BOMA/NY and REBNY Cooperation Achieves Reconsideration from NYCDB/FDNY on Elevator Signage Requirements

A joint BOMA/NY-REBNY advocacy effort regarding elevator identification/signage that began last year and was spearheaded by BOMA/NY President Thomas L. Hill, RPA, Treasurer Ronald S. Zeccardi, BOMA/NY Staff, David Fried of Van Deusen Associates and REBNY’s senior governmental affairs specialists, came to fruition April 1 with the FDNY’s issuing of the FDNY-DOB Joint Agreement #1/14. 

The agreement, which was issued by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, reflects terms more amenable to our industry and states that the "The New York City Fire Department, Bureau of Fire Prevention (FDNY, FP) and the New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) have agreed to follow the tenets of this document when permitting, inspecting or otherwise reviewing the designation or identification of elevator cars."

Specific terms are reproduced here directly from the FDNY bulletin:

1. New Installation: all EA (elevator application) permits issued on or after July 15, 2013; elevator signage shall be in compliance with fire code requirements of providing a unique numerical car designation or proposed unique alpha-numeric car designation with the alpha portion representing bank.

2. Modernization: all EBN (elevator building notice) permits issued on or after July 15, 2013; for modernization that includes scope of work "change in controller" for all elevators in the bank shall be in compliance with above stated item #1.

3. All existing installations: every elevator must have a unique identification within each building and provide signage of such at the designated level. Additionally, the emergency preparedness plans required by the Fire Code must be updated to reflect any changes as a result of this retro-active provision.

4. All other equipment identification requirements shall be in compliance with Appendix k section 2.29.1 and ICC/ANSIA117.1/2003 

Enforcement: Both agencies will issue notice of violation for failure to comply with these requirements.