New Fire Code Passed by City Council

 

Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta joined City Council Speaker Christine Quinn on May 28 to announce the City Council has approved a new Fire Code for New York City.

It will replace the existing code, which is more than 100 years old.

“This was a complete overhaul of the fire code, four years in the making” said Speaker Quinn during a press conference at City Hall.

The Code is based on the International Fire Code with amendments to address the New York’s urban needs. The new code is more modern, comprehensive and accessible.

Among the many changes is the new requirement that the code be reviewed every three years, to ensure amendments will be made when necessary.

Commissioner Scoppetta said this “consistent review will ensure that it will keep current.”

“These changes are going to make New York safer,” he said. “It was redrafted from top to bottom to meet the needs of this great city.”

Other changes include requirements for fire apparatus and rooftop access in buildings as well as labeling and color-coding rooftop installations.

The revision project was headed by FDNY Counsel Julian Bazel and Director of Code Revision James Hansen as well as Chief of Fire Prevention Thomas Jensen, representatives from the City Council and Department of Buildings, FDNY fire chiefs, inspectors, engineers and legal staff.

A draft of the Fire Code was publicly unveiled in December 2007 and New Yorkers were invited to submit comments in writing and in a public forum, which more than 200 people attended.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg is expected to sign the Fire Code on June 3, 2008, and it will take effect on July 1, 2008.