FDNY COF F-80
Unwarranted Alarm:
An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which failed to function as designed as a result of improper installation, improper maintenance, malfunction, or other factor. Examples of unwarranted alarms are alarms resulting from improper smoke detector placement, improper detector setting for installed location, lack of system maintenance, and control panel malfunction.
Unnecessary Alarm:
An alarm signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which functioned as designed, but for which a department response proved unnecessary. An example of an unnecessary alarm is an alarm triggered by smoke from a lit cigarette in a non-smoking area, when the presence of such smoke does not implicate fire safety concerns.
Carbon Monoxide Detector:
An automatic device that senses carbon monoxide and is connected to the fire alarm control panel.
Smoke Detector:
An automatic device that senses smoke and is connected to the fire alarm control panel.
Public Address System:
An electronic sound amplification and distribution system with a microphone, amplifier and loudspeakers, used to allow a person to address a large public. Public address systems enable voice communications from a central location, usually in the building lobby.
How often must the emergency preparedness plan be reviewed and updated at a minimum?
Annually
Fire Alarm System:
Any system, including any interconnected fire alarm sub system, of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices.
Fire Protection System:
Approved devices, equipment and systems or combinations of systems used to deter a fire, activate an alarm, extinguish or control a fire, control or manage smoke and products of a fire or any combination thereof, including fire extinguishing systems, fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems and standpipe systems.
An approved fire alarm system might typically be found:
Assembly occupancies (e.g. theaters, school auditoriums), business occupancies, education occupancies, factories, malls, hotels, etc. Any approved fire alarm system must be supervised by a Certificate of Fitness holder depending upon the nature of the occupancy and/or the type of fire alarm system.
The F-80 Certificate of Fitness is premise-related. F-80 C of F holders should be:
Trained and fully capable of operating the fire alarm control panel in the shelter in which they are employed. As part of the qualifications to take this examination, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must provide the address of his/her place of employment to the FDNY.
Furthermore, misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Any false and fraudulent conduct in connection with an application for a certificate or the duties of a certificate holder, including: - False or fraudulent statements or submissions - Unauthorized changes to or use of a certificate or possession of a fraudulent certificate o cheating on an examination - Impersonating another person or allowing oneself to be impersonated.
Also misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- Any other conduct that decreases the integrity or reliability of an applicant or certificate holder - Compromising the integrity or confidentiality of a Fire Department examination
More responsabilities of Coordinator of Fire Safety:
- Conduct drills to familiarize building occupants with the fire safety features of the shelter, the exits available, and the proper procedures to follow in case of a fire or non-fire emergency - Conduct staff training and fire and non-fire emergency drills as required by the Fire Code - Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters supervise and direct the performance of the duties and responsibilities of the deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters, fire guards and other FEP staff in the shelter.
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems Responsibilities, more responsabilities:
Report to and be fully competent in the operation of the fire alarm control panel. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters shall be capable of demonstrating all of the following tasks. Tasks shall include but not be limited to the following, if applicable, depending on the type of fire alarm system*:
Fire alarm system without voice communication system and not requiring an FLSD/F-80/F-53:
S-95
All Certificate of Fitness holders should ensure:
That their respective premises have fire alarm systems approved by the FDNY. For further questions, you can contact your Building owner or Property Manager.
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems, even more responsabilities:
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter must notify arriving emergency response personnel of the nature of the emergency and the response so far, and comply with the directions of the emergency response personnel and/or other lawful authority
It is the responsibility of the owner of the shelter to designate a competent person to be certified by the Fire Department to act as the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters Certificate of Fitness holder:
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and staff must possess the qualifications and/or hold certificates of fitness as required by the Fire Code. The shelter owner shall ensure that adequate staff is present on the premises at other times when the shelter is occupied, to perform the duties and responsibilities set forth in the emergency preparedness plan.
Any building that is required to or voluntarily installs a fire alarm system with two way voice communication may require:
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems obtain an additional Certificate of Fitness for Fire and Life Safety Director. A Fire and Life Safety Director will be required in the building.
Voice Communication Capability:
The ability to communicate to the occupants of a building or occupancy, whether by means of a fire alarm system with one-way or two way voice communication or other approved means of communication.
Homeless shelter in Bronx, NY Date: December 7, 2012 and December 9, 2012, Lessons learned:
- Excess debris and improper storage presents a fire hazard. - Lack of a building wide fire alarm system will cause significant delays in implementing a building evacuation. - mFire escapes must be inspected to ensure that they are in working order. - Fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly to ensure that they are in working order.
A fire alarm system may include but not limit to one/some of the following systems:
1. Standpipe fire pump 2. Sprinkler booster fire pump 3. Standpipe(limited service fire pump) 4. Other (specify) 5. Emergency voice/alarm communication system 6. Fire Department communication system
The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is responsible for the following:
1. They must be present at the shelter at all times. When the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is absent, a deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters shall be present at the shelter and shall perform the duties of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters.
Futhermore A fire alarm system may include but not limit to one/some of the following systems also at:
13. Emergency alarm systems (gas detection system) 14. Smoke control systems 15. Fire command center 16. Post-fire smoke purge systems 17. Sub-systems (Range hood, halon and FM200 etc) 18. Auxiliary Radio Communication System (ARCS).
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems Responsibilities:
2. Familiarity with the content of the emergency preparedness plan and ability to implement the plan in case of a fire or non-fire emergency
A fire alarm system may include but not limit to one/some of the following systems also at:
7. Carbon monoxide alarms and detectors 8. Automatic sprinkler systems 9. Alternative automatic fire-extinguishing system 10. Automatic fire alarm systems 11. Manual fire alarm systems 12. Manual and automatic fire alarm systems
Alarm Silence Switch:
The alarm silence switch is used to silence the building audible and visual devices after evacuation is complete while the source of the alarm is being investigated. Depending on the configuration of the alarm system, this function will either silence the system's notification appliances completely, or will silence only the audible alarm, with strobe lights continuing to flash. The silence switch does not prevent a signal from being transmitted to an FDNY approved central station company.
Who is responsible for preparing and overseeing the periodic review of the emergency preparedness plan?
The building owner
In-Building Relocation:
The controlled movement of building occupants from an endangered area of a building to an in-building relocation area within the same building in response to a fire or non-fire emergency.
Smoldering Stage of a Fire:
The decay stage of a fire. This is the third stage in the three stages of a fire. This occurs when the fire has an unlimited supply of fuel but limited oxygen. Visible flames will have diminished and the fire will smolder and continue to produce smoke and toxic gases, particularly carbon monoxide. S-97/S-98 - Certificate of Fitness for Fire Alarm Systems Inspection, Testing and Service Technician issued by the FDNY
F-80 Certificates of Fitness are valid for a period not:
To exceed three years from the date of issuance. At the end of this period, the certificate expires unless the commissioner approves its renewal. Please be advised that certificate renewals shall be at the discretion of the commissioner in the interest of public safety.
What is the primary purpose of an emergency preparedness plan in homeless shelters?
To provide guidance, direction, and assistance for occupant safety during an emergency
The F-80 Certificate of Fitness holder will be authorized:
To supervise Fire Alarm Systems in homeless shelters as outlined in this study material.
The Fire Department can:
Deny, not renew, suspend or revoke a certificate for misconduct, which would include the failure of the certificate holder to properly fulfill his or her duties for any reason.
Unfortunately, in New York City and elsewhere:
Disastrous fires have occurred in homeless shelters. Fortunately, the lessons learned from these fires can be used to help prevent them from occurring in the future.
One-way Voice Communication:
Enables the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters, fire guards, FEP Staff or Fire Department personnel to make announcements from the lobby to building occupants in their apartments, offices, classrooms, or in building stairwells. One way voice communication is a public address system that is capable of making announcements from the fire command center to all parts of the buildings. The one-way voice communication system can be used to warn and instruct building occupants in case of a fire or non-fire emergency.
It is imperative that Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelter:
Ensure that shelters are maintained in a manner that provides for the safety of the residents and employees in the event of a fire or other emergency, to immediately correct any fire safety violations that arise, to be familiar with all aspects of the emergency preparedness plan, and to stay informed of current fire safety laws, rules and regulations.
Depending on the type of fire alarm system:
Every system may be different and therefore the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must evaluate what system exists and what features and components are available in their shelter
Individuals who are certified for the F-80 Certificate of Fitness will be:
Exempt from having to obtain a separate S-95 Certificate of Fitness for Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems and Other Related Systems. This exemption is for Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters who work in shelters only.
Fire alarm system with one way communication system (public announcement system), not requiring an FLSD/F-80:
F-53
Fire alarm system in a homeless shelter not requiring a FLSD:
F-80
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters:
F-80 Certificate of Fitness holders; also referred to as Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems throughout this study material.
If there is no FLSD required on the premises, persons performing the duties of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must hold an:
F-80 Certificate of Fitness. Certificate of Fitness holders must maintain all qualifications and comply with all requirements applicable to such certificate holders throughout the term of their certificate.
Fire alarm system has two-way voice communication system with warden phone:
FLSD
Fire alarm system installed in a commercial/mixed high rise building:
FLSD
Fire alarm system with one and/or two way communication, installed in a hotel building contains 50 or more sleeping rooms above ground floor:
FLSD
The fire safety responsibilities delegated to the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters C of F holders:
Makes them imperative to help ensure the safety of homeless shelter residents and employees. They are responsible for keeping everyone safe in the case of a fire or non-fire emergency. Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are also often the point of contact for shelter occupants, employees and first responders during an emergency.
In addition to any other penalties provided by law:
Misconduct on the part of an applicant or holder of a certificate of fitness shall be grounds for denial, non-renewal, suspension or revocation of a certificate, and denial of an application for a certificate or the opportunity to take a certificate examination.
The Certificate of Occupancy shall determine the number of:
Occupants authorized to be in the shelter. If the Certificate of Occupancy establishes the lawful occupancy as being more than 15 persons, a Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is required, even if there are actually less than 15 persons in the building at any particular time.
The department may review the certificate holder's qualifications and fitness and may require a certificate holder to complete a department-approved continuing education program and/or provide:
Other proof of the holder's continuing qualifications and fitness. Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must ensure that their original Certificate of Fitness card is available for inspection by the FDNY during their work shift.
If the fire alarm system is not connected to a central station and meets the provision of Section 14.4.5.2, NFPA 72 (2010):
Recommends a visual inspection to be performed semi-annually (as a minimum) on all "Initiating Devices" (NFPA section 9 in 14.3.1), which includes the manual pull stations. Testing of such devices shall be performed on annual basis (NFPA table 14.4.5).
Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems Responsibilities further:
- Know the location of and how to personally operate all fire alarm systems in the shelter - Awareness of the inspection, maintenance, and testing schedule for fire alarm systems in the shelter and ensure that the schedules are adhered to
More responsabilities of Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems:
- Making a public address announcement throughout the building, in the stairway(s), and individual floors - Acknowledging signals at the fire alarm control panel placing the fire alarm system on and off line - Communicating with FEP staff using the primary and secondary means of communication designated in the emergency preparedness plan for the building - Silencing the fire tones throughout the building after authorization by the FDNY - Resetting the fire command center
Homeless shelter in New York, NY Date: August 28, 2012, Lessons Learned:
- Periodic Fire Department inspections should be conducted - Ignition sources, such as lit cigarettes, should not be left unattended. - Fire safety education may be beneficial to homeless shelter residents.
Homeless shelter in Paris, Texas Date: 2009, Lessons Learned:
- Periodic Fire Department inspections should be conducted as required. - Excess debris and improper storage is a fire hazard. - Lack of fire prevention devices in the shelter increases the probability of fatal fires.
Misconduct includes, but is not limited to:
- The failure of certificate holders to properly fulfill their duties - The failure to promptly notify the Fire Department of any change in the applicant's or certificate holder's residence address, or work location
Any testing requires entries to be entered into the logbook:
Recording of entries must be performed by a person who physically performed the test or visual inspection. The S-95, F-25, F-58, F-59, and F-80 holders can maintain the log books.
Location: Homeless shelter in Paris, Texas Date: 2009
A 42 bed shelter housing 28 men caught fire due to ignition of a table inside the shelter that was piled high with donated clothing. More than 20 residents evacuated the shelter as a result of smoke and flames after several men attempted to extinguish the flames with pans of water. There was a heavy smoke condition in the shelter, making it difficult to see and even more difficult to evacuate. Five men who lived on the second floor were killed in the blaze. An investigation of the fire determined that the building had no sprinkler system, fire alarms or smoke detectors. Records indicated that the shelter hadn't been inspected for at least five years, even though inspections were required on an annual basis. The shelter was used as a drop-off point for paper products, rags, clothing, furniture and other material.
Non-Fire Emergency:
A biological, chemical or nuclear incident or release; declaration of emergency by a lawful authority; explosion; medical emergency; natural disaster; or other emergency affecting the premises or the safety of building occupants.
In-Building Relocation Area (IBRA):
A designated area in a building to which building occupants may be relocated to in accordance with the emergency preparedness plan for the premises.
Central Station Company:
A facility that receives alarm signals from a protected premise and retransmits or otherwise reports such alarm signals to the FDNY.
Out of service system:
A fire protection system that is not fully functional; or whose operation is impaired or is otherwise not in good working order.
Fire Triangle:
A fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat, which are the three parts of the fire triangle, to be sustained. If one is removed, the fire will extinguish.
Two-way Voice Communication:
A form of transmission in which both parties involved have the ability to transmit information. This enables the F-80 C of F holder, staff, or Fire Department personnel to communicate with building occupants or each other throughout the building. This is useful during an emergency, and allows staff members to report the conditions of a fire emergency from the fire floor back to the Fire and Emergency Drill Conductor in the lobby at the fire command center. Two way voice communication uses warden phones that are placed at several locations throughout the building, usually near the exit stairways in the building.
Location: Homeless shelter in New York, NY Date: August 28, 2012
A homeless shelter in New York City caught fire and required complete evacuation. The fire started when a lit cigarette left unattended by a tenant ignited a mattress on the fourth floor. The fire was quickly extinguished by the building's sprinkler system. One resident suffered from and was treated for smoke inhalation. Fortunately, the fire was confined to a single apartment. The shelter had recently been fined more than $45,000 by the Department of Buildings for safety violations, including a violation for failure to provide sprinkler protection. Records show that the building had seven active building violations at the time of the fire.
Manual Fire Alarm Box:
A manually operated device used to initiate an alarm signal.
Fire Guard:
A person holding a certificate of fitness for such purpose, who is trained in and responsible for maintaining a fire watch and performing such fire safety duties as may be prescribed by the commissioner. Fire guards are responsible for the safety of all occupants, and to reduce the threat of fires and to help in the evacuation of occupants in case of a fire emergency. Fire guards report any fire safety violations to the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters.
Carbon Monoxide Alarm:
A single or multiple-station alarm responsive to carbon monoxide, containing a build-in initiation sensor, audible sounder (notification device), and power supply (battery or electric with battery backup) and is not connected to a system.
Smoke Alarm:
A single or multiple-station alarm responsive to smoke, containing a built-in initiation sensor, audible sounder (notification device), and power supply (battery or electric with battery backup) and is not connected to a system.
Non-Fire Emergency Drill:
A training exercise by which building occupants are familiarized with and/or practice the procedures for safe, orderly and expeditious sheltering in place, in-building relocation, partial evacuation or evacuation, or combination thereof, in the event of a non-fire emergency, in accordance with the emergency preparedness plan for the premises.
Fire Drill:
A training exercise by which building occupants are familiarized with and/or practice the procedures for the safe, orderly and expeditious sheltering in place, in-building relocation, partial evacuation, evacuation, or any combination thereof, in the event of a fire, in accordance with the emergency preparedness plan for the premises.
Building Occupants:
All persons in the shelter, including employees, clients, staff and visitors.
Location: Homeless shelter in Bronx, NY Date: December 7, 2012 and December 9, 2012
At a Bronx, NY shelter, improperly stored mattresses led to two fires in just two days, both caused by children playing with matches. The first, on the second floor, was small and quickly extinguished. The second fire, igniting a mattress in the lobby, spread through the stairwell and upper hallways. With no building-wide alarms or hallway smoke detectors, occupants had little warning. Attempts to use fire extinguishers failed as they were empty, and broken fire escapes prevented safe evacuation. The fire left four adults and two children seriously injured. Investigations revealed neglected safety measures, including improperly stored mattresses, malfunctioning fire escapes, inoperable extinguishers, and the absence of a fire alarm or sprinkler system—all contributing to the severity of the incident.
Only certified technicians holding S-97 or S-98 Certificate of Fitness are:
Authorized to perform service and testing on the fire alarm systems.
Fire Guards responsabilities:
Buildings or portions of buildings occupied or operated to be occupied by homeless persons shall be continuously patrolled by a person holding a certificate of fitness as fire guard. Every area of the building shall be patrolled at least once every hour.
The required visual inspections can be done:
By the S-95, F-25, F-58, F-59, F-80 and S-97 or S-98 Certificate of Fitness holders.
In what types of buildings and occupancies are Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters Required?
Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters are required in homeless shelters, including any building or occupancy required to have a one-way voice communication system, regardless of occupancy classification, and that is operated or occupied for more than fifteen persons for a period of more than 30 days, including emergency shelters.
All three shelter fires demonstrate how important it is:
For shelter staff to be proactive. Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and other safety staff should make it a priority to identify any potential fire safety violations and correct them before they are identified by the Fire Department or Buildings Department. If any violations are issued by the Fire Department that cannot be immediately corrected, Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters should bring them to the attention of the shelter director.
Fire guards are responsible for the safety of all building occupants and employees by eliminating fire hazards and assisting in the evacuation of clients in case of a fire emergency:
Generally, fire guards are responsible for making sure that fire safety regulations are being complied with in the shelter. They should be knowledgeable of the location and operation of all fire alarm systems in the shelter and should check their condition during their patrols. Fire guards must maintain records of their patrols.
Fire guards must patrol the entire homeless shelter at least once an hour. Some shelters assign a fire guard to patrol each floor:
If there are four floors in a shelter, depending upon the floor area of each floor, there may be four fire guards on duty at all times, one patrolling each floor. During their patrol they must look for signs of fire and investigate any signs of smoke in the shelter.
Out of service signage:
Impairment coordinators shall notify their supervisor and put a placard (tag) over a defective device, indicating that it is out of service.
Homelessness is a significant problem in New York City, and the number of men, women and children that need shelter continues to rise:
In 2013, it was estimated that over 45,000 people spent the night in a New York City homeless shelter and approximately 19,000 of those people were children. In 2012, just 35% of families with children who applied to stay in city shelters were accepted, down from 52% in 2007. The number of people seeking housing in shelters in the city is increasing significantly, and with it comes new fire safety concerns.
They must also be on the alert for any fire safety violations and upon discovery, report them immediately to the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters:
In many cases, the fire guard will be capable of correcting the fire safety violation during the course of conducting his/her fire guard duties. Ultimately, the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must ensure that the violation is corrected.
Phase II Emergency In-Service Elevator Operation (Phase II):
Involves turning the elevator car switch to the "Firemen Service" position. This results in manual operation of the elevators and overrides any other keyed switch controls and elevator landing call buttons. Elevators on "Firemen Service" will only be operable by a person inside of the elevator car. The doors will only operate when the "door open" button is pressed. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be able to perform phase II emergency in-service operation.
Phase I Emergency Elevator Recall (Phase I):
Involves using a keyed switch to bring the elevators back to the lobby or sky lobby. This will cause the elevator car to return non-stop and without opening the doors to the lobby or sky lobby. The Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must be able to perform phase I emergency recall.
Emergency Preparedness Plan:
The emergency preparedness plans required ensure that, in the event of a fire or a non-fire emergency, there are procedures in place that can be timely implemented to provide the information, guidance, direction and assistance needed to protect the safety of building occupants, including, if necessary, effecting their evacuation, relocation or sheltering in place. Such emergency preparedness plans shall assure that knowledgeable assistance is readily available on the premises to emergency response personnel responding to a fire or non-fire emergency at the premises. The emergency preparedness plan is also known as the fire safety and evacuation plan and/or emergency action plan.
Evacuation:
The emptying of a building of all building occupants in response to a fire or other emergency.
Partial Evacuation:
The emptying of a building of some but not all building occupants in response to a fire or an emergency.
Free Burning Stage of a Fire:
The fully developed stage of a fire. This is the second stage of the three stages of a fire. Generally during this stage the entire room and all of its contents are burning. The fire is still fuel regulated but is rapidly consuming the available fuel. If no efforts are made to extinguish the fire, it will continue to burn until the available fuel and/or oxygen in the area or room has been consumed.
Incipient Stage of a Fire:
The growth stage of a fire. This is the first stage of the three stages of a fire. This stage begins at the moment of ignition. During this stage, a fire increases in size from small flames to a full fire that involves an entire room or area.
Fire and Emergency Preparedness (FEP) Staff:
The individuals identified in the emergency preparedness plan (also known as the fire safety and evacuation plan or emergency action plan) as responsible for the implementation of such plan. (In a shelter, this will include the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters, deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters and fire guards)
Owner:
The owner of the freehold of any real property (as defined in section two of the Real Property Law), or of a lesser estate therein, a mortgage or vendee in possession, assignee of rents, received, executor, trustee, lessee, agent or any other person, firm or corporation, directly or indirectly in control of real property. Any reference in this code to the owner of any building, structure or premises shall be deemed to designate collectively any and all of the foregoing, including, but not limited to, the owner of the freehold or lesser estate therein and a managing agent designated by such owner pursuant to Section 27-2098 of the New York City Administrative Code.
Owner/occupant responsibility:
The owner shall be responsible at all times for the safe maintenance of a building, structure and premises in accordance with this code. Correction and abatement of violations of this code and the rules shall be the responsibility of the owner. If an occupant creates, or allows to be created, hazardous conditions in violation of this code or the rules, the occupant shall also be responsible for the abatement of such hazardous conditions.
Shelter Clients:
The population that lives in homeless shelters
Shelter in Place:
The precaution of directing building occupants to remain indoors, at their present location, in response to a fire or non-fire emergency.
Shall:
The use of the word "shall" throughout these study materials generally refers to a requirement of the Fire Code or the FDNY.
Should:
The use of the word "should" throughout these study materials generally refers to policies, procedures and/or best practices recommended by the FDNY, and may not be a codified requirement.
Certificate of Fitness holders should be aware that they may be required to demonstrate:
Their knowledge and proficiency in their duties related to their certificate at the time of original and renewal application, and at any time Fire Department representatives are conducting an inspection of the premises.
Off-Line:
Those periods of time when a Central Station Company will, at the request of a building owner, not transmit fire alarm signals received from a building to the Fire Department. Fire alarm systems can be taken "off-line" only for Fire Department approved purposes associated with the prevention of unnecessary and unwarranted alarms.
Deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters:
When the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters is absent, a deputy Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters shall be present in the building and shall perform the duties of the Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters. Deputy Coordinators of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters must possess an F-80 Coordinator of Fire Safety & Alarm Systems in Homeless Shelters Certificate of Fitness issued by the Fire Department.
