In all buildings of a public character, such as hotels, churches, theaters, restaurants, railroad depots, public halls and other buildings used or intended to be used for purposes of public assembly, amusement or instruction, and including department stores and other business and manufacturing buildings where large numbers of people are congregated, the halls, doors, stairways, seats, passageways, aisles and lobbies shall be kept at all times open and free of obstruction to facilitate egress in case of fire or accident and to afford the requisite and proper accommodation for the public protection and shall be kept in conformity with all provisions of law applicable thereto.
All aisles and passageways in said buildings shall be kept free from camp stools, chairs, sofas and other obstructions, and no person shall be allowed to stand in or occupy any of said aisles or passageways during any performance, service, exhibition, lecture, concert, hall or any public assemblage.
It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation having charge or control of premises used for purposes described in the preceding section, whether as owner, lessee, managing company, fraternal order, club or lodge using premises as therein described, to permit persons to congregate in such places of public assembly except in conformity with the provisions of the foregoing section and unless such premises are equipped with proper exits, fire escapes, stairways and fire-fighting apparatus as provided in the Building Code or as otherwise provided by law.
As hereinbefore set forth, it shall be the duty of the officers of the Bureau of Fire Prevention to enforce all laws and ordinances of the state, county and Village in connection with all buildings and premises except as to buildings or premises which come within the definition of places of public assembly as defined by the New York State Labor Law. The enforcing officer under all fire regulations and ordinances connected therewith shall be the General Foreman.
[Amended 4-1-1980 by L.L. No. 2-1980]
Any person violating any provisions of this article shall be liable for and forfeit and pay a penalty as provided in § 32-13 of Chapter 32 hereof. Said violation shall constitute and is hereby declared to be disorderly conduct, and any person violating this article or any provisions thereof shall be and hereby is declared a disorderly person as provided in § 32-1 of Chapter 32 hereof. In addition to the penalty herein prescribed, a violation of the provisions of this article shall be deemed adequate grounds for the suspension or revocation of any license or permit for the conduct of such place of amusement or otherwise, pursuant to any provisions of this chapter.