The FDNY and the PFE companies met at 9 MetroTech to discuss the new test and company reorganization.

This is a summary of the important information that was provided at the meeting:

1. The FDNY has no objections to PFE companies sharing a common facility providing the company services their own extinguishers, conform to all rules and regulations, ands pay a separate inspection fee.
2. Although the new code becomes effective July 1, 2009, the FDNY will allow companies to operate in the current model (full service and no facilty) while in this transitional status.
   Tentatively, all companies have until September 7, 2009 to meet the new standards. If companies need additional time, they must formally apply and submit all documentation of their intent to open a facility with an request for an extension to:
   FDNY
   9 Metrotech Center
   Brooklyn, NY 11201
   ATTN:   PFE COMPANY EXTENSION APPLICATION
   ROOM 1S-1C
3. Companies can apply immediately to become either a Full Service or Sales company.  Companies who choose not to become a Full Service Company can become a Sales Company, immediately.
4. There are new requirements including insurance, designating an agent to receive service if outside NYC, zoning and other new items contained on the new application. Zoning requirements will be governed by the location of the business for example- if NJ, then they apply, NYC- NYC, and Nassau- Nassau.
5. Sales companies will be permitted to remove PFE extinguishers and have them  serviced by a Full Service Company.  It is only allowed if a replacement PFE is provided at the site and serviced by a Full Service company. The Full Servicing Company’s tags must be placed on the PFE.
6. Training requirements must be examined since it was stated not all manufacturers provide training in NYC while meeting the requirements of NFP that state specific manufacturer training. In this transitional period, the FDNY will accept NAFED, manufacturers and NYS training. This item will be reexamined since the new NFPA training requirements stipulates specialized manufacturers’ training 1/1/10.
7. NFPA does not recognize the term “annual” or “yearly” inspection. It refers to annual maintenance. Therefore any maintenance without proper tools and equipment does not conform to the Code, NFPA and other regulations. Therefore without tools and equipment, annual maintenance is not being properly performed.
8. Important news will be posted to the FDNY website @ http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/safety/extinguisher/index.shtml with a new heading of “Industry Information”.
9. Previous facility inspections conducted by the FDNY will waive the need for a new inspection.