§4804-01 Pre-Existing Emergency Planning and Preparedness

   (a)   Scope. This section consolidates the Fire Prevention Code and former Fire Department rules in effect on June 30, 2008 that are applicable to the design and installation of pre-existing facilities for purposes of emergency planning and preparedness.

   (b)   Definitions. Reserved.

   (c)   General Provisions. Pre-existing facilities, the design and installation of which for emergency planning and preparedness purposes would not be allowed or approved under the Fire Code, but which, pursuant to FC102.3 and R102-01, may be continued with respect to such emergency planning and preparedness under the applicable laws, rules and regulations in effect prior to the Fire Code, shall continue to comply with the provisions of such laws, rules and regulations, including former Fire Department rules 3 RCNY 34-02, as applicable, with respect to such emergency planning and preparedness, until such time as such facilities may be required to comply with the Fire Code and the rules with respect to the design and installation of such emergency planning and preparedness.

   (d)   Life Safety Requirements for Schools with Physically Handicapped Students.

      (1)   Former Fire Department Rule 3 RCNY §34-02.

         §34-02 Life Safety Requirements for Schools with Physically Handicapped Students.  The following life safety requirements shall apply to those public schools included in the Board of Education, Division of School Buildings, ABR/COH Facilities Accessibility Program which is contained in the Jose P. vs Ambach, et al. (Index No. 79 Civ. 270) judgment plan, appendices and stipulations and shall apply to private preschools through secondary schools.

         (a)   Buildings to be of class 1 (1938 [Administrative] Building Code) construction, or Group 1A, lB, or 1C (1968 Administrative Code), shall conform to the structural, service equipment and occupancy requirement of Chapter 1 of Title 27 of the [Administrative] 1968 Building Code and to the regulations of the Department of Buildings.

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         (c)   At no time shall occupancy by non-ambulatory students be permitted in basement or cellar area of school unless entire area of basement or cellar is fully sprinklered by a wet automatic sprinkler system (electrical rooms excluded).

         (1)   Where terrain configuration places cellar or basement Holdings Area(s) in a position that affords accessibility to Fire Department personnel, sprinkler requirements as per subdivision (c) above, may be waived. Such relief is subject to approval of Bureau of Fire Prevention.

         (2)   Where terrain configuration places cellar or basement space intended for use by non-ambulatory student on a level where egress may be made directly and unencumbered to the exterior of the building via exits constructed for such purpose, the Holding Area(s) requirements in such cellar or basement space may be waived. Relief from Holding Area(s) provision in this case is subject to approval of Bureau of Fire Prevention.

         (d)   Holding Area(s) shall be provided on each floor above and below grade level where occupancy by non-ambulatory students is to be permitted.

         (1)   Holding Area(s) shall be designated room(s) fully enclosed in non-combustible partitions with all door openings therein either of non-combustible material or of solid wood construction located adjacent to an exit stairwell. Egress from the Holding Area(s) shall be by way of a corridor. These rooms shall be provided with a 2-way voice communication system acceptable to the Fire Commissioner that shall be connected to both the custodian's office and the principal's office. The communication system shall be properly maintained in working order at all times. Inspections, test maintenance and record keeping requirements shall be the responsibility of the person holding the certificate of fitness for [the Interior Fire Alarm System] supervision of fire alarm system maintenance, and shall conform to the requirements of [§27-4265(g) of the Administrative Code] FC901.6.1.

         (2)   Holding Area(s) shall face on a street accessible to Fire Department apparatus and be free from physical impediments (e.g. trees) that may interfere with the positioning of Fire Department apparatus.

         (3)   Windows in Holding Area(s) designated [from] for removal of handicapped students shall provide, when opened, an area free of obstructions that is at least 32" wide and 48" high accessible to Fire Department equipment. Such windows shall be readily openable without the use of a key.

         (4)   Window sills on windows designated for removal of handicapped students shall be not more than 36" above the floor level of associated Holding Area(s) and shall be painted red, inside and outside, with a sign attached outside, top window pane. This sign shall read "F.D. ACCESS" and shall be not less than 12" × 18" in size. Sign shall be made of metal or other durable non-combustible material with 4" red lettering in bold type on a white background. Sign shall be properly maintained.

         (5)   Holding Area(s) shall line up vertically on the facade of each floor of the building.

         (6)   Doors leading to Holding Area(s) shall be provided with a sign 5" x 18". This sign shall read "HOLDING AREA". Sign shall be made of metal or other durable non-combustible material with 3" red lettering in bold type on a white background. Signs shall be mounted on the lower half of the door and be properly maintained.

         (7)   Holding Area(s) shall have movable seats and desks and be capable of holding the total number of wheelchairs required to use the Holding Area. Minimum net floor area shall be calculated at 25 square feet per wheelchair and be free of all encumbrances.

         (8)   Holding Area(s) shall have ceilings and floors which have a minimum one and one-half hour fire rating. Walls shall have a minimum one hour fire rating and all door openings shall be equipped with appropriately rated fire-proof self-closing doors with a minimal vision panel. The maximum size of vision panel shall be 144 square inches. No opening shall be permitted in wall, ceilings or floors unless properly protected.

         (9)   Holding Area(s) shall be [equipped with a 2 1/2 gallon pressurized water extinguisher] provided with a portable fire extinguisher with at least a 2-A rating. . . . . .

         (10)   All ducts/vents which breach or otherwise cause integrity of Holding Area to be violated shall be equipped with an approved combination smoke/heat damper.

         (11)   Smoke barriers, in accordance with the provisions of §27-369(c) of the [Administrative] 1968 Building Code, shall be provided in corridors. Such smoke barriers shall separate the Holding Area and the adjacent exit stairwell from the rest of the building. Doors in such smoke barriers shall comply with the provisions of §27-371(c) of the [Administrative] 1968 Building Code except that these smoke stop doors may also be left open if they are arranged to close automatically by an approved smoke detector on the ceiling immediately adjacent to and on both sides of the doors.

         (e)   The auditorium shall be fitted to accommodate all persons using wheelchairs in attendance. These accommodations shall be immediately adjacent to and at the same level as a main exit. Existing required aisles, passageways and exits shall not be reduced or obstructed, and legal occupant load shall not be exceeded.

         (f)   All existing and newly installed elevators shall be equipped with [firemen] firefighter service keys to conform with Fire Department requirements.

         (g)   Interior Fire Alarm system shall be provided with visual warning signals in addition to the required gongs. Such visual warning signals shall be visible from any location in all corridors and in unsupervised rooms occupied by handicapped students. The visual signal shall be on a separate circuit and control panel. Visual signal shall continue flashing after the four rounds of the Fire Alarm box have run out, and must be manually reset.