Edouard Engineering Consulting, PLLC
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Local Law 33
Local Law 33 has taken affect in NYC and we are beginning to take on
jobs using the NYC version of the 2000 International Fire Code. This went
into effect on July 1 and for one year you may choose to file under the new
Local Law 33 code or the old 1968 code. The decision often may lie with
the Architect. If the Architect is claiming an occupancy type from the
International Building Code (For example a "B" business rather than the
usual Class "E") Then this is a good sign you are probably going to design
to the new code.
The two rules that affect fire alarm are as follow:
1 - Fire Alarm Wiring: This is a rule that designates that systems design
per the new code shall include wiring per the old code. In fact the rule is
the wiring section of RS17. 150 degree C wire, fuse cut outs, cold water
pipe ground, green #10 minimum ground wire, etc. are all included as part
of the new code.
2 - One Way Voice: This rule is a bit more complicated. This rule affects
apartment buildings (R2) that are more than 125 feet tall. These facilities
will require the following:
A speaker in each stairwell on every 4th floor (note the building code
says every other floor)
A speaker in every dwelling unit
The building code originally said that the speaker int eh dwelling unit could
be eliminated by an apartment intercom system. This new rule now
eliminates this possibility because the speaker (or intercom station) has to
be supervised following NFPA Style Z (Class A) guidelines. Any apartment
building over 125 feet tall now requires a sprinkler, smoke detection
system, plus one-way voice to stairwell fire alarm speakers and a Fire
Alarm speaker in every apartment. The wiring must be Class A (two wires
out and two return).
The occupancy designations are all changed. Commercial office space used
to be Occupancy Group E, but will now be Group B. Hence the term Class E
Fire Alarm System is no longer appropriate. We should refer to these only
as base building fire alarm systems. Public Assembly is now Occupancy
Group A (Formerly Occupancy Group F).
MEA and BSA numbers will no longer be required for materials and
equipment under the jurisdiction of the Building Code. UL listing will suffice.
Higher education facilities will now be Occupancy Group B (business or
commercial). Pre-School and K-12 educational facilities will remain
Occupancy Group E (educational).
Mercantile (retail) facilities are now Occupancy Group M (formerly C)
Local Law 33 has taken affect in NYC and we are beginning to take on
jobs using the NYC version of the 2000 International Fire Code. This went
into effect on July 1 and for one year you may choose to file under the new
Local Law 33 code or the old 1968 code. The decision often may lie with
the Architect. If the Architect is claiming an occupancy type from the
International Building Code (For example a "B" business rather than the
usual Class "E") Then this is a good sign you are probably going to design
to the new code.
The two rules that affect fire alarm are as follow:
1 - Fire Alarm Wiring: This is a rule that designates that systems design
per the new code shall include wiring per the old code. In fact the rule is
the wiring section of RS17. 150 degree C wire, fuse cut outs, cold water
pipe ground, green #10 minimum ground wire, etc. are all included as part
of the new code.
2 - One Way Voice: This rule is a bit more complicated. This rule affects
apartment buildings (R2) that are more than 125 feet tall. These facilities
will require the following:
A speaker in each stairwell on every 4th floor (note the building code
says every other floor)
A speaker in every dwelling unit
The building code originally said that the speaker int eh dwelling unit could
be eliminated by an apartment intercom system. This new rule now
eliminates this possibility because the speaker (or intercom station) has to
be supervised following NFPA Style Z (Class A) guidelines. Any apartment
building over 125 feet tall now requires a sprinkler, smoke detection
system, plus one-way voice to stairwell fire alarm speakers and a Fire
Alarm speaker in every apartment. The wiring must be Class A (two wires
out and two return).
The occupancy designations are all changed. Commercial office space used
to be Occupancy Group E, but will now be Group B. Hence the term Class E
Fire Alarm System is no longer appropriate. We should refer to these only
as base building fire alarm systems. Public Assembly is now Occupancy
Group A (Formerly Occupancy Group F).
MEA and BSA numbers will no longer be required for materials and
equipment under the jurisdiction of the Building Code. UL listing will suffice.
Higher education facilities will now be Occupancy Group B (business or
commercial). Pre-School and K-12 educational facilities will remain
Occupancy Group E (educational).
Mercantile (retail) facilities are now Occupancy Group M (formerly C)
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