Fire Alarm Pull Stations:
You might ask, "how did they find this".
It has been found that the wire guard Model 2099-9800 manufactured by/for Simplex Time Recorder Co. for use with their manual alarm station does not comply with the Fire Code of New York State section 907.4.5 and NFPA 72-1999 sections 2-8.2.1 and 4-2.3 and NFPA 72-1993 section 5-9.1.2 (which is the old code requirement). The cover does not allow for the operation of the manual station without opening it. The installation instructions for the cover require it to be mounted with the hinge on the top. But it does not provide operational directions mounted on or near the guard instructing people to lift the guard to operate the alarm. Code requirements are such that directions must be posted. Also, code requirements are such that guards are to be listed for the application, which this guard is not.
Therefore, SED Facilities Planning is requiring that all fire alarm pull
stations be checked carefully. Those that have non-listed guards mounted on
them, regardless of manufacturer, must be removed and be replaced by a listed
guard if a guard is desired.
The NAME - Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code:
We have had instances where people have written to correct us regarding the "name" of the new code. The "name" is still the same, the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code. The change was a regulatory change deleting Title 9B NYCRR (the green book) and replacing it with "The Codes of New York State", a collection of eight codes published by ICBO that are modified by New York State. All of the eight books apply to new and existing buildings for both construction and maintenance. Some of the books contain applications to both construction and maintenance such as the Fire Code of NYS. http://www.icbo.org/Code_Talk/Adoptions/ny-codes.html
Structural Requirements:
It seems that many people are not aware of the structural
requirements for windows that are now in effect in the new Uniform Fire
Prevention and Building Code. Specifically on Long Island in wind borne debris
regions. This applies to all locations within one mile of the coastal mean high
water line, which is any water area experiencing tidal change. This requirement
will effect many school buildings. The requirement is: Glazed openings located
within 30 feet of grade shall meet the requirements of the Large Missile Test of
ASTM E 1996, and over 30 feet of grade shall meet the Small Missile Test. This
test is tough and the resulting requirements are custom windows with reinforced
installations. Please include this information on your Structural Design
Checklist and drawings or specifications.
Code Compliance Checklist vs. the Backlog:
We have received no comments back regarding the new Code Compliance Checklist we placed on our web site for use last month. This may be good or bad.
We have not had any resubmissions by people using the new Code Compliance Checklist to re-review their documents that are presently waiting for review. As a result we are reviewing and finding items that might be quickly found utilizing the new checklist. A good example is the Fire Code requirements. The new checklist will help you identify the 20-foot wide road around the building and the sidewalks to every exit door that are required on site plans of additions and new buildings.
Your cooperation will also help us to provide quicker reviews and cut down the backlog. Those individuals who provide accurate drawings and their clients know that the resulting approval is quick. If you check our web site you will and see the backlog appears to be shortened. This is because we have been rejecting some documents that seem to provide little effort when utilizing the Code Compliance Checklist. Each resubmission is required to re-examine their documents and add the requirements listed on the checklist. This is as stated in the item labeled Reminder to Architectural/Engineering firms regarding complete design packages found in our May Newsletter.An Index of our Newsletters is available on our web site at https://www.p12.nysed.gov/facplan/NewsLetters.htm.
If you would like to have this Newsletter sent directly to you by e-mail, please send your e-mail address to Joe Levy at jlevy@mail.nysed.gov
Please continue to send in your comments and requests. If you have a subject you would like addressed, feedback on the material you read, input or general comments we are happy to hear from you.