"The next two bills before me today are part of the City's ongoing effort to update and modernize the New York City Fire Prevention Code. The first bill, Introductory Number 247, is sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members Clarke, Koppell, Seabrook, Stewart, Comrie, Boyland and Gonzalez.

"This bill amends provisions of the Fire Prevention Code and the Building Code that govern the installation and operation of mechanical refrigerating systems, and repeals outdated, duplicative and superseded requirements. Many requirements currently set forth in the Code are inapplicable due to modern refrigerating technology or have been superseded by the Building Code's Reference Standards. This bill eliminates those provisions in the Code that have been rendered inapplicable, and in addition, addresses the use and handling of alternative refrigerants that can be toxic or moderately flammable.

"The second bill, Introductory Number 248, is sponsored at the request of the Administration by Council Members Clarke, Boyland, Koppell, Seabrook, Stewart, Comrie and Gonzalez. This bill clarifies and simplifies numerous sections of the New York City Fire Prevention Code in relation to flammable and combustible mixtures, eliminates unnecessary and outdated provisions, conforms the Code to Federal and State laws and industry standards, and addresses recommendations of the U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board regarding the regulation of hazardous materials. The bill also clarifies the process by which the Fire Commissioner approves fire safety-related equipment, and eliminates the approval requirement for certain equipment already regulated by industry standards and federal regulations.

"The City of New York is committed to modernizing and streamlining the Fire Prevention Code in order to promote compliance with its provisions, and to lessen the uncertainty and confusion for those businesses or persons that must abide by these regulations. While these two bills tackle only a portion of the Code, designated staff and committees within the Fire Department are currently working to revise the Fire Prevention Code in its entirety.

"I would like to thank Commissioner Scoppetta and the Fire Department for undertaking the complicated task of revising the City's Fire Prevention Code, and Council Member Clarke for her continued dedication to this topic."