Int 0044-2004

Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. Declaration of legislative findings and intent. The fire prevention code was first adopted in 1918 and has never undergone a systematic, section-by-section review. The code still regulates archaic activities, including kite flying around the city’s former fire alarm telegraph system, and two sections of the code regulate the behavior of “wagons.” Similarly, the fire prevention code was recently deemed by an independent federal agency to “lack many modern requirements for hazardous materials safety.” The Council finds that requiring a regular review of the fire prevention code will protect public safety and ensure that New York City’s laws adequately address modern fire hazards. § 2. Chapter 19 of the New York City charter is amended by adding a new section 488.1 to read as follows: §488.1. Review of Fire Prevention Code. Unless the city adopts a model fire code, the commissioner shall conduct a comprehensive review of the fire prevention code, as found in chapter 4 of title 27 of the administrative code of the city of new york, and related department rules and regulations. The commissioner shall conduct such comprehensive review and report to the Council and the Mayor on September 1, 2004, and September 1 of every fifth year thereafter, with assurances that the fire prevention code adequately addresses modern fire hazards or with recommendations for revisions of such code. § 3. This law shall take effect immediately upon its enactment.