N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 §§ 180-1.14

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 43, October 23, 2024

Section 180-1.14 - Fire safety and accident prevention

(a)General requirements.

(1) Each facility shall comply with all applicable State and local laws, ordinances, rules and regulations relative to fire protection, applying any which are more restrictive than the requirements in this Part.

(2) Each non-secure and secure detention institutional facility shall arrange an annual inspection of each building and its fire protection equipment (which shall be installed according to recommendations by the National Fire Protection Association) by a qualified fire inspection official, who shall give the facility a written report of his findings which shall be kept on file on the premises until the next annual report of inspection has been received and filed. The facility shall be responsible for correcting any fire hazards called to its attention through such inspection, and for keeping a written record on file of the action taken with date. Copies of the inspection report and report on repairs made must be forwarded to the division.

(3) Each detention facility staff member and facility operator shall be familiar with the fire safety prevention program, which shall be in writing, appropriate to their facility program and approved by local fire officials.

(4) No hazardous condition shall be permitted to exist in any detention facility.

(5) Children shall not operate any power equipment, except under the close supervision of a responsible adult and only when such children are of legal age to do so.

(6) For each non-secure and secure detention, institutional and group care facility, fire drills shall be held at different times during the day and night and as often as is needed to familiarize and instruct children and staff with routine, but not less often than once in each 60-day period. A fire drill census taken at each drill shall be checked against the daily or bedtime census. A written record of all fire drills, to include at least the date, the time of day and the amount of time taken to evacuate, shall be kept on file for one year.

(7) Combustible or highly flammable materials shall not be used by children, except under the personal supervision of an adult. Such materials, if required, shall be stored in a fire- restrictive receptacle or room in a separate building.

(8) All exit doors, halls and stairs shall be well-lighted and kept clean, free of obstruction.

(b)Non-secure detention group care facility.

(1) An automatic fire protection system shall be provided throughout buildings containing sleeping quarters. Such systems may utilize smoke-detecting or automatic sprinkler systems or may be an appropriate combination of these systems. A procedure for action to be taken when the system is activated must be provided and all residents and local fire districts shall be familiar with the procedures.

(2) Emergency instructions shall be posted in all areas, clearly showing alternate means of egress and means of securing fire, police and medical assistance.

(3) Children (and staff) shall be instructed, at time of intake (or employment) and at regular intervals, in emergency procedures.

(c)Secure and non-secure institutional detention facilities.

(1) An automatic fire detection system or an automatic sprinkler system, or appropriate combinations of these systems, shall be located throughout each building occupied by children. These systems shall include appropriately located manual fire alarm pull stations and smoke detector protection of required paths of exit. Fire protection equipment may be omitted from children's bedrooms where the possibility of tampering exists.

(2) All areas of high fire hazard in all buildings used by children shall be protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

(3) Fire extinguishers shall be provided and maintained. Soda-acid type extinguishers shall not be permitted in areas accessible to the children.

(4) All floors used by children shall have suitable remotely located alternate exits which shall be properly marked with exit signs.

(5) Interior finish trim and decorative materials shall be either noncombustible or shall have low flame-spread ratings and characteristics as specified by the New York State Building Construction Code.

(6) The night staff shall be provided with emergency lights, such as flashlights or battery- operated lanterns, in good working order.

(7) A written plan of evacuation of buildings with printed procedures to be followed in case of fire shall be posted in conspicuous places throughout the institution.

(8) Each employee shall be instructed in the use of fire fighting equipment and procedures, and shall be assigned specific responsibilities which shall include knowledge of the location and proper use of fire extinguishers in the part of the building for which he is responsible.

N.Y. Comp. Codes R. & Regs. Tit. 9 §§ 180-1.14

Amended New York State Register December 23, 2015/Volume XXXVII, Issue 51, eff. 12/23/2015

Renumbered from 180.14 New York State Register July 25, 2018/Volume XL, Issue 30, eff. 7/25/2018