§ 48.15 Safety Standards for Facilities.
RCNY § 48.15
(a)(1) Children under the age of 24 months must be located on the ground level of the camp.
(2)No camps receiving a first permit after January 1, 1989, shall allow children under six years of age to utilize any rooms, areas or other spaces above the third floor of a building, except that the Department may allow camps to occupy spaces above the third floor where the NYC Department fo Buildings and Fire Department (FDNY) or other appropriate government entities have approved such use and the Department has approved the applicant or permittee's evacuation plan.
(b)Fire protection.
(1)The camp director shall be responsible for the regular inspection of all fire protection facilities and equipment of the camp.
(3)Fire extinguishers and other suitable fire fighting equipment shall be placed at strategic and easily accessible points.
(4)Containers for gasoline, kerosene and other inflammable materials shall be properly marked and stored in a properly vented and locked building not occupied by campers or staff at a safe distance from program buildings and sleeping quarters. Such materials shall be used only under qualified supervision.
(5)Fire drills shall be held within the first 48 hours of each camping session and periodically thereafter in accordance with the fire safety plan. A log with drill dates and times must be maintained and verified by the camp director. It must be available for inspection at all times.
(6)The means of egress from all structures shall be maintained in an unobstructed, easily traveled condition at all times, and protected from hazardous areas such as heating plant, kitchen and inflammable storage.
(7)All tents housing five or more persons shall be of the fiber-impregnated flame-retardant variety or equivalent.
(8)Fire extinguishers and other fire fighting equipment acceptable to the Department shall be provided, inspected and tagged by the camp operator prior to the camp season. The equipment shall be maintained in operating condition at all times.
(9)Means of egress from buildings used for sleeping quarters by 30 or more persons shall be protected by a minimum of three-quarter hour fire-resistant construction. The Department may issue a variance for one-story buildings having direct outside exits from each sleeping quarter.
(10)Buildings used for sleeping 50 or more persons, or buildings two stories or more in height used for sleeping shall have a fire alarm system, that when activated sounds an alarm which can be heard throughout the camp. However, buildings three stories or more in height used for sleeping shall be protected with an automatic fire detection system including smoke detectors installed in corridors, assembly areas, storage rooms, stairways and heat detection devices installed in kitchens.
(11)Sleeping quarters with an occupancy of 15 or more persons shall be provided with at least two separate means of egress located as far apart as practical. Each door shall swing in the direction of egress. Windows in a sleeping quarter two stories or less in height may be substituted for one approved exit, provided the sill is not more than three feet above the floor and the drop from the windowsill to an unobstructed area on the ground is less than 14 feet.
(12)Two separate means of egress shall be provided from each floor of a multistory building. In buildings constructed prior to September 1, 1978, dead end corridors up to 35 feet in length are acceptable. An exitway shall lead to an outside exterior stairway that complies with the State Building Construction Code or to an interior smoke-tight passageway having a minimum of three-quarter hour fire-resistant construction and leading to the outdoors at grade. Stairs extending beyond two occupied floors shall have a self-closing, tight door at each floor level.
(13)Except for an individual room, a door containing hardware and forming part of a means of egress shall be non-locking against egress and operable with a single motion in the direction of egress. The use of nooks and eyes, bolts, bars and similar devices is prohibited; widths of exit doors shall be a minimum of 28 inches.
(14)All assemblage areas, including a recreation room, dining hall or chapel, shall have at least two means of egress acceptable to the Department and doors shall comply with the requirements of subdivision 14 of this subsection.
(15)Exits from a room occupied by 15 or more persons, or exits not readily visible to the occupants, shall be identified by lighted exit signs, including directional signs where needed.
(16)Emergency lighting shall be provided for halls, stairways and exit signs where required by the Department.
(c)Camp equipment. Camp equipment shall be of safe design, properly installed and kept in good order and repair.
(d)(1) No person shall modify, develop or convert a property for use as a children's camp without first notifying the Department at least 30 days before construction commences. The notice shall give the name and location of the property, a brief description of the facilities to be provided, and the name, telephone number and mailing address of the person giving notice. The notice shall be supplemented by additional information including plans or sketches as requested by the Department. Construction shall not start prior to the required approval of the plans or sketches by the appropriate regulatory official.
(e)Housing maintenance.
(f)Location and grounds. A children's camp shall be so located that adequate surface drainage can be provided during the period of operation and so that adequate soil and space will permit the installation and operation of proper sewage disposal system and/or water system, unless other provisions are made acceptable to the Department.
(g)Food sanitation.
(ii)All foods shall be prepared, processed or packed with sanitary utensils and equipment.
(iii)Packaged foods shall not be stored in direct contact with ice or water if packaging allows entry of water.
(iv)Raw fruits and vegetables shall be thoroughly washed with potable water before service.
(v)Ready to eat foods shall be protected from bare hand contact. Utensils, sanitary gloves, or other barriers shall be provided and used to eliminate bare hand contact.
(h)Toilets; showers; running water.
(i)Sleeping quarters.
(j)Other environmental controls.
