NYC Fire Code requires owners of apartment buildings to prepare and distribute the new NYC Apartment Building Emergency Preparedness Guide, which was updated and released in December 2024. The guide includes a building information section to be completed by the owner, which must be distributed to apartment building residents and staff as required by Fire Department rule 3 RCNY 401-06.
The emergency preparedness guide is designed to educate residents and staff about their building and what can be done to prepare for emergencies, prevent fires, and protect lives and property during a fire or non-fire emergency.
Property owners are required to distribute the new guide as indicated below.
3-RCNY 401-06 Distribution Requirements:
The guide must be distributed at minimum once every three calendar years. It may be hand delivered, mailed by first class mail, by email, or another form of electronic transmission. It must be distributed within 60 days of any material change in building conditions affecting the content of the fire and emergency preparedness guide. It must be given to a new building resident nolater than the date upon which the building resident assumes occupancy of the premises. It must be given to a new building staff when the employee begins performing their duties at the premises.
Recordkeeping – The owner shall document compliance with this section by maintaining a copy of the last two (2) fire and emergency preparedness guides and proof of distribution. The updated guide includes:
- Emergency Preparedness Basics
- People Who Need Assistance
- Readiness Supplies
- Home Safety & Fire Prevention
- Know Your Building
- What to Do in a Fire/Non-Fire Emergency
- Emergency Preparedness Resources
New sections included in the guide are:
Chapter 1: Part “B” – Emergency Supply KitsChapter 4: Part “C” – Lithium-Ion Battery E-Safety
Below are Emergency Preparedness Guide Resource Links:
NYC Apartment Building Emergency Preparedness GuideSpecific Building Information SectionIndividual Emergency Preparedness / Evacuation Planning Checklist
