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Fire Safety Directors

 

Unforeseen events of fire is one of the most dangerous threats for individual and business premises. A medium to large sized fire outbreak could result in loss of valuable human lives and cause damage to commercial assets worth millions. It is therefore imperative that we implement proper preemptive controls to predict, prepare and avoid such incidents. Specially trained professionals need to be employed by organisations to lay out a Fire Safety plan to evacuate the premises and control the fire in case of such incident.

 

In 1973, The New York city law mandated that every office premises (High Rise Business - Drop B occupancy), hotels and public outlets of a certain size and occupancy should have a Fire Safety Director(FSD) on the duty during the operational hours. In 1980, amendments to the law mandated that even Group R1-Occupancy hotels/motels, high-rise buildings with Fire alarm systems should have an on-premise FSD.

 

 

Fire Safety Directors are duly trained and certified by the FDNY to implement and execute an effective Fire Safety Plan for the building.

 

Are You Eligible as a FDNY certified Fire Safety Director

 

The Fire Safety Officers getting certified through FDNY are required to have relevant experience, complete some mandatory courses, pass a written examination, and qualify at an on-site examination.

 

  • The FSD applicant is required to attend a 20 Hours training at any Fire Department approved schools.

  • Pass a 100 question examination conducted by the Fire Department at the Fire Headquarters.

  • Qualify at an on-premise examination to check site specific fire protection plans and life safety features.

  • Upon clearing these three stages, the FSD applicant is awarded a Certificate of Fitness License which is valid for the next three years.

 

Key Responsibilities of a FSD

  • The FSD are hired by the building owner to ensure that the Fire Safety arrangements are in compliance and a safety evacuation plan has been duly implemented.

  • The FSD is responsible for operating the Fire Alarm System Panel (FAS) and the Fire Command Centre (FCC) at the building lobby.

  • The FSD is responsible for making voice announcements during fire breakouts and liaison with the concerned Fire Safety Department.

  • Monitor and control the evacuation process from the FCC. Evacuation of human occupants from the immediate threat area to a safe assembly point is one key duty.

  • The FSD has to issue emergency instructions to the building occupants during a fire crisis.

  • The FSD has to impart fire safety trainings to the floor warden teams and building occupants.

  • The FSD should maintain record-keeping for the fire system protection maintenance, periodic fire drills and fire inspections as applicable.

  • A Building Evacuation Supervisor (BES) needs to be trained by the FSD. The BES needs no special certification and has to be on-duty at any building comprising of 100 person above or below the ground level.

 

The FSD plays a crucial role that is intended to control maximum damage of life and property during a fire situation. An effective FSD can not just save lives, but also prevent the fire from spreading across.

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