NYC Fire Safety Systems_ Inspection, Maintenance, and Certification
What is a sprinkler system? A sprinkler system is a fire extinguishing system that utilizes water as the
extinguishing agent.
What is a standpipe system? A standpipe system is piping installed in a building that serves to transfer water to
hose connections located within the building for firefighting purposes.
What are the periodic inspection and testing requirements Standpipe systems are required to be maintained in good working order, with
for standpipe systems? records of inspections, tests, servicing, and maintenance kept for a minimum of 3
years.
Who is responsible for maintaining the sprinkler system? The building owner is responsible for ensuring that the sprinkler system is
maintained in good working order and that inspections and tests are supervised by
an S-12 Certificate of Fitness holder.
What is the role of an impairment coordinator? The impairment coordinator is designated by the building owner to take required
actions when a standpipe system, sprinkler system, or fire alarm system is out of
service.
What color must standpipe system components be All portions of a standpipe system and the handles of valves serving the standpipe
painted? system in new buildings must be painted red.
What is a fire alarm system? A fire alarm system is any system arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of
fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices.
What are the painting requirements for sprinkler piping? Cross connections and risers must be painted red, while handles of valves serving
dedicated sprinklers must be painted green. For combination systems, sprinkler
risers and cross connections must be painted red, and valve handles must be
painted yellow.
What is required of companies that monitor fire alarm A central station company must be certified by the FDNY and is responsible for
systems? monitoring and retransmitting fire alarm system signals.
What actions must be taken when a fire protection system The building must be evacuated or a fire watch maintained, and an impairment
is out of service? coordinator must be designated to manage the situation.
What is the consequence of transmitting unnecessary fire It is unlawful to transmit 2 or more unnecessary or unwarranted alarms in any three-
alarm signals? month period, which may result in a Notice of Violation by the department.
Who is responsible for maintaining the fire alarm log book? The fire safety director or a designated person by the owner is responsible for
making log book entries, which must be supervised by an S-95/F-58/F-25 Certificate
of Fitness holder.
What is the minimum retention period for alarm log books? Alarm log books must be retained for a period of three years from the date of the
last entry.
What is the S-14 Certificate of Fitness holder's role? An S-14 Certificate of Fitness holder is responsible for continuously supervising a
multi-zone standpipe system.
What is the S-97/S-98 Certificate of Fitness holder An S-97/S-98 Certificate of Fitness holder is authorized to program, service, clean,
authorized to do? test, repair, and/or replace fire alarm system components.
, NYC Fire Safety Systems_ Inspection, Maintenance, and Certification
What is required for the visual inspection of fire alarm It is highly recommended that fire alarm devices be visually inspected for any
devices? evidence of abnormal conditions by an S-95/F-58/F-25 Certificate of Fitness holder
at the beginning of each day.
What is the responsibility of the building owner regarding The building owner must ensure that all fire safety systems, including standpipe and
fire safety systems? sprinkler systems, are maintained in good working order and that inspections are
supervised by qualified personnel.
What is the purpose of the fire alarm system? The purpose of the fire alarm system is to detect fire conditions and alert occupants
and emergency services.
What is the minimum height requirement for standpipe Standpipe systems are generally required in buildings that are more than 75 feet in
systems in buildings? height.
What is the significance of the S-12 Certificate of Fitness? The S-12 Certificate of Fitness holder is authorized to supervise the periodic
inspection and maintenance of sprinkler systems.
What must be done if a standpipe system is out of service? A fire watch must be maintained, and the impairment coordinator must take
appropriate actions to ensure safety.
What is the role of the FDNY in fire safety system The FDNY has the authority to inspect records of fire safety systems and ensure
inspections? compliance with safety regulations.
What is the role of a fire guard? A fire guard is responsible for maintaining a fire watch when fire protection systems
are out of service, ensuring constant monitoring for fires and reporting any
incidents.
What must a fire guard be provided with? A fire guard must be provided with at least one approved means for notification of
the fire department and fire safety personnel on the premises.
What should a fire guard do in case of a fire? A fire guard must immediately report any fire to the fire department and notify
emergency preparedness staff on the premises.
What training should a fire guard receive? A fire guard should be trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers and be
equipped with one or be aware of their locations.
What is a fire watch? A fire watch is a monitoring activity conducted by fire guards to ensure safety in
areas where fire protection systems are out of service.
What is required for smoke detector maintenance? A smoke detector maintenance log book must be maintained, detailing the total
number of smoke detectors and their locations, and entries must be made by the
fire safety director or designated person.
How long must smoke detector log books be retained? Smoke detector log books must be retained for a period of three years from the date
of the last entry.
What is the responsibility of the impairment coordinator? The impairment coordinator is responsible for authorizing and supervising the
removal of fire protection systems from service for maintenance or repairs.
, NYC Fire Safety Systems_ Inspection, Maintenance, and Certification
What conditions require a fire watch to be conducted by After 4 hours of an out-of-service condition, fire watches must be conducted by fire
fire guards? guards holding the F-01 Certificate of Fitness.
What is a refrigerating system? A refrigerating system is a closed circuit of interconnected parts that circulates
refrigerant to extract heat, commonly used for human comfort in buildings.
What permits are required for refrigerating systems? A permit is required to maintain or operate a refrigerating system that uses specific
refrigerants or is mounted on a roof or ceiling.
What must be done if a fire protection system is out of The department must be notified, and appropriate measures must be taken to
service? assess risks and inform affected occupants.
What does personal supervision of a refrigerating system Personal supervision means that the responsible person must be present in the
entail? building at all times while the system is in operation.
What is the significance of being 'present in the building' An RSOE must be present in the building where the refrigerating system is installed
for an RSOE? when it is operational; they are not required to be present when the system is shut
down.
What should be done if the fire alarm system is out of Occupants in the affected areas must be notified if the fire alarm system is expected
service for more than 30 minutes? to be out of service for more than 30 minutes.
What is required for planned removal from service of fire The impairment coordinator must be informed in advance and must authorize the
protection systems? removal, ensuring safety measures are in place.
What is the purpose of a fire safety director? The fire safety director is responsible for overseeing fire safety measures, including
maintaining smoke detector logs and ensuring compliance with fire codes.
What should be tagged during an out-of-service condition? Tags should be placed at each fire department connection, standpipe, and sprinkler
system control valve to indicate which systems are out of service.
What is the maximum area for which an impairment An impairment coordinator can perform fire watch duties for areas not exceeding
coordinator can perform fire watch duties? 50,000 square feet for the first 4 hours of an out-of-service condition.
What is the protocol for notifying the fire department about The fire department must be notified whenever a standpipe, sprinkler, or fire alarm
a fire protection system being out of service? system is out of service, regardless of the reason.
What are the responsibilities of a person supervising a They must ensure the system is operated under their personal direction and control
refrigerating system? while being present in the building.
What actions should be taken if multiple fire protection The impairment coordinator must assess the risks and notify the relevant parties,
systems are out of service? including the fire department and building occupants.
What is the importance of maintaining a fire watch record? A record of the fire watch must be maintained on the premises during the watch and
for at least 48 hours after it concludes.
What is a sprinkler system? A sprinkler system is a fire extinguishing system that utilizes water as the
extinguishing agent.
What is a standpipe system? A standpipe system is piping installed in a building that serves to transfer water to
hose connections located within the building for firefighting purposes.
What are the periodic inspection and testing requirements Standpipe systems are required to be maintained in good working order, with
for standpipe systems? records of inspections, tests, servicing, and maintenance kept for a minimum of 3
years.
Who is responsible for maintaining the sprinkler system? The building owner is responsible for ensuring that the sprinkler system is
maintained in good working order and that inspections and tests are supervised by
an S-12 Certificate of Fitness holder.
What is the role of an impairment coordinator? The impairment coordinator is designated by the building owner to take required
actions when a standpipe system, sprinkler system, or fire alarm system is out of
service.
What color must standpipe system components be All portions of a standpipe system and the handles of valves serving the standpipe
painted? system in new buildings must be painted red.
What is a fire alarm system? A fire alarm system is any system arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of
fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices.
What are the painting requirements for sprinkler piping? Cross connections and risers must be painted red, while handles of valves serving
dedicated sprinklers must be painted green. For combination systems, sprinkler
risers and cross connections must be painted red, and valve handles must be
painted yellow.
What is required of companies that monitor fire alarm A central station company must be certified by the FDNY and is responsible for
systems? monitoring and retransmitting fire alarm system signals.
What actions must be taken when a fire protection system The building must be evacuated or a fire watch maintained, and an impairment
is out of service? coordinator must be designated to manage the situation.
What is the consequence of transmitting unnecessary fire It is unlawful to transmit 2 or more unnecessary or unwarranted alarms in any three-
alarm signals? month period, which may result in a Notice of Violation by the department.
Who is responsible for maintaining the fire alarm log book? The fire safety director or a designated person by the owner is responsible for
making log book entries, which must be supervised by an S-95/F-58/F-25 Certificate
of Fitness holder.
What is the minimum retention period for alarm log books? Alarm log books must be retained for a period of three years from the date of the
last entry.
What is the S-14 Certificate of Fitness holder's role? An S-14 Certificate of Fitness holder is responsible for continuously supervising a
multi-zone standpipe system.
What is the S-97/S-98 Certificate of Fitness holder An S-97/S-98 Certificate of Fitness holder is authorized to program, service, clean,
authorized to do? test, repair, and/or replace fire alarm system components.
, NYC Fire Safety Systems_ Inspection, Maintenance, and Certification
What is required for the visual inspection of fire alarm It is highly recommended that fire alarm devices be visually inspected for any
devices? evidence of abnormal conditions by an S-95/F-58/F-25 Certificate of Fitness holder
at the beginning of each day.
What is the responsibility of the building owner regarding The building owner must ensure that all fire safety systems, including standpipe and
fire safety systems? sprinkler systems, are maintained in good working order and that inspections are
supervised by qualified personnel.
What is the purpose of the fire alarm system? The purpose of the fire alarm system is to detect fire conditions and alert occupants
and emergency services.
What is the minimum height requirement for standpipe Standpipe systems are generally required in buildings that are more than 75 feet in
systems in buildings? height.
What is the significance of the S-12 Certificate of Fitness? The S-12 Certificate of Fitness holder is authorized to supervise the periodic
inspection and maintenance of sprinkler systems.
What must be done if a standpipe system is out of service? A fire watch must be maintained, and the impairment coordinator must take
appropriate actions to ensure safety.
What is the role of the FDNY in fire safety system The FDNY has the authority to inspect records of fire safety systems and ensure
inspections? compliance with safety regulations.
What is the role of a fire guard? A fire guard is responsible for maintaining a fire watch when fire protection systems
are out of service, ensuring constant monitoring for fires and reporting any
incidents.
What must a fire guard be provided with? A fire guard must be provided with at least one approved means for notification of
the fire department and fire safety personnel on the premises.
What should a fire guard do in case of a fire? A fire guard must immediately report any fire to the fire department and notify
emergency preparedness staff on the premises.
What training should a fire guard receive? A fire guard should be trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers and be
equipped with one or be aware of their locations.
What is a fire watch? A fire watch is a monitoring activity conducted by fire guards to ensure safety in
areas where fire protection systems are out of service.
What is required for smoke detector maintenance? A smoke detector maintenance log book must be maintained, detailing the total
number of smoke detectors and their locations, and entries must be made by the
fire safety director or designated person.
How long must smoke detector log books be retained? Smoke detector log books must be retained for a period of three years from the date
of the last entry.
What is the responsibility of the impairment coordinator? The impairment coordinator is responsible for authorizing and supervising the
removal of fire protection systems from service for maintenance or repairs.
, NYC Fire Safety Systems_ Inspection, Maintenance, and Certification
What conditions require a fire watch to be conducted by After 4 hours of an out-of-service condition, fire watches must be conducted by fire
fire guards? guards holding the F-01 Certificate of Fitness.
What is a refrigerating system? A refrigerating system is a closed circuit of interconnected parts that circulates
refrigerant to extract heat, commonly used for human comfort in buildings.
What permits are required for refrigerating systems? A permit is required to maintain or operate a refrigerating system that uses specific
refrigerants or is mounted on a roof or ceiling.
What must be done if a fire protection system is out of The department must be notified, and appropriate measures must be taken to
service? assess risks and inform affected occupants.
What does personal supervision of a refrigerating system Personal supervision means that the responsible person must be present in the
entail? building at all times while the system is in operation.
What is the significance of being 'present in the building' An RSOE must be present in the building where the refrigerating system is installed
for an RSOE? when it is operational; they are not required to be present when the system is shut
down.
What should be done if the fire alarm system is out of Occupants in the affected areas must be notified if the fire alarm system is expected
service for more than 30 minutes? to be out of service for more than 30 minutes.
What is required for planned removal from service of fire The impairment coordinator must be informed in advance and must authorize the
protection systems? removal, ensuring safety measures are in place.
What is the purpose of a fire safety director? The fire safety director is responsible for overseeing fire safety measures, including
maintaining smoke detector logs and ensuring compliance with fire codes.
What should be tagged during an out-of-service condition? Tags should be placed at each fire department connection, standpipe, and sprinkler
system control valve to indicate which systems are out of service.
What is the maximum area for which an impairment An impairment coordinator can perform fire watch duties for areas not exceeding
coordinator can perform fire watch duties? 50,000 square feet for the first 4 hours of an out-of-service condition.
What is the protocol for notifying the fire department about The fire department must be notified whenever a standpipe, sprinkler, or fire alarm
a fire protection system being out of service? system is out of service, regardless of the reason.
What are the responsibilities of a person supervising a They must ensure the system is operated under their personal direction and control
refrigerating system? while being present in the building.
What actions should be taken if multiple fire protection The impairment coordinator must assess the risks and notify the relevant parties,
systems are out of service? including the fire department and building occupants.
What is the importance of maintaining a fire watch record? A record of the fire watch must be maintained on the premises during the watch and
for at least 48 hours after it concludes.
