Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 148 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 148-31
Air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation in multiple dwellings
Operative Text
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 be used as plenum chambers. (3) Ducts shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately fire-stopped. (4) Ducts and other air-handling equipment shall be of noncombustible material. (5) Filters shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke hazard. (6) Ducts passing through or located within combustible construction shall be separated from such construction by a clearance of at least 1/2 inch or by a noncombustible insulating material at least one-fourth-inch thick. (7) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality controlled. (8) Exhaust air from a dwelling unit or a 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 or nuisance and so as to prevent the possibility of fire, smoke, fumes or foreign matter being drawn into the system. (2) Ventilating systems shall be provided with adequate openings for incoming and outgoing air to obtain the required circulation. Intake openings shall provide air from an uncontaminated source. (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 adequate means of ventilation to remove such excess. (2) Public spaces shall be provided with means for obtaining an air supply for the maximum number of persons for which such spaces are designed. 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 or 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 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.
Section 148-31 of Brewster, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 148 establishes safety standards for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The provision restricts the types of refrigerants that may be used, sets construction and material requirements for ductwork and ventilation components, and mandates that air intake and exhaust openings be positioned and maintained to prevent fire, smoke, and contamination hazards. It also requires that ventilation systems include safety controls—such as manual shutoffs and emergency switches—capable of halting fan operation in the event of abnormal temperature rises or fire conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to § 148-31 of Brewster's Chapter 148 generally ensure that only approved, non-highly-flammable refrigerants are used and that direct systems employing flammable or toxic refrigerants are not installed for air-conditioning. Compliant operators use noncombustible duct materials, maintain proper clearances from combustible construction, and keep filters in a condition that does not create fire or smoke hazards. They also install and maintain the required manual fan-stop controls, automatic high-temperature shutoffs for systems serving multiple fire areas or stories, and emergency switches with posted instructions in assembly spaces.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of multiple dwellings in Brewster benefit from the protections established under § 148-31 of Chapter 148, which requires that ventilation and air-conditioning systems be designed and maintained to limit fire, smoke, and contamination risks throughout the building. If a tenant observes conditions suggesting non-compliant ductwork, improper refrigerants, missing safety controls, or exhaust air being recirculated from odor-producing spaces into occupied areas, these may constitute code violations worth documenting. Tenants can report potential violations to the appropriate local code enforcement or building department, or consult a tenant-rights organization to understand available options.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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