§ 901-01 Central Station Monitoring of Fire Alarm Systems.
RCNY § 901-01
(a)Scope. This section sets forth standards, requirements and procedures for: (1) the monitoring and related maintenance of all fire alarm systems that are installed in premises located in New York City and that transmit an alarm signal to a central station that monitors such systems for the purpose of re-transmitting or otherwise reporting fire alarms to the Department; and (2) the operation of the central stations that monitor and maintain fire alarm systems.
(b)Definitions. The following terms shall, for purposes of this section and used elsewhere in the rules, have the meanings shown herein: Alarm service. The service provided by a central station company commencing upon the transmission from the protected premises of an alarm signal, a supervisory signal, or a trouble signal. Approved central station company. A central station company that has been issued a valid certificate of operation. Central station company. A person or entity engaged in the operation of a central station. Central station signaling system. A system comprised of the protective signaling system at the protected premises, the central station physical plant, the exterior communications channels, and satellite stations, if any. Designated representative. A person or entity designated by the subscriber who shall be responsible for receiving notifications from the central station company concerning the status of the protective signaling system at the protected premises and who is authorized to take action with respect to such system. Mandatory system. A protective signaling system whose installation at a protected premises is required by law. Proprietary central station. A central station operated by or on behalf of the owner of the protected premises monitored by the central station, that monitors protected premises other than the premises in which the central station is located. For purposes of this section and 3 RCNY § 8104-01, unless otherwise specifically provided, reference to "central station company" shall be deemed to include proprietary central stations. Protective signaling system. A system or device installed at a protected premises and designed to transmit an alarm signal, a supervisory signal or a trouble signal. Runner service. The dispatching to the protected premises of individuals designated by a central station company, other than the required number of operators on duty to monitor signals, to silence, reset and otherwise restore the protected signaling system to normal service. Such runners may be employees of the central station company, another approved central station company, or a service retained by the central station company, provided that the individuals are trained in and knowledgeable of the protective signaling systems for which they are providing runner service. Subscriber. An owner of a protected premises, or an owner of a fire alarm system installed on such a premises, who has arranged for a central station company to monitor the fire alarm system on the protected premises for the purpose of reporting fire alarms to the Department. Terminal. A number assigned by the Department which indicates a specific location and/or type of alarm signal at a protected premises. Transmitter. A component of a protective signaling system that provides the link between a fire alarm system and the transmission channels. Voluntary system. A protective signaling system whose installation at a protected premises is not required by law.
(c)Prohibited Fire Alarm System Monitoring. It shall be unlawful for: (1) Any person or entity, pursuant to FC 901.6.3.5, to operate a central station company or central station that monitors fire alarm systems in protected premises without having first obtained a certificate of operation pursuant to 3 RCNY § 115-01. A central station company shall obtain a certificate of operation prior to operating any central station or transmitting any alarms to the Department received from a protected premises.
(2)Any owner of a protected premises, or other person or entity to contract for, arrange, or otherwise cause or allow, a central station company to receive or retransmit alarm signals from a protected premises, unless such central station company possesses a valid certificate of operation. This provision shall apply whether the protective signaling system installed at a protected premises is a mandatory or voluntary system.
(d)General Provisions.
(1)Applicable provisions of law. All central stations and proprietary central stations shall be designed, installed, operated and maintained in compliance with the requirements of FC Chapter 9, this section and NFPA 72. The relationship between the provisions of the Fire Code, this section and such referenced standard shall be as set forth in FC 102.6.2.
(e)Central Stations. Central stations shall comply with the following design and installation requirements.
(3)Listed equipment. The central station shall be equipped with devices, equipment and systems capable of automatically receiving and recording signals, as required by NFPA 72. Such devices, equipment and systems shall be listed by Factory Mutual, Underwriters Laboratories or other approved nationally recognized testing laboratory.
(4)Circuit adjusting equipment. Circuit adjusting instruments or equipment for emergency operations may be automatically initiated or manually operated upon receipt of a trouble signal.
(5)Retransmission of alarm signals. The retransmission of an alarm signal received at the Department shall be effected as follows: (A) by the use of two (2) telephone lines provided with suitable voice transmitting, receiving and automatic recording equipment, provided that these lines shall not be used for any purpose except communication between the Department and the central station and shall have terminal equipment located at the central station and the Department and shall be provided with twenty-four hour standby power; or (B) any other means of retransmission deemed by the Commissioner to effect a retransmission at a level of reliability that equals or exceeds that under 3 RCNY § 901-01(e)(5)(A).
(6)Alternative voice communication capabilities. The company shall maintain at each central station at least one cellular telephone available for communication with the Department and the protected premises in the event that telephone circuitry is inoperable.
(7)The central station company shall bear all costs associated with the retransmission of fire alarm signals to the Department, including any costs incurred by the Department.
(f)Central Station Operations.
(g)Compensation. Every central station company shall pay compensation to the Department in accordance with the provisions of 3 RCNY § 8104-01. Failure to timely remit such compensation shall be grounds for non-renewal, suspension or revocation of a certificate of operation, or denial of a new certificate of operation, in addition to any and all other remedies provided by law.
(h)Registration of Central Station-Monitored Fire Alarm Systems.
