City Fire Department

The City Fire Department has a plan to keep you safe. This plan is called the Comprehensive Fire Safety and Emergency Action Plan. It tells you what to do if there is a fire or another emergency. It also helps firefighters understand the building's fire protection systems, layout, exits, fire hazards and who to contact during an emergency. They will know where things are and how to get out quickly.

Fire Code requirements

• Section 401.3.6.1 of the 2014 Fire Code says we still follow the 2008 Fire Code rules until new ones are made.

• Section 404.2.2 of the 2008 Fire Code says some buildings need this plan. These buildings are:

  • Taller than six stories
  • Taller than 75 feet
  • Have more than 500 people on one or more floors
  • Have more than 100 people on floors other than the street level
  • Have a special fire alarm system

Ordered by the Department for public safety reasons based on the building’s location, use or occupancy.

Some office buildings with an inside fire alarm system do not need this plan.

The 2008 Fire Code also says the building owner must make this plan. They need to follow the rules in 3 RCNY 404-02. They must send the plan to the Fire Department for review.

Forms and filing

You can find the PDF Intake forms and instructions for this plan on the Fire Department website. Notice: Old forms will not work on FDNY Business. You must use the new forms.

You can also find the instructions for filing the plan online on the Fire Department website.

• Complete PDF Intake forms (for new applications or first filing on FDNY Business Portal).

• Include the Owner's Certification page.

• Provide a copy of the letter(s) used to consult with nearby buildings (if needed).

• Submit a dated, signed and sealed letter from a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. This letter should confirm the accuracy of the floor drawings.

• Attach Floor Plans (including sprinkler and standpipe riser diagrams, site plot).

• Include Building Information Card (BIC) schematics.

• Additional information:

  • Follow the guidelines provided with all information as requested (in Chapter 4 of the 2008 Fire Code and Fire Department rule 3 RCNY).
  • All revised (amended) plans need a new Owner's Certification page with all required documents.

• Application fees:

  • New Application Fee: $630
  • Amended Application Fee: $210 per hour, not more than $630
  • Resubmission Fee: $210 per hour, not more than $630

• Access previous FDNY records: If you are filing an amendment, you can access previous FDNY records by providing your reference account number (FPIMS #) and premises zip code.

  • It is recommended that you link your previous record at the start of the application.

• Review process: After you send your application, you will get one of these:

  • Letter of Deficiency: If your plan has problems, you will get a Letter of Deficiency. You must fix the problems and send the corrected plan within 30 days. If you do not send the corrections in time, you will have to pay extra fees.
  • Letter of Acceptance: If your plan is approved, you will get a Letter of Acceptance. You must also submit all required paper copies of the plan, including all appendices and compact disks with the Department.
  • Special conditional acceptance notice: If your plan meets the minimum requirements but does not include the Fire Safety Plan (FSP) staffing, you will get a Special Conditional Acceptance Notice. This notice helps you get a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) or schedule an on-site appointment.

• Abandoned application: If you do not follow up on your application within 180 days of filling, it will be considered abandoned. This means you must keep working on your application or get a Letter of Acceptance within this time.

1. Train Fire Safety Personnel (FSP): The building owner must have trained Fire Safety Personnel (FSP) within 30 days in place and ready to carry out the plan after the FDNY accepts the plans.
2. Distribute educational materials: Give out educational materials about the plans to everyone in the building.
3. Document storage: Keep copies of the plans and the Building Information Card at a fire command center or another safe place in the building.
4. Annual review and updates: Review and update the plans every year. Update them if there are changes in the building's use, occupancy (people) or design or layout.
5. Reporting staff changes: Report any changes in FSP staffing (except for fire safety/EAP wardens and deputy fire safety/EAP wardens) to FDNY by filing a staff amendment at least twice a year.
6. Log book maintenance: Keep a log book that shows when you reviewed the plans and what changes you made.