EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN (EAP) NON-FIRE EMERGENCIES IN CLASS E OFFICE BUILDINGS FIRE PREVENTION MANUAL CHAPTER 12, FPIB 44 May 14, 2008 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 Local Law 26 of 2004 required that the Fire Commissioner adopt standards, procedures and requirements for the protection of occupants in certain office buildings in response to non-fire emergencies caused by explosion, biological, chemical, radiological, nuclear, natural disaster, or the threat thereof, or a declaration of emergency by lawful authority. 1.2 The rule (3 RCNY 6-02) was promulgated as mandated by Local Law 26. It requires that each office building subject to the requirements of the rule prepare an Emergency Action Plan, submit it for Fire Department review and acceptance, and implement it within a designated time frame. 2. OBJECTIVE Units may encounter buildings where the EAP has been implemented prior to their arrival. This bulletin gives members an overview of an EAP and introduces nomenclature and procedures associated with it. 2.1 The rule requires the designation of a Fire Safety/Emergency Action Plan Director (FS/EAPD), Deputy FS/EAPD and a Building Evacuation Supervisor to be authorized to implement the Emergency Action Plan. The FS/EAPD and Deputy FS/EAPD have been trained, tested and hold certificates of fitness as both Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plan Directors. 2.2 The rule requires the designation of a Fire Safety/EAP Brigade which consists of: Building Manager, Chief Engineer and Director of Security. These individuals assist the FS/EAPD with the implementation of the EAP. 2.3 The rule requires that owners of certain office buildings develop procedures for Sheltering In Place, In-Building Relocation, Partial Evacuation and Full Evacuation of the building, in response to various non-fire emergencies. The rule sets forth specific guidelines and requirements for the form and content of the Emergency Action Plan. 2.4 The rule requires that an updated list of all occupants with Special Needs that have requested assistance during the implementation of EAP be maintained at the Fire Command Station. 1
3. BUILDING RESPONSES TO AN EMERGENCY 3.1 The FS/EAPD is responsible for notifying 911 of an emergency and that the building is implementing the EAP. This information will be relayed to the responding units. The FS/EAPD should be at the Fire Command Station. Units shall be aware that the FS/EAPD is the person in charge until the arrival of the FDNY, or other appropriate agency. Responding units must consider that prior to their arrival, the FS/EAPD may have implemented the EAP. Consideration must be given to the status of occupants and which procedures of the EAP were implemented. 3.2 There are four different procedures that a FS/EAPD can implement to safeguard occupants in the event of an emergency. SHELTER IN PLACE The precaution of directing building occupants to remain inside the building, at their work locations, in response to an emergency. IN-BUILDING RELOCATION The controlled movement of building occupants from an endangered area of a building to an in-building relocation area within the same building in response to an emergency. PARTIAL EVACUATION The emptying of a building of some but not all building occupants in response to an emergency. FULL EVACUATION The emptying of a building of all building occupants in response to an emergency. 3.3 The responsibility of the FS/EAPD is to ensure that the building components listed below will be assessed for Safety and/or Damage by building staff. Elevators, entrances, exits and stairwells HVAC and smoke management systems Windows, interior doors including fire doors Electrical, natural gas, steam and other utility operations. Fuel oil storage system and associated pumps and piping. 3.4 The EAP designates primary and secondary exit routes which can consist of stairways and/or elevators. The rule allows the movement of occupants by elevators during non-fire related emergencies. The procedures for elevator movement are as follows: BUILDING PERSONNEL All elevator cars will be recalled by the FS/EAPD utilizing Phase I recall. Elevator bank(s) designated in the EAP that are to be utilized will be placed in Independent/Manual Mode¹ and operated by designated building staff. Any elevator bank that does not have at least one elevator car being used in Independent/Manual Mode will remain in Phase I. FDNY PERSONNEL Shall be advised to coordinate with the FS/EAPD before utilizing elevators in the fireman service mode. Consideration must be given to the possibility of interfering with the evacuation of occupants via the independent/manual mode. 2
4. FIRE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS Upon arrival the Fire Department Incident Commander (FDIC) shall: Consult with the FS/EAPD as to the procedures implemented. Evaluate the procedures implemented in the context of the overall strategy, including the safety of all building occupants. Utilize the FS/EAPD as a resource and communication link to the building staff and occupants. Ensure frequent announcements are made to inform and update the building occupants. 5. BUILDING INFORMATION CARD (BIC) 5.1 The rule requires that an 11 X 17 double-sided laminated BIC be maintained at the fire command station and made available to emergency personnel upon request. Side #1 shall set forth detailed building information regarding elevators, stairways, water supply and utilities, fire extinguishing systems, ventilation systems and contact information. (Figure 1) Side #2 shall contain color-coded plot plan (Building Footprint) and elevation of the building detailing bordering streets, entrances, floor numbering, stairs, elevators, shafts, standpipes, and mechanical equipment room locations. (Figure 2) 5.2 The BIC can provide valuable information to the IC in the event of a fire as well as nonfire emergencies. It can be used in developing strategies and making tactical decisions. 6. RCNY 6-02 6.1 RCNY 6-02 can be referenced via the FDNY Home Page in the Fire Officers Resources section located within the New York City Fire Codes and Rules Volume 2. It will be found under number 6, Office Building Emergency Action Plans. Note: Responding FDNY and building personnel may be required to attend and participate in a post CIMS (EAP) incident critique. 1 Independent/manual Mode - a type of operation used with an automatic elevator, usually activated by a key-operated switch which bypasses all landing calls and deactivates hall lanterns. It permits operation only from the car buttons. 3
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