Fire suppression systems at MTA subway and bus facilities require “immediate attention,” including at a Manhattan train yard where the water pressure isn’t strong enough to accommodate a new fire pump, according to a new report.
Existing fire pumps at 22 of 23 NYC Transit facilities across the city and Westchester have not received required annual fire pump inspections since 2020, according to an audit by the MTA Office of the Inspector General.
And the testing that has been performed has been historically compromised because there is no record that gauges on the equipment have been calibrated or regularly replaced, the audit said.
7 Trains fill the train yard in Flushing (DelMundo, Anthony)
“Fire suppression systems play an important role in ensuring personnel and assets are protected from fires,” the report said. “Testing and maintaining these fire pumps on National Fire Protection Association-required schedules is of the utmost importance.”
But the inspector general says NYC Transit doesn’t properly maintain its fire suppression systems.
“NYC Transit has not kept up with the required annual testing cycles, and there is significant evidence that in-house personnel have not been sufficiently trained on or knowledgeable about NFPA code requirements to ensure the testing was properly performed,” says the report.
According to an MTA safety executive, the agency has conducted a complete review of fire suppression systems at all 23 pumps in the last three weeks.
A 24/7 fire watch has been put in place at the 207th St. subway yard in Manhattan’s Inwood neighborhood, which has had water pressure problems.
“There can be no compromise when it comes to the safety of MTA employees and when safety issues arise we address them immediately,” MTA Chief Safety and Security Officer Pat Warren said in a statement.
“There is no known fire safety hazard in New York City Transit train yards where we instituted preventative measures and had independent certified fire suppression experts assist in testing equipment and installing any necessary upgrades. We will continue to evaluate fire safety strategy, keeping policies in alignment with industry standard best practices.”
Union officials blamed the MTA for the lapses.
“Local 100 members have been doing this work for many years,” said John Chiarello, a Transit Workers Union Local 100 vice president. “Management failed to keep up with the assignment of inspections. We welcome any type of training beyond what we have received. Our members have no fault in this.”
Recommendations in the report include immediate fire pump tests for all the system’s transit facilities, better training and the installation of proper gauges that National Fire Protection Association standards.
Copyright © 2021, New York Daily News
Copyright © 2021, New York Daily News