New York Codes, Rules and Regulations › Title 9 - EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT › Subtitle S - Division of Housing and Community Renewal › Chapter III - Low Rent Housing › Subchapter C - Management Manual For Housing Authorities › Part 1631 - Fire Prevention, Safety And Miscellaneous Matters › Subpart 1631-1 - Fire Prevention › Section 1631-1.3 - Nonelectrical hazards

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 28, July 10, 2024
(a) Poor
						housekeeping. All boiler rooms, incinerator rooms, storage rooms, work shop and
						similar areas should be kept neat and orderly. Paints, oils and other
						flammables should be kept in proper cans and stored in a special fireproof
						room. Gasoline, paint thinners and related items should be kept in containers
						having self-closing spouts. Oily and greasy rags should be kept temporarily in
						a metal safety can until such time as they can be disposed of properly. Excess
						accumulations must not be permitted. Items permitted in storerooms should be
						restricted to empty trunks, valises, foot lockers, baby carriages, walkers,
						tricycles, bicycles, sleds and similar items which are used seasonally or at
						periodic intervals. All other items, including, but not limited to, bedding,
						mattresses, furniture, kitchen utensils and equipment, clothing, appliances,
						tools, guns, rifles, sporting equipment, and rubber tires are not to be stored
						for tenants. Items authorized to be stored must be kept in an orderly
						arrangement, with at least a three foot unobstructed aisle to reach remote
						areas of room. Articles should not be stacked higher than two feet from
						ceiling.
(b) Matches, cigarettes,
						etc. Tenants are usually the worst offenders in the careless use of these
						items. Many tragedies have been caused by children playing with matches. The
						tenant aspect of this matter is more fully covered below under section
						1631-1.4, Fire prevention
						campaigns. However, project personnel must also exercise extreme caution in
						these matters. Smoking can not be allowed in hazardous areas or when working
						with flammable material. Personnel should be careful not to dispose of lighted
						matches or cigarettes into wastepaper baskets.
(c) Gas leaks.
(1) Gas leaks present the danger of fire and
						explosion as well as asphyxiation. Tenants should be warned to ventilate
						apartment fully and to notify project office immediately (or local utility
						company when office is not open) if they have the least suspicion of leaking
						gas. Project personnel should investigate such reports at once with local
						utility company being called if necessary.
(2) Tenants should be advised to be
						especially careful when moving gas ranges for cleaning purposes so as not to
						damage or loosen connection. Pilot lights on gas fired equipment and spring
						action gas cocks for ovens are frequent sources of trouble and should be
						examined periodically.
(3) Wrenches
						to shut off main gas valves should be placed near such valves so as to be
						readily available for use in event of emergency, provided such valves are not
						located in an area accessible to unauthorized persons who might use wrench to
						tamper with valve, interrupting gas supply and creating a serious
						hazard.