Fire Safety and FDNY Compliance

According to the FDNY, at least one certificate of fitness (C-14) holder shall be present in the laboratory unit while work is being conducted. This individual is responsible for ensuring all fire safety regulations are being followed within the laboratory unit. Because the C-14 must be posted at all times in all laboratories, EHS requires the C-14 holder to post a copy of their C-14 just inside the entrance of the laboratory. Please review the C-14 for Designated Coordinators Guide.

FDNY requires that permitted labs must be under the supervision of a C-14 holder. When the lab is in operation, including weekends and holidays, a C-14 holder must be on the premises to ensure safe operation. Most labs have multiple C-14 holders to ensure sufficient coverage during lab operations.

C-14 certificates must be renewed by submitting the following information in the form below to EHS every three years. Please contact EHS with renewal inquiries. 

Important:

• All required fields (marked with a red asterisk *) must be completed for your application to be considered complete.

According to the FDNY, at least one certificate of fitness holder shall be present at all times while chemicals and materials used in spray-finishing/dipping operations or floor finishing operations are taking place. This individual is responsible for ensuring all fire safety regulations are being followed on the premises. 

C-30 certificates need to be renewed every three years by completing the following steps:

1. Read the following FDNY resources before proceeding with the application process: C-30 Study Material 
2. Bring the following documents between 8 am and 2:30 pm Monday through Friday to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), Public Certification Unit, 9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11201:
   • C-30 application 
   • Letter of employment from department
   • Copy of most recent diploma
   • Fee waiver letter from EHS
   • Two forms of identification, at least one must be government-issued
3. Submit a copy of the issued certificate of fitness to ehs@hunter.cuny.edu. 

A courtesy renewal notice from the FDNY will be sent to the home address provided on the application 90 days before expiration with instructions on how to renew online. As long as you are an employee of Hunter College, the Office of Environmental Health and Safety serves as a designated coordinator to process these renewals on your behalf. For more information, contact EHS.

It is unlawful to operate a laboratory or storage room in which flammable liquids, flammable solids, flammable gases, oxidizing materials, explosive materials, unstable or reactive chemicals are used in testing, research, experimental or instructional work, without a permit from the FDNY fire commissioner.

Guidelines Requiring a Fire Permit for Laboratories

If your lab or storage area contains chemicals in quantities that meet or exceed one or more of the following criteria, you must have a permit for that area:

• 1 gallon (3.8L) or greater of a flammable liquid
• 75 scf (8.5” x 31” cylinder) of a flammable gas
• 1 gallon (3.8L) or greater of a combustible liquid

Labeling of Containers – Chemical containers and gases in all chemical laboratories and storage rooms shall be clearly and properly labeled to include the containers contents and any special conditions required to maintain safe storage of the container. 

Potentially Explosive/Reactive Chemicals – It shall be the duty and responsibility of the permit applicant or designee to clearly record on the container, in indelible ink, the opening date of the following chemical groups: 

• Picrics originating at less than 10% hydration; 
• Perchlorates;  
• Peroxides; (arrange to have these chemicals tested at least once every six months) 
• Peroxidizable materials;  
• Polymerizers that react violently in polymerization or become hazardous after polymerization; and 
• Any other material stored or used which are known to deteriorate or to become unstable or reactive. 

Dispose of all within one year of opening date through EHS. 

Spill Kits – Neutralizing or absorbing agents shall be provided at all areas used for the storage of acids. (All labs have a spill kit.) 

Fire Extinguisher – Provide one approved workable fire extinguisher, Type ABC in each lab. 

Safety Shower/Eye Wash – Where more than five gallons of corrosive acids or five gallons of flammable liquids are stored or used (fixed or flexible) shall be provided within 25 feet of the laboratory door – unobstructed. 

Compressed Gas Cylinders – Properly secure all cylinders with a chain or other suitable holder. Cylinders shall have a stamped-on date which certifies that the cylinder has been hydrostatically tested within the past 10 years. Return empty or non-conforming cylinders to the manufacturer. Dispose of lecture bottles through EHS. 

Fume Hoods – Fume hoods shall be inspected annually so that a maximum average face velocity of 120 feet per minute, with minimum face velocity at any point not less than 80 feet per minute, is provided. (EHS will arrange annual inspections.) 

Safety Data Sheets (SDS) – Shall be maintained in accordance with “OSHA General Industry Standards – Hazard Communication” and be readily available to lab staff and emergency personnel. Learn more about SDS.

Storage of chemical amounts for use in individual laboratories – Please refer to the bottom of your lab’s Fire Permit. Next to the lab room number there is a “Lab Type” followed by a Roman numeral. Each lab or lab type has a total maximum storage limit, refer to the following table for your lab’s chemical storage limits:

Corrosive Acids – Secondary containment or corrosive-resistant trays must be used in areas where corrosives are stored on or come in contact with metal shelving. 

Water-Reactives – Water-reactive chemicals shall be stored in suitable receptacles or enclosures, properly identified as to contents, to protect them from contact with water. 

Temperature-Sensitive Flammable Liquids – Shall be stored only in approved explosion-proof or spark-proof refrigerators. 

Disposal of old, surplus, unwanted, contaminated or unidentified chemicals – Material which is in danger of decomposition or of changing characteristics so as to present a danger or explosion or fire, or which is unidentified, shall be promptly removed or disposed of through EHS. 

Proper Chemical Segregation – Do not store flammables with oxidizers or keep flammables near ignition sources

No Smoking – Smoking is prohibited within laboratories. A sign shall be conspicuously posted at the exterior of entrances to storage and laboratory areas and within such areas. 

Store No Flammables – Shall be posted on all non-explosion proof refrigerators (provided by EHS). 

Laboratory – Potentially Hazardous Substances – Shall be posted on exterior entrances to laboratory areas (provided by EHS).

For more information, visit NYC’s Certificates of Fitness.