No person shall occupy or let to another for
occupancy any dwelling or dwelling unit, for the purpose of living
therein, which does not comply with the requirements of this article.
Every habitable room shall have at least one window
or skylight facing directly to the outdoors. The minimum total window
area, measured between stops, for every habitable room shall be 10%
of the floor area of the room. Whenever walls or other portions of
structures face a window of any such room and such light-obstructing
structures are located less than three feet from the window and extend
to a level above that of the ceiling of the room, such a window shall
not be deemed to face directly to the outdoors and shall not be included
in calculating the required minimum total window area. Whenever the
only window in a room is a skylight type in the top of such room,
the total window area of the skylight shall equal at least 15% of
the total floor area of the room.
Every habitable room in any dwelling shall contain
at least two separate wall-type electric convenience outlets, each
of which shall be a minimum of a double outlet; or one such double-convenience
outlet and one ceiling- or wall-type electric light fixture.
Every portion of each staircase, hall, cellar, basement,
landing, furnace room, utility room and all similar nonhabitable space
located in a dwelling shall have artificial light available at all
times, with an illumination of at least two lumens per square foot
(two footcandles) in the darkest portion.
Every portion of any interior or exterior passageway
or staircase common to three or more families in a dwelling shall
be illuminated at all times with light of at least two lumens per
square foot (two footcandles) in the darkest portion of the normally
traveled stairs and passageways. In dwellings comprising two dwelling
units, such illumination shall not be required at all times if separate
switches for the control of such light, convenient and readily accessible
to each dwelling unit, are provided.
Every electrical outlet and fixture required by this
section shall be properly installed and maintained in good and safe
condition so as not to cause a fire or electrical shock hazard and
shall be properly connected to the source of electric power. Without
restricting the generality of this subsection, no temporary wiring
shall be used except extension cords in good and safe condition which
run directly from portable fixtures or appliances to convenience outlets,
and which do not lie under rugs or other floor coverings, nor extend
through doorways, transoms or other openings through structural elements.
Every habitable room shall have at least one easily operable window or skylight or such other device as will adequately ventilate the room. The total openable window area in every habitable room shall be equal to at least 45% of the minimum window area or minimum skylight-type window size, as required in § 132-43A, except where there is supplied some other device affording adequate ventilation providing at least two air changes per hour and approved by the Housing Inspector.
Every bathroom and water closet compartment shall comply with the ventilation requirements for habitable rooms contained in Subsection A, except that no window or skylight shall be required in adequately ventilated bathrooms and water closet compartments equipped with a ventilation system providing at least six air changes per hour which is operated either continuously or automatically when in use and is approved by the Housing Inspector.
Utility spaces which contain heat-producing, air-conditioning
and other operating mechanical equipment shall be ventilated to the
outer air, and air from such spaces shall not be recirculated to other
parts of the building.
Natural ventilation of spaces such as attics and enclosed
basementless spaces shall be provided by openings of sufficient size
to overcome dampness and minimize the effect of conditions conducive
to decay and deterioration of the structure, and to prevent excessive
heat in attics.