N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 10 §§ 7-2.18

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 45, November 2, 2024

Section 7-2.18 - Fire safety

(a)Building standards.

All construction, equipment installation and fire safety practices required by this section shall be operated and maintained in accordance with the Uniform Code.

(b)Fire alarm systems and emergency procedures.

(1) Buildings used for sleeping by 50 or more persons, or buildings two stories or more in height used for sleeping, shall have a fire alarm system, that when activated sounds an alarm which can be heard throughout the camp. Buildings three stories or more in height used for sleeping shall be protected with an automatic fire detection system, including smoke detectors installed in corridors, assembly areas, storage rooms, stairways and heat detection devices installed in kitchens.

(2) At least one single station smoke detecting alarm device shall be installed on or near the ceiling in each sleeping unit. Battery-operated devices are acceptable. Tents and lean-to's are not required to be equipped with these devices.

(3) Portable audible/visual smoke detectors shall be provided in all sleeping quarters occupied by visually or audibly impaired campers. Hard wiring of audible/visual detectors into an existing central closed circuit alarm system shall be permitted in lieu of such portable detectors. Tents and lean-to's are not required to be equipped with these devices.

(4) Fire drills shall be held within the first 48 hours of each camping session and periodically thereafter in accordance with the camp safety plan. A log with drill dates and times must be maintained and verified by the camp director. It must be available for inspection at all times.

(5) The camp operator shall be responsible for the regular inspection of all fire protection facilities and equipment.

(c)Means of egress.

(1) The means of egress from all structures shall be maintained in an unobstructed, easily traveled condition at all times, and protected from hazardous areas such as heating plant, kitchen and flammable storage.

(2) Sleeping quarters with an occupancy of 15 or more persons shall be provided with at least two separate means of egress located as far apart as practical. Each door shall swing in the direction of egress. Windows in a sleeping quarter two stories or less in height may be substituted for one approved exit, provided the sill is not more than three feet above the floor and the drop from the windowsill to an unobstructed area on the ground is less than 14 feet.

(3) Two separate means of egress shall be provided from each floor of a multi-story building. In buildings constructed prior to September 1, 1978, dead-end corridors up to 35 feet in length are acceptable. An exitway shall lead to an outside exterior stairway or to an interior smoke-tight passageway having a minimum of three-quarter hour fire-resistant construction and leading to the outdoors at grade. Stairs extending beyond two occupied floors shall have a self-closing, tight door at each floor level.

(4) Except for an individual room, a door containing hardware and forming part of a means of egress shall be nonlocking against egress and operable with a single motion in the direction of egress. The use of hooks and eyes, bolts, bars and similar devices is prohibited; widths of exit doors shall be a minimum of 28 inches.

(5) All assemblage areas, including a recreation room, dining hall or chapel, shall have at least two means of egress acceptable to the permit-issuing official and doors shall comply with the requirements of paragraph (4) of this subdivision.

(6) Exits from a room occupied by 15 or more persons, or exits not readily visible to the occupants, shall be identified by lighted exit signs, including directional signs where needed.

(7) Emergency lighting shall be provided for halls, stairways and exit signs where required by the permit-issuing official.

(d)Heating.

Stoves or other heat sources, where provided, shall be installed and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to avoid fire hazards and dangerous concentrations of fumes or gas. Water heaters shall not be installed in sleeping quarters.

(e)Other precautions.

(1) Containers of gasoline, kerosene and other flammable materials shall be labeled and stored in a separate locked and unoccupied building. Oil-base paints and thinners shall be stored in approved-type paint lockers or in a separate building.

(2) All tents shall be of the fiber-impregnated flame-retardant variety or equivalent.

(3) Fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment acceptable to the permit-issuing official shall be provided, inspected and tagged by the camp operator prior to the camp season. The equipment shall be maintained in operating condition at all times.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 10 §§ 7-2.18

Amended New York State Register June 22, 2016/Volume XXXVIII, Issue 25, eff. 6/22/2016