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When an out-of-service device, equipment or system is restored to service, the Impairment Coordinator shall do the following

Conduct necessary inspections and tests to verify that the affected systems are operational

Notify the department

Notify the owner, central station, insurance carrier, emergency preparedness staff, and, if previously notified, the occupants in the affected areas

Remove the out-of-service tags

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
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Yes, it is mandatory in all cases.

As per code 901.7.5 Notification to department states that

The department shall be notified that a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service, whether by reason of a planned removal from service or an unplanned out-of-service condition, where required by Fire Code 901.7.5.1 through 901.7.5.3.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

No.

As per code 901.7.4 Unplanned out-of-service condition states 

Any person, upon becoming aware of any condition, except a planned removal from service, rendering a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system, or part thereof, inoperable in whole or in part, shall notify the owner and the impairment coordinator of such condition.

The impairment coordinator shall take the actions set forth in Fire Code 901.7.3 and 901.7.5, and such other actions as are necessary or appropriate to protect the occupants of the building and promptly restore the system to service.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

The Impairment Coordinator has to do the following before authorizing the placing of any Fire Protection system as Out of Service:- 

Notify the Certificate of Fitness holder responsible for supervising the maintenance of the standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system.

Determine the extent and expected duration of the out-of-service condition.

Inspect the areas or buildings involved and assess the increased risks.

Make appropriate recommendations to the owner.

Notify the department in accordance with Fire Code 901.7.5 if required.

Notify the responsible person designated by the owner to issue hot work authorizations in accordance with Fire Code Chapter 26.

Notify the central station and insurance carrier

Notify the occupants in the affected areas if the duration of time the sprinkler system or fire alarm system will be out of service is estimated to be more than 30 minutes

Place a tag at each Fire Department connection, Standpipe and Sprinkler system control valve and Fire Command Centre, indicating which Fire Protection System, or part thereof, is out of service

Maintain the Fire Protection System in service until work is ready to begin

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

The Impairment Coordinator shall be made aware in advance of any planned removal from service of a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system, or system component 

For purpose of repair, servicing, alteration, testing and other maintenance of the system or component, or to allow construction to be performed in the area protected by the system without unnecessarily activating it.

The Impairment Coordinator shall authorize and personally supervise the placing of the fire protection system out of service

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

Fire code 901.7.2.3 Fire watch coverage states as follows,

A sufficient number of Fire Guards shall be provided such that each floor or area in which the fire protection system is out of service is patrolled at least once an hour.

The area to be patrolled by each Fire Guard shall not exceed more than 50,000 square feet (4645 m2) of floor area.

The area patrolled by each fire guard may be further limited by the department depending on the configuration of the premises, impediments to patrol, nature of the occupancy, fire risk, and other fire safety considerations.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

As mentioned in Fire code 901.7.2.2 pertaining to the requirement of Fire guards which states as

The Fire Watch required when a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service shall be maintained in accordance with Fire Code 901.7.2.2.1 and this section.

However, the only Exception to this is as follows

The impairment coordinator or other building staff trained and knowledgeable in conducting a Fire Watch may conduct a Fire Watch in lieu of a Fire Guard during the initial 4 hours of a planned removal from service

or after the discovery of an unplanned out-of-service condition, provided that the floor or area in which the fire protection system is out of service does not exceed 50,000 square feet (4645 m2).

The sub-section code 901.7.2.2.1 for Fire Guards required further states as, The Fire Watch required for an out-of-service standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system shall be maintained by one or more Fire Guards.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

Responsibilities of a person assigned to fire watch as per section code 901.7.2.1 are as follows:

They would be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the department and any FLS (Fire and Life safety) director, FEP (Fire and Emergency Preparedness) coordinator or FEP staff on the premises.

They have to immediately report any fire to the department and notify emergency preparedness staff on the premises

They are responsible for extinguishing fires when they are limited in size and spread such that they can readily be extinguished using a portable fire extinguisher

They will need to maintain a record of such fire watch on the premises during the fire watch and for a minimum of 48 hours after the fire watch has concluded.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
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The duty of a person conducting fire watch is as follows as per Fire Code 901.7.2.1

To continuously patrol the area affected by the out-of-service fire protection system to which such person has been assigned, keeping a constant Watch for Fires.

They have to be trained in the use of portable fire extinguishers and equipped with a portable fire extinguisher

or made aware of the location of readily accessible portable fire extinguishers in the area to which they have been assigned to maintain a fire watch.

They should have no other duties during the time when assigned on Fire Watch.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide

As per the Fire Code 901.7.2 pertaining to Fire Watch,

Unless otherwise directed by the department, the building shall be evacuated or a Fire Watch maintained in accordance with this section when a standpipe system, sprinkler system or fire alarm system is out of service.

NYCTBM, INC. A Fireguard Company
Please note: This material is information contained in the F-01 (City-Wide Fire Guard for Impairment) 
study guide