Q&A
Fire safety measures and requirements for ADUs
1:00:02
·
167 sec
Council Member Pierina Sanchez inquires about fire safety measures for ADUs, particularly regarding sprinkler requirements and comparisons with other jurisdictions. Deputy Commissioner Kim Darga explains the comprehensive fire safety standards proposed for ADUs in New York City.
- NYC has some of the strictest fire safety standards in the U.S., including mandatory automatic sprinklers in ADUs
- Additional safety measures include smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, gas alarms, fire separation, emergency escape openings, and clear unit identification for first responders
- These standards exceed those of many other jurisdictions but are deemed essential for resident and first responder safety
Pierina Sanchez
1:00:02
Got it.
1:00:03
Thank you.
1:00:04
When it comes to sprinkler and fire safety measures in ADUs, do other jurisdictions require automatic sprinklers within And in jurisdictions that have ADU regulations, have there been any fire safety concerns, or incidents that you would wanna highlight for the public?
Kim Darga
1:00:23
So I can start and then I'm gonna turn it over to my colleague from department buildings.
1:00:27
If he wants to add anything.
1:00:29
We so fire safety has been a critical concern of ours since we first started to talk about basement and seller, legalization in the, you know, 2017, 2018 time frame.
1:00:46
We have, some of the strictest fire safety standards in the United States.
1:00:52
And the ADU and basement codes before you do require automated sprinklers automatic sprinklers in the, accessory unit.
1:01:03
That certainly does go beyond the standards that other jurisdictions have.
1:01:07
But we do believe fire safety is essential not just for the resident but also for first responders.
1:01:14
That is not the only way that we are addressing fire safety, within, the legislation that we are discussing.
1:01:23
We also, have a requirement for smoke alarms, carbon monoxide alarms, and if there's gas service, also a gas alarm.
1:01:35
There we require a firewall or barrier for attached, or in internal ADUs or a 10, foot clearance for detached ADUs.
1:01:47
We require fire separation between the boiler furnace, and any habitable spaces.
1:01:55
We also require emergency escape and rescue openings.
1:01:59
And for a basement or cellar, that means windows in addition to a door.
1:02:06
We, have also worked really closely with the entire department to look at access.
1:02:13
And one thing that we're doing here is making sure that the ADU is clearly identified.
1:02:17
So for example, a basement or cellar ADU will be labeled apartment u, a rear attached or detached ADU would be apartment r.
1:02:29
So first responders will know where to go, if they need to actually go to a building.
1:02:38
And, of course, we talked about earlier that we are, making sure that there is emergency preparedness information posted and that the building owners are signing up for Notify NYC.
