SP-001: Fire Safety Requirements After the Deutsche Bank Fire

Years after the 2007 Deutsche Bank fire it is unclear about what caused the deaths of two firefighters. Evidence points to a missing 42-foot section of standpipe in the building’s basement which prevented the firefighters from quickly getting water on the blaze. Other evidence suggestions that an artificially created smoke chamber. Furthermore, even though New York City was never indicted, city agencies failed to make regular inspections on the building. In the wake of the trial, the tragic deaths of firefighters: Robert Beddia and Joseph Graffagnino prompted numerous changes in the building code.  http://nyti.ms/ohUq42

Although necessary to insure the safety of FDNY, the new code changes present new challenges to building owners, developers and architects. Although the changes include more than sprinkler and standpipe requirements, I will start with sprinklers in an effort to demystify some of the new requirements. I have posted an unofficial list of sprinkler requirements that should be incorporated into a filing set and prepared as part of the application to the Buildings Department. It is best to review with an consulting architect before preparing the drawings.

Typical Department of Buildings Sprinkler Requirements

1. Provide Sprinkler Systems in the List of Special / Progress Inspections. This is the same special inspection list that will generally contain: Firestop, Draftstop & Fireblock Systems, Energy and Final.
2. Provide sprinkler riser diagram calling out area of work.
3. Show Siamese connection - indicate street name, and height above sidewalk, water source, inspector’s test connections and floor control valve on the riser diagram
4. Provide head count of sprinklers being worked on floor plan and riser diagram (On your demo plan state the number of heads being demolished and on the floor plan and riser state the number of heads being installed as new.)
5. Provide sprinkler head schedule which must include:
   •         Finish/Type
   •         Area
   •         Density
   •         Temperature rating
   •         K factor
   •         UL/MEA
   •         Manufacturer
6. Provide typical detail of sprinkler piping is passing through fire rated construction.
7. Account for all existing sprinklers – show the location of the heads and piping on your demo plan 10.   In title block, fire protection must be indicated as SP.
8. All symbols on floor plan must be represented in legend
9. All devises shown on floor plan must be consistent with those shown on the riser
10. All floor numbers (1st, 2nd Floor) must be shown in drawing list, floor plan, title block and riser diagram
11. Sprinkler should be listed as an applications filed separately.