Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation
requirements in one- and two-family dwellings shall be as follows:
A. Refrigerants.
(1) Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be
used in multiple dwellings.
(2) Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable
or toxic shall not be used for air-conditioning purposes.
B. Ventilating systems.
(1) 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.
(2) Stairways, passageways, exits, shafts, hoistways or
attics shall not be used as plenum chambers.
(3) Ducts shall be securely fastened in place.
(4) Ducts, filters and other air-handling equipment shall
be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke
hazard.
(5) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the
exterior or shall be quality-controlled.
(6) Exhaust air from a dwelling unit or space whose contents
may emit odors, fumes or vapors shall not be circulated to other occupied
spaces within the building.
C. Air intake and exhaust openings.
(1) Air intake and exhaust openings shall be installed,
located and maintained so as not to constitute a hazard of nuisance
and so as to prevent the possibility of fire, smoke, fumes or foreign
matter being drawn into the system.
(2) Required ventilating systems shall be provided with
openings for incoming and outgoing air to obtain the circulation required
by the New York State Building Construction Code.
[Amended 6-2-1986 by L.L. No. 3-1986]
(3) 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 supply sufficient
air so that the fuel-burning equipment is not adversely affected.
(4) Exhaust openings shall be located so that the exhaust
air will not create a nuisance.
D. Ventilation requirements.
(1) Enclosures or spaces where heat, gases, vapors or
odors may accumulate and become a potential source of hazard or nuisance
shall be provided with ventilation to remove such excess, designed
in accordance with the standards of the New York State Building Construction
Code applicable to one- and two-family dwellings and to multiple dwellings.
(2) Public spaces shall be provided with means for obtaining
air supply for the maximum number of persons for which such spaces
are designed in conformity with the standards of the New York State
Building Construction Code.
E. Safety controls.
(1) 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.
(2) Every system using recirculated air and serving an
assembly space of more than one fire area or more than one story of
a building shall be provided with controls arranged so that, under
an abnormal rise in the temperature of the air in the system, the
fans causing normal circulation shall stop and require manual restart.
(3) 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.
Provisions for fire protection in multiple dwellings
shall be as follows:
A. Fire alarm systems. Required fire alarm systems shall
be maintained in proper operating condition at all times and shall
be wired in accordance with the National Electrical Code.
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 the effective discharge of water.
(2) Valves controlling the water supply to sprinklers
shall be secured in the open position.
(3) Sprinkler heads shall be maintained free of corrosion
and paint.
C. Standpipe systems.
(1) Standpipe systems shall be maintained in proper operating
condition at all times.
(2) Gate valves at hose stations shall be maintained tight
against leaks.
(3) Hoses shall be in proper position, ready for operation
and dry and free of deterioration.
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.