Description

• A Fire Alarm System is a building system designed to detect, alert occupants, and alert emergency services of the presence of fire, smoke, carbon monoxide or other fire-related emergencies. A fire alarm system includes smoke detectors, heat detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, and manual pull stations. All components of a fire alarm system are connected to a Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP). Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP), annunciator (location shall be provided by Fire Dept. of NY requirements) and Fused Disconnect Switch (FDS) are installed in an electrical meter room or panel room. Fire alarm systems generally use audio and visual signals (horn, strobe or the combination of horn and strobe) to warn the occupants of the building. Two dedicated phone lines are connected to a central station or Fire Commend Center as required by NYC code. Automatic initiating devices associated with elevator operation are used for emergency elevator functions, such as the elevator recall of associated elevator cab(s). The recall will cause the elevator cabs to return to the ground level for use by fire service response teams and to ensure that cabs do not return to the floor of fire incidence, as well as preventing people from becoming trapped in the elevators. 
• Similarly, a fire alarm control panel triggers the release of the door from a magnetic door holder during a fire, helping to prevent the spread of fire.      

 Baseline

• Provide fire alarm system as required by NYC Building Code. 
• Provide hard-wired carbon monoxide and smoke detectors with battery back-up – as per NYC Building Code Ch. 907.2.11.2.
• Certain NYHCA spaces may have Community Centers, Senior Centers, or Childcare Centers and shall be provided with an operational fire alarm system based on the appropriate NYC Building Code occupancy classification. 
• Determine if natural gas detecting devices are required by Local Law 157 of 2016 amended the New York City Housing Maintenance Code, and the NYC Building Code Sections 908.10 and 918 Gas Detection Systems. 
• See proposed NYC Rule relating to the installation and location of natural gas alarms.
• Create a Fire Command Center in the main building office as required per NYC Building Code Section 911. [COMPMOD]
• Ensure each residential unit has operational combination carbon monoxide/ smoke detector(s) outside of any room used for sleeping purposes and in any room used for sleeping purposes – as per NYC Building Code chapter 907.2.11.1 & 915.1.1.1.1. 
• Ensure Institutional (I group occupancies) within the R-2 occupancy have an operational fire alarm system meeting the requirements of Ch. 907.2.6 of the NYC BC. [COMPMOD]
• Provide Gas Detection Systems per the NYC Building Code section 918.5. Gas detection systems shall be provided with emergency power per Chapter 27 of the NYC Building Code and NYC Fire Code. [COMPMOD]
• If a Fire Alarm System  will be installed, as a building system as described, than description should include installation of annunciator, connection to the central station or Fire Commend Center, as required by the NYC Building Code Section 911.

Stretch

• Install Fire Alarm system with central station dial out (or stand-alone reporting to a constantly attended location) to accommodate new sprinkler systems monitoring, triggered as per the fire protection upgrade section in this document. [COMPMOD]

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Last Updated on October 10, 2024 at 12:59 pm

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Specifications

10 44 15 – Fire Extinguishers and Cabinets

21 00 00 – Fire Suppression and Exhaust System

28 31 00 – Fire Detection and Alarm

Description

• The fire sprinkler system is one of the fire suppression measures that consists of an integrated network of piping designed in accordance with the NYC Building Code and NFPA standards. Automatic sprinkler systems shall be designed, installed, inspected, tested, and maintained in accordance with the NYC Fire Code, and the applicable referenced standards. This includes the location and size of water supplies, the location, number, and type of sprinkler heads, location and size of all feed mains, control valves, waterflow alarm, temper switches, gauges, drains, and other essential features of the system.  
• If the pressure needed to ensure adequate flow to all parts of the sprinkler system exceeds the supply pressure, a sprinkler booster pump is required for the purpose of boosting or increasing the city water pressure in the sprinkler system. 
• In light hazard occupancies with only limited ordinary hazard areas, an automatic fire pump serving the lower part of the standpipe system may be used as the primary supply to the sprinkler system, provided that an automatic switching secondary power supply is available to drive the pump. Fire pumps shall be in rooms that are separated from all other areas of the building by 2-hour fire barriers with some exceptions. 
• The New York City Building Code requires the installation of automatic sprinklers be based on several factors, such as the height and size of the building, occupancy classifications, fire areas, occupant loads, the layout of partitions, fire-rated construction, and the contents or hazards present in the building. In general, Building Code Chapter 9 and Building Code Appendix Q, which amends references to various National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, governs the sprinkler system application, installation, and design.
• Sprinklers shall not be required in the following cases: 
  • 1. Sprinklers shall not be required in electrical equipment rooms where all of the following conditions are met: 
  • 1.1 The room is dedicated to electrical equipment only. 
  • 1.2 Only dry-type electrical equipment is used. 
  • 1.3 Equipment is installed in a 2hour fire rated enclosure including protection for penetrations. 
  • 1.4 No combustible storage is permitted to be stored in the room. 
  • 2. Sprinklers shall not be permitted in elevator machine rooms and elevator machinery spaces. 
  • 3. Sprinklers shall not be required in rooms and spaces protected by an alternative fire suppression system in accordance with the New York City Fire Code and Section 904 of this code 

Baseline

• Water supply information (static pressure and flow) is obtained by requesting hydrant flow test from DEP.
• System type and configuration is designed based on the site plan and codes. Tree piping layout of sprinkler heads is commonly proposed. 
• The associated hazard class of occupancy is evaluated in compliance with NFPA 13 standards.
• The minimum pipe size is 1 inch.
• The maximum spacing between branch lines and sprinkler heads of 12 or 15 ft is estimated. 
• Sprinklers shall be located a minimum of 4 in. from a wall. 
• The type of sprinkler must be selected and consequently its K factor is determined. 
• The minimum area of sprinkler operation is estimated based on the hazard class. 
• The location of the most remote head should be determined by hydraulic calculation and have a pressure of not less than 7 psi.
• Hydraulic calculations shall be used for all heads within the sprinkler operation area, resulting in the required total pressure and maximum flow rate.
• When the domestic water is used to supply sprinklers, the domestic water supply line shall be at least the size of the sprinkler line and the capacity available shall be at least equal to the capacity required for the sprinklers.
• The water supply line from the tank or street shall have the required pressure.  
• A check valve and backflow preventer shall be installed on the sprinkler supply branch.
• Booster Pumps shall be of approved centrifugal type, capable of delivering at least 200 gpm, and shall be capable of supplying the calculated flow and pressure demand of the sprinkler system. Pumps shall be maintained under approved automatic control and shall be supplied from the street side of the building service switch. 
• Threads provided for FDNY connections to sprinkler systems, standpipes, yard hydrants or any other fire hose connection shall be compatible with the connections used by FDNY.
• Types of Fire Sprinklers such as: Pendent Fire Sprinkler Heads, Upright Fire Sprinkler Heads, Sidewall Fire Sprinkler Heads, and/or Concealed Fire Sprinkler Heads shall be determined by designer.

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Last Updated on October 10, 2024 at 2:18 pm

Description

• Projects in this scope area may include: repairing and/or replacing a standpipe system, including installing new standpipe cabinets, alarm components, system panels and communicators, piping, shut-off valves, booster pumps/motors, and controllers. The full, detailed scope of work for this project including any additional work areas will be updated here after alignment with project stakeholders through scoping and design activities.

Baseline

• Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with the NYC Building Code, NYC Fire Code, NFPA 14, and other applicable NFPA standards. 
• Per NFPA 14, standpipe systems are required in buildings more than four stories in height or with an occupancy that requires an additional level of protection, such as assembly occupancies, high-rise buildings, and hazardous occupancies.
• NFPA 14 requires that hose connections be provided at various building locations, including exits and stairwells. In addition, hose connections must be of a type and size that is compatible with the hose used by the fire department and must be located in a location that is easily accessible to firefighters.
• Each standpipe cabinet shall be conspicuously identified.
• Where a “break glass”-type protective cover for a latching device is provided, the device provided to break the glass panel shall be attached in the immediate area of the break glass panel and shall be arranged so that the device cannot be used to break other glass panels in the cabinet door.
• The valve to an individual hose connection.
• Each rack or storage facility for hose shall be provided with a label that shall include operating instructions.
• One Fire Department Connections (FDC) shall be provided for each 300 feet (91.4 m) of exterior building wall or fraction thereof facing upon each street or public space.
• Inspector’s test valves, drain valves,
• Pressure-Regulating Devices
• An approved pressure gauge shall be installed at each discharge pipe from the fire pump and the public waterworks, and at the top of each standpipe.
• Waterflow and Supervisory Alarms. Alarm and supervisory devices shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 72.
• Gauges are required in numerous portions of standpipe systems. They provide a pressure reading during testing conditions and assess the normal operating pressure of the system. Gauge locations include: At the top of each standpipe (required), at every water supply connection (required), Upstream or downstream of any master pressure regulating assembly (required), Above and below each alarm check valve, deluge valve, backflow preventer, or system riser check valve (required)  
• Installation of the corresponding Signs.
• Projects requiring standpipe systems should make sure the following scope is included in specifications or drawings:
  • Pipe and Fittings
  • Pipe Hangers and Supports
  • Hose Valves
  • Fire Hose
  • Identification Signs
  • Waterflow Test Connection
  • Main Drains
  • Sleeves in Masonry and Concrete Walls, Floors, and Roofs
  • Fire Department Connections
  • Alarm Valves
  • Water Motor Alarms
  • Pressure Switch
  • Waterflow Detector
  • Fire Hose Cabinets
  • Valve Tamper Switch
  • Fire Pumps
  • Backflow Preventer
  • Gauges
  • Post indicating Valve

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Last Updated on October 10, 2024 at 2:17 pm