Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 § 475-42
Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation in multiple dwellings and nonresidential buildings
Operative Text
For multiple dwellings and nonresidential dwellings: A. Air-conditioning systems. (1) Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be used. (2) Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable or toxic shall not be used for air-conditioning purposes. (3) Equipment shall be secured in place so as not to present a hazard. 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, 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) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality-controlled. (7) Exhaust air from a unit or a space, the contents of which 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. Enclosures or spaces where the 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. 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.
Section 475-42 of Fulton, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 475 establishes safety standards for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings and nonresidential buildings. The rule prohibits the use of highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, requires that ducts, filters, and equipment be made of noncombustible materials and properly secured, and mandates that ventilation systems prevent the spread of heat, flame, or smoke. It also requires that intake air come from uncontaminated sources, that exhaust air from odor- or fume-producing spaces not recirculate to occupied areas, and that manual and automatic safety controls be installed and accessible.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to § 475-42 generally ensure that all HVAC and ventilation equipment is installed with noncombustible materials, properly secured, and firestopped in accordance with the provision's specifications. Compliant operators verify that refrigerants used in air-conditioning systems are neither highly flammable nor toxic, and that intake air is drawn from clean exterior sources while exhaust from fume-producing spaces is directed away from occupied areas. Maintaining accessible, clearly labeled manual shutoff controls for central fan systems—and ensuring automatic temperature-triggered shutoffs are functional in multi-story or assembly-space systems—are also characteristic of operations that align with § 475-42.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of multiple dwellings covered by § 475-42 have an interest in knowing that this provision requires building owners to maintain ventilation and air-conditioning systems that do not pose fire, smoke, or air-quality hazards. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as improperly secured equipment, missing safety controls, or exhaust fumes circulating into living spaces—they may consider documenting the issue and reporting it to the local code enforcement or building inspection authority in Fulton, N.Y. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how § 475-42 applies to their building and what options may be available for addressing potential violations.
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 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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