Professional Documents
Culture Documents
JANUARY, 1999
HISTORY OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER
The World Trade Center is owned and operated by the Port Authority of New York and
New Jersey, an agency created in 1921 by the two states and charged with the
promotion and protection of port commerce and the development of air, land and sea
transportation and terminal facilities. In 1962, the Legislatures of New York and New
Jersey directed the Port Authority to construct the World Trade Center to serve as the
headquarters for international trade within the New York - New Jersey bi-state region.
The World Trade Center is located on a sixteen acre site in lower Manhattan bound by
West Street on the west, Barclay and Vesey Streets on the north, Church Street on the
east and Liberty Street on the south. The complex consists of two 110 story office
towers (One and Two WTC), a 22 story luxury hotel (Marriott Hotel - Three WTC), Two
nine story office buildings (Four and Five WTC), an eight story U.S. Customs House (Six
WTC) and a 47 story office building (Seven WTC). All seven of the complex's buildings
have entrances onto a five acre plaza as well as surrounding city streets. The Mall at the
World Trade Center, located directly below the plaza, is the largest enclosed shopping
mall in lower Manhattan, as well as the main interior pedestrian circulation level for the
complex.
The World Trade Center complex contains over 12 million square feet of rentable office
space and each floor of the towers is approximately one acre in size (40,000 square
feet) and is not obstructed by columns to allow maximum flexibility in design and floor
planning. Tower One (north tower) is 1,368 feet in height and has a 316 foot commercial
television mast atop the roof. Tower Two (south tower) is 1,362 feet in height with an
outdoor observation platform on the roof at 1,377 feet. The Vista International Hotel is
265 feet tall and contains 821 guest rooms. Four World Trade Center, also known as the
"southeast plaza building" is nine stories (119 feet) and contains 600,000 rentable
square feet. Five World Trade Center, the "northeast plaza building" is also nine stories
but contains 700,000 rentable square feet. Six World Trade Center houses the New
York - New Jersey Metropolitan Region U.S. Customs House and is eight stories (130
feet) and contains 800,000 square feet of space.
Approximately 60,000 people work in the World Trade Center and another 90,000
business and leisure visitors pass through the complex each day. There are over 450
firms and organizations engaged in almost every conceivable kind of commerce activity
represented in the center. This includes importing, exporting, freight forwarding, finance,
banking, insurance, transportation, and government. The World Trade Center is also the
headquarters for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
The World Trade Center is served by various modes of transportation. The New York
City Transit Authority has stops for all major subway lines at the World Trade Center
and bus service is available on the surrounding streets. The Port Authority Trans
Hudson (PATH) Railway provides service to midtown Manhattan as well as various
locations in New Jersey. Hudson River ferry service is also available from the nearby
World Financial Center.
EXHIBITS
J. Building Information
R. Standpipe Systems
T. Emergency Power
U. General Information
WORLD TRADE CENTER FIRE SAFETY PLAN
The fire safety plan will include instruction to all tenants and/or occupants to
insure the immediate reporting of fire or similar emergency to the appropriate
authority, the proper response to fire alarms and the immediate initiation of all
fire safety procedures designed to provide life safety for building occupants.
The World Trade Center operates Fire Command Stations in the lobbies of each
building as well as a back up command center at a location remote to the
standard Fire Command Stations. Pursuant to New York City Local Law 5 (fire
safety requirements and controls for office buildings) the Fire Command Stations
are equipped with the following:
• Adequate Illumination: All Stations contain electric lighting fixtures with back
up power provided by emergency generators and battery packs.
• Fire Safety Plan: A copy of the approved Fire Safety Plan is maintained at
the Fire Command Stations.
• Building Master Keys: A minimum of one set of master keys for the building
will be made available to Fire Department Units as necessary.
• Exercise: All employees, occupants and visitors of the floor where the drill is
taking place will be required to physically leave their office areas and proceed
to designated stairways as directed by the Floor Warden and Deputies.
• Records: Records of all fire drill activities are maintained in the World Trade
Center Fire Safety Office, Two World Trade Center, 35th floor.
5) Signaqe
6) General
The World Trade Center Fire Safety Plan was originally prepared in March,
1973. Since that time it has been revised, as necessary, to reflect changes to the
plan. The most recent revision was completed in January, 1999.
EXHIBIT A
LISTED BELOW IS A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABOVE POSITION
RELATING TO THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND NYC LOCAL LAW 5. IT IS OFFERED AS A GENERAL
DESCRIPTION AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE OR REPRESENT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
POSITION IN ITS ENTIRITEY.
• Responsible for planning, managing and directing fire, life safety and
emergency preparedness and implementing emergency management
strategies associated with fire & life safety, fire prevention, risk assessment,
pre-incident planning, code enforcement, fire investigation, training and
education.
• Be thoroughly familiar with the written fire safety plan providing for occupant
fire drills and evacuation procedures in accordance with established fire
department directives.
0 Insure that the Fire Department has been notified of the fire alarm and all
pertinent details associated with the emergency.
0 Insure that the Fire Brigade and Emergency Response Team have been
notified of the fire alarm and all pertinent details associated with the
emergency.
0 Coordinate activities with the Fire Department chief officer at the Fire
Command Station or at the scene of the emergency.
*NOTE: The World Trade Center Fire Brigade is staffed by members of the Port Authority Police
(WTC Command) and are under the direct supervision and control of the duty tour commander or
other ranking police supervisor. Police units receive fire training in accordance with established
procedures administered by the Port Authority Public Safety Division.
EXHIBIT B
LISTED BELOW IS A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABOVE POSITION
RELATING TO THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND NYC LOCAL LAW 5. IT IS OFFERED AS A GENERAL
DESCRIPTION AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE OR REPRESENT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
POSITION IN ITS ENTIRITEY.
• Be thoroughly familiar with the written fire safety plan providing for occupant
fire drills and evacuation procedures in accordance with established fire
department directives.
• Oversee daily activities relating to Deputy Fire Safety Director staffing and
operation of the Fire Command Stations.
• Oversee responsibility for the availability and state of readiness of the Tenant
Fire Safety Teams.
• Notify the Fire safety Director when any designated individual involved in the
fire safety plan is neglecting the responsibilities assigned to them.
• Coordinate training and other activities relating to the Deputy Fire Safety
Director positions.
LISTED BELOW IS A CONDENSED VERSION OF THE GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ABOVE POSITION
RELATING TO THE CONTENTS OF THIS DOCUMENT AND NYC LOCAL LAW 5. IT IS OFFERED AS A GENERAL
DESCRIPTION AND IS NOT INTENDED TO BE ALL-INCLUSIVE OR REPRESENT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE
POSITION IN ITS ENTIRITEY.
• Primarily responsible for monitoring various fire alarm reporting devices at the
Fire Command Station(s), dispatching information to appropriate parties,
issuing permits for burning/welding operations and other fire safety related
duties. In the event of an emergency, the primary duty of the Deputy Fire
Safety Director is to execute and direct the fire safety plan until officially
relieved by an individual of higher authority.
• The supervision of the Deputy Fire Safety Director(s) will be under the
direction of the Fire Safety Director, Life Safety Coordinator or Life Safety
Supervisor.
EXHIBIT D
Name Certification
1 WTC 2 WTC
Name Certification
1 WTC 2 WTC
FLOOR
Suite Telephone
Floor Warden:
Searchers:
ALARM TRANSMISSION: Any person discovering fire or smoke should, without delay, either:
1) ACTIVATE BUILDING FIRE ALARM BOX LOCATED NEAR INTERSECTING CORRIDOR
2) TELEPHONE WORLD TRADE CENTER POLICE AT "HELP WTC" (435-3540)
EXHIBIT G
"Upon the request of the owner or manager of the building the tenant or tenants of each
floor shall make available a sufficient number of responsible and dependable employees
to be designated as Floor Wardens, Alternate and Deputy Floor Wardens".
• Each floor of the building shall be under the direction of a designated Floor
Warden for the safe evacuation of occupants in the event of fire or similar
emergency. The Floor Warden shall be assisted in his/her duties be Deputy
Floor Wardens which will be provided for each occupancy. When an
occupancy exceeds 7500 square feet of occupiable space, a Deputy Floor
Warden will be provided for each 7500 square feet or part thereof.
• The Floor Warden and Deputy Floor Warden(s) shall be familiar with the fire
safety plan, the location of all exits and the location and operation of any
available fire alarm system or notification device.
• The Floor Warden, alternate and Deputy Floor Warden(s) shall insure that
floor "searchers" are in place and will be available in the event of a fire alarm
to alert occupants in immediate office areas, adjoining offices, conference
rooms, rest rooms, etc.
• In the event of a fire, or fire alarm, the Floor Warden shall ascertain that the
alarm has in fact been transmitted and the location of the fire (if possible).
Thereafter, the Floor Warden shall begin the safe evacuation of the floor in
accordance with directions/instructions received and the following guidelines:
0 The most critical areas for immediate evacuation are the "fire floor" and the
floor immediately above. Evacuation from other floors shall commence when
instructions are received from the Fire Command Station or conditions dictate
such actions.
0 Floor Wardens and their deputies will insure that all occupants are notified of
the fire emergency and that they immediately proceed to activate the fire
safety plan.
0 The Floor Warden shall, as soon as possible, notify the Fire Command
Station of all pertinent details associated with the emergency.
0 The Floor Warden shall notify the Fire Command Station of any non-
ambulatory or mobility restricted individuals who may require special
assistance during evacuation.
0 Evacuation to three or more floors below the "fire floor" is generally adequate.
0 The fire safety team will keep the Fire Command Station advised as to
actions taken and location of occupants.
0 Floor Wardens on the floor above the "fire floor" shall, as soon as possible,
notify the Fire Command Station of the means of egress being used for
evacuation and any other pertinent details.
0 In the event that stairways servicing the "fire floor" or floor(s) above are not
usable due to fire or smoke contamination or overcrowding, consideration
may be given to allowing usage of elevators in strict accordance with the
following:
* If the elevators servicing a particular floor also service the "fire floor", they
shall not be used.
4 If the elevators do not service the "fire floor" and their shafts do not have any
openings on the "fire floor", they may be used at the direction of the Fire
Department or other person having authority.
* The Floor Warden shall select the safest stairway to use for evacuation on
the basis of the location of the fire and any information received from the Fire
Command Station.
* The Floor Warden shall check the environment in the stairway prior to use for
evacuation. If the stairway is contaminated by smoke, an alternate stair shall
be selected and the Fire Command Station notified.
* The Floor Warden shall keep the Fire Command Station advised of all
activities associated with the evacuation of occupants.
EXHIBIT H
• Once properly equipped, Brigade members then respond to one floor below
the "fire floor" and, utilizing the stairway(s), proceed up to the affected floor.
• The Supervisor advises the Fire Command Station of the conditions on the
floor and if evacuation is recommended.
• Upon arrival of the New York City Fire Department, the Fire Brigade will
relinquish control to the ranking fire officer and will thereafter await additional
instructions.
• During all activities noted above, Fire Brigade members will keep the Fire
Safety Director and Fire Command Station advised of any and all pertinent
details.
EXHIBIT I
Members Duties
BUILDING INFORMATION
• 110 stories
• 1368 feet in height, plus 316 foot antenna mast. Total=1684 feet
• 4.1 million square feet of rentable space
• Bordered on the north by the U.S. Customhouse (#6 World Trade Center)
• Bordered on the south by the Marriott Hotel (#3 World Trade Center)
• Bordered on the east by the Austin J. Tobin Plaza (open air 5 acre plaza)
• Bordered on the west by West Street
• Main entrance: West Street
• Location of Fire Command Station: immediately inside West Street entrance
• Area: 209 feet x 209 feet
• Classification: Class E
• 110 stories
• 1362 feet in height, plus outdoor roof observation platform at 1377 feet
• 4.1 million square feet of rentable space
• Bordered on the north by the Austin J. Tobin Plaza (open air 5 acre plaza)
• Bordered on the south by Liberty Street
• Bordered on the east by Four World Trade Center
• Bordered on the west by the Marriott Hotel (#3 World Trade Center)
• Main entrance: Liberty Street
• Location of Fire Command Center: immediately inside Liberty Street entrance
• Area: 209 feet x 209 feet
• Classification: Class E
EXHIBIT K
FIRE PREVENTION
A Fire Prevention Inspection Program has been developed and is in place at the
World Trade Center Complex. The purpose for conducting these inspections is to
limit the risk of life and property losses from fire. The inspector accomplishes this
task by identifying and causing the correction of any conditions that may
contribute to the occurrence and spread of fire and the immediate evacuation of
occupants, should such an emergency occur. Additionally, inspections are
conducted to minimize the likelihood of a fire occurring, or if a fire should
happen, to ensure that its duration and spread will be limited.
In addition to the above, daily general inspections of public areas are conducted
at the start of each business day by members of tenant fire safety teams, World
Trade Center Safety and Security Staff and Operations staff. These inspections
are designed to insure that all necessary exits are available for immediate use
and are not blocked in any way, that all exit hardware is in proper working order,
that no obstructions are impeding access to corridors, aisles, stairways, etc.
EXHIBIT L
Fire alarm notification may be made from any of the pull box stations located
throughout the World Trade Center complex. These stations are located near
each emergency egress stairway door as well as throughout the concourse and
subgrades. The pull station is activated by simply grasping the circular handle
(marked "pull") located in the center of the device, and pulling. This device
automatically transmits an alarm to the Fire Command Station as well as the
New York City Fire Department. If the sender wishes to communicate verbally
with the Fire Command Station, they must use the Floor Warden Telephone
located in the red cabinet built into the corridor wall. The telephone is primarily
designed for use by the Floor Wardens (who have keys to unlock the cabinet),
however the telephone is accessible at all times by breaking the protective glass
cover and opening the door to the cabinet. The telephone is used in the same
manner as a standard telephone, with the exception that the user will be
automatically connected to the Fire Command Station.
Smoke Detectors
There several types of smoke detection systems in the World Trade Center
complex. These include return air duct detectors, passenger elevator lobby
detectors, freight elevator lobby detectors, mechanical equipment room
ventilation detectors, and tenant systems (within tenant leasehold spaces).
This type of smoke detector is hung in the ceiling of each floor, close to, or
inside, the intake of the return air ducts. It will notify personnel to the presence
of smoke in the return air ventilation system of individual floors.
Elevator Lobby
There is at least one smoke detector in the ceiling of each elevator lobby
(passenger and freight), directly above the elevator call button. These detectors
have two functions:
The ventilation smoke alarm system monitors the supply and return air ducts in
the mechanical equipment rooms (MERS). The function of the system is to shut
down the affected ventilation fans and alert emergency response personnel
when smoke is detected in the supply or return air ducts.
Tenant Systems
Many tenant have their own smoke alarm systems. There are numerous types
and descriptions, however, all have one thing in common: They all transmit an
alarm to the Fire Command Station and are handled in the same manner as all
other fire alarms.
Telephone Notification
In some instances a tenant may phone the Police Desk or Fire Command Station
to report a fire emergency. This call is handled in the same manner as a
computer printout fire alarm, and proper notifications are made immediately.
With limited exceptions, tenanted floors within the complex are equipped with
automatic sprinklers. Automatic sprinkler protection consists of a series of pipes
and sprinkler heads arranged so that the system will automatically distribute
sufficient quantities of water directly on the fire to either extinguish it, or keep it
from spreading until firefighters arrive. The sprinkler head is a mechanical
device that automatically sprays water over a certain area when a pre-set
temperature is reached due to fire. The main component of the sprinkler head is
a low temperature melting alloy which, upon melting, opens the water passage
through the head.
There are many types of sprinkler heads available. The principle of operation for
each type is similar: pressurized water is discharged again a deflector which
defuses the water into a spray.
All sprinkler heads used in the World Trade Center are required to have the
proper temperature ratings for the location in which they are installed. The
temperature rating for sprinkler heads in ordinary office and storage areas (low
hazard) is 135 -170 degrees F, therefore the color code would be "uncolored" or
black.
The sprinkler water flow transmits an alarm to the Fire Command Station where it
is received on the computer printout as a "sprinkler alarm".
TENANT SYSTEMS
As with the smoke detection systems, many tenants have elected to install their
own special-agent, fixed extinguishing systems. These specialized systems are
used in situations where automatic sprinkler systems, which apply water, are not
appropriate. Such systems use carbon dioxide, dry or wet chemical agents,
foams, or halogenated agents. A critical feature of most special extinguishing
systems is that they generally have a limited amount of extinguishing agent,
compared to automatic sprinkler systems which are usually supplied with an
almost endless amount of water.
There are two main types of special extinguishing systems - local application and
total flooding. The local application is designed to discharge agent onto a
specific surface such as a restaurant cooking area or stove while a total flooding
system is designed to introduce a heavy concentration of agent into a closed
area such as a computer room or vault.
In each case the Fire Command Station would be notified, via computer, if the
system should be discharged.
EXHIBIT M
Each tower contains three sets of stairs used for emergency evacuation. The
location of each is as follows:
0 Stairway A provides egress from the 110th floor to the plaza level
0 Stairway B provides egress from the 107th floor to the concourse (street)
level and continues to the B6 (subgrade basement level 6) level
0 Stairway C provides egress from the 110th floor to the plaza level
Each tower is divided in three "zones" due to the height of the tower and the
number of elevators needed to serve the occupants with a lobby, or skylobby, on
the concourse level, the 44th floor and the 78th floor. This system makes for
efficient use of floor space in that elevator shaft requirements are reduced by
limiting local runs to one third of the tower. In effect, three local elevators operate
at different levels within the space of a single shaft.
When smoke is sensed by the smoke detectors in the ceilings of the passenger
elevator lobbies, detectors initiate the descent of the elevators to the lowest
terminal stops of all elevators affected in that particular bank. This is known as
"fire service phase one". At these stops, emergency personnel can enter the
elevator and operate the elevator on "fire service" by inserting the fire service
key, and activating the key switch (phase two).
When the elevator is under the phase two control, emergency personnel can
operate the elevator on an "independent service". In this mode the elevator will
respond only to the registered calls made from the car. It also activates the "open
and "close" door push buttons. If the open button is released before the door is
fully opened, or while the door is opening, the door will immediately close.-When
the door is fully open it will remain open until the door close button is pushed.
EXHIBIT O
7th floor MER serves floors 1-24 (16 floors above the MER, 6 below).
41st floor MER serves floor 25-58 (16 floors above the MER, 16 below).
75th floor MER serves floors 59-91 (16 floors above the MER, 16 below).
108th floor serves floors 92-105 (14 floors below the MER. Floors 106 & 107
utilize an independent system).
7th floor MER serves floors 1-24 (16 floors above the MER, 6 below).
41st floor MER serves floor 25-58 (16 floors above the MER, 16 below).
75th floor MER serves floors 59-91 (16 floors above the MER, 16 below).
108th floor MER serves floors 92-106 (15 floors below the MER. Floor 107 utilizes
an independent system).
The smoke purge system is set into operation by means of smoke purge
systems in the MER'S (one for each quadrant).
For a PATH smoke purge, World Trade Center personnel must contact the
PATH Power Director/Train-Master. If deemed necessary, emergency personnel
should open the emergency exit doors at the north end of the PATH mezzanine,
and request that all north projection exhaust fans be put into operation.
When a smoke purge is requested by the Chief Officer of the responding Fire
Department units, emergency response staff should contact the Port Authority
Mechanical Section (or supervisor during non-business hours).
EXHIBIT R
STANDPIPE SYSTEMS
One basic problem exists in every fire fighting operation in which ordinary
combustible materials are involved: A sufficient quantity of water must be applied
to reduce the quantity of heat being produced so that the fire can be controlled
and extinguished.
A standpipe system generally provides at least one fire hose outlet at each floor
level and sometimes on the roof of multi-story buildings. Their purpose is to
provide a quick and convenient means for operating fire streams on different
floors or in different areas of a building. To be effective, the standpipe system
must be supplied with adequate water and pressures.
Due to the laws and formulas of hydraulics, standpipe systems are generally
limited to 275 feet in height. Buildings in excess of 275 feet are "zoned" to allow
water to be moved to upper floors via pumps.
The standpipe riser system in the World Trade Center is designed to provide a
reliable means of applying water on a fire in the shortest possible time. The hose
stations are situated in the A,B and C stairways so that any area of a floor can
be reached by a stream of water from the hose station in that area.
Because the standpipe hoses used in the World Trade Center have no shut off
valve on the nozzle, the safe operation of this equipment requires two people.
Fire Pumps
There are various fire pumps located in each tower. The function of these pumps
is to provide water to hose stations on various floors during fire emergencies.
EXHIBIT S
There are many types of fire hazards that require special fire protection
equipment or systems. This may be due to the unique nature of the hazard or
the high probability of extensive loss of life and property.
Many areas within the World Trade Center have, or require, these systems.
These areas include: kitchen areas, range hoods and ducts, document storage
areas, vaults, computer rooms, electrical equipment areas, etc. These
extinguishing systems are designed to respond rapidly to fire, thus increasing life
safety and reducing property damage.
There are several types of systems used within the World Trade Center
Complex. They include: preaction systems, dry chemical extinguishing systems,
steam smothering systems, carbon dioxide systems and Halon systems
EXHIBIT T
EMERGENCY POWER
Standard electrical power is, under normal operating conditions, supplied by the
Power Authority of the State of New York routed through eight 13,800 volt
feeders operated by Consolidated Edison.
The World Trade Center maintains a generator plant containing six emergency
generators which provide 7.2 megawatts of power from a 15,000 gallon fuel
supply which can be continuously replenished. In June, 1995 an electrical feed
from the New Jersey Public Service Electric and Gas Company was installed via
the PATH tunnel system to provide 2 megawatts of additional emergency power.
The PSE&G system will automatically activate if the B6 generator plant fails to
respond within 30 seconds.
In addition to the above, four generators have been installed on the roof of Five
World Trade Center capable of providing 2 megawatts each for a total of 8
megawatts.
The emergency exit lighting in all stairs (and elevator cabs) also utilize a 90
minute battery back up power source and each stairway is treated with
luminescent, phosphorescent paint on the stair treads and handrails to enhance
visibility in subdued lighting conditions.
EXHIBIT U
GENERAL INFORMATION
REFUSE/TRASH STORAGE
Several trash compactor units are in place on the B1 truck dock level. All trash is
compacted and stored in this location and is removed daily.
Upon receipt of a report of fire or an odor of smoke, Fire Brigade members will
be dispatched via staffed freight elevators to a staging area one floor below the
affected floor. The Fire Brigade will then advance to the fire floor via stairway in
an effort to pinpoint the problem area. Based upon the information received, the
Fire Safety Director will dispatch a freight elevator to the effected floor to
evacuate non-ambulatory individuals, or those in need of special assistance.
Should conditions on the effected floor dictate that this procedure would expose
individuals to extreme danger, Fire Brigade members will " hand carry" these
individuals down the stairwells to areas of safe refuge.
Although the normal Fire Department response is to the lobby of the affected
building, there may be occasion for units to require access to the World Trade
Center truck dock. The truck dock entrance is located on Barclay Street just off
West Broadway. The height limitation for the Tower One and Two truck dock is
11 feet, 9 inches (Building Four and Five truck dock access is 10 feet, 6 inches).
For comparison, FDNY ladder 10 (Vehicle SL9406) requires 11 feet of clearance.