We are proposing to change the NYC fire and building codes when it comes to the qualifications of the individuals’ performing inspections with Intro 0419.
Intro 0419 would strengthen New York City’s fire and life safety requirements to help make sure fire and smoke dampers and smoke- control systems are working properly when they are needed most.
The bill would:
Require regular inspections and testing by certified, independent contractors using a skilled workforce. (ICB (International Certification Board) is the certification authority, and NEMI (National Energy Management Institute) is the training and education partner. Together, they form the backbone of HVAC professional credentialing in the U.S., ensuring that contractors and technicians meet recognized industry standards for TAB and fire life safety work.)
Establish clear schedules and procedures for inspections and reporting.
Require building owners to post verification that required inspections have been completed.
Require problems to be corrected within specific deadlines.
Increase penalties for buildings that fail to comply.
Require the City to publicly report each year on smoke-damper inspections.
The goal is simple: make sure these critical fire and life safety systems are properly inspected, maintained, and ready to work when lives depend on them.
A signal on a sensor board doesn’t necessarily tell the whole story.
This demonstration shows why fire and smoke dampers need to be physically inspected by certified, independent contractors using qualified, skilled professionals to ensure they are operating as intended.
A system can indicate that a damper is functioning—but a qualified professional physically inspecting that damper can identify problems that a monitoring system may not detect.
Video presented by Weickert Industries, Inc.
Stairwell pressurization is designed to help keep smoke out of evacuation routes during a fire. But the system must be properly balanced.
This demonstration shows the difference: when the system is properly balanced, the stairwell door can be opened normally. When it is not properly balanced, the pressure can make the door significantly more difficult to open.
Video presented by Weickert Industries, Inc.
Fire and life safety systems are designed to work when people need them most. Proper inspection, testing, and maintenance help ensure that these systems are doing their jobs when lives are on the line.
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