§4833-01 Storage of Explosives and Special Effects in Pre-Existing Facilities

   (a)   Scope. This section consolidates the New York City Fire Prevention Code and former Fire Department rules in effect on June 30, 2008, that are applicable to the design and installation of explosive installations in pre-existing facilities.

   (b)   Definitions. Reserved.

   (c)   General Provisions. Pre-existing facilities for storage of explosives the design and installation of which 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 explosive and specials effect material installations 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 Administrative Code §27-4213, and former Fire Department rule 3 RCNY §14-04, until such time as such facilities may be required to comply with the Fire Code and the rules with respect to their design and installation.

   (d)   Explosive Storage.

      (1)   Former Fire Department Rule 3 RCNY §14-04.

         §14-04 Specifications for Explosive Magazines.  All magazines shall be constructed in accordance with the following specifications . . . . .

         (a)   Hinges. Magazine door hinges are to be extra heavy 10-inch galvanized tee hinges, minimum gauge 148 with brass pins. Hinges are to be attached with five 5/16 round head through bolts, two bolts in hinge pad, three bolts in hinge wing.

         (b)   Hasp. Hasp is to be made of steel bar 1/2 inch by 2 inch, 18 inch minimum length, fastened to magazine door, center with five 5/16-inch round head through bolts on six-inch centers. Hasp bar is to be slotted to accommodate 1/2-inch "I" bolt lock loop.  All lock staples are to be replaced with 1/2-inch "I" bolt, through bolted into magazine wall.

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         All exposed bolts inside of magazine are to be counter sunk or wood covered.

   (e)  Television Special Effects.

      (1)   Former Administrative Code §27-4213.

         §27-4213 Television special effects.

         a  The provisions of this section shall apply to the [use, storage, maintenance and transportation] storage and use of television special effects in connection with television programs.

         b.   Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

         1.   The term "television studio" shall mean any place in a building from which television broadcasts are made or rehearsed and which contains television equipment, scenery or properties, fixtures or other special equipment used for production of television broadcasts whether or not the use of motion picture film is an integral part and with or without seating area for an audience. A television studio may include, but shall not be limited to, front and rear screen projection, film recording, kinescope recording, cutting and editing rooms, developing, screening and viewing rooms, storage rooms and telecine rooms. The televising of special events, such as news, sports, conventions, or special events of a generally similar nature in any place or building shall not constitute such place or building a television studio.

         2.   The term "television special effect" shall mean any of the materials listed in subdivision c of this section and, in addition, any item, material or property of an explosive, flammable, combustible or dangerous nature approved by the commissioner as a television special effect.

         3.   The term "flash compound" shall mean a chemical mixture with a burning rate and gas producing pressure rate of lesser degree than commercial photographers' flash powder.

         4.   The term "flash producing paper" shall mean a paper partially nitrated or treated with mixed acids and treated with a retardant to diminish its rate of burning.

         5.   The term "flash producing cotton" shall mean ordinary cotton partially nitrated.

         6.   The term "matches" shall mean matches, other than safety matches, of a type approved by the commissioner.

         7.   The term "television spark producing device" shall mean a wood stick about one-eighth inch in diameter and seven and one-half inches long dipped to an extent of about four and one-half inches. Each stick shall hold either about five grams of a binder mixture, iron filings, aluminum and barium nitrate, or about two grams of a binder mixture, aluminum, barium nitrate and potassium perchlorate.

         8.   The term "toy pistol caps" shall mean toy pistol caps made and packed in compliance with the requirements of the federal department of transportation.

         9.   The term "electric ignitors" shall mean a type approved by the commissioner, and shall contain a compressed powdered metal and an electrical bridge device with a chemical igniting compound of pressed powder with a small amount of oxidiser not exceeding five grains surrounding the bridge.

         10.   The term "safety fuse or quick match" shall mean a fuse of a type approved by the commissioner, and shall consist of a very fine core of powder surrounded by wound paper and/or yarn tape and pitch in such a manner so that the fuse will burn progressively.

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         12.   The term "approved carrying case" shall mean a container clearly marked "TV special effects" and conforming to the following specifications: Container shall be constructed of .070 inch vulcanized fibre, with fibre sections formed under heat, riveted together and all exposed edges banded with metal edging. The exterior corners on the cover and bottom shall be fitted with metal corner reinforcing pieces, and the construction shall conform to standards and practices of fibre case manufacture. The inside dimensions shall be sixteen inches long, eight inches deep and six inches wide, with variances of one-half inch. Such container shall be fitted with two or more spring loaded hinges, capable of effecting a tight closure and exert enough pressure to prevent the cover remaining in open position when released. The closure pressure of the combined hinges shall not exceed ten (10) pounds. The cover shall close freely without any binding action with spacers placed under the lower half of the spring hinge. The inside top panel of the cover shall be lined with one-eighth inch asbestos held in place with a fire resisting adhesive. A fibre panel covering approximately three-fourths inch of the asbestos around the inside perimeter of the cover shall be riveted to the inside of the cover as a fireproof gasket between the cover and the four top edges of the box body. Apertures of four inches by four inches shall be placed at each end and fitted with flame repellant wire mesh barriers, so constructed as to allow a one-half inch separation between the two panels of twenty mesh wire screen, and such screens shall be of stainless steel, cadmium plated copper or brass mesh. The barrier assemblies shall be secured with 6/32 roundhead machine screws, so constructed as to permit removal of mesh for cleaning or replacement. The carrying strap shall be one inch woven webbing attached to the ends of container by free floating "D" rings; the strap shall be capable of supporting a carrying weight of thirty pounds. No varnish, paint, or treatment of any kind shall be applied to the fibre or asbestos portions of container.

         13.   The term "central storage" shall mean the storage of television special effects in a room which conforms to the following specifications: Such room shall be enclosed by noncombustible partitions having a minimum fire resistive rating of at least a one hour, and a roof having a fire resistive rating of at least a one and one-half hours, and shall be used for no other purpose. The location of such storage room shall be approved by the commissioner, and shall not be located below street level. Door openings shall be provided with self-closing fireproof doors, having at least a one hour fire resistive rating, and marked "Central storage--television special effects," in letters not less than four inches high. Such rooms shall be adequately ventilated to the outer air, with thin glass windows having an area of at least one-half square inch per cubic foot of room capacity. [and] There shall be a distance of at least fifty feet from any window in such rooms to any window or other building opening [exposed thereby and not in the same plane and giving] on a different wall of the same building or on another building, and a distance of at least twenty-five feet from any window in such rooms to any fire escape on the same [or higher level, and] wall. Such rooms shall be provided with one sprinkler head for each eighty square feet of floor space. Metal racks shall be provided for the storage of containers, and all compressed gases shall be stored in an upright position. Such rooms shall be constructed only on fireproof floors having a minimum fire resistive rating of at least one and one-half hours and adequate to sustain the proposed loads, or shall be constructed directly on the ground. Where there are practical difficulties in conforming strictly to the provisions herein, the commissioner may vary or modify such provisions to such extent as such commissioner may deem necessary [in] for the premises consistent with public safety.

         14.   The term "centrally stored" shall mean stored in a place of central storage as defined in paragraph thirteen of this subdivision.

         c.   The following materials are approved as television special effects and, notwithstanding any other provisions of the code, but subject only to compliance with the provisions of this section, may be centrally stored[, and/or may be maintained, stored] and used in television studios . . . . .

         1.   Flash compound.

            (a)   A maximum of thirty-six ounces may be centrally stored with not more than two ounces in any federal department of transportation approved container and with all such containers kept in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of four ounces may be [maintained] stored for use, with not more than sixty grains in any plastic vial or any federal department of transportation approved container and with all such vials or containers kept in approved carrying cases.

         2.   Flash producing paper.

            (a)   A maximum of one hundred square feet may be centrally stored with all such material enclosed in metal foil or other material approved by the commissioner and all kept in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of twenty square feet may be [maintained] stored for use when enclosed in metal foil or other material approved by the commissioner and kept in approved carrying cases.

         3.   Flash producing cotton.

            (a)   A maximum of two ounces may be centrally stored with not more than one-half ounce in a plastic container and all such plastic containers kept in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of one-half ounce may be [maintained] stored for use, with all such material in a plastic container and such plastic container or containers kept in approved carrying cases.

         4.   Volatile flammable oils and flammable mixtures.

            (a)   A maximum of five gallons of each may be centrally stored in safety cans of a type approved by the commissioner.

            (b)   A maximum of one gallon of each may be [maintained] stored for use in safety cans of a type approved by the commissioner.

         5.   Acetylene gas.

            (a)   Not more than twenty-four cylinders not exceeding one hundred forty cubic inch capacity each approved by the federal department of transportation may be centrally stored.

            (b)   A maximum of six such cylinders may be [maintained] stored for use.

         6.   Household gas.

            (a)   A maximum of twelve cylinders not exceeding five hundred cubic inch capacity each, approved by the federal department of transportation, may be centrally stored.

            (b)   A maximum of six such cylinders may be [maintained] stored for use.

         7.   Propane gas.

            (a)   A maximum of six propane cylinders, interstate commerce commission designation no. 4B240 or equivalent, not exceeding twenty pounds capacity each, may be centrally stored.

            (b)   A maximum of two such cylinders may be [maintained] stored for use.

         8.   Butane gas.

            (a)   A maximum of twenty-four cylinders not exceeding thirty cubic inch capacity each, by the federal department of transportation, may be centrally stored.

            (b)   A maximum of six such cylinders may be [maintained] stored for use.

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         10.   Matches.

            (a)   A maximum of one thousand matches may be centrally stored in one or more approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of fifty matches may be [maintained,] stored for use[,] in approved carrying cases.

         11.   Spark producing device.

            (a)   A maximum of one hundred forty-four such sticks may be centrally stored in separate hardened fibre boxes, all contained in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of thirty-six such sticks may be [maintained,] stored for use[,] in hardened fibre boxes all contained in approved carrying cases.

         12.   Toy pistol caps.

            (a)   A maximum of two thousand five hundred such caps in approved carrying cases may be centrally stored.

            (b)   A maximum of five hundred such caps may be [maintained,] stored for use[,] in approved carrying cases.

         13.   Electric ignitors.

            (a)   A maximum of four hundred such ignitors may be centrally stored in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of one hundred fifty such ignitors may be [maintained,] stored for use[,] in approved carrying cases.

         14.   Safety fuse or quick match.

            (a)   A maximum of two hundred feet of each type may be centrally stored with not more than two hundred feet of either type or combination of the two types kept in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of twenty feet of each type may be [maintained,] stored for use[,] with not more than twenty feet of either type or combination of the two kept in approved carrying cases.

         15.   Blank cartridges. A maximum of one hundred boxes of such cartridges, in approved carrying cases, may be centrally stored [or maintained] for use.

         16.   Slow burning smoke producing compound.

            (a)   A maximum of twelve pounds may be centrally stored in approved carrying cases.

            (b)   A maximum of two pounds may be [maintained,] stored for use[,] in approved carrying cases.

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         g.   Television special effects in quantities, as provided in subdivision c of this section may be [maintained] stored for use[,] in cabinets in television studios provided such television special effects are contained in approved carrying cases, when required in subdivision c of this section, and stored in cabinets at such location in the studio as may be approved by the commissioner, in no event to be below street level and in accordance with the following:

         1.   Said location in theatre type television studios shall be as far as practicable from the audience area and in all other television studios are far as practicable from the performing area.

         2.   Cabinets shall be clearly marked "TV special effects" and be constructed either of one-fourth inch asbestos board on a framework of one and one-fourth by one and one-fourth by one and one-eighth inch angles or shall be made of 18 United States gauge metal double walled with one and one-half inch air space. Racks or shelves shall be of metal so arranged that cylinders of compressed gas shall be secured in an upright position.

         3.   Doors shall be so arranged as to remain normally closed and shall be provided with catches at three points.

         4.   Cabinets shall be provided with a vent to the outside of building. Vent shall have a minimum area of one-half square inch per cubic foot of cabinet capacity.

         5.   Vent flues inside of building shall be of a construction equivalent to 18 United States gauge metal, covered with one inch of heat insulating material.

         6.   Each cabinet shall be provided with an automatic sprinkler connected to an adequate source of water supply.