Fallsburg, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 156 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 156-32
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 not be used as plenum chambers. (3) Ducts shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately firestopped. (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 1/4 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 opening 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 opening 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 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 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.
Fallsburg, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 156 § 156-32 establishes safety standards for air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The rule prohibits the use of highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, requires that ductwork, filters, and air-handling equipment be made of noncombustible materials and properly firestopped, and mandates that exhaust air from one unit not be recirculated to other occupied spaces. It also requires that ventilation systems include safety controls—such as manual shutoff switches and emergency controls—capable of stopping fan operation during abnormal temperature rises or fire conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to Fallsburg, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 156 § 156-32 generally ensure that all installed refrigerants are neither highly flammable nor toxic, and that ductwork is constructed from noncombustible materials, securely fastened, and properly firestopped throughout the building. Compliant operators also verify that air intake openings draw from uncontaminated exterior sources, that exhaust air from individual units is not recirculated to shared spaces, and that filters are maintained so they do not pose a fire or smoke hazard. Manual shutoff controls for central fan equipment must be conspicuously labeled and accessible outside the fan room, and systems serving assembly spaces or multiple fire areas must include automatic controls that stop fans upon abnormal temperature rises and require manual restart.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Fallsburg, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 156 § 156-32, residents of multiple dwellings have a right to ventilation systems that do not expose them to flammable refrigerants, recirculated exhaust fumes from other units, or fire and smoke hazards from improperly installed ductwork and filters. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as fumes entering from adjacent units, visibly deteriorated ductwork, or missing safety controls—they may consider documenting the conditions and reporting them to the local code enforcement or building department in Fallsburg. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under this provision.
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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