City of Schenectady, NY Equipment Requirements

Plumbing systems shall be maintained in a sanitary and serviceable condition.

Plumbing systems shall be maintained so as not to weaken structural members nor cause damage or deterioration to any part of the building through fixture usage.

Water supply.

Potable water from an approved source shall be available at all times in residential buildings. The domestic water supply system of the building shall be connected to such approved source and shall not be subject to contamination. When supplied from a public source, the potable water supply system shall not be connected to private or unsafe water supplies.

Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so as to provide, at all times, a supply of water to plumbing fixtures, devices and appurtenances in sufficient volume and at pressures adequate to enable them to function satisfactorily and without undue noise under all normal conditions of use.

Water supply systems shall be installed and maintained so that water used for purposes of cooling or heating shall not be reintroduced into the domestic water supply system nor be distributed through such equipment to plumbing fixtures.

Hot-water supply systems shall be provided with safety devices arranged to relieve hazardous pressures and excessive temperatures.

Separate building units shall have their own water supply with separate curb box shutoff outside the building.

Sewage drainage systems.

Plumbing fixtures shall be drained to a sewage drainage system, and such system shall be connected to a public sewer or to an approved system of sewage disposal.

Where a public sewer is not available, sewage or other waste shall not be discharged into the ground or into a waterway unless it has first been rendered harmless through subjection to treatment in conformity with the rules and regulations of the Department of Health.

Substances which will clog the pipes, produce explosive mixtures, destroy the pipes or their joints or interfere unduly with the sewage disposal process shall not be discharged into the building's drainage system unless it is provided with approved devices suitable for intercepting such substances.

Each fixture directly connected to the sewage drainage system shall be equipped with a water-seal trap.

Adequate cleanouts shall be provided and maintained so that the pipes may be readily cleaned.

The drainage system and its attendant vent piping shall be maintained so as to provide adequate circulation of air in all pipes, in order that siphonage, aspiration or pressure will not cause a loss of trap seal under ordinary conditions of use.

(7)

Each vent terminal to the outer air shall be installed and maintained so as to minimize the possibilities of clogging, frost closure, the return of foul air to the building or the creation of a nuisance to adjacent premises.

Storm drainage.

Storm drains shall be discharged in such manner that water will not flow onto sidewalks.

Where a drainage system may be subject to backwater, suitable provision shall be made to prevent its overflow into the building.

Leaders shall be constructed of material approved in Bulletin 23, New York State Building Code, applicable to plumbing.

Plumbing facilities.

Buildings and portions thereof shall be provided with plumbing systems designed to dispose of the sewage from all fixtures and to furnish cold water to every water closet and urinal and hot and cold water to every sink, lavatory, bathtub and shower required therein. In one- and two-family dwellings and in multiple dwellings, hot water shall be furnished at a temperature range of 130º F. to 140º F.

Plumbing fixtures within each dwelling unit shall consist of at least one kitchen sink, one water closet, one bathtub or shower, and one lavatory.

Where multiple dwellings contain sleeping accommodations arranged as individual rooms, suites, lodging units or dormitory units and the toilet rooms and bathrooms are located independent of such rooms, suites, lodging units or dormitory units and shared by occupants, plumbing fixtures consisting of at least one water closet, one bathtub or shower, and one lavatory shall be provided for each multiple of six sleeping rooms or fraction thereof for the individual rooms, suites or lodging units and for each multiple of 15 persons or fraction thereof for dormitory units. Bathrooms or toilet rooms in multiple dwellings for the exclusive use of occupants of individual rooms, individual suites and individual lodging units shall consist of at least one water closet, one bathtub or shower, and one lavatory for each such individual room, suite or lodging unit.

Urinals may be substituted in men's toilet rooms for not more than 1/3 of the required number of water closets.

Privies, privy vaults and outhouses shall be prohibited on residential premises.

Plumbing fixtures.

Plumbing fixtures shall be made of smooth, nonabsorbent materials and shall be free from concealed fouling surfaces.

Plumbing fixtures shall be so spaced as to be reasonably accessible for their intended use.

Plumbing fixtures shall be located in spaces that are accessible, lighted and ventilated.

(Reserved)[1]

[1]

Editor's Note: Former Subsection G, Swimming pools, as amended, was repealed 8-31-1992 by Ord. No. 92-41, which ordinance also provided that the Schenectady County Health Department has exclusive responsibility for all public and commercial pools.

Water supply tanks.

Water supply tanks shall be installed and maintained so as to be watertight, vermin-proof, rodent-proof, resistant to corrosion and capable of withstanding the working pressures under normal operation.

Supports for tanks shall be of noncombustible construction.

Tanks and their supports shall not be used to support equipment or structures other than for tank use, except where specially designed for such other use.

Means for emptying water supply tanks shall be provided and maintained in proper working condition.

Portable water supply tanks for domestic supply and standpipe or automatic sprinkler systems shall be installed and maintained to furnish water in sufficient quantity and pressure for such systems.

§ 167-35 Fuel gas.

General requirements.

Fuel gas piping systems shall be installed and maintained so as to remain gastight, safe and operative under conditions of use.

Fuel gas piping systems shall provide a supply of gas sufficient to meet the maximum expected demand of the installed gas-burning appliances connected thereto.

Shutoff valves.

Gas piping systems shall have at least one accessible means for shutting off all gas supply, and such means shall be maintained in good operating condition.

An easily accessible shutoff valve or cock shall be provided in the piping in close proximity to and ahead of every outlet for a gas appliance.

Service equipment for gas supplied from utility mains. Gas services, gas meters and gas-pressure regulators shall be located so that they are protected from damage.

Gas refrigerators and ranges. Gas refrigerators and ranges shall be installed with clearance for ventilation and shall be maintained in good operating condition.

High-pressure gas. Any service connection supplying gas at a pressure in excess of one pound per square inch gauge shall be provided with a device to reduce such pressure to not more than 1/2 pound per square inch gauge prior to entering the meter, except where such service supplies equipment using gas at high pressures.

Liquefied petroleum gas.

Undiluted liquefied petroleum gas in liquid form shall not be stored in buildings and shall not be conveyed through piping equipment and systems in buildings.

Liquefied petroleum gas shall not be vaporized by devices utilizing open flame or open electrical coil.

Where two or more containers are installed, connection shall be arranged so that containers can be replaced without shutting off the flow of gas to the equipment.

Containers shall be designed, stored and located so as not to be a hazard to the premises served or to the surrounding property.

Systems shall be provided with safety devices to relieve excessive pressures and shall be arranged so that the discharge terminates at a safe location.

Systems shall have at least one accessible means for shutting off the gas. Such means shall be located outside the building and shall be maintained in good operating condition.

§ 167-36 Heating.

General requirements.

Residential buildings intended for occupancy between the first day of October and the 31st day of May of the following year shall provide heat with heating equipment designed to maintain a temperature of not less than 68º F., at a distance of three feet and more from exterior walls and at a level of five feet above the floor in habitable spaces, kitchenettes, bathrooms and toilet rooms. The capability of the heating equipment to maintain such indoor temperature shall be based on a minimum outside temperature of minus 10º F.

[Amended 2-14-1983 by Ord. No. 83-9]

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply where the failure to maintain minimum requirements is caused by a general shortage of fuel, negligent or malicious act of the occupant, necessary repairs or alterations or any cause beyond the control of the owner or the occupant.

Smoke control. Fuel-burning heat-producing equipment shall be installed and maintained so that the emission or discharge into the atmosphere of smoke, dust, particles, odors or other products of combustion will not create a nuisance or be detrimental to the health, comfort, safety or property of any person.

Warm-air heating. Ducts and other air-handling equipment used for heating shall conform to the requirements of such equipment used for ventilating purposes as set forth hereafter in §§ 167-41 and 167-42.

Prohibited locations for heat-producing equipment.

Portable heating equipment using kerosene or other flammable liquids shall be prohibited.

Fuel-burning water heaters shall not be located in sleeping rooms.

Fuel supply connection. Fuel-burning equipment shall be permanently fastened and connected in place. The fuel supply connection to such equipment shall be made with pipe or tubing of solid metal or approved connector.

Installation and clearance. Where heat-producing equipment is installed on or adjacent to combustible materials, the location, insulation, clearance and the control of the equipment shall be such that the temperature on the surface of the combustible materials will not exceed 175º F.

Air supply.

Direct-fired heat-producing equipment and the enclosure in which it is located shall be provided with a supply of air adequate both for complete combustion at the rated gross output of the equipment and for the ventilation of the enclosure to prevent the accumulation of heat.

Rooms containing fuel-burning equipment shall have such air supply provided by means of one or more openings to the exterior or by means of fixed openings to interior spaces which open to the exterior.

Removal of products of combustion.

Unvented, fuel-burning space heaters shall be prohibited.

Equipment for burning solid or liquid fuel shall be connected to suitable chimneys or flues and shall not be connected to gas vents. Unvented heaters burning liquid fuel shall be prohibited.

Gas-fired equipment shall be connected to a suitable chimney flue or gas vent when the discharge of products of combustion into the space where the equipment is installed would be a hazard.

Safety devices.

Equipment capable of developing hazardous pressures or temperatures shall be provided with means to relieve safely such pressures and temperatures.

Controls for the safe operation of automatically operated heat-producing equipment shall be provided to function as follows: When failure or interruption of flame or ignition occurs, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When a predetermined temperature or pressure is exceeded, the input of additional heat shall be prevented or reduced to a safe rate. When the water level in a steam boiler drops below a predetermined level, the fuel supply shall be cut off. When failure or interruption of the pilot light on the main burner of liquefied petroleum gas equipment occurs, the fuel supply to each pilot light and main burner shall be cut off.

Expansion tanks. Hot-water heating systems shall be provided with expansion tanks or other means to allow for the expansion of water in the system.

Heating of garages.

Fuel-burning equipment for garages servicing multiple dwellings shall be located in heater rooms, except that equipment burning gas or liquid fuel located in the vehicle storage space shall be permitted in stories at or above grade where elevated as follows: Suspended heaters shall be at least eight feet above the floor level. Floor-mounted heaters shall be installed on a noncombustible platform not less than 18 inches above the floor level and shall be protected against physical damage.

In one- and two-family dwellings, a permanent heating or other appliance with an open flame, for use within a garage, shall be protected from physical damage by vehicles and, where intended for floor mounting, shall be installed on a noncombustible platform not less than 18 inches above the floor level.

Garages heated by recirculated air shall be provided with a mechanical means of air handling designed to introduce a sufficient quantity of fresh air to prevent the accumulation of vapors or gases near the floor. Recirculated air shall not be taken from stories below grade level. For stories above grade level, openings for return air shall be at least 18 inches above floors.

§ 167-37 Chimneys, flues and gas vents.

General requirements.

Chimneys, flues, gas vents and their supports shall be installed and maintained so as to be structurally safe, durable, smoketight, noncombustible and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling.

Such facilities shall effectively convey the products of combustion to the outer air.

Masonry chimneys, except approved prefabricated chimneys, shall have noncombustible foundations.

Chimneys and metal smokestacks shall have sufficient clearance from building construction in accordance with generally accepted standards.

No flue shall have smoke pipe or gas vent connections in more than one story of a building.

A single-wall metal smoke pipe or connector shall not pass through a floor, attic, inside wall, partition or concealed space.

(7)

A single-wall metal smoke pipe or connector passing through an exterior wall or a roof shall be guarded at the point of passage by a suitable metal collar.

(8)

Incinerator flues equipped with service openings shall not be used as flues for other fuel-burning equipment.

(9)

Openings for smoke pipes or gas vent connections shall be provided with means for easy connection without restriction of flue.

Firesafety. Chimneys, flues and gas vents shall be installed and maintained so that under conditions of use the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto, insulated therefrom or in contact therewith does not exceed a safe temperature.

Spark arresters. A chimney or flue connected to an incinerator and a chimney or flue which may emit sparks shall be provided with a spark arrester of noncombustible construction. Spark arresters shall have sufficient total clear area to permit unrestricted passage of flue gases. Openings in spark arresters shall be of such size as to prevent passage of embers and to minimize clogging by soot.

§ 167-38 Incinerators.

General requirements.

Incinerators shall be of adequate capacity for the intended use.

Flue-fed incinerators shall be equipped with means for burning auxiliary fuel in sufficient quantity to assure complete combustion of refuse.

Incinerators shall be connected to a suitable noncombustible chimney, smokestack or flue.

Connections to incinerators shall provide free passage of refuse without clogging.

Incinerator flues used also for dropping refuse shall be vertical and of noncombustible construction, shall have a smooth finish on the inside and shall be arranged to provide free passage of refuse without clogging.

Service openings.

Service openings shall be readily accessible to the building occupants.

Service openings shall be equipped with metal, self-closing charging devices. An incinerator flue used also for dropping refuse shall have charging devices constructed so that openings to the flue are closed while the charging devices are in the open position. No part of the charging devices shall project into a refuse chute or incinerator flue.

Durable signs with plainly legible letters prohibiting disposal of highly flammable substances in incinerators shall be provided near service openings.

§ 167-39 Electrical wiring and equipment.

General requirements.

Electrical wiring and equipment shall be installed in conformity with the National Electrical Code and maintained so as not to be a potential source of ignition of combustible material or a potential source of electrical hazard.

Electrical wiring and equipment shall be firmly secured to the surface on which it is mounted.

Electrical wiring and equipment installed in damp or wet locations or where exposed to explosive or flammable gases or to excessive temperatures shall be of a type approved by the National Electrical Code for the purpose and location.

Electrical wiring and equipment shall be protected against excessive current by properly rated over-current devices.

Electrical wiring and equipment shall be grounded or otherwise protected by insulation, isolation or guarding so as to minimize the danger of high voltages from lightning or other causes.

Electrical equipment which in ordinary operation produces arcs or sparks shall be enclosed unless separated and isolated from all combustible material.

(7)

Service equipment and over-current protection devices shall be installed and maintained in a readily accessible location.

(8)

There shall be an adequate number of electrical outlets.

Artificial lighting.

Residential buildings and occupancies shall be wired for electricity, and lighting equipment shall be installed throughout, in accordance with the National Electrical Code, to provide adequate illumination for the intended use of each space. An electric wiring system shall be connected to an adequate source of supply.

There shall be a switch or other means for controlling a light in each dwelling unit near the point of entrance to such unit.

Exit and directional signs in multiple dwellings.

Exits in multiple dwellings shall be provided with exit and directional signs visible from the approach to the exits, except that such signs shall not be required in those portions of a building which contain dwelling units only or in which exit from sleeping rooms is directly to the outside.

Directional signs shall be provided at locations from which the exit doorway is not readily discernible.

Such signs shall be worded in plainly legible block letters with the word "EXIT" for exit signs and the words "TO EXIT," with a suitable pointer or arrow indicating the direction of the exit, for directional signs. Letters for signs shall be conspicuous, readily discernible and at least six inches high, except that for internally illuminated signs the height of such letters shall be at least 4 1/2 inches.

Exit and directional signs shall be illuminated either externally or internally by electric lights and shall be kept illuminated at all times when the building is occupied.

§ 167-40 Cooking and refrigeration.

General requirements.

Each dwelling unit shall be provided with appropriate cooking and refrigeration equipment.

Cooking and refrigeration equipment shall be maintained in good operating condition.

Gas-burning cooking equipment shall be permanently fastened and connected in place. Gas supply connections to such equipment shall be made with pipe or tubing of solid metal.

Solid-fuel-burning cooking equipment shall be appropriately vented.

Ranges and gas refrigerators.

Ranges shall be installed with clearance for ventilation.

Water-cooled gas refrigerators shall be prohibited.

Air-cooled gas refrigerators shall be installed and maintained so that the burner operates properly, there is no emission of excessive heat or odors, there is no discharge of carbon monoxide, the flue outlet is free of obstructions and the refrigerator is not otherwise defective.

Air-cooled gas refrigerators shall be equipped with:

(a)

An integral flue which is resistant to the corrosive action of flue gases.

(b)

A dust-incinerating gas burner, gas-pressure regulator, gas-supply filter and thermostat.

(c)

A device to automatically shut off the gas supply to the burner when the pilot flame is extinguished.

Communal cooking and dining facilities. Communal kitchens and dining rooms shall comply with the following requirements: Communal kitchens shall contain at least one kitchen sink; at least one kitchen gas or electric stove equipped with an oven and not less than four top burners; and at least one electric- or gas-type refrigerator with a food storage capacity of a minimum of two cubic feet per person but, in no case, less than eight cubic feet nominal size. Dining space and eating facilities, where provided in the kitchen area, shall comply with the requirements for communal dining rooms.

§ 167-41 One- and two-family and multiple dwellings: air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation.

Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation requirements in one- and two-family dwellings shall be as follows:

Refrigerants.

Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be used in multiple dwellings.

Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable or toxic shall not be used for air-conditioning purposes.

Ventilating systems.

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.

Stairways, passageways, exits, shafts, hoistways or attics shall not be used as plenum chambers.

Ducts shall be securely fastened in place.

Ducts, filters and other air-handling equipment shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke hazard.

Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality-controlled.

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.

Air intake and exhaust openings.

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.

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]

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.

Exhaust openings shall be located so that the exhaust air will not create a nuisance.

Ventilation requirements.

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.

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.

Safety controls.

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.

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.

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.

§ 167-42 Fuel oil.

General requirements. Fuel oil shall be received, stored and conveyed by means of fixed, liquidtight equipment which conforms to the requirements of the National Board of Fire Underwriters.

Storage tanks.

Tanks shall be provided with means for venting.

Tanks shall be installed and maintained so as not to be a hazard to the premises served or the surrounding property.

Piping.

Automatically operated boilers and furnaces using fuel oil shall be provided with a remote control to stop the flow of oil during a fire or other emergency.

Filing, emptying and venting of tanks shall be by means of fixed piping. Pipes to underground tanks shall be pitched toward tanks. Terminals of fill and vent pipes shall be located outside buildings at a safe distance from building openings.

§ 167-43 Fire protection in multiple dwellings.

Provisions for fire protection in multiple dwellings shall be as follows:

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.

Sprinkler equipment.

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.

Valves controlling the water supply to sprinklers shall be secured in the open position.

Sprinkler heads shall be maintained free of corrosion and paint.

Standpipe systems.

Standpipe systems shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.

Gate valves at hose stations shall be maintained tight against leaks.

Hoses shall be in proper position, ready for operation and dry and free of deterioration.

Portable extinguishers.

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.