Q: The current tragic fireplace within the Bronx has left many New Yorkers questioning about fireplace security in their very own buildings. What security measures must be in place in an condominium constructing, and the way do residents ensure they’ve them?
A: New Yorkers had been heartbroken final month after they realized of the fireplace in a Bronx condominium constructing that left 17 useless, together with eight youngsters. Many had been additionally scared. The tragedy, attributable to a defective house heater and exacerbated by malfunctioning fireplace doorways, uncovered the dangers of poor constructing upkeep.
We spoke with Jim Bullock, a retired deputy chief of the New York Metropolis Hearth Division and the president of New York Hearth Consultants, about ways in which residents can regulate their very own buildings and ensure their properties are protected and as much as code.
SIGNAGE: Your landlord, co-op or rental board should give you an emergency preparedness information, with particulars describing the constructing’s building, fireplace safety methods and different security particulars. Homeowners of buildings with at the least three models are required to distribute the guides to all residents, and to put up fireplace escape plans on the inside facet of every condominium entrance door and in frequent areas.
This data will inform you whether or not or not your constructing is fireproof. “That determines precisely what to do in a fireplace,” Mr. Bullock mentioned.
In a fireproof constructing, the contents of an condominium will burn however, for a number of hours, the construction is not going to. If a constructing is flamable, the fireplace can shortly transfer from one condominium to others. Residents of fireproof buildings ought to shelter in place, as long as the fireplace is just not inside their condominium. These dwelling in flamable residences ought to evacuate instantly.
All residences should have two exits — your entrance door and an alternate, like a fireplace escape or an inside stairwell. Be conversant in these routes.
FIRE DOORS: All New York Metropolis buildings with three or extra residences should have self-closing entrance doorways. Take a look at yours periodically. Open the door a few third of the best way and let go. If the door doesn’t shut and latch utterly, then it must be cleaned, repaired or changed. Inform your tremendous and the owner to handle the difficulty instantly. If they don’t reply, name 311 and report the circumstances.
Hallway and exit doorways should even be self-closing and have indicators reminding residents to maintain them closed.
SMOKE DETECTORS: Constructing homeowners should present tenants with working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. However tenants should preserve them, checking them month-to-month and changing the batteries twice a yr. By no means paint over a detector.
FIRE ESCAPES: Hearth escapes have to be freed from obstructions. Examine the situation of yours periodically. “It shouldn’t be rusted,” Mr. Bullock mentioned. “If it’s rusted, it must be painted with two coats of paint.” Report any worrisome circumstances to administration, which should preserve them in good working order.
HALLWAYS: Nobody could retailer bicycles or strollers within the hallways. Incidental furnishings, like a small console desk or a bucket for an umbrella, is permitted.
COMMON HAZARDS: Your landlord should give you warmth throughout warmth season, from October by Could. In case your condominium is just too chilly, report the situation to 311. If you happen to do use an area heater, preserve it three toes from any flammable materials, ensure it has an computerized shut-off characteristic, and verify the wire for indicators of harm. By no means go away candles or incense unattended. And by no means use an oven or range for warmth.
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