Village of Great Neck Estates, NY Article IV Fire Safety Requirements

§ 167-18 Prohibited accumulations and storage.

It shall be prohibited to:

A. Except as authorized by this subsection, accumulate or store on all premises any fuel, highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils, cleaning fluids and similar materials, or any combustible refuse liable to spontaneous combustion, such as wastepaper, boxes, rags or similar materials.

[Amended 1-6-2014 by L.L. No. 1-2014]

(1) Storage of such materials outdoors, above ground: The Code Official may permit outdoor, aboveground storage of not more than three containers of propane or liquid natural gas, each not exceeding a capacity of 20 pounds or 5 gallons, and each such container and the location thereof to be conforming to all regulatory requirements. Each such storage container shall be located in a side yard or rear yard, in a location complying with requirements for setbacks of structures, and no such container may be located in a front yard.

(2) Storage of such materials indoors, above ground: The Code Official may permit storage of not more than 275 gallons of fuel oil for heating, propane gas or liquid natural gas, provided that such materials are contained in a fully enclosed structure approved by the Code Official, with evergreen screening of the structure as approved by the Code Official. Containers for storage of such fuel oil or diesel fuel shall be in double-walled, leakproof, corrosion-resistant containers, with full containment, and otherwise as approved by the Code Official. In addition, the Code Official may permit storage of gasoline or diesel fuel in approved containers and in location(s) approved by the Code Official, not exceeding a total of 15 gallons of such materials at any one property. No storage permitted pursuant to this paragraph shall be within a principal dwelling. Any such storage structure shall be located in a lawful garage, or in side yard or rear yard at a location conforming to applicable setback requirements, and shall not be located in a front yard.

(3) Storage of such materials outdoors, below ground: The Code Official may permit storage of fuel oil (including fuel oil for heating), diesel fuel, propane or liquid natural gas, or gasoline, provided that such storage and the quantity thereof conforms to all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Storage of any such materials shall be in containers conforming to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and approved by the Code Official. Any such storage containers shall be located in a side yard or rear yard in conformity with requirements for setback of structures and shall not be located in a front yard.

(4) Storage of such materials indoors, below ground: The Code Official may permit storage of fuel oil (including fuel oil for heating), diesel fuel, propane or liquid natural gas, or gasoline, in approved containers, provided that such storage and the quantity thereof conforms to all applicable laws, rules and regulations. Containers for storage of such fuel oil or diesel fuel shall be double-walled, leakproof, corrosion-resistant containers, with full containment, and otherwise as approved by the Code Official. Storage of any other permitted materials shall be in containers approved by the Code Official.

B. Accumulate or store equipment, goods or materials on fire escapes or stairs, in stairways or passageways, at doors or windows or in any other locations where in the event of fire such materials may obstruct egress of occupants or interfere with fire-fighting operations.

C. Place or install air-conditioning units, dehumidifiers, fans or other related equipment in windows or doorways leading to fire escapes.

D. Park or store motor vehicles under fire escapes.

§ 167-19 Walls, ceilings and fire separations.

A. Walls and ceilings shall be maintained free from cracks and openings which would permit flame or excessive heat to enter the concealed space.

B. In buildings of mixed occupancy, nonresidential space shall be separated from residential space by adequate fire separations which will retard the spread of fire.

C. Garages in or attached to a residential building shall be separated from other spaces in the building by approved fire separations which will retard the spread of fire and prevent flammable or toxic vapors originating within the garage from being transmitted to other parts of the building.

§ 167-20 Interior finishes, trim and decorative materials.

Interior finish materials for acoustical correction, surface insulation and decorative treatment on the surface of walls and ceilings, and interior trim, shall be of materials that will not, in burning, give off excessive amounts of smoke or objectionable gases.

§ 167-21 Fireplaces.

A. Fireplaces and similar construction used or intended to be used for burning fuel in open fires shall be connected to approved chimneys and shall be installed so that nearby or adjacent combustible material and structural members shall not be heated to unsafe temperatures.

B. Hearths and linings or other parts of fireplaces exposed directly to flame shall be of materials that will not melt, disintegrate, spall or shatter at high temperatures.

C. Wood mantels and trim on fireplaces shall be placed and attached so that they cannot be heated to unsafe temperatures or ignited by sparks or embers from the fire.

§ 167-22 Theaters: fire hazards and safety. [1]

A. Definitions. Unless otherwise expressly stated, where used in this section the following terms shall be respectively deemed to mean:

MOTION PICTURE

A display, on a screen or other device, of pictures or objects in motion or rapidly changing scenery, whether or not such display shall be accompanied by a lecture, recitation or vocal or instrumental music.

MOTION PICTURE THEATER

Any public hall or room in which motion pictures are displayed, in which the seating capacity does not exceed 600 persons and in which there is no stage or scenery.

OPEN-AIR MOTION PICTURE THEATER

Any public place or space in the open air in which motion pictures are exhibited and in which there is no stage or scenery.

THEATER

Any room which has a seating capacity exceeding 50 persons.

B. Designation of exits. The owner, lessee or other person having charge or control of any theater, motion picture theater or open-air motion picture theater shall cause each and every door and means of exit for use in case of fire or panic to be marked conspicuously with the word "exit," in legible-type letters not less than six inches high, painted on the inside over each of such exits and shall cause to be placed inside over each exit one red light or illuminated sign and shall cause the same to be illuminated while the audience is present. The electric circuit to which such exit lights or signs are connected shall be independent of any other electric circuit within the building.

C. Obstruction of exits prohibited. All exit doors and doors leading to fire escapes in all theaters, motion picture theaters and open-air motion picture theaters must be so constructed as to open outwards and must be unlocked when the same are open to the public. All passageways, fire escapes and exits must be kept free and clear and shall be used for no other purpose than for entrance to and exit from such theater.

D. Obstruction of aisles and passageways. No aisle, passageway or space in the rear of the seats in any theater, motion picture theater or open-air motion picture theater shall be obstructed by any campstool, chair, sofa, settee or other obstacle; nor, except as provided in Subsection E herein, shall any person be permitted to stand or sit therein.

E. Standing room. Where there is a passageway more than six feet in depth in the rear of the seats in any theater other than a motion picture theater, it shall be lawful to permit persons to stand therein as follows:

(1) Standing in passageways. If the passageway is more than six feet and less than 16 feet in depth, persons may stand therein, provided that an unobstructed passageway of at least six feet in depth is left open, and there are no more than four rows of persons standing. If the passageway is more than 16 feet deep, any number of persons or rows of persons may stand therein, provided that an unobstructed passageway of at least 10 feet in depth is left open. In theaters, other than motion picture theaters, having a passageway in the rear of the seats six feet or less in depth but having in addition an outer passageway in the rear thereof to which all aisle heads have straight and direct access, two rows of persons may be permitted to stand in such passageway in the rear of such seats, but under no circumstances more than two such rows.

(2) Standing in balconies. In balconies or galleries only one row of persons shall be permitted to stand; provided, however, that no person shall be permitted to stand in front of any row or bank of seats.

(3) Standing room to be indicated. The space to be occupied by said standees shall be separated from the space to be left clear for passage by tape, ribbon or other easily broken material supported by light posts fixed in stationary sockets and not less than three nor more than four feet from the floor and so constructed and placed as to be no obstruction in case of panic or emergency.

(4) Standing room in aisles. In no event, nor under any circumstances, shall any person be permitted to stand in or at the head of any aisle.

F. Booth for projection machines and film. Apparatus for projecting motion pictures shall be contained in a fireproof booth or enclosure of a construction approved by the Building Department of the Village. The booth in which the picture machine is operated shall be provided with an opening in its roof, or in the upper part of its side walls, leading to the outdoor air, and with a vent flue which shall have a minimum cross-sectional area of 50 square inches and shall be fireproof. When the booth is in use, there shall be a constant current of air passing outward through said opening or vent flue at the rate of not less than 30 cubic feet per minute. The requirements of this section shall apply to portable booths and booths in open-air theaters as well as to booths in theaters and motion picture theaters.

G. Smoking in booth for projecting machine prohibited. No one shall smoke in the booth for the projecting machine of any theater, motion picture theater or open-air motion picture theater at any time when the same is open to the public or the booth contains any film or part thereof.

H. Care of films. Every booth in which a motion picture projecting machine shall be operated shall contain an approved fireproof box for the storage of all picture films not on the projecting machine, and films shall not be stored in any other place on the premises. No films shall be rewound or repaired except in the booth or in some other enclosure approved as fireproof by the Building Department of the Village.

I. Fire-extinguishing appliances. Portable fire-extinguishing appliances approved by the Building Department of the Village shall be provided in every theater, motion picture theater and open-air motion picture theater, of the following kind and number:

(1) Pressurized water extinguishers.

(2) Fire extinguishers approved by the Building Department of the Village of which two shall be on the main floor and two in the gallery, if there is one, and two in the operating booth.

(3) Four-pound flat-head axes, two of which shall be on the main floor and two in the gallery, if there is one.

(4) One ten-pound portable CO₂ or dry-powder fire extinguisher.

J. No person shall in violation of this chapter obstruct or cause to be obstructed any aisle, passageway or space in the rear of the seats in any theater, motion picture theater or open-air motion picture theater, nor shall any person stand in and about the passageways, balconies and aisles of any theater, motion picture theater or open-air motion picture theater, except as provided in § 167-22E of this chapter.

K. No owner, lessee, manager or other person having charge or control of any theater or motion picture theater, or any proprietor, usher, agent or employee, shall knowingly allow or permit any person, whether in his employ or otherwise, to do or permit any act or acts in violation of the foregoing sections of this chapter.

[1] Editor's Note: As to licensing of theaters admitting unaccompanied children, see Ch. 207, Theaters.

§ 167-23 Numbering of structures.

[Added 3-12-2001 by L.L. No. 3-2001[1]]

Every principal structure located within the Village of Great Neck Estates shall have and display at least one street number assigned to such structure by the Village Clerk of the Village of Great Neck Estates. Such numbers must be prominently displayed on the front of each such structure or at such other location as is permitted by this section. All nonresidential properties shall display such number at the main entrance to the structure, and at any other location required by this section.

A. In any case where the location of the street number display required by this section is not clearly visible from the adjoining street or is more than 75 feet from the right-of-way of the adjoining street, such number shall be displayed on a post, not to exceed five feet in height, and installed in close proximity to the property access, and at a point no less than five feet nor greater than 25 feet from the right-of-way. Property numbers displayed on mailboxes are acceptable as compliance with this section, provided that the numbers are of the minimum size and visibility as required by this section and located as required by this section. All required property numbers shall be visible from the street and be located sufficiently distant from shrubs, fences, trees and other obstructions so that the clear visibility of the number from the street shall not be obscured.

B. All property numbers shall be Arabic in design only, with a minimum of five inches in height and shall sharply contrast in color from the structure or other surface upon which the number is mounted. Script numbers shall not be permitted. All property numbers shall be displayed with reflective surfaces which will permit or enhance the visibility of such numbers in the absence of sufficient daylight.

C. In the case of any principal structure constructed, or altered, or expanded, on or after the adoption of this section, no temporary or final certificate of occupancy will be issued for such structure until the Code Official has verified that such property number has been properly installed. Furthermore, no inspection for new construction will be provided unless the property number is installed and displayed in a prominent location on the site prior to inspection. The Code Official may accept temporary numbers prior to inspection where, in the opinion of the Code Official, it is appropriate to do so because the installation of a permanent number is not feasible due to impending or incomplete construction.

D. Any owner of property on which the required property number is not displayed as required by this section shall be guilty of a violation of this Code; provided, however, that a warning notice, rather than a summons or appearance ticket, shall be issued for the first such violation at any property.

E. The Code Official is hereby authorized to grant exemptions or variations from the requirements of this section with respect to size and location of property numbers where the Code Official determines that public safety would not be impacted adversely, and where the Code Official determines that the size and location of the property numbers will adequately provide for visibility from the adjacent street. A written record shall be maintained by the Village of all such exemptions and variations.

[1] Editor's Note: This local law provided that it shall take effect 90 days after its adoption and filing with the Secretary of State, except that the provisions of § 167-23C shall be effective immediately upon adoption and filing.

§ 167-24 (Reserved) [1]

[1] Editor's Note: Former § 167-24, Solid waste and construction containers, added 12-3-2003 by L.L. No. 4-2003, was repealed 4-12-2004 by L.L. No. 2-2004. See now Art. VI-A.