NYC FDNY Fire Safety Checklist & Bulletin: Co-op & Condo Board Compliance Guide
In a real fire, people don’t Google what to do. They rely on what they already know. That’s why NYC requires you to put fire safety instructions in every resident’s hands.
Starting in 2026, NYC co-ops and condos must distribute the FDNY Fire Safety Checklist and Bulletin every year by February 15. (This used to be April 1 — the date has moved.)
From all of us at The Folson Group, here’s your friendly, simple guide to what these notices are, why they matter, and how you keep your building safe and compliant.
The FDNY Fire Safety notices are required under FDNY Rules and apply to most residential buildings in NYC.
Each year, you must distribute to every apartment:
The FDNY Fire Safety Bulletin
The FDNY Fire Safety Checklist
These explain, in plain language:
What to do if there’s a fire in your apartment
What to do if the fire is elsewhere in the building
When to stay put vs. when to leave
How to avoid common fire risks at home
It’s about making sure residents don’t panic — they act.
February 15 — Distribute the Notices
Beginning in 2026, buildings must give these FDNY materials to residents by February 15 every year.
⚠️ Important change:
This requirement used to be due April 1. NYC moved it earlier so it lines up with other major safety notices.
That means February 15 just became even more important.
FDNY sees it every day:
People open apartment doors to smoky hallways
Residents use elevators during fires
Someone hides in a bathtub instead of sealing the door
Others run when they should stay put
In high-rise fires, the wrong move can be deadly.
These notices exist because:
Fires spread fast
Panic makes things worse
Clear instructions save lives
When residents know what to do, outcomes are better.
If your building fails to distribute FDNY fire safety notices, you may face:
FDNY violations
Fines and penalties
Orders to comply
Legal exposure after a fire
Residents losing trust in the board
Worst case?
A fire happens, and residents say:
“No one ever told us what to do.”
That’s a nightmare scenario for any board.
In most co-ops and condos:
Board of Directors – Ultimately responsible
Property Manager – Prepares and distributes materials
Super/Staff – Helps post or hand out notices
Consultants (like The Folson Group) – Oversee and organize the process
Even if the manager does the work, the board owns the risk.
That’s why understanding this requirement matters.
FDNY allows several methods, such as:
Hand delivery to each apartment
Mailing to residents
Including in annual notice packets
Electronic delivery (where allowed)
Posting in common areas (as a supplement, not a replacement)
Best practice:
✔️ Deliver directly to each unit
✔️ Keep proof of distribution
✔️ Keep copies on file
If there’s ever an inspection or incident, records matter.
A building has a small kitchen fire. FDNY responds. No one is hurt.
Later, questions come up:
Did residents know to stay in place?
Did anyone use the elevator?
Were FDNY bulletins ever given out?
If the answer is unclear, the building may face extra scrutiny — even if the fire was minor.
This is why simple paperwork becomes very real after an emergency.
We hear:
“We’ve always done it in April.”
“I thought posting in the lobby was enough.”
“Isn’t this just for rentals?”
But starting in 2026:
📅 The date is earlier.
🏢 Co-ops and condos are included.
📄 And distribution — not just posting — matters.
Old habits can quickly turn into violations.
The best-run buildings:
✔️ Update their calendars for Feb 15
✔️ Include FDNY notices with other safety mailings
✔️ Deliver to every apartment
✔️ Keep proof of delivery
✔️ Review fire safety at board meetings
✔️ Remind new residents when they move in
They treat fire safety as ongoing, not once a year.
FDNY fire safety notices now join other major February 15 deadlines, like:
Window guard notices
Stove knob cover notices
Lead paint safety notices
And more
That makes February 15 one of the most important safety dates of the year for NYC boards.
Miss it, and you’re instantly behind.
At The Folson Group, we built NYCComplianceCalendar.com so you can:
See every safety deadline in one place
Get reminders before it’s due
Know what’s required each year
Track rule changes like this Feb 15 update
Stop scrambling at the last minute
It’s your safety net for NYC compliance.
Fire safety notices aren’t just forms.
They’re:
A guide when panic hits
A reminder that safety comes first
A signal to residents that you care
And proof your board takes its role seriously
That’s leadership — even when you hope it’s never needed.
Want to make sure your building never misses the FDNY Fire Safety deadline again?
Bookmark the NYCComplianceCalendar.com to stay up to date with upcoming compliance deadlines.
