CONSULTING

Advancing fire and life safety through investigation, planning, and education

At NY Fire Consultants, we strive to improve safety and security features, bring buildings into compliance with fire codes, and train building occupants and staff regarding fire and life safety procedure.

Fire & Life Safety Consulting

Drills

Fire drills are not just a checkbox for compliance. They are one of the simplest ways to reduce panic, speed evacuation, and improve decision-making when a real alarm sounds. When drills are run correctly, occupants know what to do, staff know what to enforce, and your building is better prepared for both fire and non-fire emergencies.

NY Fire Consultants helps building owners, property managers, and safety teams run drills the right way. Our FDNY-certified Fire and Emergency Drill Conductors lead clear, code-compliant drills, activate the alarm as required, deliver live floor-by-floor instruction, and support proper recordkeeping so you are prepared for inspections and audits.

In 2026, New York City fire drill requirements are governed by NYC Fire Code Section 401.7 and 3 RCNY §401-07, which mandate specific frequencies and procedures based on a building’s occupancy type.

Drill Frequency by Building Type

High-Rise Office (Group B): Semiannually (every 6 months)
Required participants: All building occupants
Hotels (Group R-1): Quarterly per shift
Required participants: Building staff (guests optional)
Schools (Group E): 12 per year (8 by Dec 31)
Required participants: All students and staff
Colleges and Universities: 3 per year (at least 1 after sunset)
Required participants: All occupants
Day Care Facilities: Monthly
Required participants: All occupants
Shelters: Monthly
Required participants: All occupants
New Buildings: Quarterly for the first 2 years
Required participants: All occupants

Key Compliance Rules

Qualified personnel: All of our drill conductors are FDNY certified Fire and Emergency Drill Conductors (F-07/W-07).
Mandatory participation: Building owners and employers are legally required to ensure all specified occupants participate in these drills.
Method of instruction: Drills must be conducted through live instruction on each floor. They must include fire safety procedures and, in many buildings, non-fire emergency (Emergency Action Plan) education.
Alarm activation: The fire alarm system must be activated during the drill to familiarize occupants with the tones.
Recordkeeping: A written record of every drill must be maintained on the premises in a logbook for at least 3 years and be available for FDNY inspection.

Non-Compliance Penalties

The FDNY resumed full enforcement of drill requirements on May 1, 2023. Failure to conduct or document drills can result in significant fines and legal penalties. Property owners should confirm the exact requirements for their facility based on occupancy type and use.

Fire Guard F-01 for Impairment

NY Fire Consultants is the Largest supplier of Fire Guards in NYC since Superstorm Sandy.

When a fire protection system is down, or hot work is happening on-site, the risk profile changes immediately. This is exactly when buildings are most exposed, and when the FDNY expects clear procedures, qualified oversight, and documented patrols. A professional fire watch helps protect occupants, reduce liability, and keep your project or building moving without unnecessary disruption.

An NYC F-01 Fire Guard (Citywide Fire Guard for Impairment) is required to conduct fire watches when fire protection systems are out of service or during hot work, such as welding. The F-01’s role is to patrol assigned areas, identify hazards, maintain detailed logbooks, and support fire code compliance, particularly after the first four hours of an impairment.

Impairment definition

A fire system impairment is a condition where fire protection equipment (sprinklers, standpipes, alarms, pumps) is partially or completely taken out of service, leaving it unable to function during a fire. Impairments can be planned (maintenance) or unplanned (breakdowns). Because impairments increase risk, they require formal procedures, including tagging, notifications, and, in some cases, a fire watch.

Duties and responsibilities

Fire watch and patrols: Conduct continuous, routine patrols of buildings, construction sites, or hot work areas to check for smoke or fire.
Impairment monitoring: Serve as fire watch for at least 4 hours (or longer) when fire alarm and/or sprinkler systems are temporarily out of service.
Logbook maintenance: Maintain precise, up-to-date logs of patrol findings, incidents, and hourly checks.
Hazard identification: Inspect for, identify, and report potential fire hazards such as blocked exits, improper hazardous material storage, or smoking in prohibited areas.
Emergency response: Call 911 immediately in the event of fire or emergency, and initiate evacuation procedures when required.
Equipment knowledge: Understand how to use portable fire extinguishers and, when necessary, activate fire alarm pull stations.

Requirements and context

Certification: Must hold a valid F-01 Certificate of Fitness issued by the FDNY.
Applicability: Commonly required for vacant buildings, construction sites, hot work operations, and when fire protection systems are under maintenance or impaired.
Duration: Building staff may cover the first 4 hours of a minor outage in some cases, but an F-01 fire guard is generally required for longer impairments.

Note: For areas larger than 50,000 square feet, multiple fire guards may be required.

Fire Safety Logbooks

We offer a range of fire and life safety resources, such as…

Fire Safety Directors & Emergency Action Plan Directors

We also assist with…

Preparing and educating the Fire Department’s Fire Safety Directors
Onsite test preparation for the Fire Department’s Emergency Action Plan Directors
Onsite testing
Educating Fire Safety Directors for Hotels
Educating Fire Safety/Emergency Action Plan Directors for Office Buildings

Removal & Correction of Violations

If your business requires help getting up to code, we’re happy to help. We specialize in…

Environmental Control Board Code violations
Building Department Code violations
Fire Department Code violations

Emergency Procedures Manuals

If your building needs emergency procedures, we are able to help you create safety manuals which save lives.

Commercial Buildings
Residential Buildings
Private Residence

Training Seminars for Building Staff & Occupants

Fire and life safety training saves lives. Everyone can benefit from training seminars, particularly…

Residential Buildings (Staff & Occupants)
Commercial Buildings
Hotel Employees
Private Residence
Fire Extinguisher Training

Having been in property management for over 20 years, I can honestly say that NY Fire Consultants, Inc. is the most professional and reliable company in the industry. In the years I have worked with Jim Bullock and Bob O’Brien, they have shown outstanding personal and professional integrity and a dedication to their clients. Their expertise in fire safety for the residents, building staff as well as for the property managers is beyond compare to any other firm. My personal favorites are the monthly fire safety messages and on-going training sessions. When it comes to fire safety, there is only one company that you can rely on and that is NY Fire Consultants, Inc.

Christine Anderson, Director of Operations, Brown Harris Stevens Residential Management LLC

Trusted by the World’s Best Companies

How can we assist you?

As trusted leaders in fire and life safety, we’re here to address your concerns. Whether you need guidance, inspections, or expert advice, our team is ready to help.

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