Lobby Fire Safety Plan Frame: What FDNY Expects
Next to the fire safety notice in your lobby, the FDNY expects one more document: the building information section of your fire safety guide. Most owners have never heard it called that, but inspectors know exactly what it is and where it should be.
Here's what it is, what goes in it and how to frame it so it stays put.
The quick answer
In short: Under 3 RCNY Section 401-06, owners of residential buildings fill out Part I of the FDNY Emergency Preparedness Guide, the building information section, and post it in the common area alongside the fire safety notice, near the mailboxes, between 4 and 5.5 feet off the floor.
What it is
The FDNY's Emergency Preparedness Guide has two parts. Part II is the standard FDNY safety information that's the same for every building. Part I is the part you fill in. It describes your specific building so residents know what they're working with in an emergency: how it's built, what fire protection it has and where the exits are.
Many people call the framed version the "fire safety plan" or "building info sheet." Whatever you call it, it goes up in the lobby next to the fire safety notice.
What goes in Part I
- 1Address and ownerThe building address and the owner's or agent's contact information.
- 2Floors and year builtFloors above and below ground, and the year the building went up.
- 3Construction typeCombustible or noncombustible, which also decides your fire notice version.
- 4Sprinklers, alarms and PAWhether the building has them, and where pull boxes and speakers are.
- 5Stairs and exitsEach stairwell, fire escape and exit, with any stair names. Match them to your stairway signs.
- 6Date prepared and house rulesPlus any building rules, like an e-bike policy, clearly labeled as house rules.
We frame Part I and the fire safety notice as a matching pair for your lobby. See fire safety signs
How to post it
In the common area with the fire safety notice, near the mailboxes. No mailbox area? Near the elevators or main stairwell.
No part lower than 4 feet or higher than 5.5 feet from the floor.
Securely fixed with mounting hardware or adhesive. A frame with a clear front keeps it clean.
Issue an amended Part I within 60 days of any material change, like a new sprinkler system.
Don't forget the guide itself
Posting Part I is only half of it. The full guide goes to every apartment and building staff member at least once every three years, during Fire Prevention Week in October, plus to new tenants with their lease and to new staff on their first day. Keep the last two guides and proof you handed them out. Many owners send it with the window guard notice in January, which the rule allows.
What this looks like in practice
Say a 7 story elevator building adds sprinklers to its hallways. The old Part I in the lobby still says "no sprinkler system." Within 60 days, the owner updates Part I, reframes it next to the fire safety notice and sends the updated guide to every apartment. One afternoon of work keeps the lobby and the paperwork in sync.
Tips from our shop
- Mount it as a pair.
Put Part I and the fire safety notice side by side in matching frames at the same height. Our lobby placement guide shows the layout.
- Use the right construction type.
If your Certificate of Occupancy doesn't say fireproof, the building is treated as combustible.
- Keep a digital copy.
When something changes, you can update and reprint in minutes.
Official sources: FDNY 3 RCNY 401-06, FDNY apartment fire safety guide.
Quick answers
What is Part I of the FDNY fire safety guide?
It's the building information section the owner fills in: address, floors, construction type, sprinklers, alarms, PA system, stairs and exits.
Where is Part I posted?
In the common area next to the fire safety notice, near the mailboxes, between 4 and 5.5 feet off the floor.
How often does the guide go to tenants?
At least every three years during Fire Prevention Week, plus to new tenants and staff. See the full checklist for everything else.
Not sure what your building needs?
Send us your address and number of apartments. We will tell you exactly which signs to order.
General information based on the NYC HPD Required Signage page as of November 2026. Not legal advice. HPD Signs NYC is not affiliated with the City of New York or HPD. Prices may change. Check nyc.gov/hpd for the latest rules.