Village of Patchogue, NY Article V Structural Requirements

§ 238-15 General provisions; firesafety.

A. Buildings and parts thereof shall be maintained so as to be capable of sustaining safely their own weight and the loads to which they may be subjected.

B. Buildings shall be maintained so that loads are transmitted to the soil without undue differential settlement, unsafe deformation or movement of the building or any structural part thereof.

C. Buildings shall be maintained so that protection is provided for all structural members which may become structurally unsound if left unprotected. Causes of such deterioration include, among others, the action of freezing and thawing, dampness, corrosion, wetting and drying, and termites and other destructive insects.

D. Buildings built in soil which is water bearing at any season of the year shall be maintained so that ground- and surface water will not penetrate into any habitable space.

§ 238-16 Exterior protection.

A. Foundation walls shall be maintained so as to be structurally sound and to prevent the entrance of termites and vermin. Such protection shall consist of shoring, where necessary, and grouting of masonry cracks and other suitable means.

B. Exterior walls and wall components shall be maintained so as to prevent deterioration due to the elements and destructive insects. Such maintenance shall consist of painting, installing or repairing walls, copings and flashings, waterproofing joints, waterproof coatings, installing or repairing termite shields, poison treatment of the soil, or other suitable means.

C. Roofing shall be maintained in a watertight condition so as to prevent leakage into the building. Such maintenance shall consist of repairing roofing, flashings, waterproof coatings, or other suitable means.

§ 238-17 Interior protection.

A. Crawl spaces shall be maintained free of moisture, and the flow of air from such spaces into walls above shall be effectively barred so as to prevent the deterioration of structural members. Such provisions shall consist of maintaining openings in foundation walls, providing adequate circulation of air in the crawl space, covering the ground in the crawl space with a moisture barrier, installing drains outside the structure if the crawl space is below the surrounding grade, blocking openings in stud walls to prevent the flow of air and moisture into walls, frequent destruction of termite tubes from the soil to wood floor members above, poison treatment of soil, and other suitable means.

B. Structural members shall be maintained so as to be structurally sound and to prevent the leakage of gases into the structure. Such maintenance shall consist of clearing flue stoppages, sealing open joints, repairing masonry, where necessary, and other suitable means.

C. Floors, ceilings and walls shall be maintained so that parts which become loose or defective do not constitute a hazard to occupants. Such maintenance shall consist of removing and replacing loose or defective sections.

[Amended 10-11-1976 by L.L. No. 32-1976]

D. Toilet room and bathroom floors shall be maintained so as to prevent the leakage of water through the floor under normal conditions of use and floor washing and resultant deterioration or defects in structural members and ceilings below. Maintenance shall consist of repairs which effectively provide the moistureproof and waterproof qualities required for the particular floor.

§ 238-18 Firesafety requirements.

A. It shall be prohibited to accumulate or store on residential premises, except in approved locations, any highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils, cleaning fluids and similar materials, or any combustible refuse susceptible to spontaneous combustion, such as wastepaper, boxes or similar materials.

B. It shall be prohibited to accumulate or store 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 the egress of occupants or interfere with fire-fighting operations.

C. Walls and ceilings shall be maintained free of cracks and openings which would permit flames or excessive heat to enter the concealed space.

D. In buildings of mixed occupancy, nonresidential space shall be separated from residential space by fire separations which will retard the spread of fire and are approved by the authority having jurisdiction.

E. 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.

F. 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.

G. Hearths and linings or other parts of fireplaces exposed directly to flames shall be of materials that will not melt, disintegrate, spall or shatter at high temperatures and shall be maintained in good repair.

H. 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.