FIRE DEPARTMENT ● CITY OF NEW YORK STUDY MATERIAL FOR THE EXAMINATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF FITNESS FOR Pyrotechnic Apprentice – Class C E-27 *Test available starting November 2, 2015 © 9/2015 New York City Fire Department - All rights reserved 1 Table of Contents NOTICE OF EXAMINATION ............................................................................. 3 ABOUT THE STUDY MATERIAL ...................................................................... 7 1. Introduction ......................................................................................... 9 2. Worst Case Scenarios ......................................................................... 10 3. Definitions .......................................................................................... 14 4. Permits ................................................................................................ 16 5. General requirements for Special Effects .......................................... 17 6. Smoke Effects ..................................................................................... 18 Smoke ....................................................................................................... 19 Fog ............................................................................................................ 20 Haze .......................................................................................................... 21 Safety with smoke effects: .......................................................................... 21 7. Compressed and Cryogenic Gas Effects ............................................. 22 Safety with Compressed and Cryogenic effects: .......................................... 23 8. Minor Pyro effects, Fire and Flame .................................................... 24 Dust and Snow .......................................................................................... 24 Novelty Fireworks ...................................................................................... 24 Fire/Flame................................................................................................. 25 Safety with Minor Pyro and Fire Effects: ..................................................... 27 9. Theatrical Ammunition ...................................................................... 28 Safety with Theatrical Ammunition ............................................................ 28 10. Fire Performances .............................................................................. 28 Safety with Fire Performances .................................................................... 30 11. Storage ................................................................................................ 31 12. Post Discharge Safety ......................................................................... 33 13. Sample Letters and Site Diagram ....................................................... 34 Letter of intent/Request for a Permit .......................................................... 34 Letter of recommendation .......................................................................... 35 Sample Site Diagram ................................................................................. 36 14. Fire Safety and Extinguishers ............................................................ 38 Monthly Inspection .................................................................................... 39 Annual Inspection ...................................................................................... 40 Notification of unsafe condition .................................................................. 40 2 NOTICE OF EXAMINATION Title: Certificate of Fitness for Pyrotechnic Apprentice (E-27) Date of Exam: Written exams are conducted Monday through Friday (except legal holidays) 8:00 AM to 2:30 PM. REQUIREMENTS FOR WRITTEN EXAM Applicants who need to take the exam must apply in person and bring the following documents: 1. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age. 2. Applicants must have a reasonable understanding of the English language. 3. Applicant must provide two forms of identification; at least one piece of identification must be government issued photo identification, such as a State-issued Driver’s License or Non Driver’s License or a passport. 4. Applicants must present a letter of recommendation from his/her employer. The letter must be on official letterhead, and must state the applicant’s full name, experience and the address where the applicant will work. If the applicants are self-employed or the principal of the company, they must submit a notarized letter attesting to their qualifications. For more info: http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/html/c_of_f/cof_requirements.shtml 5. Applicants must present a completed application for certificate of fitness (A-20 Form). http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/a20.pdf 6. Special Requirements: a. Must be a U.S. Citizen b. To qualify and make an appointment: paperwork must be submitted in advance to Explosives Unit c. Must have resume detailing experience d. $75 fingerprinting fee e. Must bring 2 passport photos APPLICATION FEES: The $25 application fee for the exam can be paid by one of the following methods: • Cash • Credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) • Debit card (MasterCard or Visa) • Personal or company check or money order (made payable to the New York City Fire Department) For fee waivers submit: (Only government employees who will use their C of F for their work- related responsibilities are eligible for fee waivers.) 3 A letter requesting fee waiver on the Agency’s official letterhead stating applicant full name, exam type and address of premises; AND Copy of identification card issued by the agency. A convenience fee of 2.49% will be applied to all credit card payments. EXAM INFORMATION The E-27 exam will consist of 20 multiple-choice questions, administered on a “touch screen” computer monitor. It is a time-limited exam. A passing score of at least 70% is required in order to secure a Certificate of Fitness. Call (718) 999-1595 for additional information. Please always check for the latest revised booklet at FDNY website before you take the exam. http://www.nyc.gov/html/fdny/pdf/cof_study_material/e_27_st_mat.pdf If all the requirements are met and applicant passes the exam a certificate will be issued the same day. Applicants who fail the exam will receive a failure report. To retake the exam applicants will need to submit a new application and payment. Special Note: Exam will also consist of a series of verbal questions. RENEWAL REQUIREMENTS All renewals must go through the Explosives Unit in order to verify criminal background. Please note that in person renewals are not recommended. Call the Explosives Unit for more information. E-27 Certificates of Fitness are valid for a period of one year from the date of issuance. At the end of this period, the certificate expires unless the commissioner approves its renewal. Please be advised that certificate renewals shall be at the discretion of the commissioner in the interest of public safety. The department may review the certificate holder’s qualifications and fitness. E-27 holders must ensure that their original Certificate of Fitness card is available for inspection at all times by the FDNY. The renewal fee is $5. FDNY also reserves the right to require the applicants to take a re-examination upon submission of renewal applications. Certificate of Fitness can be revoked at any time. You may receive a courtesy notice of renewal 90 days before the expiration date. However, it is your responsibility to renew your Certificate. It is very 4 important to renew your C of F before it expires. Renewals submitted 90 days (up to one year) after the expiration date will incur a $25 penalty in addition to the renewal fee. Certificates expired over one year past expiration date will not be renewed a new exams will be required. To change a mailing address: Submit a letter requesting the change of mailing address and a copy of your C of F and a $5.00 fee. To change a work location, Submit a letter from your current employer (on company letterhead) confirming that you are an employee and stating your new work location with a copy of your C of F and a $5.00 fee. To request a replacement certificate: Submit a driver’s license or passport, social security number and mailing address and a $5.00 fee. The certificate can be renewed On-line or Mail. Renewal online If you are an individual, make sure you have your 12 digit Certificate of Fitness Access ID. This can be found on your Renewal Notice. If you do not have your Renewal Notice, your Access ID is your 8 digit Certificate of Fitness number and the last four digits of your social security number. Renewal fee can be paid by one of the following methods: • Credit card (American Express, Discover, MasterCard, or Visa) • Debit card (MasterCard or Visa) • E-check Fee exempted applicants cannot renew online only by mail or in person. If all the requirements are met, the certificate of fitness will be mailed out within 10 days. For online renewal go to: https://paydirect.link2gov.com/FDNYCOF/ItemSearch Renewal by mail Mail your Renewal Notice (if you did not receive a Renewal Notice, a copy of your certificate), along with your fee payment Personal or company check or money order (made payable to the NYC Fire Department) For fee waivers submit: (Only government employees who will use their C of F for their work- related responsibilities are eligible for fee waivers.) 5 A letter requesting fee waiver on the Agency’s official letterhead stating applicant full name, exam type and address of premises; AND Copy of identification card issued by the agency and if applicable, supporting documents to: NYC Fire Department (FDNY) Explosives Unit 9 MetroTech Center, 1st Floor Brooklyn, NY 11201 If all the requirements are met, the certificate of fitness will be mailed out within four to six weeks. 6 ABOUT THE STUDY MATERIAL This study material will help you to prepare for the written examination for the E-27 Certificate of Fitness exam for a Pyrotechnician Apprentice Class C. This study material includes information taken from the New York City Fire Code as well as industry safety standards. The study material does not contain all the information you need to know in order to perform the responsibilities of minor special effects safely. It is your responsibility to become familiar with all applicable laws, rules and regulations of the federal, state and city agencies having jurisdiction, even though such requirements are not included in this study material. You need to be familiar with New York City Fire Code Chapter 33, Section 3309 which regulates the use of special effects. It is critical that you read AND understand this booklet to help increase you chance of passing this exam. ABOUT THE TEST You must pass a multiple choice and verbal test to qualify for the certificate of fitness. A score of 70% correct is required in order to pass the multiple choice section of the test. All questions have four answer options. Only one answer is correct for each question. If you do not answer a question, or if you mark more than one answer to a single question, your answer to that question will be scored as incorrect. Read each question carefully before marking your answer. There is no penalty for guessing. SAMPLE QUESTIONS Which of the following are allowed to be used while taking a Certificate of Fitness examination at 9 Metro Tech Center? I. cellular phone II. study material booklet III. reference material provided by the FDNY IV. mp3 player A. III only B. I, II, and III C. II and IV D. I only Only reference material provided by the FDNY is allowed to be used during Certificate of Fitness examinations. Therefore, the correct answer would be A. You would touch “A” on the computer terminal screen. 7 If the screen on your computer terminal freezes during your examination, who should you ask for help? A. the person next to you B. the firefighters C. the examiner in the testing room D. the computer help desk If you have a computer related question, you should ask the examiner in the testing room. Therefore, the correct answer would be C. You would touch “C” on the computer terminal screen. If you do not know the answer to a question while taking an examination, who should you ask for help? A. the person next to you B. the firefighters C. the examiner in the testing room D. you should not ask about test questions since FDNY staff cannot assist applicants You should not ask about examination questions or answers since FDNY staff cannot assist applicants with their tests. Therefore, the correct answer would be D. You would touch "D" on the computer terminal screen. 8 1. Introduction Special effects, even minor effects, are not only used for theatre productions, television, and motion pictures but also for special events to either enhance production or to simulate real events that may be too dangerous or unreasonable to perform without appropriate supervision. Special Effects are also used for entertainment purposes such as magic shows and stage performances. Using special effects anywhere is dangerous, especially in a heavily populated city such as New York. Improper use or storage of equipment, chemicals, and explosives creates a risk to individuals and property. It is important when working with all pyrotechnic devices and chemicals that the Material Safety Data Sheet/ Safety Data Sheet is available. Minor special effects include smoke effects, cryogenic/compressed gas effects, minor flame effects, theatrical ammunition and fire performances. Other effects used may require a higher level Certificate of Fitness. All required FDNY permits and Certificate of Fitness must be obtained prior to performing any special effect. Additionally, every Certificate of Fitness holder must have his or her valid certificate in possession (not expired E-27) while performing any kind of special effect. The performance of any special effect without FDNY approval, permits, or a valid certificate of fitness is unlawful and subject to disciplinary action. 9 2. Worst Case Scenarios Fire breathing stunt actor in critical condition after onstage accident Chicago, February 2013 A fire-breathing stilt-walker is in a critical condition after a freak accident saw his head catch fire during a rehearsal. An audience of 1,000 horrified guests watched as flames engulfed Wesley Daniel's face after his dangerous stunt during practice for a Lyric Opera of Chicago production went wrong. At first they thought it was part of Monday evening's show, but soon realized the 24-year-old was in serious trouble when he stumbled across the stage and collapsed. "His head was engulfed in flames and he was center stage and in a panic,” an audience member stated. “He was trying to put it out and then moved as quickly as he could on stilts but then he had no choice but to just fall down." Daniel was rushed to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, battling respiratory problems and suffering second degree burns to his face and throat and first degree burns to his hands. "I don't think he closed his mouth quick enough,” stated another onlooker. "So the fire, the stuff in his mouth, came on his clothes and so did the fire, and it also dribbled all over the floor so we saw a line of fire across the stage." "He was wearing a flameproof costume and mask. Lyric's emergency plan was activated immediately. Trained fire guards extinguished minor flames immediately," the statement read. Lyric personnel called 911 and paramedics reportedly arrived within minutes. Even though local media reports that the stunt had been approved by the Chicago Fire Department, the decision was made to remove the fire-spitting effect from performances." 10