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Importance of PA Space

The DOE, Department of Buildings, and

FDNY recognize the critical importance of

the Custodian Engineer in keeping

occupants safe.

PA Spaces are the locations with the

greatest number of occupants and hence

the greatest risk to safety in an emergency

situation.

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History

Critical Safety Failures in PA Spaces

Iroquois Theater – 602 dead

Hartford Circus – 168 dead

Happy Land Social Club – 87 dead

Cocoanut Grove Nightclub – 492 dead

Beverly Hills Supper Club – 168 dead

Station Nightclub – 100 dead

Club E2 Nightclub non fire – 21 dead

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Frequent Terminology

Capacity: In respect to a place of public assembly, means the

maximum number of persons who may lawfully assemble therein.

Exit: Any means of egress from a room, tier, building or other

occupied area.

Exit Way: A complete way of passage from an exit to a public street,

road or other acceptable open area.

It includes all…

• Doorways

• Stairways

• Hallways

• Passageways

• Courts which occur in its course

Fire Door: An approved fire-resistive door together with its frame

and hardware.

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FIRE SAFETY

Critical Documents You Control and which

you need to have available for FDNY

FIRE SAFETY LOG – up to date with all

required tests and checks logged

Certificates of Fitness for • IFA

• Sprinkler

• Standpipe

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Fire Safety continued

Critical Documents you should have PA Permits

PA Occupancy Signs

Seating Plans for Cafeterias or Multi-purpose

Rooms

Certification of Flame Proofing for curtains

and drapes in PA Spaces

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General Checklist The following general guidelines may be used for all locations.

1. All exits, stairways, hallways must be kept free of obstructions. Obstructions

may prevent occupants from exiting the building in case of an emergency.

2. Commonly self-closing doors are installed in the buildings. These doors are

designed to prevent the spread of a fire in case of an emergency.

3. Locks, bolts, or chains must not be installed on exits while there are people in

the building. If locks are discovered they must be removed immediately.

These doors may be secured with panic bars only.

4. The entire premises must be checked daily for potential fire ignition sources.

Any potential ignition sources that are discovered must be corrected or

removed immediately.

5. Trash or garbage must not to be allowed to accumulate anywhere inside the

building. Accumulated trash is a fire hazard.

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General Checklist “Cont.”

6. All required Fire Department permits and certificates must be current. The results of all

tests and inspections must be recorded in the inspection log. The log, permits and

certificates must be made available to Fire Department representatives upon request.

7. When sprinkler and/or standpipe systems are installed they must be visually inspected

monthly. Defects must be corrected and recorded in the inspection log. Serious defects

must be reported to the Fire Department. For example, a defective water control valve

must be reported to the Fire Department.

8. All fire extinguishers must be clearly visible. Where the extinguisher location is

obstructed signs must be posted indicating the location of the extinguishers. The fire drill

conductor must make sure that the extinguishers are serviced annually and recharged

after each use.

9. The fireman's service elevator test must be conducted monthly. This test must be

recorded in the inspection log.

10. The risers and control valves must be kept free of obstruction at all times. This will allow

the Fire Department to quickly access the risers and control valves in case of an

emergency.

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Logging of Test in Fire Safety Log

Within Room/Space:

Is a monthly test of the emergency lighting

system performed?

Are the records of test maintained?

Within Means of Egress:

Is a monthly test of the emergency lighting

system performed?

Are the records of test maintained?

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Fire Extinguisher Log

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Smoke Detectors Test

and Inspection Log

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Fire Alarm System Record of Test

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Sprinkler System In most cases, sprinkler systems aren't really

designed to extinguish serious fires. Instead, they cool the air and slow the spread of a fire, both of which help increase people's chances of escape.

Since they require extensive plumbing work, sprinkler systems are most commonly installed when a building is built. Updating or installing a new fire alarm system may require an inspection of the sprinkler system.

Sprinkler systems represent another side of fire safety: combating the effects of the fire once it starts.

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Automatic Sprinkler

Wet Systems

Wet pipe systems are the most common type of

the systems installed.

This system relies on automatic sprinklers that

regulate the flow of water in the event of a fire.

Heat activated sprinkler heads are attached to a

piping system, which contains water and is

connected to a water supply.

Only the heads that are activated by the heat of

the fire will release water. This contains the

discharge of water to the area affected by the fire.

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Fire Extinguisher Information

Up to date Inspection Tag in place

Hydrostatic test up to date

Located where required in PA space

Correct quantity in place

Correct type of extinguisher in place

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Different Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Class A A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "A" is for use on Class A fires. Class A fires are fires that involve ordinary combustible materials such as cloth, wood, paper, rubber, and many plastics.

Class B A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "B" is for use on Class B fires. Class B fires are fires that involve flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline, alcohol, diesel oil, oil-based paints, lacquers, etc., and flammable gases.

Class C A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "C" is for use on Class C fires. Class C fires are fires that involve energized electrical equipment.

Class D A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "D" is for use on Class D fires. Class D fires are fires that involve combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium and sodium.

Class K A fire extinguisher labeled with letter "K" is for use on Class K fires. Class K fires are fires that involve vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats in cooking appliances. This is for commercial kitchens, including those found in restaurants, cafeterias, and caterers.

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Definition

Means of egress is a continuous path of

travel provided for the escape of persons

from any point in a building or contained

open space.

Safeguards life in the presence of fire.

Path of egress travel for occupants to

escape and avoid a fire.

A life line from inside (danger) to the

outside (safety).

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Exit Passageway

Exit passageways shall be maintained free

of obstructions at all times.

Nothing shall be installed below the ceiling

that will obstruct full view of exit signs.

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Questions

Within Room/Space - Within Means of

Egress: Is an emergency lighting system provided as

per drawing? Number and location of fixture has not changed

Is the emergency lighting system operative? All lamps working

Do the emergency lights have back-up

batteries? If yes are they charged/working?

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Questions

Within Room/Space – Within Means of

Egress (lobbies, corridors, exit stairs, etc.)

Are illuminated exit signs provided as per

drawing?

Are illuminated exit signs operative? Number of fixtures

Number of fixtures operational

Number of caged fixtures

Is the illuminated exit sign legal?

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Exit Signs

Signs shall be provided in all assembly

spaces to indicate the location of exits

and, where necessary, the direction to the

exits.

All exit or directional signs shall be placed

so that they are clearly visible from all

parts of the assembly spaces. The bottom of all signs shall be at least seven

feet above floor level.

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Questions

Are legible occupancy/ capacity signs

posted?

What is the maximum number of

occupants posted on the occupancy sign?

Is the posted capacity sign legal?

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No person or item shall block, impede,

or obstruct any aisle, passageway,

hallway, lobby, foyer, or stairways

leading to or from any entrance or exit

required by law which will prevent,

delay, hinder, or interfere with the free

use of such passageway by any person.

Obstruction of Aisles and

Passageways

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Obstructions

Means of access and egress shall be free

from debris, obstructions, projections and

slipping, tripping and other hazards.

Obstructions include: Furniture – desks, file cabinets, seats, sofas, etc.

Boxes

Accumulation of trash or debris

Construction Materials or Scenery items

Any other obstacle in the path of exit travel

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Means of Egress

Accommodate all occupants of a structure

Remain clear and unobstructed

No trip hazards in the path of egress

Well marked and illuminated

The Means of Egress shall not require Tools

Keys

Special knowledge

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Fire Door Safety

Fire doors play an integral role in

managing a fire by interrupting the spread

of smoke, toxic gasses, and the fire itself

from one fire zone into another.

Fire doors are fundamental to the integrity

of fire barriers.

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Exit Door Requirements

Exit doors must be identified and operable.

Exit door must NOT be blocked or restricted.

Locking: No exit door shall be locked to

prevent egress from an assembly space

while it is occupied.

Auxiliary Locking Devices shall be removed

whenever the building is occupied.

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Fire Door Requirements

Fire doors must be operative, self-closing

or attached to a fused device.

Any wedge or item holding a fire-rated

door in an open position must be removed.

Self-closing doors should close fully and

latch.

Panic bars must be in an operable

condition.

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Improper Fire Door Openings

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Vision Panels in Fire Doors

A vision panel assembly for a fire door

includes a frame structure and a glass

vision panel which are mounted in a

rectangular opening in the fire door.

The glass for the vision panel shall be wire

glass or UL approved fire rated glass.

The maximum allowable size is 100 sq. in.

This is most often seen as 10” x 10”

or 5” x 20”.

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Seating Plan Use

The seating plan is designed by a licensed

professional in order to assure that the

layout of furniture allows all occupants to

safely exit in an emergency.

The Plan shows the arrangement of tables

and the aisles and spaces needed around

the tables.

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Seating Plan continued

Does the layout of space correspond to

approved seating plan as per drawing?

Does the seating layout correspond to the

approved seating plan?

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Seating Plans

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These seating plans are samples for illustration purposes only

Seating Plan

Lunch Room/ Play Room

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This seating plan is a sample for illustration purposes only

Sample Seating Plan with Seating Positions

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