A.
Plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilating, air-conditioning, refrigerating,
cooking, fire-protection and radiation-production equipment, elevators,
dumbwaiters, escalators and other mechanical additions, installations
or systems for the use of the building shall be installed, located
and maintained so that under normal conditions of use such equipment
and systems will not be a danger to health or welfare, a danger because
of structural defects, a source of ignition or a radiation hazard
and will not create excessive noise or otherwise become a nuisance.
Equipment and systems include, but are not limited to, apparatus,
devices, fixtures, piping, pipe hangers, pipe covering, wiring, fittings
and materials used as part of, or in connection with, such installations.
B.
Equipment and systems subject to damage from freezing shall be adequately
protected against freezing.
C.
Moving parts of equipment which may be a potential hazard shall be
guarded to protect against accidental contact.
B.
Water supply.
(1)
Potable water from an approved source shall be available at all times
in residential buildings. The domestic water supply system of the
building shall be connected to such approved source and shall not
be subject to contamination. When supplied from a public source, the
potable water system shall not be connected to private or unsafe water
supplies.
(2)
Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so as to provide
at all times a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances
in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function
satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions
of use.
(3)
Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so that the
water used for purposes of cooling or heating shall not be reintroduced
into the domestic water supply system; and not be distributed through
such equipment to plumbing fixtures.
(4)
Hot-water supply systems shall be provided with safety devices arranged
to relieve hazardous pressures and excessive temperatures.
C.
Sewage drainage system.
(1)
Plumbing fixtures shall be drained to a sewage drainage system, and
such system shall be connected to a public sewer or to an adequate
and approved system of sewage disposal.
(2)
Where a public sewer is not available, a system shall be provided
to receive and dispose of sewage without health hazard or nuisance.
(3)
Sewage or other waste which may be deleterious to surface or subsurface
waters shall not be discharged into the ground or into a waterway
unless it has first been rendered harmless through subjection to treatment
in conformity with generally accepted standards.
(4)
Substances which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures,
destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage
disposal process shall not be discharged into the building drainage
system unless it is provided with approved devices suitable for intercepting
such substances.
(5)
Each fixture directly connected to the sewage drainage system shall
be equipped with a water-seal trap.
(6)
Adequate cleanouts shall be provided and maintained so that the pipes
may be readily cleaned.
(7)
The drainage system and its attendant vent piping shall be maintained
so as to provide adequate circulation of air in all pipes in order
that siphonage, aspiration or pressure will not cause a loss of trap
seal under ordinary conditions of use.
(8)
Each vent terminal to the outer air shall be installed and maintained
so as to minimize the possibilities of clogging, frost closure, the
return of foul air to the building or the creation of a nuisance to
adjacent premises.
(9)
Drains provided for fixtures, devices, appliances or apparatus containing
food, water, sterile goods or similar materials shall be equipped
with air breaks adequate to prevent contamination of such contents
from any possible backup of sewage through the direct or indirect
drainage piping.
D.
Storm drainage.
(1)
Roofs and paved areas, including yards and courts, shall be drained.
Storm drainage shall be conveyed to an adequate and approved system
of stormwater disposal, where available. Storm drains shall be discharged
in such manner that water will not flow onto sidewalks.
(2)
Where a drainage system may be subject to backwater, suitable provision
shall be made to prevent its overflow into the building.
(3)
Leaders and gutters, if used, shall be constructed of noncombustible
material, except that wood leaders and gutters may be used for buildings
not more than three stories high.
E.
Plumbing facilities.
(1)
Buildings and portions thereof shall be provided with plumbing systems
designed to dispose of the sewage from all fixtures and to furnish
cold water to every water closet and urinal and hot and cold water
to every sink, lavatory, bathtub and shower required therein. In multiple
dwellings, hot water shall be furnished at a temperature range of
130° F. to 140° F. from 6:00 p.m. to 12:00 midnight.
(2)
There shall be provided within each dwelling unit plumbing fixtures
consisting of at least one kitchen sink, one water closet, one bathtub
or shower and one lavatory.
(3)
Where multiple dwellings contain sleeping accommodations arranged
as individual rooms or suites, for each multiple of six sleeping rooms
or fraction thereof, there shall be provided plumbing fixtures consisting
of at least one water closet, one bathtub or shower and one lavatory.
(4)
Where multiple dwellings contain sleeping accommodations arranged
as a dormitory, for each multiple of 15 persons or fraction thereof
so accommodated, there shall be provided and located adjacent thereto
plumbing fixtures consisting of at least one water closet, one bathtub
or shower and one lavatory.
(5)
Urinals may be substituted in men's toilet rooms for not more than
1/3 of the required number of water closets.
(6)
Privies, privy vaults and outhouses shall be prohibited on residential
premises.
F.
Plumbing fixtures.
(1)
Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth nonabsorbent material and
shall be free from concealed fouling surfaces.
(2)
Plumbing fixtures shall be so spaced as to be reasonably accessible
for their intended use.
(3)
Plumbing fixtures shall be located in spaces that are accessible,
lighted and ventilated.
G.
Swimming pools.
(1)
Water supply used for filling or for cleaning of the pool shall be
clean. Water supply shall be protected against potential pollution
from all sources, including cross-connection and backflow.
(2)
Drains shall be provided so that the pool can be safely and adequately
drained. Drains shall be provided in floors surrounding the swimming
pool and arranged so that water from such areas will drain without
entering the pool.
(3)
Filtering, sterilizing and auxiliary equipment, where required, shall
be adequate to maintain the sanitary quality of water during each
period the pool is in use. Equipment containing gases or disinfectants
capable of giving off irritating, toxic or flammable fumes shall be
located in ventilated rooms.
(4)
The installation shall be arranged and maintained to prevent dirt,
sand or other foreign matter from entering the bathing area.
H.
Water supply tanks.
(1)
Water supply tanks shall be installed and maintained so as to be
watertight, verminproof, rodentproof, resistant to corrosion and capable
of withstanding the working pressures under normal operation.
(2)
Supports for tanks shall be of noncombustible construction.
(3)
Tanks and their supports shall not be used to support equipment or
structures other than for tank use, except where specially designed
for such other use.
(4)
Means for emptying water supply tanks shall be provided and maintained
in proper working condition.
(5)
Potable water supply tanks for domestic supply and standpipe or automatic
sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained to furnish water
in sufficient quantity and pressure for such systems.
[1]
Editor's Note: The Plumbing Rules and Regulations of the City
of Rensselaer, New York, adopted by the Examining Board of Plumbers
and the Commission of Public Safety of the City of Rensselaer, New
York, are on file in the office of the City Clerk.
A.
General requirements.
B.
Shutoff valves.
(1)
Gas piping systems shall have at least one accessible means for shutting
off all gas supply, and such means shall be maintained in good operating
condition.
(2)
An easily accessible shutoff valve or cock shall be provided in the
piping in close proximity to and ahead of every outlet for gas appliances.
C.
Service equipment for gas supplied from utility mains. Gas services,
gas meters and gas pressure regulators shall be located so that they
are protected from damage.
D.
Gas refrigerators and ranges. Gas refrigerators and ranges shall
be installed with clearance for ventilation and shall be maintained
in good operating condition.
E.
High-pressure gas. Any service connection supplying gas at a pressure
in excess of one pound per square inch gauge shall be provided with
a device to reduce such pressure to not more than 1/2 pound per square
inch gauge prior to entering the meter, except where such service
supplies equipment using gas at high pressures.
F.
Liquefied petroleum gas.
(1)
Undiluted liquefied petroleum gas in liquid form shall not be conveyed
through piping equipment and systems in buildings.
(2)
Liquefied petroleum gas shall not be vaporized by devices utilizing
open flame or open electrical coil.
(3)
Where two or more containers are installed, connection shall be arranged
so that containers can be replaced without shutting off the flow of
gas to equipment.
(4)
Containers shall be designed, stored and located so as not be a hazard
to the premises served or to the surrounding property.
(5)
Systems shall be provided with safety devices to relieve excessive
pressures and shall be arranged so that the discharge terminates at
a safe location.
(6)
Systems shall have at least one accessible means for shutting off
the gas. Such means shall be located outside the building and shall
be maintained in good operating condition.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Residential buildings intended for occupancy between the first day
of November and the first day of May of the following year shall be
provided with heating equipment designed to maintain a temperature
of not less than 70° F. at a distance of three feet and more from
exterior walls and at a level of five feet above the floor in habitable
spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms. The capability of
the heating equipment to maintain such indoor temperature shall be
based on the average of the recorded annual minimum outside temperatures
for the locality.
B.
Smoke control. Fuel-burning heat-producing equipment shall be installed
and maintained so that the emission or discharge into the atmosphere
of smoke, dust, particles, odors or other products of combustion will
not create a nuisance or be detrimental to the health, comfort, safety
or property of any person.
C.
Warm air heating. Ducts and other air-handling equipment used for
heating shall conform to the requirements of such equipment used for
ventilating purposes.
D.
Prohibited locations for heat-producing equipment. Fuel-burning water
heaters shall not be located in sleeping rooms, bathrooms or toilet
rooms.
E.
Fuel supply connection. Fuel-burning equipment shall be permanently
fastened and connected in place. Fuel supply connection to such equipment
shall be made with pipe or tubing of solid metal.
F.
Installation and clearance. Where heat-producing equipment is installed
on or adjacent to combustible materials, the location, insulation,
clearance and the control of the equipment shall be such that the
temperature on the surface of the combustible materials will not exceed
a safe temperature.
G.
Air supply.
(1)
Direct-fired heat-producing equipment and the enclosure in which
it is located shall be provided with a supply of air adequate both
for complete combustion at the rated gross output of the equipment
and for the ventilation of the enclosure to prevent the accumulation
of heat.
(2)
Rooms containing fuel-burning equipment shall have such air supply
provided by means of one or more openings to the exterior or by means
of fixed openings to interior spaces which open to the exterior.
H.
Removal of products of combustion.
(1)
Equipment for burning solid or liquid fuel shall be connected to
suitable chimneys or flues and shall not be connected to gas vents.
Unvented heaters burning liquid fuel shall be prohibited.
(2)
Fuel-burning space heaters located in sleeping rooms or rooms normally
kept closed shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue or gas
vent.
(3)
Gas-fired equipment shall be connected to a suitable chimney, flue
or gas vent when the discharge of products of combustion into the
space where the equipment is installed would be a hazard.
I.
Safety devices.
(1)
Equipment capable of developing hazardous pressures or temperatures
shall be provided with means to relieve safely such pressures and
temperatures.
(2)
Controls for the safe operation of automatically operated heat-producing
equipment shall be provided to function as follows: When failure or
interruption of flame or ignition occurs, the fuel supply shall be
cut off. When a predetermined temperature or pressure is exceeded,
the input of additional heat shall be prevented or reduced to a safe
rate. When the water level in a steam boiler drops below a predetermined
level, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When failure or interruption
of pilot light or main burner of liquefied petroleum gas equipment
occurs, the fuel supply to each pilot light and main burner shall
be cut off.
J.
Heating of garages. Fuel-burning equipment for garages servicing
multiple dwellings shall be located in heater rooms, except that equipment
burning gas or liquid fuel, located in the vehicle storage space,
shall be permitted in stories at or above grade, where elevated so
as not to be exposed to possible accumulation of flammable gases.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Chimneys, flues, gas vents and their supports shall be installed
and maintained so as to be structurally safe, durable, smoketight,
noncombustible and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases
without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling.
(2)
Such facilities shall effectively convey the products of combustion
to the outer air.
(3)
Masonry chimneys, except approved prefabricated chimneys, shall have
noncombustible foundations.
(4)
Flue linings shall be capable of withstanding the action of flue
gas without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling at the temperature
to which they will be subjected.
(5)
Opening for smoke pipes or gas-vent connections shall be provided
with means for easy connection without restriction of flue.
(6)
No flue shall have smoke pipes or gas-vent connections in more than
one story of a building.
(7)
Fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces located in different tenancies
shall not be connected to the same flue.
B.
Firesafety. Chimneys, flues and gas vents shall be installed and
maintained so that, under conditions of use, the temperature of any
combustible material adjacent thereto, insulated therefrom or in contact
therewith does not exceed a safe temperature.
C.
Spark arresters. A chimney or flue connected to an incinerator and
a chimney or flue which may emit sparks shall be provided with a spark
arrester of noncombustible construction. Spark arresters shall have
sufficient total clear area to permit unrestricted passage of flue
gases. Openings in spark arresters shall be of such size as to prevent
passage of embers and to minimize clogging by soot.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Incinerators shall be of adequate capacity for the intended use.
(2)
Fuel-fed incinerators shall be equipped with means for burning auxiliary
fuel in sufficient quantity to assure complete combustion of refuse.
(3)
A flue serving an incinerator shall be provided with a substantially
constructed spark arrester.
(4)
Incinerators shall be connected to a suitable noncombustible chimney,
smokestack or flue.
(5)
Connections to incinerators shall provide free passage of refuse
without clogging.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in conformity
with generally accepted standards and maintained so as not to be a
potential source of ignition of combustible material or a potential
source of electrical hazard.
(2)
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface
on which it is mounted.
(3)
Electrical wiring and equipment installed in damp or wet locations
or where exposed to explosive or flammable gases or to excessive temperatures
shall be of a type approved for the purpose and location.
(4)
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive
current by properly rated overcurrent devices.
(5)
Electrical wiring and equipment shall be grounded or otherwise protected
by insulation, isolation or guarding so as to minimize the danger
of high voltages from lightning or other causes.
(6)
Electrical equipment which in ordinary operation produces arcs or
sparks shall be enclosed, unless separated and isolated from all combustible
material.
(7)
Service equipment and overcurrent protection devices shall be installed
and maintained in a readily accessible location.
B.
Artificial lighting.
(1)
Residential buildings and occupancies shall be wired for electricity,
and lighting equipment shall be installed throughout to provide adequate
illumination for the intended use of each space. Electric wiring system
shall be connected to an adequate source of supply.
(2)
There shall be a switch or other means for controlling a light in
each dwelling unit, near the point of entrance to such unit.
C.
Exit and directional signs.
(1)
Exits in multiple dwellings shall be provided with exits and directional
signs, visible from the approach to the exits, except that such signs
shall not be required in those portions of a building which contain
dwelling units only or in which exit from sleeping rooms is directly
to the outside.
(2)
Directional signs shall be provided at locations from which the exit
doorway is not readily discernible.
(3)
Such signs shall be worded in plainly legible block letters with
the word "EXIT" for exit signs and the words "TO EXIT" with a suitable
pointer or arrow indicating the direction of exit for directional
signs. Letters for signs shall be conspicuous, readily discernible
and at least six inches high, except that for internally illuminated
signs the height of such letters shall be at least 4 1/2 inches.
(4)
Exit and directional signs shall be illuminated either externally
or internally by electric lights and shall be kept illuminated at
all times when the building is occupied.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Each dwelling unit shall be provided with appropriate cooking and
refrigeration equipment.
(2)
Cooking and refrigeration equipment shall be maintained in good operating
condition.
(3)
Gas-burning cooking equipment shall be permanently fastened and connected
in place. Gas supply connection to such equipment shall be made with
pipe or tubing of solid metal.
(4)
Solid fuel-burning cooking equipment shall be appropriately vented.
B.
Communal cooking and dining facilities. Communal kitchens and dining
rooms shall comply with the following requirements:
(1)
Communal kitchens shall contain at least one kitchen sink; at least
one kitchen gas or electric stove equipped with an oven and not less
than four top burners; at least one electric or gas-type refrigerator
with adequate food storage capacity, but in no case less than eight
cubic feet nominal size. Dining space and eating facilities, where
provided in the kitchen area, shall comply with the requirements for
communal dining rooms.
(2)
Communal dining rooms shall contain at least one dining chair and
two linear feet of dining space for each occupant permitted in a dining
room at any particular time.
B.
Multiple dwellings.
(2)
Ventilating systems.
(a)
Ventilating systems shall be installed and maintained so that
the rapid spread of heat, flame or smoke through the system will be
prevented and so that, under conditions of use, the temperature of
any combustible material adjacent thereto or in contact therewith
will not exceed a safe temperature.
(b)
Stairways, passageways, exits, shafts, hoistways or attics shall
not be used as plenum chambers.
(c)
Ducts shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately
fire-stopped.
(d)
Ducts and other air-handling equipment shall be of noncombustible
material.
(e)
Filters shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute
a fire or smoke hazard.
(f)
Ducts passing through or located within combustible construction
shall be separated from such construction by a clearance of at least
1/2 inch or by a noncombustible insulating material at least 1/2 inch
thick.
(g)
Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior
or shall be quality controlled.
(h)
Exhaust air from a dwelling unit or a space whose contents may
emit odors, fumes or vapors shall not be circulated to other occupied
spaces within the building.
(3)
Air intake and exhaust openings.
(a)
Air intake and exhaust openings shall be installed, located
and maintained so as not to constitute a hazard or nuisance and so
as to prevent the possibility of fire, smoke, fumes or foreign matter
being drawn into the system.
(b)
Ventilating systems shall be provided with adequate openings
for incoming and outgoing air to obtain the required circulation.
Intake openings shall provide air from an uncontaminated source.
(c)
Where openings for mechanical exhaust are located in spaces
that also contain fuel-burning equipment, there shall be provided
fixed intake openings from the exterior to support sufficient air
so that the fuel-burning equipment is not adversely affected.
(d)
Exhaust openings shall be located so that the exhaust air will
not create a nuisance.
(4)
Ventilation requirements.
(a)
Enclosures or spaces where heat, gases, vapors or odors may
accumulate and become a potential source of hazard or nuisance shall
be provided with adequate means of ventilation to remove such excess.
(b)
Public spaces shall be provided with means for obtaining air
supply for the maximum number of persons for which spaces are designed.
(5)
Safety controls.
(a)
Manually operated controls shall be provided to stop the operation
of all central fan equipment. Such controls shall be conspicuously
identified and in readily accessible locations outside the fan room.
(b)
Every system using recirculated air and serving an assembly
space or more than one fire area or more than one story of a building
shall be provided with controls arranged so that, under abnormal rise
in temperature of the air in the system, the fans causing normal circulation
shall stop and require manual restart.
(c)
Every system for ventilating an assembly space shall be provided
with an emergency switch conveniently located and with a durable sign
giving instructions for shutting down the system in case of fire.
A.
General requirements.
(1)
Fuel oil shall be received, stored and conveyed by means of fixed,
liquid-tight equipment.
C.
Piping.
(1)
Automatically operated boilers and furnaces using fuel oil shall
be provided with remote control to stop the flow of oil during fire
or other emergency.
(2)
Filling, emptying and venting of tanks shall be by means of fixed
piping. Pipes to underground tanks shall be pitched toward tanks.
Terminals of fill and vent pipes shall be located outside buildings
at a safe distance from building openings.
A.
Fire alarm systems. Required fire alarm systems shall be maintained
in proper operating condition at all times.
B.
Sprinkler equipment.
(1)
Required sprinkler equipment shall be maintained in proper operating
condition at all times. Storage of materials shall cause minimum interference
to effective discharge of water.
(2)
Valves controlling water supply to sprinklers shall be secure in
the open position.
(3)
Sprinkler heads shall be maintained free of corrosion and paint.
D.
Portable extinguishers.
(1)
Each oil burner for boiler, furnace or central hot-water heater shall
be provided with an approved hand fire extinguisher or two rounded-bottom
pails filled with sand.
(2)
Portable extinguishers required for fire protection shall be in their
designated locations and in a condition which will permit efficient
operation without delay.
A.
Elevators, dumbwaiters and escalators shall be maintained so as to
be free from physical and fire hazards.
B.
Elevator and power-operated dumbwaiter cars shall be provided with
durable signs in conspicuous locations on which the rated capacity
shall be indicated.
C.
Elevator cars shall be provided with approved means for transmitting
a signal outside the hoistway in case of emergency.
D.
Hoistways and pits shall be maintained free of refuse.
E.
Machine rooms shall be maintained free of oil and grease and shall
not be used for storage of articles or materials unnecessary for the
maintenance of the elevator or dumbwaiter. Flammable liquids shall
not be kept in such rooms.
F.
No person shall at any time make any required safety device or electrical
protective device inoperative, except where necessary during tests,
inspections or maintenance.