§ 4-06 Installation of Interior Fire Alarm Signal Systems.
RCNY § 4-06
(a)Scope. These rules apply to all hotels, as defined in the Administrative Code and the Multiple Dwelling Law; to all lodging houses having more than 15 sleeping rooms, or accommodating more than 15 lodgers above the first or ground story; to all public and private hospitals and asylums having more than 15 rooms, or accommodating more than 15 patients or inmates above the first or ground story; to all nurseries accommodating more than 30 children, or having a Board of Health permit for the accommodation of more than 30 children; to all Turkish or other special treatment bath houses where there are sleeping accommodations for more than fifteen persons on the premises; to all department stores having two or more departments where the public is admitted above the second floor; to all public schools, and to all single and tenant factory buildings, as defined in the Labor Law and specifically required by § 279 of said Law.
(b)Definitions. Approved. The term "approved" shall mean approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals. Coded closed circuit fire alarm signal systems. The term "coded closed circuit fire alarm signal systems" shall mean a fire alarm signal system consisting of sending stations and signaling devices operated on supervised closed electric circuits which transmits rounds of coded signals to indicate the floor or portion of the same from which the alarm was sent. Commissioner. The term "Commissioner" shall mean the Fire Commissioner of the fire department specifically charged with the enforcement of law relating to interior fire alarm systems in the City of New York. Hereafter. The term "hereafter" shall mean after December 31, 1936. Heretofore. The term "heretofore" shall mean before December 31, 1936. Non-coded closed circuit fire alarm signal system. The term "non-coded closed circuit fire alarm signal system" shall mean a fire alarm signal system consisting of sending stations and signaling devices operated on supervised closed electric alternating current circuits, so arranged that the operation of any station will automatically sound the signaling devices throughout all portions of the building.
(c)General (1) All fire alarm signal systems and devices shall be approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals.
(2)All devices and equipment that have been approved by the Board, shall have securely fastened thereon, a manufacturer's plate bearing the words "Approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals – No _____ ", together with any other electrical data that the Commissioner may require.
(d)Examination and approval of plan. Before the installation or extension of any fire alarm system, specifications and plans thereof, showing complete details of the proposed installation, shall be submitted by the owner or his agent to the Commissioner for examination and approval.
(e)Classification.
(1)Fire alarm signal systems shall be classified as follows: (i) Non-coded closed circuit fire alarm systems.
(ii)Coded closed circuit fire alarm systems. The code numbers that are used shall be submitted for approval to the Commissioner and shall be sounded at least four (4) times for each operation of sending station.
(3)Coded closed circuit system shall be divided into three (3) classes: Class 1 – General Systems. Class 2 – Pre-signal or dual operation systems. Class 3 – Unit and general systems – or Duplex systems. Special systems.
(4)Class 1 systems shall be a general alarm system of the coded closed circuit type so arranged that the operation of any station will cause the signaling devices to sound the code number of that station at least four (4) times throughout the entire building.
(5)Class 2 system shall be a pre-signal or dual operation system of the coded closed circuit type so arranged that the operation of any station will cause the sounding of the signaling devices located in the engine room, elevator shafts, basement or other places in the building where the members of the fire brigade work or assemble.
(i)Approved means shall be provided at each station, so arranged that a subsequent operation of any station shall cause the sounding of all signaling devices throughout the building.
(iii)The pre-signal or dual operation key or plug shall be so designed that it can be readily identified by the person whose duty it would be to use same.
(6)Class 3 system shall be a unit and general alarm or Duplex system of the coded closed circuit type so arranged that the operation of a station within a unit will cause all of the signaling devices in that unit and all of the signaling devices on the general alarm circuit to sound the code numbers of the unit and zone at least four (4) times.
(7)Special systems shall include a complete Class 1, 2 or 3 systems supplemented by special circuits for the operation of other fire alarm devices in the systems; or electric control systems for stopping machinery, closing doors or ventilators as may be required by the Commissioner; or to call the central station of a private operating company or the fire department. Automatic fire detecting systems may be connected to operate an interior fire alarm system when connected thereto by an approved coded transmitter. In no case shall the transmitter be considered to replace the standard approved interior fire alarm station, except where a transmitter has been approved for both purposes. The special control circuits shall be separate and distinct from the fire alarm system but shall be brought into action whenever the fire alarm system is set in operation.
(f)Systems permitted in factory and other buildings.
(g)Installation and construction requirements.
(8)For fastening to masonry walls, through bolts, metal expansion shields or toggle bolts shall be used.
(9)Wood screws shall be used for fastening equipment to wood surfaces.
(10)The use of nails or wood or fibre plugs is prohibited.
(11)When fire alarm apparatus is mounted upon a wooden back board, such back board shall be not less than seven-eighths (7/8) inch thick, impregnated with a non-absorptive compound. The back board shall be so mounted as to provide an air space of at least one-quarter (1/4) inch between the back board and the wall for free circulation of air.
(12)All electrical conductors shall be installed in standard rigid metal conduits, in accordance with the Electrical Code of the City of New York.
(13)All conduits shall be grounded to a water pipe by approved ground clamps with a conductor equal to the largest conductor used on the system and the smallest size ground conductors used shall not be less than No. 10 B. & S. gauge.
(14)The wiring used and the connections made between component parts of the alarm system shall conform to the requirements of the Electrical Code of the City of New York.
(15)Electrical conduits shall enter only at the side or the bottom of the control cabinet.
(16)In coded fire alarm systems using break glass type stations, at least one (1) extra glass shall be provided for each station in the system.
(17)All openings in walls, floors or ceilings where conduits pass through, shall be properly fire stopped.
(18)Conduits shall contain only conductors used in connection with the fire alarm system.
(19)Where wires pass underground from one building to another, they shall be enclosed in conduits, and shall be lead encased. Wires between buildings, when not run in conduit, shall be at least equivalent in conductivity and tensile strength to No. 8 B. & S. gauge copper wire for box and signaling circuits and shall be supported at least every seventy-five (75) feet on approved glass insulators and brackets, and be protected by approved lightning arrestors when required by the Commissioner. As far as possible, they shall run under, rather than over, electric light or power wires.
(h)Sending stations. There shall be at least one (1) fire alarm sending station in each story of any building requiring a manual fire alarm signal system, located in a natural path of escape from fire at a readily accessible location designated by the Commissioner, which always shall be kept unobstructed. Additional sending stations shall be installed so that no point on any floor in a non-fireproof building shall be more than one hundred (100) feet distant from the nearest sending station upon such floor. In fireproof or sprinklered buildings, the distance shall not be more than one hundred and fifty (150) feet.
(j)Subdivided buildings. Where a building is subdivided by fire walls, each section shall be deemed a separate building for the purpose of fire alarm signal system installations. One control board may be used, if so arranged, as to operate the signaling devices in each section of the building independently; or may be operated as one unit when deemed necessary by the Commissioner.
(k)Mixed occupancy. In buildings requiring fire alarm signal system, of which parts are occupied by other than factory tenants and in which the condition of construction and occupancy warrant the establishment of a local fire brigade, the Commissioner may accept dual operation systems.
(l)Existing installations. Fire alarm signal systems heretofore installed in buildings in the City of New York and installed in accordance with the rules then in force, shall be accepted as long as they are maintained in proper working order.
(m)Sources of electrical energy.
(n)[Repealed.] (o) [Repealed.] (p) [Repealed.] (q) Alarm boxes.
(r)Non-coded boxes.
(s)Station testing devices.
(t)Supervising current.
(u)Protection of sending and sounding devices.
(v)Standards of electric alarm apparatus.
(iv)Electro-magnet coils shall be securely fastened to prevent floating.
(vi)Electro-magnet cores for use on alternating current shall be of laminated construction or other approved method to prevent heating and promote efficiency.
(vii)Electro-magnet cores of relays and gongs shall be treated to prevent corrosion. Paint or varnish for this purpose shall not be used.
(viii)Non-magnetic freeze pins shall be used which will prevent two magnet surfaces coming in actual contact.
(w)Time limit delay device.
(x)Control boards.
(y)Battery cabinets.
(z)Painting of equipment. All enclosing cases for fire alarm apparatus shall be finished in fire department red, except where special permission is given by the Commissioner to deviate from this requirement.
(aa)Closed circuit annunciators.
(bb)Licensed contractors. No person shall install, alter or repair or cause to be installed, altered, or repaired electrical wiring or apparatus for fire alarm systems in any building, except a person holding a license, or a special license in accordance with Chapter 3 of Title 27 of the Administrative Code. The enforcing authority shall not approve any installation, alteration or repair done in violation of this rule.
(cc)Used or rebuilt apparatus. Used apparatus shall not be re-used for any interior fire alarm system under these rules and regulations until the same has been reconditioned in the shop of a reliable manufacturer building interior fire alarm apparatus which has been approved by the Board of Standards and Appeals. Approval in writing shall be obtained from the enforcing authority prior to installation. The enforcing authority shall not approve for use, used or reconditioned apparatus that may not give satisfactory service. (Renumbered and amended, City Record 4/4/2019, eff. 5/5/2019)
