Fire Safety at NYCHA
In this photo essay, we’re highlighting the work of NYCHA’s Environmental Health and Safety Department which, among other things, ensures fire safety for our residents and employees. The Department’s five Fire Safety Specialists, led by a Team Administrator, are certified fire safety professionals. In addition to ensuring that the Authority complies with all applicable fire safety codes, they help NYCHA staff identify and address any potential fire hazards. They also conduct inspections to verify compliance with safety mandates, and they oversee inspections of fire suppression systems.
During their regular visits to developments, this Fire Safety Oversight Team (FSOT) first checks NYCHA’s and its vendors’ adherence to regulations and standards involving fire safety. As part of these in-person visits, the FSOT meets with the development’s property management staff.
The property management staff provides the FSOT with vendor and development staff inspection reports as well as New York City Fire Department (FDNY) violations and related documentation for oversight review.
The FSOT carefully reviews the documentation for deficiencies and areas of non-compliance.
After evaluating the paperwork, the FSOT observes fire safety conditions by conducting visual inspections throughout the development.
The visual inspection includes checks in compactor rooms, common areas, rooftop gravity tanks, fire exit stairs, and other locations throughout the development. The process also includes observations of the standpipe, sprinkler, and fire alarm systems (equipment that’s critical in fire response and detection).
The process also includes inspection of building exteriors. The FSOT ensures that Fire Department connections and valves are accessible for emergency firefighting use.
NYCHA’s Fire Safety Specialists make sure that fire safety postings are in place.
Fire alarm systems play a vital role in providing emergency notification and response. The oversight process includes a review of the reports issued by vendors performing testing and maintenance of these systems, as well as a visual verification of the systems’ normal operations.
During their visit, the FSOT inspects rooftop gravity tanks to identify any potential issues, helping to ensure proper insulation and continuous operation.
Another visual inspection involves an assessment of supply lines and sprinkler heads to confirm that they are in good working condition.
After visual inspections are done, the FSOT documents their findings and observations. They present this information to the development’s management staff along with a detailed overview and recommendations for corrective measures.
If you have any concerns or complaints about fire safety, you can send them to NYCHA through this website.
