Affidavits for Inherently Flame-Resistant Materials

Many business owners are confronted with the reality that they are required to have their establishment flameproofed with little background knowledge.  Even if they are aware of this requirement, they may not know what is involved.  Essentially, business owners are required to have decorative items treated with flame repellents, or those items must already be inherently non-combustible, as per the FDNY. A business is not able to be operational without an affidavit stating that this requirement has been met.

In order for an affidavit to be valid, certain items need to be on it. There also needs to be some distinguishment between items that have been treated with fire retardants and items that are already inherently flame-resistant. Today’s discussion will center around affidavits for materials that are inherently non-combustible.

This particular affidavit applies specifically to items that already meet NFPA 701 tests and don’t need to be otherwise treated. In this case, the business owner needs to file a valid affidavit with the Bureau of Fire Prevention.  This affidavit needs to be signed by a C-15 Certificate of Fitness holder (like NYC Flameproofing), certifying that each piece of decoration or scenery is inherently flame-resistant.  This document needs to be filed within 10 days of the items being installed, and a copy also needs to be kept on location.

So what needs to be on this affidavit in order for it to meet FDNY standards?

The affidavit needs to have the name of the person who personally inspected the items along with his C-15 Certificate of Fitness number and its expiration date. It should also include the name of the manufacturer who created the item, and an exact description of the material as well as a description of the properties of the material that cause it to be inherently non-combustible.

The FDNY has the ability to reject an affidavit if it’s not in compliance with their standards.  In this scenario, the FDNY would need to notify the business owner and the Certificate of Fitness holder, in writing, that this particular piece of decoration or scenery is not in compliance.  The item would then have to be removed, and it cannot be reinstalled until it has received flame-repellent treatments. Then, a new affidavit of flame-resistant treatments has to be issued and filed with the FDNY.

The laws regarding flameproofing can seem nebulous at times, and the procedures can seem complex as well.  However, NYC Flameproofing is an industry expert in all aspect of fireproofing, and we can help you sort out all the details.  We can inform you as to which items are inherently non-combustible and which need to be treated with fire retardants. We are able to issue both types of affidavits.  Please call us today for a free, no-obligation estimate and to discuss all of your flameproofing needs: (800) 291-0904.

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