different types of sprinklers are Automatic Sprinkler systems and Non-
Automatic sprinkler systems. In most shelters, the sprinkler system is automatic
since shelters are heated.
Automatic Sprinkler System – consists of a series of pipes at or near the ceiling of
each story of a building. The pipes are filled with water or compressed air, and
equipped with automatic devices to release water for fire fighting. These devices are
called sprinkler heads. Automatic sprinkler systems require water-flow devices.
Non-automatic Sprinkler System - under normal conditions the pipes in the non-
automatic sprinkler systems are dry. Water is supplied when necessary by pumping
water into the system through the Fire Department connection.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter are responsible for
ensuring that sprinkler heads are never painted over and do not accumulate dust and
debris. If a Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems becomes aware of a sprinkler
head that has been painted over or has accumulated debris or foreign material, it
must be replaced immediately with a new sprinkler head. Sprinkler heads that have
accumulated debris or have been painted will not open at the desired temperature and
this will prevent the sprinkler head from functioning properly in a fire emergency. The
pictures below show examples of sprinkler heads that have been painted.
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Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are also responsible
for ensuring that the inspection, testing and maintenance of the sprinkler system
takes place as required and on schedule. Depending on the type of sprinkler system
in the shelter, inspections, testing and maintenance could occur on a variety of
different frequencies. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters is responsible for verifying that the person who is inspecting, testing, or
maintaining the system has the proper C of F and/or license and that a written record
of their work is kept on the premises. Annually and once every five years sprinkler
systems must be tested and maintained by either a master fire suppression piping
contractor with an S-12 C of F, or a person who possesses a master plumber license in
addition to an S-12 C of F. For the full inspection, testing, and maintenance schedule
for sprinkler systems, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters should reference NFPA 25. It is also highly recommended that Coordinators
of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters familiarize themselves with the
S-12 Certificate of Fitness for Citywide Sprinkler Systems, which can be found on the
FDNY website at the web address below:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-s12-s15-noe-study-materials.pdf
In addition to the responsibilities above, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems
must ensure that sprinkler systems are functioning after shutoff required for
maintenance. A report published by the National Fire Protection Association indicates
that, “When sprinklers fail to operate, the reason most often given (63% of failures)
was shutoff of the system before the fire began, as may occur in the course of routine
inspection or maintenance.”
12. Standpipe Systems
Standpipe systems provide water that firefighters can manually discharge through
hoses onto a fire. Water is fed into a piping system. The piping runs vertically and
horizontally throughout the building. The pipes running vertically are usually called
risers. The risers are usually located in the stairwell enclosures or in the hallways in
the building. The piping system supplies water to every floor in the building.
Standpipe systems are used in buildings where it may be difficult for the Fire
Department to pump water on the fire. For example, standpipe systems are required
in buildings that are over 75 feet in height. The top of the standpipe riser extends up
onto the roof.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems are also responsible for ensuring that the
inspection, testing and maintenance of the standpipe system will take place on
schedule. Automatic and non-automatic standpipe systems shall be inspected, tested
and maintained by a competent person holding a C of F, employed by the owner, to
see that all parts of the system are in good working order, and that the Fire
Department connection or connections, if any, are ready for immediate use by the Fire
Department. A detailed record shall be kept of each inspection for examination by any
representative of the Fire Department.
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The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is responsible
for verifying that the person who is inspecting, testing, or maintaining the system has
the proper C of F and/or license and that a written record of their work is kept on the
premises. Annually and once every five years standpipe systems must be tested and
maintained by either a master fire suppression piping contractor with an S-13 C of F,
or a person who possesses a master plumber license in addition to an S-13 C of F.
For the full inspection, testing, and maintenance schedule for standpipe systems,
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter should reference
NFPA 25. It is also highly recommended that Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters familiarize themselves with the S-13 Certificate of
Fitness for Citywide Standpipe Systems, which can be found on the FDNY website at
the web address below:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-s13-s14-noe-study-materials.pdf
13. Test, Inspection and Repair Procedures for Fire Alarm
Systems
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be aware of
the test, inspection and repair procedures and schedule for the fire alarm systems
within the shelter. A record of all tests, inspections, and other operations of the fire
alarm system must be noted in the log book.
It is important to note that a third party company may be hired to come to a shelter
on a set schedule and perform inspections, testing and maintenance of fire alarm
systems. If that is the case, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters must ensure that the service people are performing the job they
were hired for, and that they are performing inspections, testing, and maintenance on
the schedule required.
13.1 Building Fire Protection Features Normally Activated By Fire
Alarm Systems
HVAC Systems: The supply and movement of air is a primary determinant of the
severity of a fire event in a building. When a fire is well supplied with fresh air and its
component, oxygen, the fire will be able to grow and spread more rapidly. Similarly,
when an air handling system is carrying superheated air or smoke through fire walls
and between compartments, the spread of the fire will be greatly enhanced.
It is imperative that air movement be shut down in the event of a fire. Fire alarm
systems are therefore interfaced to HVAC systems so that an alarm signal from the fire
alarm system will cause the air handling systems in the area of the alarm to shut
down.
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When the fire alarm is reset, the fans usually will require resetting from a separate
“Fan Restart” button or switch. The fan restart key switch, switch, or button is usually
located at the FACP.
Smoke Dampers: Smoke dampers open and close when required to provide fresh air
or to stop smoke passage.
Fire Dampers: Fire dampers close when a rise in temperature occurs and stay shut to
stop fire from passing through a barrier.
Elevator Recall: The fire alarm system integrates with elevator controls to recall
elevator cars to the designated landing floor in the event of an alarm.
Hold open device: When fire doors are equipped with hold open devices
interconnected to a building's fire alarm system, such device will release, allowing the
door to close
automatically upon activation of the building's fire alarm system
14. Out of Service Situations
Where a required fire protection system is out of service, the department shall be
notified immediately and unless otherwise directed by the commissioner, either the
building shall be evacuated or a fire watch shall be maintained by one or more
persons holding a certificate of fitness for fire guard. Any other actions as the
commissioner may direct in addition to or in lieu of such measures shall also be
undertaken, until the fire protection system has been returned to service. Where
utilized, fire guards shall be provided with at least one approved means for notification
of the department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the
protected premises and keep watch for fires. Any impairment to a fire protection or
related system could poses safety risks to a building and its occupants and should be
taken seriously.
In most homeless shelters, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems will be
assigned the role of impairment coordinator, so it is imperative that they are familiar
with their responsiblities in that role. If otherwise stated, the building owner shall
designate an impairment coordinator to comply with the requirements of this section.
However, in the absence of a specific designee, the owner shall be considered the
impairment coordinator.
A tag shall be used to indicate that a system, or portion thereof, is out of service. The
tag shall be posted at each fire department connection, system control valve, fire alarm
control unit, fire alarm annunciator and fire command center, indicating which
system, or part thereof, is out of service. The commissioner shall specify where the tag
is to be placed.
14.1 Planned Removal from Service
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The certificate of fitness holder and the impairment coordinator shall be made aware
of and authorize the placing of systems out of service. Before authorizing such action
the impairment coordinator shall:
1. Determine the extent and expected duration of the out of service
condition
2. Inspect the areas or buildings involved and assess the increased risks
3. Make appropriate recommendations to the owner
4. Notify the Fire Department and the responsible person designated by the
owner to issue hot work authorizations in accordance with Chapter 26 of
the New York City Fire Code
5. Notify the central station company and insurance carrier
6. Notify the building occupants in the affected areas
7. Place out of service tags at all required and appropriate locations
8. Maintain system in service until work is ready to begin
14.2 Unplanned Out of Service Condition
The certificate of fitness holder, impairment coordinator, and/or other person
responsible for inspecting, maintaining or supervising the operation of a fire protection
system who observes a serious defect such as an empty tank, break or major leak in
system water piping, inoperative or shut water supply valves, defective Siamese
connections, or complete or partial shut down of sprinkler and/or standpipe systems,
other than a shutdown for scheduled inspection, testing or maintenance, shall
immediately report such condition to the owner of the building, and to the Fire
department. When a system fails or otherwise goes out of service, the certificate of
fitness holder or the impairment coordinator shall take the same actions set forth in
the “Planned Removal from Service” section and such other actions necessary or
appropriate to protect the occupants of the building and minimize property damage.
When the certificate of fitness holder or other such person observes a minor defect or
other condition not presenting a serious safety hazard, he or she shall report the
defect or condition to the owner, and if the defect or condition is not corrected within
30 days, shall report it in writing to the department.
14.3 Fire Watch
In a shelter where a required fire protection system is out of service, a fire watch shall
be maintained by one or more persons holding a certificate of fitness as fire guard. The
fire guard(s) is/are required to be immediately available when the system is out-of-
service with the following exception:
• When the affected area does not exceed 50,000 square feet, the impairment
coordinator (or a trained and knowledgeable person who is capable of
performing fire watch duties and is designated by the building owner) may
perform the duties of the fire watch for the initial 4 hours of an unplanned or
planned out of service condition.
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The number of fire guards generally depends on the location and the size of the area
affected by the out of service fire protection system. A fire guard should be available to
patrol all areas in which the fire protection system is out of service at least once every
hour. No individual fire guard should patrol more than 50,000 square feet of building
floor area. It may be necessary that more than one fire guard be designated to meet
this standard.
The recommended coverage for performing fire watch in affected area(s) is summarized
in the table below.
Area
Planned or Unplanned
The initial 4 hours
> 4 hours
≤ 50,000 ft
2
A C of F as fire guard holder
or an Impairment coordinator
or a trained and
knowledgeable person
One C of F as fire guard holder
> 50,000 ft
2
One C of F as fire guard holder per 50,000 square feet
The fire guard should be maintained continuously, 24 hours a day, until such systems
are restored to good working order. In some cases, Fire Department personnel may be
on scene and provide additional direction on the number of required fire guards or
other fire protection measures that may be required until such time as the fire
protection system is restored to good working order.
14.4 Restoring systems to service
When an out of service device, equipment or system is restored to normal working
order, the impairment coordinator shall:
1. Conduct necessary inspections and tests to verify that the affected
systems are operational.
2. Notify the Fire Department.
3. Notify the owner, central station, insurance carrier and occupants in the
affected areas.
4. Remove the out of service tags.
15. Portable Fire Extinguishers
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter must be familiar with
the different types of portable fire extinguishers. Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelter should know how to operate the extinguishers in a safe
and efficient manner. They must know the difference between the various types of
extinguishers and when they should be used. Portable fire extinguishers weighing 40
lbs. or less must be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 ft
above the floor. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers weighing more than 40 lbs.
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must be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3.5 feet above
the floor. The clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor must not
be less than 4 inches. In other words, no fire extinguisher is allowed to be on the
floor.
Fire extinguishers must be located in conspicuous locations where they will be readily
accessible and immediately available for use. These locations must be along normal
paths of travel.
In the event that a fire extinguisher has been discharged, it must be fully recharged or
replaced prior to being used again. Portable fire extinguishers are important in
preventing a small fire from growing into a catastrophic fire; however, they are not
intended to fight large or spreading fires. Portable fire extinguishers should only be
used when there is an available means of egress that is clear of fire. By the time the
fire has spread, fire extinguishers, even if used properly, will not be adequate to
extinguish the fire. Such fires should be extinguished by the building fire
extinguishing systems or trained firefighters only.
In case of any fire, 911 must be called. Fire extinguishers must be used in accordance
with the instructions painted on the side of the extinguisher. They clearly describe
how to use the extinguisher in case of an emergency. The Coordinator of Fire Safety &
Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be familiar with the use of portable fire
extinguishers. When it comes to using a fire-extinguisher, remember the acronym
P.A.S.S. to help make sure it is used properly. P.A.S.S. stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze,
Sweep.
15.1 Different Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are classified by the type of fire that they will extinguish. Some fire
extinguishers can only be used on certain types of fires, while other fire extinguishers
are made to extinguish more than one type of fire. The portable fire extinguisher
classification is indicated on the right side of the extinguisher. For more detailed
information regarding the different portable fire extinguisher classifications and the
types of fires they extinguish, reference the chart below.
A Class A fire extinguisher is used for ordinary combustibles, such
as wood, paper, some plastics and textiles. This class of fire
requires the heat-absorbing effects of
water or the coating effects of
certain dry chemicals. Extinguishers that are suitable for Class A
fires should be identified by a triangle containing the letter “A.” If
in
color, the triangle should be green.
A Class B fire extinguisher is used for flammable liquid and gas
fires such as oil, gasoline, etc. These fire extinguishers deprive the
fire of oxygen and interrupt the fire chain by inhibiting the release
of combustible vapors. Extinguishers that are suitable for Class B
fires should be identified by a square containing the letter “B.” If in
color, the square should be red.
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A Class C fire extinguisher is used on fires that involve live
electrical equipment which require the use of electrically
nonconductive extinguishing agents. (Once the el
ectrical equipment
is de-energized, extinguishers for Class A or B fires may be used.)
Extinguishers that are suitable for Class C fires should be
identified by a circle containing the letter “C.” If in color, the circle
should be blue.
A Class D fire extinguisher is used on combustible metals such as
magnesium, titanium, sodium, etc., which require an extinguishing
medium that does not react with the burning metal. Extinguishers
that are suitable for Class D fires should be identified by a five-
point painted star containing the letter “D.” If in color, the star
should be yellow.
A Class K fire extinguisher is used on fires involving cooking media
(fats, grease and oils) in commercial cooking such as restaurants.
These fire extinguishers work on the principal of saponification.
Saponification takes place when alkaline mixtures such as
potassium acetate, potassium citrate or potassium carbonate are
applied to burning cooking oil or fat. The alkaline mixture
combined with the fatty acid creates soapy foam on the surface
which holds in the vapors and steam and extinguishes the fire.
These extinguishers are identified by the letter K.
The most commonly sold portable fire extinguishers (PFEs) are labeled ABC
extinguishers. Class ABC extinguishers are often the primary PFE in offices, hotels,
theaters and classrooms. Class ABC extinguishers are dry chemical extinguishers
that can be used to extinguish regular combustible fires, flammable liquid fires, and
fires involving electrical equipment. ABC extinguishers are usually red in color and
range in size from 5-20 lbs. The pictures below show an example of a Class ABC
portable fire extinguisher.
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Class A portable fire extinguishers are available but are not as prevalent as Class ABC
extinguishers. Class A PFEs are also known as Air Pressurized Water (APW) fire
extinguishers. Water is an extinguishing agent for regular
combustibles.
These extinguishers are usually silver in color and approximately 3 feet
in height and weigh approximately 25 lbs. Class A portable fire
extinguishers are useful in buildings and occupancies that primarily
contain Type A combustible materials. These PFEs should ONLY be
used on ordinary combustible fires. The picture to the right shows an
example of a typical Class A portable fire extinguisher.
Portable fire extinguishers with a classification of “BC” are used to
extinguish flammable liquid fires and electrical equipment fires.
Portable fire extinguishers with a classification of just “B” or a
classification of just “C” do not exist. “BC” portable fire extinguishers
are red in color and range in size from five 5-100 lbs. or larger. Class
BC portable fire extinguishers are filled with sodium bicarbonate or
potassium bicarbonate. An example of a BC portable
fire extinguisher is shown below:
As mentioned above, a portable fire extinguisher with
just a “C” classification does not exist. The “C”
classification indicates ONLY that the extinguishing
agent is a non conductor and is safe to use on live
electrical fires. “C” fires will have either an “A”
component, such as ordinary combustibles around
the electrical item, or a “B” component such as an oil
filled transformer or some electrical device involving
flammable liquids. This is the reason “C”
classifications are only attached to either a “B” or
“AB” fire extinguisher. This classification specifies
the fire extinguisher that is most appropriate for
extinguishing the fire.
Class K portable fire extinguishers are often found in
kitchens and are used to extinguish combustible cooking fluids such as oils and fats.
There are different extinguishing agents found in fire extinguishers labeled Class K.
Some of these extinguishing agents are dry and some are wet. Potassium bicarbonate
is used in some dry chemical fire extinguishers and a chemical mist is used in some
wet chemical fire extinguishers. The extinguishing agents in a Class K fire
extinguisher are sometimes electrically conductive and should only be used AFTER the
power has been turned off in the electrical appliance. An example of a Class K fire
extinguisher is shown in the pictures below:
Class A PFE
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15.2 Labeling
Portable fire extinguishers are labeled
so users can quickly identify the classes
of fire on which the extinguisher will be
effective. The marking system combines
pictures of both recommended and
unacceptable extinguisher types on a
single identification label. The following
is an example of typical labels.
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15.3 Portable Fire Extinguisher Inspections
MONTHLY
The portable fire extinguishers are required to be checked monthly. The owner of the
business is responsible to select a person to do a monthly inspection. This monthly
inspection is called a "quick check".
The QUICK CHECK should check if:
(1) the fire extinguisher is fully charged;
(2) it is in its designated place;
(3) it has not been actuated or tampered with;
(4) there is no obvious or physical damage or condition to prevent its operation.
The information of the monthly inspection record must include the date of the
inspection, the name/initials of the person who did the inspection. This monthly quick
check record must be kept on the back of the PFE tag or by an approved electronic
method that provides a permanent record.
ANNUALLY
At least annually all Portable Fire Extinguishers must be checked by a W-96
Certificate of Fitness holder from FDNY approved company. After each annual
inspection W-96 COF holder will replace the PFE tag. The information of the annual
inspection record must be indicated on the new PFE tag.
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15.4 Portable Fire Extinguisher Tags
Installed portable fire extinguishers must have an FDNY standard PFE tag affixed.
This tag will have important information about the extinguisher. By November 15,
2019, all portable fire extinguishers must have the new PFE tags. The FDNY will only
recognize new PFE tags and will be issuing violations to business that have PFE
installed without a proper tag.
The color of the fire extinguishers may be changed by the FDNY every few years. The
FDNY recommends two ways to verify the tag’s legitimacy:
1. Hologram:
A real hologram strip shown on the tag is 3 inches long by ¼ inch wide. Counterfeit
tags will NOT have a high quality silver hologram. The hologram on a counterfeit tag
will NOT change color as it is moved against the light.
2. QR code
IF you scan the QR code, it should direct you to the updated FDNY approved fire
extinguisher company list. You can use the company list to verify if the company
printed on the list is currently approved by the FDNY.
If your PFE tags cannot be verified via these two methods, contact your supervisor. If
you suspect your PFE is a counterfeit, contact FDNY immediately by e-mail:
Tags.Decal@fdny.nyc.gov
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PFE tag (This tag is released for 2021-2023)
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16. Recordkeeping
Recordkeeping is imperative to ensure that there is a written record of certain
procedures and required inspections, testing and maintenance within the shelter. Log
books should be maintained on the premises for a period of 3 years from the last
entry. Records must always be made available upon request of any Fire Department
representative. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
should know the location of all log books and the information they contain.
The following information must be recorded at the beginning of the log book:
1. Shelter address
2. The date FDNY approved the shelter’s fire alarm system and the
manufacturer of the system
3. FDNY approved central station information, such as:
a. account number
b. company name
c. telephone number
d. supervisors name
A log book entry must be made for all of the following, including but not limited to:
1. Fire watch patrols
2. Fire Drills, specifically:
a. the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
conducting the drill and his/her certificate of fitness number
b. date and time of the drill
c. name and title of the FEP staff assisting in the conduct of the drill
d. number of occupants participating in the drill
e. evaluation of effectiveness of the drill, including any delays and
deficiencies
f. if evacuation was conducted, time required to accomplish evacuation
3. Standpipe/sprinkler system inspection, testing and servicing
4. Fire alarm system inspection, testing and servicing
5. Fire department connection testing
6. Smoke detector inspection, testing and servicing;
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7. Portable fire extinguisher testing and servicing;
8. Conduct of FEP staff training;
9. Proof of flame-resistant decorations; and
10. When the emergency preparedness plan is reviewed
11. When the emergency preparedness plan is implemented
17. Safety in Shelters
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be familiar
with the typical causes of fire in a homeless shelter so that they can be aware of these
hazards and prevent fires. If FEP staff members become aware of a fire hazard they
should inform the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters
immediately. Typical causes of fire in homeless shelters are listed below:
Overloaded extension
cords
Portable heaters
Unattended and prohibited microwaves
Halogen lamps
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Overloaded electrical outlets and power strips
Candles and hot plates
Unattended cigarettes
Unattended or improperly used ovens and
stoves
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and fire guards
should also be aware that sometimes fires in shelters are started intentionally. All
employees should be aware of and must pay close attention to any type of suspicious
behavior. Anyone witnessing suspicious behavior should inform the Coordinator of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters immediately.
17.1 Buildings Temporarily Occupied as Emergency Shelters
The following are standards, requirements and procedures for premises or parts of
premises that are operated, on a temporary basis, to provide emergency shelter for
more than 15 persons.
General Requirements:
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The requirements 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
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 as an
emergency shelter for more than 15 persons, before starting such use or
occupancy
The Emergency shelter must comply with the Building Code. The Fire
Department and the Department of Buildings will resolve any issues arising
from the application of these requirements to a particular premise
Design and Installation Requirements:
The premises 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
The premises shall be equipped with a fire alarm system designed and installed
in accordance with the Building Code and provided with:
o an approved fire command center at an approved location;
o 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
o an approved one-way voice communication system capable of making
announcements from the fire command center to all parts of the
premises
The shelter must be equipped with emergency lighting in accordance with the
Building Code
Shelters must not become overcrowded and must maintain adequate means of
egress, including:
a. providing a livable area of not less than 80 square feet per shelter
occupant, or as otherwise approved by the NYC Department of Buildings.
b. adequate aisle space shall be maintained throughout the emergency
shelter. Aisles shall not be less than 36 inches (3 feet) in width, except
that cross aisles (aisle space in the main hallways) shall not be less than
48 inches (4 feet) in width
This aisle space is necessary to permit occupants to quickly exit the premises in
case of an emergency
Means of egress shall be provided that are:
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a. sufficient in number
b. remote from one another
c. arranged to open in the direction of exit travel
d. equipped with panic hardware
e. equipped with doors that have hold open devices
f. unobstructed and unimpeded, and unlocked in the direction of egress
at all times
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.
Operational and Maintenance Requirements:
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).
This helps to avoid confusion in the case of an emergency.
All parts of occupancies in use as shelters, 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
Below grade areas such as basements 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
Certain drapes, curtains, and other decorations in public areas in shelters must
be inherently flame resistant or undergo a flame retardant treatment. The
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be
familiar with the most recent regulations in the Fire Code and the Rules of the
City of New York, in addition to the C-15 Flame Retardant Treatment Certificate
of Fitness, available below:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-c15-noe-study-materials.pdf
Smoking is prohibited inside of shelters
Shelters must be provided with noncombustible waste containers with tight
fitting lids. At least one container must be provided for each 50 persons in each
occupied area of the shelter, but not less than 2 containers shall be provided in
each sleeping area, dining area and other gathering place. Combustible waste
containers must be regularly emptied and must not be allowed to overflow.
Combustible waste awaiting collection must be stored outdoors in accordance
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with the Fire Code, or indoors in a separate locked room on the ground floor
that is protected by a sprinkler system.
The following signs shall be securely and conspicuously posted in accordance
with the New York City Building Code:
a. Exit signs
b. Stairwell floor number and stairwell identification signs
c. Elevator identification and emergency signs.
d. Sleeping room signs
e. Fire emergency reporting signs
17.2 Elevators
In an actual emergency, elevators (if the shelter has them) should be returned to the
designated lobby or sky lobby. There must be a sign over the elevator call button
indicating that elevators must not be used during a fire unless otherwise instructed by
the Fire Department. This sign must be not more than 6 feet above the floor. This
sign is known as an elevator lobby or landing sign.
All elevators equipped with Phase I emergency elevator recall and Phase II emergency
in-service elevator operation shall be maintained in proper working order such that
the emergency elevator operations are operable at all times. All elevators shall be
subjected, at least monthly, to a Phase I recall test. All elevators shall also be
subjected, at least monthly, to a minimum of a Phase II one-floor operation test. A
written record of the operational status of the elevator shall be made and kept on the
premises and made available for inspection at the request of any Fire Department
representative.
17.3 Medical Emergency
If a Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters becomes aware
of an injury or other medical emergency at the premises, they should call 911 and
provide as much of the following information as possible. The Coordinator of Fire
Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is NOT required to have specific medical
knowledge or training, however when communicating with medical responders the
ability to provide this information is helpful.
o Caller location and the location of the victim(s) (if different from your
location), including the business name, street address, cross street, floor
and room number (if applicable)
o Caller name and telephone number for a return call
o The number of victim(s)
o The victim(s)’s chief complaint or present condition (e.g. bleeding,
breathing erratically, conscious/unconscious, etc)
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o Any hazards involved
The caller should follow the exact instructions of the 911 operator and emergency
personnel.
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should alert
trained employees who are CPR qualified, as noted in the emergency
preparedness plan. Only trained employees should provide first aid assistance.
If there are no trained employees on the premises, designate a responsible
person to stay with the victim(s).
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter should
arrange for an elevator to be placed on stand by (if the shelter has elevators).
The victim should not be moved unless the victim(s)’s location is unsafe.
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should
control access to the scene.
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should
arrange a designated person to meet the ambulance at the nearest entrance or
emergency access point; direct them to victim(s)
17.4 Bomb or other explosion threats
If a person receives a suspicious package and is unable to verify its contents, they
should follow the emergency reporting protocol below:
Do not touch/move/open the article
Call 911 and provide the following information:
o Your location and the location of the suspicious package (if different from
your location), including the business name, street address, cross street,
floor and room number (if applicable)
o Name and telephone number for return call
17.5 Chemical incident or release
In case of a major spill, the Fire Department must be notified by calling 911
immediately. After calling 911, the caller’s supervisor should be notified.
The caller should wait for and follow instructions from the first respondent.
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18. Common Problems in Shelters
The following is a list of common problems found in shelters that can endanger the
safety of building occupants and employees. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters should be familiar with these problems so that they can
avoid their occurrence.
1. Failure of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters to maintain proper recordkeeping
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must
ensure that all required log books are updated and kept on the premises in
accordance with the New York City Fire Code.
2. Lack of knowledge regarding Phase I and Phase II Elevator Service
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be
able to operate the elevators in the shelter in Phase I and Phase II elevator
service in accordance with the New York City Fire Code.
3. Lack of Knowledge regarding Fire Alarm Panel
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters often do not
understand the actions they should take when the Fire Alarm Control Panel is
activated (for example, if a trouble or supervisory signal exists). Coordinators of
Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must receive training and be
highly proficient on the Fire Alarm Panel in their shelter.
4. Failure to Facilitate the Inspection and Maintenance and Testing of Fire
Alarm Systems
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be
familiar with the inspection, maintenance and testing schedule for Fire Alarm
Systems. Even if the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless
Shelters is not qualified to perform inspection, maintenance or testing, he or
she must know when it needs to take place and ensure that it does.
5. Lack of Knowledge Regarding Proper Actions to take when there are Fire
Protection System Impairments
There are particular steps that must be followed when there are impairments to
the fire protection system in a shelter. Impairments may include a
malfunctioning sprinkler system, a manual pull station that is not working, or
an out of service fire alarm control panel. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm
Systems in Homeless Shelters must ensure that the proper steps to take upon
the discovery of an impairment are followed in accordance with the New York
City Fire Code.
6. Lack of Knowledge regarding when a Permit is required for Hazardous
Materials and Hazardous Operations
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Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be
aware if the shelter they are working in is using or storing hazardous materials
in quantities that require permits. These requirements can be obtained by
reviewing Section 105.2 of the New York City Fire Code.
7. Improper Storage
Recycle bins and trash containers are often stored within the shelter corridors
and stairwells which obstruct means of egress and can be a fire hazard if a fire
erupts.
Additionally, client’s personal items are often found in the hallways, blocking
means of egress. Items are often improperly stored in hallways, under
stairwells, inside mechanical rooms, within stairwells and electrical rooms.
Sometimes this extra storage obstructs sprinkler heads.
Hallway obstructions Mattresses improperly stored in the
passageway leading to the stairwell
8. Required Fire-rated doors
Required fire-rated doors in stairwells, boiler rooms, and electrical rooms are
often open when they should be closed. Sometimes they are propped open with
door stoppers when they must be closed. In some shelters, door hardware such
as knobs and latching mechanisms are broken or disabled. Improper hardware
is sometimes used on the doors. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems
in Homeless Shelters must ensure that Fire-rated doors remain closed and that
any improper hardware is removed.
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Fire doors illegally propped open Fire doors illegally suspended open
with a portable fire extinguisher
9. Open flames, unauthorized use of portable heating appliances and smoking
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter and fire guards must
ensure that unlawful activities are not taking place in shelters.
10. Lack of Emergency Planning and Preparedness
Shelters are required to submit the plan for acceptance as required by the Fire
Code, Rules and Fire Department policy.
11. Emergency Lighting
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter should ensure
that battery operated emergency light fixtures are functioning.
Please reference Appendix A for a “Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in
Homeless Shelters Checklist” which can be used as an additional resource.
Fire door propped open
with a doorstop, which is
illegal
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19. LITHIUM-ION BATTERY SAFETY
Lithium-ion safety
Lithium-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries found in electric bikes,
scooters, cars, laptops, tablets, phones, and many other common household
devices.
Lithium-ion battery fires have caused deaths, serious injuries, and devastating
damage to property around the city. It’s important to follow rules for safe
storage, charging, and disposal for these types of batteries.
If you own a lithium-ion powered device or plan to buy one, the FDNY has
important safety tips that you should follow. These tips apply to all devices
powered by lithium-ion batteries, including phones, tablets, laptops, e-
cigarettes, toys, high-tech luggage, and even robotic vacuum cleaners.
Immediately stop using or charging battery and call 911 if you notice:
• Fire or Smoke
• Overheating
• Change in color or shape
• Odd noises
• Leaking
• Strange smell
ALWAYS:
NEVER:
•
purchase and use devices certified
by a Nationally Recognized Testing
Laboratory (NRTL).
• follow the manufacturer’s
instructions for:
• charging and storage.
• correct battery, cord, and
power adapter
• keep exit path clear at all times.
• plug directly into a wall electrical
outlet for charging.
• keep batteries and devices at room
temperature.
• store and/or charge batteries away
from anything flammable.
• keep away from heat sources.
• bring batteries to a NYC Battery
Recycling Center. Visit
nyc.gov/batteries
for more
information.
•
use aftermarket batteries or
chargers.
• use damaged or altered batteries
• plug into a power strip or overload
an outlet.
• overcharge or leave battery charging
overnight.
• charge a battery or device under
your pillow, on your bed, or near a
couch
.
• leave e-bikes or e-scooters
unattended while charging.
• block your primary way in or out of
a room/space with e-bikes, e-
scooters, wheelchairs, etc.
• place batteries in Trash or
Recycling bin. It is ILLEGAL. Visit
nyc.gov/batteries for disposal
locations and information.
In the event of a Fire,
Leave and CLOSE the door.
Call 911 once you are in a safe location.
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Charging Lithium Ion
Lithium-ion batteries do not have to be fully charged; partial
charge is the most suitable.
When
charging more than five (5)
personal mobility devices or their
removable batteries, it must be in a
dedicated room with ventilation
and a
self-closing door.
For a total battery capacity of 20 kilowatt-hours (kWh), a 2-foot
separation between charging batteries is required. For a total battery
capacity up to 50 kWh, a 3-foot separation is needed.
Chargers must only be used with a compatible battery pack. The
original equipment manufacturer (OEM) charger interplays with the
battery pack using the battery management system (BMS). The wrong
battery/charger combination may not work safely. For example, the
100% cutoff to prevent overcharging, which damages batteries, may
not work which can easily create hazardous conditions such as fires,
explosions and/or injuries.
Always check with the manufacturer or retailer of the personal
mobility device, an authorized repair shop or a testing laboratory
such as Underwrites Laboratories (UL) to see if replacement is
recommended or listed and safe for use with that device. Using
unauthorized parts, including batteries and/or chargers, may cause
damage, fire and possibly void your warranty.
Extinguishing Lithium-ion
Water may not prevent a battery from burning and spreading. Battery cells
are known to explode and quickly spread to another battery. It can spread
to another devices.
Fire Extinguishers
do not work
on lithium-ion batteries fires.
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Unexpected Re-ignition.
Reignition is common. Lithium-Ion Batteries are known to unexpectedly re-
ignite (without warning) minutes, hours and even days after all visible fire has
been put out.
Lithium-ion batteries can enter an uncontrollable, self-heating state. This can
result in the release of gas, cause fire and possible explosion.
These batteries may continue to generate heat even when there is no visible
sign of fire. Once heat reaches a certain level fire may reignite on the battery
and surrounding area.
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Appendix A
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters Checklist*
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should have the
following materials available upon request:
Demographic information about the shelter (i.e. name of the shelter, address, zip code,
borough, number of stories, height, floors that are occupied as a shelter)
Certificate of Occupancy
Operating Certificate
A diagram of the means of egress throughout the shelter
Emergency Preparedness Plan accepted by the FDNY
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters’ name
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters’ Certificate of Fitness
number and expiration date
Deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters’ name
Deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters’ Certificate of
Fitness number and expiration date
Fire Drill Records (a record of at the minimum, a monthly drill on each work shift)
Number of Fire Guards on the premises
Fire Guards’ Certificate of Fitness numbers and expiration dates
Record of Fire Alarm System inspection and testing
Record of annual Portable Fire Extinguisher servicing
Sprinkler system inspection record
S-12 Citywide Sprinkler System Certificate of Fitness holder name and expiration date
Standpipe system inspection record (if applicable)
S-13 Citywide Standpipe System Certificate of Fitness holder name and expiration date
Record of Suppression System’s five year flow and hydrostatic testing
Record of fire pump maintenance and testing
Affidavits of flame retardant treatment or inherently flame retardant material (if
applicable)
Permits for storage and handling of hazardous materials (if applicable)
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be
knowledgeable about the following:
The functionality of the Fire Alarm Control Panel, such as:
o placing the fire alarm system on and off line
o making a public address announcement throughout the building, in the
stairway(s), and on individual floors
o acknowledging signals at the fire alarm control panel
o communicating with FEP staff using the primary and secondary means of
communication designated in the emergency preparedness plan for the building
o silencing the fire tones throughout the building after FDNY authorization
o resetting the fire command center
The number of exits in the shelter and their location (including fire escapes)
The number and type of stairways
The stairways that extend to the roof
Any recent alterations or renovations made to the shelter
Any recent additions or changes to the fire alarm system
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The name of the Central Station monitoring company
The location and types of detectors within the shelter
The type of suppression system in the shelter
Location of the main shutoff and section valves
The condition, maintenance, and switches for the electrical system
The type of fire pump and its location
The type of heat source in the shelter
If there is an emergency generator, it’s location and testing record
Gas or fuel oil in the shelter
The number of levels below grade and means of egress
The use of areas below grade (used for storage, manufacturing, etc.)
The layout of areas and levels below grade
The location of the boiler room
The configuration of the roof and its support system
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should be aware of all
of the following:
Exits, doors, aisles, hallways and stairs should not be blocked or obstructed
The Fire Command Post has appropriate signage
The Emergency Preparedness plan is on the premises and updated as often as
necessary
The Fire Alarm Control panel is in good physical condition
The Fire Alarm Control panel has the power light on
Fire Alarm boxes are unobstructed and have appropriate signage
Fire Department connections are unobstructed and have appropriate signage
Control valves are unobstructed
Control valves are sealed open
Control valves have tamper switches
Extra sprinkler heads are available and on the premises
Sprinkler heads throughout the shelter are clear of obstructions (not loaded)
Elevator emergency signs are posted
Elevator diagram is posted
Elevator banks are labeled with the appropriate letter designation
The door to the roof is unlocked
Access to the roof is unobstructed
There is no combustible waste on the roof
Portable fire extinguishers are inspected monthly and the inspection is recorded on the
tag
Emergency lighting is operational and maintained
Exits and stairs are accurately marked and illuminated
Fire escapes are in good condition
Windows are properly secured
Fire doors are closed
Doors to sleeping rooms possess self-closing devices
Sleeping rooms are properly identified
No smoking signs are posted
Combustible waste is removed from the premises
Check that ventilation ducts are operating properly and are well maintained
General good housekeeping throughout the shelter
Ceilings are well maintained
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Kitchens have an appropriate extinguishing system and all equipment is well
maintained (if applicable)
*This is not meant to be an all-inclusive check-list. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems
in Homeless Shelters must be familiar with the New York City Fire Code, the Rules of the City of
New York and NFPA standards at all times.
