Fire Safety & C-14 Certificate of Fitness

FDNY Certificate of Fitness - C-14

The City of New York Fire Department requires that all non-production chemical laboratories require an individual holding a Certificate of Fitness (COF) for Non-Production Chemical Laboratories (C-14) to be present at all times during operation. The certificate is valid only at a specific location and for the specific person to whom it is issued. 

A non-production chemical laboratory is a building or portion of a building where chemicals or gases are stored, handled or used on a non-production basis for testing, research, experimental, instructional or educational purposes. A lab is considered to be in operation when it is open and a chemical that requires a Certificate of Fitness is being handled or used. All laboratories must be built to specifications set by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB).

Persons applying for a new C-14 Certificate of Fitness must first attend a training session given by the EHOS team. Visit the Training page for current schedules.

New COF Applicant Requirements

This guide provides step-by-step instructions on applying for the C-14 Certificate of Fitness from the New York Fire Department: C-14 Certificate of Fitness Application Guide

All applications are done online through the FDNY Dashboard. An outline of the steps to take is available at this link. The documents required are as follows:

1. Confirmation of C-14 training and other lab safety training attendance.
2. Color copy of your CCNY Employee (Faculty/Staff) ID card. If you should need assistance obtaining an employee ID, please follow this link (https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/safety/id-office).
3. A recent photo (2x2 headshot). The photo must be in PDF and/or JPEG form.
4. Color copy of your diploma/transcript showing degree conferred.
5. Recommendation letter (template included in Quick Links at the bottom of the page) from an advisor or principal investigator. As of 2024, this letter is required for all levels of education, including those holding a Master's degree.
6. Fee waiver letter. You must provide proof of attendance to C-14 training and proof of employment to the EHOS office to be issued this letter. Only CCNY faculty and staff may be issued a Certificate of Fitness with a fee waiver. Students and non-CCNY faculty will be required to pay a $25 fee to the FDNY.
7. C-14 Alternative Issuance Procedure - Employee Affirmation Form. As of 2024, this form must be notarized. You may set up an appointment with CCNY Human Resources to facilitate notarization (do not sign the form before your appointment).

Applicants are required to meet eligibility standards as listed on the FDNY website.

Certificate of Fitness Renewal 

It is best advised to renew the C-14 certification before the expiration date. If more than one year has elapsed since the expiration date shown on the certification, please follow the instructions in the previous section for applying for a new Certificate of Fitness.

The renewal process is described in the C-14 Certificate of Fitness Application Guide. You will not have to take additional training sessions for a renewal.

If there are any questions regarding your application, please call (212-650-5080) or email ( ehos@ccny.cuny.edu ).

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers should be certified according to the tags attached by an approved fire safety company. In addition, City College staff should check fire extinguishers on a monthly basis to confirm that they are in operable condition according to the following criteria:

• Pin is in place
• Dial is pointing to green area
• Canister is intact

Electrical Safety

Avoid using electrical strips as a permanent fixture or 'daisy-chaining' power strips together. This poses a fire hazard if the capacity of chained power strips or wires are different.
Wires should not cross the path of hallways or go between lab benches.
Electrical panels in any room should have at least 3 feet of clearance for maintenance or emergency access.

Additional Resources 

Certificate of Fitness Employment Certification Letter template

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2023-10/Employment%20Letter%201.pdf

C-14 Alternative Issuance Procedure - Employee Affirmation Form

https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-c14-aip.pdf

C-14 New Application Documents 

Certificate of Fitness Alternative Issuance Procedure - Employee Affirmation Form

https://www.nyc.gov/assets/fdny/downloads/pdf/business/cof-c14-aip.pdf

EHOS Supervision of Non-Production Chemical Laboratories Alternate Issuance Application

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2024-09/C-14%20AIP%20Application%20Form%20AIA.pdf

Statement of Application for Certificate of Fitness for The Supervision of Chemical Laboratories 

https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/sites/default/files/2020-10/FDNY%20COF%20C14%20Statement%20of%20App.pdf

C-14 Recommendation Letter Template

Certificate of Fitness Recommendation Letter Template