What are fire safety and evacuation plans?

Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans help people leave a building safely during a fire. These plans also help firefighters understand the building. They show the building's layout, exits, fire hazards and important contacts.

Why are these plans important?

These plans are important because they:

• Help people know what to do in a fire.
• Help firefighters know the building's layout and fire safety systems.
• Show the exits and fire hazards.

Rules and requirements

The current NYC Fire Code identifies the buildings and occupancies required to maintain a Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan.
Chapter 4 of the current NYC Fire Code requires the building owner to:

• Prepare and maintain a Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan.
• Periodically review and update the plan as required.
• Amend the plan in accordance with the Fire Code and Fire Department rules.

3 RCNY § 404-01 establishes the requirements for

• Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan content and format.
• Plan submission and acceptance procedures.
• Required amendments and updates to approved plans.

How to get the forms

You can get the forms and instructions for the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans on the Fire Department website.

Notice: Old forms will not work. You must download the new forms.

• Complete PDF Intake forms (new Applications or first filing on FDNY Business Portal only)

• Owner's Certification page

• Get a letter from a Professional Engineer or Registered Architect. The letter must be dated, signed and sealed. It must say the floor plan drawings are correct.

• Floor plans (including sprinkler/standpipe riser diagrams, site plot)

• Building Information Card (BIC) schematics

• Additional information:

  • Follow the requirements in Chapter 4 of the current Fire Code and the applicable Fire Department rules.

• Application fees:

  • New Application Fees: $210
  • Amended Application Fees: $210

• If you are filing an amendment: You can now access previous FDNY records. Provide your reference account number (FPIMS #) and premises ZIP code. It is highly recommended that you link your previous record. This can be done at the beginning of the application.

• When you submit your application, you will get one of these responses:

  • Letter of Deficiency: This means some requirements are not met. You must fix all problems and send them back within 30 days. If you miss this time, you will need to pay extra fees.
  • Letter of Acceptance: This means your application is approved. You need to file all paper copies and compact disks of the plans with the Department.
  • Special Conditional Acceptance Notice: This helps you get a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy (TCO) or schedule an on-site appointment. It means your plan meets the minimum rules but does not have the Fire Safety Plan (FSP) staffing.

• If you do not follow up on your application within 180 days, it will be considered abandoned. You will need to start a new application if this happens.

• Within 30 days: After the Department accepts the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans, you must have trained Fire Safety Personnel (FSP) ready to use the plans in your building.
• Educational materials: Distribute any educational materials about the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans to everyone in the building promptly.
• Copies of plans: Keep copies of the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans and the Building Information Card at a fire command center or another appropriate place in the building.
• Annual review: Review and update the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plans every year. Update them if there are changes in how the building is used, who lives or works there, or its design and layout.
• Report changes: Report any changes in FSP staffing (except for fire safety wardens and deputy fire safety wardens) to the Department at least twice a year by filing a change in FSP staff amendment.
• Log book: Keep a log book that shows when you reviewed the plans and what changes were made.

• Submit the completed application online with all supporting documents.
• You must make payment on FDNY Business to submit your application. To make payments for additional invoiced fees after submission, use one of the following methods:
  
  Online (preferred):
  Payment can be made online at FDNY Business (credit, debit or e-check accepted).
  
  US mail (check must contain FDNY Business Record ID):
  NYC Fire Department (FDNY)
  Bureau of Fire Prevention
  9 MetroTech Center, Attn: Cashier's Unit (1st Floor)
  Brooklyn, NY 11201