Fire Escapes New York City

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N.J.A.C 1031.6 Exterior egress

“All exit discharge, exterior stairways and fire escapes shall be kept free of snow and ice. Any fire escape or exterior stairway found to be in a state of deterioration or determined to be unsafe by the fire official shall be repaired immediately. Depending upon the structural condition, a load test of any fire escape shall be conducted before the escape is returned to service in accordance with the N.J.A.C. 5:23, the Uniform Construction Code”

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Fire Escapes New York City

1) Local New York City LAW 11 requires Fire Escapes that are 7 stories and above to be inspected AND certified every 5 years.

2) New York State requires Fire Escapes to be inspected AND certified every 5 years.

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Fire Escapes Philadelphia

The City of Philadelphia’s Property Maintenance Code requires all building owners to maintain their buildings in good repair, structurally sound and sanitary so as to not impose a threat to the public. Additionally, the Fire Code establishes specific requirements for periodic inspections of fire escapes and fire escape balconies and the filing of reports of such inspections. This document serves to inform the public of the method of reporting those inspections to the Department. Philadephia Fire Escapes

Fire Escape Code NYC

1) Local New York City LAW 11 requires Fire Escapes that are 7 stories and above to be inspected AND certified every 5 years.
2) New York State requires Fire Escapes to be inspected AND certified every 5 years.

• New York City Fire Code– Regulates fire safety in the operation and maintenance of all buildings, and establishes design requirements for a wide range of building installations. The Fire code is a companion code to the New York Construction Codes and Zoning Resolution, with extensive cross-references to Building, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes. https://www1.nyc.gov/site/fdny/about/resources/code-and-rules/nyc-fire-code.page
• Chapter 10 Means of Egress
  • Section 1027 Maintenance Means of Egress
  • Section 1027.3.7 Fire Escapes Maintained with FC1027.6
  • Section 1027.6. Fire Escapes
  • Section 1027.6.4. Fire Escape Ladders
• Chapter 14 Fire Safety During Construction, Alteration & Demolition
  • Section 1404.5 Fire Watch
  • Section 1411Means of Egress
  • Section 1411.1 Stairways
  • Section 1411.2 Maintenance. Required means of egress shall be maintained during construction, alteration and demolition in accordance with this code and the Building Code.
• New York City Building Code – Provisions of this code shall apply to the construction, alteration, movement, addition, replacement, repair, equipment use and occupancy, location, maintenance, removal and demolition of every building or structure or any appurtenances connected or attached to such buildings or structures.https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/apps/pdf_viewer/viewer.html?file=2014CC_BC_Chapte_10_Means_of_Egress.pdf&section=conscode_2014

• Article 3 Painting
  • Section 27-2014 Window Frames and Fire Escapes.
  • Sub-Section b. The owner of a dwelling shall paint every fire escape with two coats of paint of contrasting colors. The owner shall paint the first coat before and the second after erection of a new fire escape, except that this shall not apply to fire escapes constructed of approved atmospheric corrosion resistant metal. Whenever a fire escape becomes corroded, the owner shall scrape and remove the corrosion products and repaint it with two coats of paint of contrasting colors
• New York State/City Multiple DwellingLaw– State law governing design and construction standards for multiple dwellings in the state of New York, including, New York City. It covers everything from the placement of fire exists to prohibitions against such arcana as having a commercial fat-boiling facility in your apartment.

Violations

An FDNY violation is an official notice that a property is not in compliance with the New York City Fire Code and/or Fire Department Rules. Some infractions are minor, while others can create dangerous situations resulting in immediate action by the Fire Department or even the issuance of a criminal summons. Violations can be found during an FDNY inspection or based on complaints to the City. The following types of violations are issued/ordered in New York City: Notice of Violation, Violation Order, Criminal Summonses and a Vacate Order.

To remove a violation from record, the unsafe condition must be corrected and proof of the correction must be provided to the FDNY. After correcting the condition, a Certificate of Correction must be completed within 35 days from the day the violation originally was issued. Locations where a Vacate Order was issued must be re-inspected to complete the correction process.

Request a Copy of Violation

The FDNY can provide copies of violations. To ensure quick delivery, be sure to complete the Copy of Violation Request Form and attach all required documents. Please note, Vacate Orders can be obtained only in person. For additional information or questions, contact the Fire Department.

• Request Copy of Violation

Inspections

The FDNY conducts inspections that examine buildings, structures, facilities, vehicles and other locations in New York City. The purpose of an inspection is to ensure that code, laws, rules or regulations are being enforced to keep the public safe.

The owner shall be responsible, at all times, for the safe maintenance of any building, structure and/or premises and make sure it is kept up to code. Anything that needs to be fixed is the responsibility of the owner. Sometimes, when the tenant of a space in the building causes the hazardous condition in violation of the code or rules, the tenant is responsible to resolve the issues.

• Get Inspection Types

Request an Inspection or an On-Site Test

There are a number of ways to request an inspection or an On-Site Test.

• Request an Inspection

Other areas where the New York City fire escape code may apply is the following:

Added on Twitter: NYC Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit @mayorsCAU
The Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit connects NYC neighborhoods & New Yorkers to City Hall.
Key AHJ’s:

1. New York Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro http://www1.nyc.gov/site/fdny/about/overview/leadership/fire-commissioner.page

Fire Hazard Complaint

You can report potential fire hazards. Reports of situations that may cause a fire hazard, include:

• Unmaintained fire escapes
• Leaking sprinkler or standpipe systems
• Missing exit signs
• Lack of secondary exit
• Storage of paints or other combustible mixture
• Illegal kerosene or propane grills and heaters

The City will issue summonses and violations when appropriate.
Download the Fire Hazard Complaint form (PDF).
NYC Residential Code:

1 RCNY§103-04 CHAPTER 100 Subchapter C Maintenance of Buildings

http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/buildings/rules/1_RCNY_103-04.pdf 

NYC Lead Paint Repair Grant for Landlords

The City may provide grants to help eligible landlords fix lead paint hazards in their buildings. These grants cannot be used to fix violations or other work ordered by any city, state or federal agency. You can get information about program eligibility requirements and an application. Call 311 for information about lead paint repair grants.

Lead-Safe Renovation, Repair, and Painting

Information for Homeowners, Contractors, Landlords, and Tenants

Some renovation and remodeling activities can increase the risk of lead exposure. Homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint, often under newer paint. If you disturb the painted surface with a repair project or are planning to renovate or remodel an older home, it’s important to do the job safely. Lead paint dust or chips can cause serious health problems. Children and pregnant women are at highest risk.

Seal off the work area with plastic sheeting and always wet sand or wet scrape the paint. When surfaces are wet, dust levels and fumes are low. Clean up thoroughly. Children and pregnant women should stay away from work areas until the area is clean.

Learn more about how to do repairs and renovations in a lead-safe way with the materials below.

Reducing Lead Hazards During Remodeling

• Tips for Contractors
• What You Need to Know About Working with Lead-Based Paint
• Encapsulants: A Technique to Control Lead Paint Hazards
• Contractors: Lead Safety During Renovation (EPA)
• Renovate Right: Important Lead Hazard Information for Families, Child Care Providers, and Schools (EPA)
  • Spanish
• Small Entity Compliance Guide to Renovate Right (EPA)
• RRP: Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule (EPA)

Additional Information

• For additional questions email ceheduc@health.ny.gov
• Lead Hotline – The National Lead Information Center
• Maintenance requirements: Lead-based Paint http://www1.nyc.gov/site/hpd/owners/Lead-Based-Paint.pagehttps://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/lead/lead-paint-fix-bro.pdf

N.Y. Labor Law 273 – excerpt:

7. Every fire-escape if constructed of material subject to rusting shall be painted with two or more coats of good paint in contrasting colors; in the case of a new fire-escape the first coat before erection, and the second coat after erection. Whenever a fire-escape becomes rusty, the owner shall repaint it with two additional coats of good paint. 8. a. Whenever a non-fireproof multiple dwelling is not provided with sufficient means of egress in case of fire, the department may order such additional fire-escapes or balconies as in its judgment may be deemed necessary. b. The owner of a multiple dwelling shall keep and maintain every fire-escape thereon in good order and repair. c. No person shall at any time place any encumbrance of any kind before or upon any fire-escape, or place or keep a cover of any kind over the stairway opening in a balcony of such fire-escape. An occupant or tenant of a multiple dwelling who shall violate or assist in the violation of the provisions of this paragraph shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable as provided in section three hundred four. 9. No fire-escape shall be removed from or constructed on any existing multiple dwelling without permission from the department. No fire-escape shall be removed from any apartment without due precaution against leaving occupants of such apartment without adequate means of egress in case of fire. A wire, chain cable, vertical ladder or rope fire-escape is an unlawful means of egress. Every such fire-escape, if required as a means of egress, shall be removed and replaced by a system of fire-escapes constructed and arranged as provided in this section. 10. The department shall have the power to make supplementary regulations relating to fire-escapes.

For entire code click here…

NATIONAL CODES:

2012 IFC 1104.16.5.1 Fire escape stairs must be examined every 5 years ,by design professional or others acceptable and inspection report must be submitted to the fire code official.

IBC 1001.3.3 All fire escapes shall be examined and/or tested and certified every five years by a design professional or others acceptable who will then submit an affidavit city official.

NFPA LIFE SAFETY CODE 101  7.2.8.6.2 The Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) shall approve any fire escape by Load Test or other evidence of strength (Certification).

OSHA 1910.37 Exit routes must be maintained during construction, repairs, alterations or provide alternative egress with equivalent level of safety. (permit issued if egress is certified or with egress scaffolding) 

FIVE STEPS to Certify a Fire Escape:

1. Schedule a pre load test evaluation by a design professional or others acceptable by City Official – AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction)
2. Said professional will confirm with City Official if there are any other requirements other than load testing or other evidence of strength and if City Official wants to witness initial evaluation
3. Submit evaluation report to owner/agent and a copy to the City Official as per code
4. Issue certification, if passed, done by load test or other evidence of strength to City Official or, if failed, owner/agent and city official to confirm next steps (ex. engineer oversight, permits or other conditions)
5. Please contact your local City Official (AHJ) with any questions about the above steps

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Fire Escapes, that’s all we do since 1971.