Level 2 alterations as described in Section 603 shall comply with the requirements of this chapter.
Exception: Buildings in which the reconfiguration is exclusively the result of compliance with the accessibility requirements of Section 305.7 shall be permitted to comply with Chapter 7.
In addition to the requirements of this chapter, all work shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7.
New construction elements, components, systems, and spaces shall comply with the requirements of the Building Code of New York State.
Exceptions:
- Where windows are added they are not required to comply with the light and ventilation requirements of the Building Code of New York State.
- Newly installed electrical equipment shall comply with the requirements of Section 807.
- The length of dead-end corridors in newly constructed spaces shall only be required to comply with the provisions of Section 805.6.
- The minimum ceiling height of the newly created habitable and occupiable spaces and corridors shall be 7 feet (2134 mm).
- Where provided in below-grade transportation stations, existing and new escalators shall be permitted to have a clear width of less than 32 inches (813 mm).
- New structural members and connections shall be permitted to comply with alternative design criteria in accordance with Section 302.
The requirements of this section are limited to work areas in which Level 2 alterations are being performed and shall apply beyond the work area where specified.
Existing interior vertical openings connecting two or more floors shall be enclosed with approved assemblies having a fire-resistance rating of not less than 1 hour with approved opening protectives.
Exceptions:
- Where vertical opening enclosure is not required by the Building Code of New York State or the Fire Code of New York State.
- Interior vertical openings other than stairways may be blocked at the floor and ceiling of the work area by installation of not less than 2 inches (51 mm) of solid wood or equivalent construction.
- The enclosure shall not be required where:
- 3.1. Connecting the main floor and mezzanines; or
- 3.2. All of the following conditions are met:
- 3.2.1. The communicating area has a low-hazard occupancy or has a moderate-hazard occupancy that is protected throughout by an automatic sprinkler system.
- 3.2.2. The lowest or next-to-the-lowest level is a street floor.
- 3.2.3. The entire area is open and unobstructed in a manner such that it is reasonable to assume that a fire in any part of the interconnected spaces will be readily obvious to all of the occupants.
- 3.2.4. Exit capacity is sufficient to provide egress simultaneously for all occupants of all levels by considering all areas to be a single floor area for the determination of required exit capacity.
- 3.2.5. Each floor level, considered separately, has not less than one-half of its individual required exit capacity provided by an exit or exits leading directly out of that level without having to traverse another communicating floor level or be exposed to the smoke or fire spreading from another communicating floor level.
- In Group A occupancies, a minimum 30-minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories.
- In Group B occupancies, a minimum 30-minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories. This enclosure, or the enclosure specified in Section 802.2.1, shall not be required in the following locations:
- 5.1. Buildings not exceeding 3,000 square feet (279 m2) per floor.
- 5.2. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.
- In Group E occupancies, the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories where the building is protected throughout by an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.
- In Group F occupancies, the enclosure shall not be required in the following locations:
- In Group H occupancies, the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories where necessary for manufacturing operations and every floor level has direct access to not fewer than two remote enclosed stairways or other approved exits.
- In Group M occupancies, a minimum 30-minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories. This enclosure, or the enclosure specified in Section 802.2.1, shall not be required in the following locations:
- 9.1. Openings connecting only two floor levels.
- 9.2. Occupancies protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- In Group R-1 occupancies, the enclosure shall not be required for vertical openings not exceeding three stories in the following locations:
- 10.1. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- 10.2. Buildings with less than 25 dwelling units or sleeping units where every sleeping room above the second floor is provided with direct access to a fire escape or other approved second exit by means of an approved exterior door or window having a sill height of not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) and where both of the following conditions are met:
- 10.2.1. Any exit access corridor exceeding 8 feet (2438 mm) in length that serves two means of egress, one of which is an unprotected vertical opening, shall have not fewer than one of the means of egress separated from the vertical opening by a 1-hour fire barrier.
- 10.2.2. The building is protected throughout by an automatic fire alarm system, installed and supervised in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
- In Group R-2 occupancies, a minimum 30-minute enclosure shall be provided to protect all vertical openings not exceeding three stories. This enclosure, or the enclosure specified in Section 802.2.1, shall not be required in the following locations:
- 11.1. Vertical openings not exceeding two stories with not more than four dwelling units per floor.
- 11.2. Buildings protected throughout by an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- 11.3. Buildings with not more than four dwelling units per floor where every sleeping room above the second floor is provided with direct access to a fire escape or other approved second exit by means of an approved exterior door or window having a sill height of not greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) and the building is protected throughout by an automatic fire alarm system complying with Section 803.4.
- One- and two-family dwellings.
- Group S occupancies where connecting not more than two floor levels or where connecting not more than three floor levels and the structure is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- Group S occupancies where vertical opening protection is not required for open parking garages and ramps.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, the enclosure requirements of Section 802.2 shall apply to vertical openings other than stairways throughout the floor.
Exception: Vertical openings located in tenant spaces that are entirely outside the work area.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, stairways that are part of the means of egress serving the work area shall, at a minimum, be enclosed with smoke-tight construction on the highest work area floor and all floors below.
Exception: Where stairway enclosure is not required by the Building Code of New York State or the Fire Code of New York State.
In Group I-2 occupancies where the work area is on a story used for sleeping rooms for more than 30 patients, the story shall be divided into not less than two compartments by smoke barrier walls in accordance with Section 407.5 of the Building Code of New York State as required for new construction.
The interior finish of walls and ceilings in exits and corridors in any work area shall comply with the requirements of the Building Code of New York State.
Exception: Existing interior finish materials that do not comply with the interior finish requirements of the Building Code of New York State shall be permitted to be treated with an approved fire-retardant coating in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions to achieve the required rating.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, Section 802.4 shall apply to the interior finish in exits and corridors serving the work area throughout the floor.
Exception: Interior finish within tenant spaces that are entirely outside the work area.
Upcodes Diagrams
Every portion of a floor, such as a balcony or a loading dock, that is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below and is not provided with guards, or those in which the existing guards are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with guards.
Where there are no guards or where existing guards must be replaced, the guards shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
Upcodes Diagrams
Where approved by the building official, buildings where an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2 of the Building Code of New York State has been added, and the building is now sprinklered throughout, the required fire-resistance ratings of building elements and materials shall be permitted to meet the requirements of the current building code. The building is required to meet the other applicable requirements of the Building Code of New York State.
Plans, investigation and evaluation reports, and other data shall be submitted indicating which building elements and materials the applicant is requesting the building official to review and approve for determination of applying the current building code fire-resistance ratings. Any special construction features, including fire-resistance-rated assemblies and smoke-resistive assemblies, conditions of occupancy, means-of-egress conditions, fire code deficiencies, approved modifications or approved alternative materials, design and methods of construction, and equipment applying to the building that impact required fire-resistance ratings shall be identified in the evaluation reports submitted.
The requirements of this section shall be limited to work areas in which Level 2 alterations are being performed, and where specified they shall apply throughout the floor on which the work areas are located or otherwise beyond the work area.
Where an approved automatic sprinkler system is installed throughout the story, the required fire-resistance rating for any corridor located on the story shall be permitted to be reduced in accordance with the Building Code of New York State. In order to be considered for a corridor rating reduction, such system shall provide coverage for the stairway landings serving the floor and the intermediate landings immediately below.
Automatic sprinkler systems shall be provided in accordance with the requirements of Sections 803.2.1 through 803.2.4. Installation requirements shall be in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
In high-rise buildings, work areas that have exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant or that have exits or corridors serving an occupant load greater than 30 shall be provided with automatic sprinkler protection in the entire work area where the work area is located on a floor that has a sufficient sprinkler water supply system from an existing standpipe or a sprinkler riser serving that floor.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, Section 803.2.1 shall apply to the entire floor on which the work area is located.
Exception: Occupied tenant spaces that are entirely outside the work area.
In buildings with occupancies in Groups A, B, E, F-1, H, I, M, R-1, R-2, R-4, S-1 and S-2, work areas that have exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant or that have exits or corridors serving an occupant load greater than 30 shall be provided with automatic sprinkler protection where both of the following conditions occur:
- The work area is required to be provided with automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with the Building Code of New York State as applicable to new construction.
- The work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area.
Exception: If the building does not have an existing water supply present at the floor of the proposed work area, with sufficient pressure and flow for the design of a fire sprinkler system, and without installation of a new fire pump, private service main, or fire sprinkler riser, the work areas shall be protected by an automatic smoke detection system throughout all occupiable spaces other than sleeping units or individual dwelling units that activates the occupant notification system in accordance with Sections 907.4, 907.5 and 907.6 of the Building Code of New York State.
In work areas containing mixed uses, one or more of which requires automatic sprinkler protection in accordance with Section 803.2.2, such protection shall not be required throughout the work area provided that the uses requiring such protection are separated from those not requiring protection by fire-resistance-rated construction having a minimum 2-hour rating for Group H and a minimum 1-hour rating for all other occupancy groups.
Work located in a windowless story, as determined in accordance with the Building Code of New York State, shall be sprinklered where the work area is required to be sprinklered under the provisions of the Building Code of New York State for newly constructed buildings and the building has a sufficient municipal water supply without installation of a new fire pump.
Fire sprinkler systems required by this section shall be supervised by one of the following methods:
- Approved central station system in accordance with NFPA 72.
- Approved proprietary system in accordance with NFPA 72.
- Approved remote station system of the jurisdiction in accordance with NFPA 72.
- Where approved by the buidling official, approved local alarm service that will cause the sounding of an alarm in accordance with NFPA 72.
Exception: Supervision is not required for the following:
- Underground gate valve with roadway boxes.
- Halogenated extinguishing systems.
- Carbon dioxide extinguishing systems.
- Dry- and wet-chemical extinguishing systems.
- Automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13R where a common supply main is used to supply both domestic and automatic sprinkler systems and a separate shutoff valve for the automatic sprinkler system is not provided.
Where the work area includes exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant and is located more than 50 feet (15 240 mm) above or below the lowest level of fire department access, a standpipe system shall be provided. Standpipes shall have an approved fire department connection with hose connections at each floor level above or below the lowest level of fire department access. Standpipe systems shall be installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
Exceptions:
- A pump shall not be required provided that the standpipes are capable of accepting delivery by fire department apparatus of not less than 250 gallons per minute (gpm) at 65 pounds per square inch (psi) (946 L/m at 448KPa) to the topmost floor in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system or not less than 500 gpm at 65 psi (1893 L/m at 448KPa) to the topmost floor in all other buildings. Where the standpipe terminates below the topmost floor, the standpipe shall be designed to meet (gpm/psi) (L/m/KPa) requirements of this exception for possible future extension of the standpipe.
- The interconnection of multiple standpipe risers shall not be required.
An approved fire alarm system shall be installed in accordance with Sections 803.4.1 through 803.4.3. Where automatic sprinkler protection is provided in accordance with Section 803.2 and is connected to the building fire alarm system, automatic heat detection shall not be required.
An approved automatic fire detection system shall be installed in accordance with the provisions of this code and NFPA 72. Devices, combinations of devices, appliances, and equipment shall be approved. The automatic fire detectors shall be smoke detectors, except that an approved alternative type of detector shall be installed in spaces such as boiler rooms, where products of combustion are present during normal operation in sufficient quantity to actuate a smoke detector.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in accordance with Sections 803.4.1.1 through 803.4.1.6. Existing alarm-notification appliances shall be automatically activated throughout the building. Where the building is not equipped with a fire alarm system, alarm-notification appliances within the work area shall be provided and automatically activated.
Exceptions:
- Occupancies with an existing, previously approved fire alarm system.
- Where selective notification is permitted, alarm-notification appliances shall be automatically activated in the areas selected.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in work areas of Group E occupancies as required by the Fire Code of New York State for existing Group E occupancies.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in work areas of Group I-1 residential care/assisted living facilities as required by the Fire Code of New York State for existing Group I-1 occupancies.
A fire alarm system shall be installed throughout Group I-2 occupancies as required by the Fire Code of New York State.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in work areas of Group I-3 occupancies as required by the Fire Code of New York State.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in Group R-1 occupancies as required by the Fire Code of New York State for existing Group R-1 occupancies.
A fire alarm system shall be installed in work areas of Group R-2 apartment buildings as required by the Fire Code of New York State for existing Group R-2 occupancies.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, Section 803.4.1 shall apply throughout the floor.
Exception: Alarm-initiating and notification appliances shall not be required to be installed in tenant spaces outside of the work area.
Carbon monoxide detection and notification shall be provided in accordance with Sections 503.15 through 503.15.1 for buildings that undergo an alteration.
Exceptions:
- Work involving the exterior surfaces of buildings, such as the replacement of roofing or siding, the addition or replacement of windows or doors, or the addition of porches or decks.
- Installation, alteration or repairs of plumbing or mechanical systems, other than fuel-burning appliances.
The requirements of this section shall be limited to work areas that include exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant within the work area in which Level 2 alterations are being performed, and where specified they shall apply throughout the floor on which the work areas are located or otherwise beyond the work area.
The means of egress shall comply with the requirements of this section.
Exceptions:
- Where the work area and the means of egress serving it complies with NFPA 101.
- Means of egress complying with the requirements of the building code under which the building was constructed shall be considered to be compliant means of egress if, in the opinion of the building official, they do not constitute a distinct hazard to life.
Every story utilized for human occupancy on which there is a work area that includes exits or corridors shared by more than one tenant within the work area shall be provided with the minimum number of exits based on the occupancy and the occupant load in accordance with the Building Code of New York State. In addition, the exits shall comply with Sections 805.3.1.1 and 805.3.1.2.
Only one exit is required from buildings and stories of the following occupancies:
- In Group A, E, F and U occupancies located on the level of exit discharge, in buildings not more than five stories, when the occupant load of the story is not greater than 50 and the exit access travel distance is not greater than 75 feet (22.86 m).
- Group B, S2 or M occupancies located on the level of exit discharge in buildings not more than five stories, provided the required building features in Table 805.3.1.1 (1) shall be provided.
- Group B, F2, and S2 occupancies in buildings not more than two stories that are not greater than 3,500 square feet per floor (326 m2) when the exit access travel distance is not greater than 75 feet (22.86 m). The minimum fire-resistance rating of the exit enclosure and of the opening protection shall be one hour.
- Open parking structures where vehicles are mechanically parked.
- In group B, S2 or M occupancies in buildings from three stories to five stories, provided the required building features in Table 805.3.1.1(1) shall be provided.
- In Group R-2 or R-3 buildings not more than five stories, provided the required building features in Table 805.3.1.1(2) shall be provided.
- In H-4, H-5 and I occupancies and in rooming houses and child care centers located on the level of exit discharge, with a maximum occupant load of 10 and the exit access travel distance not greater than 75 feet (22.86 m).
[NY] TABLE 805.3.1.1(1)
GROUP B, S2 OR M LOCATED ON THE LEVEL OF EXIT DISCHARGE SINGLE EXIT BUILDING
| Required Building Features | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STORIES ABOVE GRADE PLANEa | ||||
| 1 and 2 | 3 | 4 and 5 | |||
| No Sprinklers | Sprinklers | No Sprinklers | Sprinklers | Sprinklers | |
| Permitted Occupancy | B, S2 or M | B, S2 or M | B, S2 or M | B, S2 or M | B, S2 or M |
| Content restriction limited to storage or retail display of hazardous materials within the building not exceeding 10% of the maximum allowable quantities in Table 307.1(1) of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum gross floor area per story (square feet) | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 | 3,500 |
| Exit access travel distance (feet) | 50 | 75 | 50 | 75 | 75 |
| One emergency escape and rescue opening on each floor and accessible to each tenantd | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fire resistance rating of shafts and vertical exit enclosures (hours) | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Fire resistance rating of corridors (hours)b | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Fire protection rating of corridor openings (hours) | 0.33 | Self-Closing | 0.75 | 0.33 | 0.75 |
| Vertical exit and hoistway venting at 3.5% of the cross section and activated by a smoke detector, or smoke management by Section 909 of the Building Code of New York State | No Sprinklers | No | No Sprinklers | No | Yes |
| Corridor and exit interior finishes per Sections 803 and 804 of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Horizontal assemblies between use groups (hours)b | 0.5 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Fire partitions between tenants (hours)b | 0.5 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Incidental use areas fire resistance rating enclosures (hours) in Table 509 of the Building Code of New York State | 1 | 0.5 | 2 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Fire dampers per Section 717 of the Building Code of New York State for duct and air transfer openings in horizontal assemblies and shaft enclosures which require a fire resistance rating | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electrical branch circuits meeting NFPA 70 requirements | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manual fire alarm system per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic heat detection system per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State throughout building in spaces which would otherwise be provided with fire sprinklers per NFPA 13 | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Automatic smoke detection per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State in shared exit access corridors | No | No | No | No | No |
| Electrically supervised quick response wet pipe sprinkler system throughout the building per Section 903.3c of the Building Code of New York State | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Class I Manual — Wet Fire Standpipe System per Section 905 of the Building Code of New York State | No | No | No | No | Yes |
- Provided the building has not more than one level below the first story. Not applicable for Type V construction greater than 3 stories in height.
- Zero (0) fire resistance rating means wall is required to resist the passage of smoke.
- Dry pipe sprinkler protection with standard response sprinklers is only permitted in unheated spaces subject to freezing temperatures.
- Where required, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall have the following characteristics: it shall have a minimum net clear opening of 4 square feet with a minimum dimension of 18 inches (457 mm) with bottom of opening no higher than 3 feet 6 inches (1067 mm) nor lower than 18 inches (457 mm) above finished floor in all above grade stories and no higher than 4 feet 6 inches (1372 mm) in a basement.
[NY] TABLE 805.3.1.1(2)
GROUP R-2 OR R-3 SINGLE EXIT BUILDING
| Required Building Features | MAXIMUM NUMBER OF STORIES ABOVE GRADE PLANEa | ||||
| 1 and 2 | 3 | 4 and 5 | |||
| No Sprinklers | Sprinklers | No Sprinklers | Sprinklers | Sprinklers | |
| Permitted Occupancy | R2 or R3 | R2 or R3 | R2 or R3 | R2 or R3 | R2 or R3 |
| Content restriction limited to storage or retail display of hazardous materials within the building not exceeding 10% of the maximum allowable quantities in Table 307.1(1) of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Maximum gross floor area per story (square feet) | 4 Dwelling Units and 3,500 | 4 Dwelling Units and 3,500 | 4 Dwelling Units and 3,500 | 4 Dwelling Units and 3,500 | 4 Dwelling Units and 3,500 |
| Exit access travel distance (feet) | 50 | 75 | 50 | 75 | 75 |
| One emergency escape and rescue opening on each floor and accessible to each tenantd | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Fire resistance rating of shafts and vertical exit enclosures (hours) | 1 | 0.5 | 1 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Fire resistance rating of corridors (hours)b | 0.5 | 0 | 1 | 0.5 | 1 |
| Fire protection rating of corridor openings (hours) | 0.33 | Self-Closing | 0.75 | 0.33 | 0.75 |
| Vertical exit and hoistway venting at 3.5% of the cross section and activated by a smoke detector, or smoke management in accordance with Section 909 of the Building Code of New York State | No | No | No | No | Yes |
| Corridor and exit interior finishes per Sections 803 and 804 of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Horizontal assemblies between use groups (hours)b | 0.5 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Fire partitions between tenants (hours)b | 0.5 | 0 | 0.5 | 0 | 1 |
| Incidental use areas fire-resistance-rating enclosures (hours) in Table 509 of the Building Code of New York State | 1 | 0.5 | 2 | 0.5 | 2 |
| Fire dampers per Section 717 of the Building Code of New York State for duct and air transfer openings in horizontal assemblies and shaft enclosures which require a fire resistance rating | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Electrical branch circuits meeting NFPA 70 requirements | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Manual fire alarm system per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic heat detection system per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State throughout the building in spaces which would otherwise be provided with fire sprinklers per NFPA 13 | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Single or multiple-station smoke alarms within dwelling units per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic smoke detection per Section 907 of the Building Code of New York State in shared exit access corridors | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Electrically supervised quick response wet pipe sprinkler system throughout the building per Section 903.3c of the Building Code of New York State | Noc | Yes | Type V constructi on onlyc | Yes | Yes |
| Class I Manual — Wet Fire Standpipe System per Section 905 of the Building Code of New York State | No | No | No | No | Yes |
- Provided the building has not more than one level below the first story. Not applicable for Type V construction greater than 3 stories in height.
- Zero (0) fire resistance rating means the wall is required to resist the passage of smoke.
- Quick response sprinkler protection is required in all nonresidential occupancies located below Group R and for all 3 story, Type V buildings. Dry pipe sprinkler protection with standard response sprinklers is only permitted in unheated spaces subject to freezing temperatures.
- Where required, an emergency escape and rescue opening shall have the following characteristics: it shall have a minimum net clear opening of 4 square feet with a minimum dimension of 18 inches (457 mm) with bottom of opening no higher than 3 feet 6 inches (1067 mm) nor lower than 18 inches (457 mm) above finished floor in all above grade stories and no higher than 4 feet 6 inches (1372 mm) in a basement.
Upcodes Diagrams
For other than Group I-2, where more than one exit is required, an existing or newly constructed fire escape complying with Section 805.3.1.2.1 shall be accepted as providing one of the required means of egress.
Fire escapes shall comply with all of the following requirements:
- Occupants shall have unobstructed access to the fire escape without having to pass through a room subject to locking.
- Access to a new fire escape shall be through a door, except that windows shall be permitted to provide access from single dwelling units or sleeping units in Group R-1, R-2 and I-1 occupancies or to provide access from spaces having a maximum occupant load of 10 in other occupancy classifications.
- 2.1. The window shall have a minimum net clear opening of 5.7 square feet (0.53m2) or 5 square feet (0.46 m2) where located at grade.
- 2.2. The minimum net clear opening height shall be 24 inches (610 mm) and net clear opening width shall be 20 inches (508 mm).
- 2.3. The bottom of the clear opening shall not be greater than 44 inches (1118 mm) above the floor.
- 2.4. The operation of the window shall comply with the operational constraints of the Building Code of New York State.
- Newly constructed fire escapes shall be permitted only where exterior stairways cannot be utilized because of lot lines limiting the stairway size or because of the sidewalks, alleys, or roads at grade level.
- Openings within 10 feet (3048 mm) of fire escape stairways shall be protected by fire assemblies having minimum 3/4-hour fire-resistance ratings.Exception: Opening protection shall not be required in buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
- In all buildings of Group E occupancy, up to and including the 12th grade, buildings of Group I occupancy, rooming houses and childcare centers, ladders of any type are prohibited on fire escapes used as a required means of egress.
The fire escape shall be designed to support a live load of 100 pounds per square foot (4788 Pa) and shall be constructed of steel or other approved noncombustible materials. Fire escapes constructed of wood not less than nominal 2 inches (51 mm) thick are permitted on buildings of Type V construction. Walkways and railings located over or supported by combustible roofs in buildings of Types III and IV construction are permitted to be of wood not less than nominal 2 inches (51 mm) thick.
Stairways shall be not less than 22 inches (559 mm) wide with risers not more than, and treads not less than, 8 inches (203 mm). Landings at the foot of stairways shall be not less than 40 inches (1016 mm) wide by 36 inches (914 mm) long and located not more than 8 inches (203 mm) below the door.
Mezzanines in the work area and with an occupant load of more than 50 or in which the travel distance to an exit exceeds 75 feet (22 860 mm) shall have access to not fewer than two independent means of egress.
Exception: Two independent means of egress are not required where the travel distance to an exit does not exceed 100 feet (30 480 mm) and the building is protected throughout with an automatic sprinkler system.
Buildings of Group A with an occupant load of 300 or more shall be provided with a main entrance capable of serving as the main exit with an egress capacity of not less than one-half of the total occupant load. The remaining exits shall be capable of providing one-half of the total required exit capacity.
Exception: Where a main exit is not well defined or where multiple main exits are provided, exits shall be permitted to be distributed around the perimeter of the building provided that the total width of egress is not less than 100 percent of the required width.
Work areas shall be provided with two egress doorways in accordance with the requirements of Sections 805.4.1.1 and 805.4.1.2.
In any work area, all rooms and spaces having an occupant load greater than 50 or in which the travel distance to an exit exceeds 75 feet (22860 mm) shall have not fewer than two egress doorways.
Exceptions:
- Storage rooms having a maximum occupant load of 10.
- Where the work area is served by a single exit in accordance with Section 805.3.1.1.
In buildings of Group I-2 occupancy, any patient sleeping room or suite of patient rooms greater than 1,000 square feet (93 m2) within the work area shall have not fewer than two egress doorways.
Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, door swing shall comply with Section 805.4.2 throughout the floor.
Exception: Means of egress within or serving only a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
In any work area, all doors opening onto an exit passageway at grade or an exit stairway shall be self-closing or automatic-closing by listed closing devices.
Exceptions:
- Where exit enclosure is not required by the Building Code of New York State.
- Means of egress within or serving only a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, doors shall comply with Section 805.4.3 throughout the exit stairway from the work area to, and including, the level of exit discharge.
Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, panic hardware shall comply with Section 805.4.4 throughout the floor.
Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
Power-operated sliding doors or power-operated locks for swinging doors shall be operable by a manual release mechanism at the door. Emergency power shall be provided for the doors and locks in accordance with Section 2702 of the Building Code of New York State.
Exceptions:
- Emergency power is not required in facilities with 10 or fewer locks complying with the exception to Section 408.4.1 of the Building Code of New York State.
- Emergency power is not required where remote mechanical operating releases are provided.
Exception: Openings in corridors where such corridors are not required to be rated in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
Corridor doors in the work area shall not be constructed of hollow core wood and shall not contain louvers. Dwelling unit or sleeping unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Groups R-1, R-2, and I-1 shall be not less than 13/8-inch (35 mm) solid core wood or approved equivalent and shall not have any glass panels, other than approved wired glass or other approved glazing material in metal frames. Dwelling unit or sleeping unit corridor doors in work areas in buildings of Groups R-1, R-2, and I-1 shall be equipped with approved door closers. Replacement doors shall be 13/4-inch (44 mm) solid bonded wood core or approved equivalent, unless the existing frame will accommodate only a 13/8-inch (35 mm) door.
Exceptions:
- Corridor doors within a dwelling unit or sleeping unit.
- Existing doors meeting the requirements of Guidelines on Fire Ratings of Archaic Materials and Assemblies (EBCNY Resource A) for a rating of 15 minutes or more shall be accepted as meeting the provisions of this requirement.
- Existing doors in buildings protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system shall be required only to resist smoke, be reasonably tight fitting, and shall not contain louvers.
- In group homes with not more than 15 occupants and that are protected with an approved automatic detection system, closing devices are not required.
- Door assemblies having a fire protection rating of not less than 20 minutes.
In all buildings of Group I-1, I-2, R-1 and R-2 occupancies, all transoms in corridor walls in work areas shall be either glazed with 1/4-inch (6.4 mm) wired glass set in metal frames or other glazing assemblies having a fire protection rating as required for the door and permanently secured in the closed position or sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction.
In any work area, any other sash, grille, or opening in a corridor and any window in a corridor not opening to the outside air shall be sealed with materials consistent with the corridor construction.
Where the work area exceeds 50 percent of the floor area, Section 805.5.3 shall be applicable to all corridor windows, grills, sashes, and other openings on the floor.
Exception: Means of egress within or serving only a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
Dead-end corridors in any work area shall not exceed 35 feet (10 670 mm).
Exceptions:
- Where dead-end corridors of greater length are permitted by the Building Code of New York State.
- In other than Group A and H occupancies, the maximum length of an existing dead-end corridor shall be 50 feet (15 240 mm) in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic fire alarm system installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
- In other than Group A and H occupancies, the maximum length of an existing dead-end corridor shall be 70 feet (21 356 mm) in buildings equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
- In other than Group A and H occupancies, the maximum length of an existing, newly constructed, or extended dead-end corridor shall not exceed 50 feet (15 240 mm) on floors equipped with an automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
Means-of-egress lighting shall be in accordance with this section, as applicable.
Means of egress in all work areas shall be provided with artificial lighting in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code of New York State.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, means of egress throughout the floor shall comply with Section 805.7.1.
Exception: Means of egress within or serving only a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
Exit signs shall be in accordance with this section, as applicable.
Means of egress in all work areas shall be provided with exit signs in accordance with the requirements of the Building Code of New York State.
Where the work area on any floor exceeds 50 percent of that floor area, means of egress throughout the floor shall comply with Section 805.8.1.
Exception: Means of egress within a tenant space that is entirely outside the work area.
Every required exit stairway that is part of the means of egress for any work area and that has three or more risers and is not provided with not fewer than one handrail, or in which the existing handrails are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with handrails for the full length of the stairway on not fewer than one side. Exit stairways with a required egress width of more than 66 inches (1676 mm) shall have handrails on both sides.
Handrails required in accordance with Section 805.9.1 shall be designed and installed in accordance with the provisions of the Building Code of New York State.
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Where alterations affect the configuration of an area utilized as a refuge area, the capacity of the refuge area shall not be reduced below that required in Sections 805.10.1 and 805.10.2.
The required capacity of refuge areas shall be in accordance with Sections 805.10.1.1 through 805.10.1.3.
In Group I-2 occupancies, the required capacity of the refuge areas for smoke compartments in accordance with Section 407.5.1 of the Building Code of New York State shall be maintained.
In Group I-3 occupancies, the required capacity of the refuge areas for smoke compartments in accordance with Section 408.6.2 of the Building Code of New York State shall be maintained.
In ambulatory care facilities required to be separated by Section 422.2 of the Building Code of New York State, the required capacity of the refuge areas for smoke compartments in accordance with Section 422.3.2 of the Building Code of New York State shall be maintained.
The required capacity of the refuge area for horizontal exits in accordance with Section 1026.4 of the Building Code of New York State shall be maintained.
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Every open portion of a stairway, landing, or balcony that is more than 30 inches (762 mm) above the floor or grade below and is not provided with guards, or those portions in which existing guards are judged to be in danger of collapsing, shall be provided with guards.
Guards required in accordance with Section 805.11.1 shall be designed and installed in accordance with the Building Code of New York State.
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Structural elements and systems within buildings undergoing Level 2 alterations shall comply with this section.
Any existing gravity load-carrying structural element for which an alteration causes an increase in design dead, live or snow load, including snow drift effects, of more than 5 percent shall be replaced or altered as needed to carry the gravity loads required by the Building Code of New York State for new structures. Any existing gravity load-carrying structural element whose gravity load-carrying capacity is decreased as part of the alteration shall be shown to have the capacity to resist the applicable design dead, live and snow loads, including snow drift effects, required by the Building Code of New York State for new structures.
Exceptions:
- Buildings of Group R occupancy with not more than five dwelling or sleeping units used solely for residential purposes where the altered building complies with the conventional light-frame construction methods of the Building Code of New York State or the provisions of the Residential Code of New York State.
- Buildings in which the increased dead load is attributable to the addition of a second layer of roof covering weighing 3 pounds per square foot (0.1437 kN/m2) or less over an existing single layer of roof covering.
Except as permitted by Section 806.4, where the alteration increases design lateral loads, or where the alteration results in prohibited structural irregularity as defined in ASCE 7, or where the alteration decreases the capacity of any existing lateral load-carrying structural element, the structure of the altered building or structure shall meet the requirements of Sections 1609 and 1613 of the Building Code of New York State. Reduced seismic forces shall be permitted.
Exception: Any existing lateral load-carrying structural element whose demand-capacity ratio with the alteration considered is not more than 10 percent greater than its demand-capacity ratio with the alteration ignored shall be permitted to remain unaltered. For purposes of calculating demand-capacity ratios, the demand shall consider applicable load combinations with design lateral loads or forces in accordance with Sections 1609 and 1613 of the Building Code of New York State. Reduced seismic forces shall be permitted. For purposes of this exception, comparisons of demand-capacity ratios and calculation of design lateral loads, forces and capacities shall account for the cumulative effects of additions and alterations since original construction.
Structural alterations that are intended exclusively to improve the lateral force-resisting system and are not required by other sections of this code shall not be required to meet the requirements of Section 1609 or Section 1613 of the Building Code of New York State, provided that the following conditions are met:
- The capacity of existing structural systems to resist forces is not reduced.
- New structural elements are detailed and connected to existing or new structural elements as required by the Building Code of New York State for new construction.
- New or relocated nonstructural elements are detailed and connected to existing or new structural elements as required by the Building Code of New York State for new construction.
- The alterations do not create a structural irregularity as defined in ASCE 7 or make an existing structural irregularity more severe.
Newly installed electrical equipment and wiring relating to work done in any work area shall comply with all applicable requirements of NFPA 70 except as provided for in Section 807.3.
Existing wiring in all work areas in Group A-1, A-2, A-5, H and I occupancies shall be upgraded to meet the materials and methods requirements of Chapter 7.
In Group R-2, R-3 and R-4 occupancies and buildings regulated by the Residential Code of New York State, the requirements of Sections 807.3.1 through 807.3.7 shall be applicable only to work areas located within a dwelling unit.
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Enclosed areas, other than closets, kitchens, basements, garages, hallways, laundry areas, utility areas, storage areas and bathrooms shall have not fewer than two duplex receptacle outlets or one duplex receptacle outlet and one ceiling or wall-type lighting outlet.
Kitchen areas shall have not fewer than two duplex receptacle outlets.
Laundry areas shall have not fewer than one duplex receptacle outlet located near the laundry equipment and installed on an independent circuit.
Newly installed receptacle outlets shall be provided with ground fault circuit interruption as required by NFPA 70.
Not fewer than one lighting outlet shall be provided in every bathroom, hallway, stairway, attached garage, and detached garage with electric power, and to illuminate outdoor entrances and exits.
Not fewer than one lighting outlet shall be provided in utility rooms and basements where such spaces are used for storage or contain equipment requiring service.
Clearance for electrical service equipment shall be provided in accordance with the NFPA 70.
Reconfigured spaces intended for occupancy and spaces converted to habitable or occupiable space in any work area shall be provided with natural or mechanical ventilation in accordance with the Mechanical Code of New York State.
Exception: Existing mechanical ventilation systems shall comply with the requirements of Section 808.2.
In mechanically ventilated spaces, existing mechanical ventilation systems that are altered, reconfigured, or extended shall provide not less than 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) (0.0024 m3/s) per person of outdoor air and not less than 15 cfm (0.0071 m3/s) of ventilation air per person; or not less than the amount of ventilation air determined by the Indoor Air Quality Procedure of ASHRAE 62.1.
Newly introduced devices, equipment, or operations that produce airborne particulate matter, odors, fumes, vapor, combustion products, gaseous contaminants, pathogenic and allergenic organisms, and microbial contaminants in such quantities as to affect adversely or impair health or cause discomfort to occupants shall be provided with local exhaust.
Where the occupant load of the story is increased by more than 20 percent, plumbing fixtures for the story shall be provided in quantities specified in the Plumbing Code of New York State based on the increased occupant load.
Level 2 alterations to existing buildings or structures are permitted without requiring the entire building or structure to comply with the energy requirements of the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State or Residential Code of New York State. The alterations shall conform to the energy requirements of the Energy Conservation Construction Code of New York State or Residential Code of New York State as they relate to new construction only.