Great Neck Plaza, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 124 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 124-38
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, hotels and specialized senior housing facilities. (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 systems 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) Duets 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 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, vapor 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. F. Location of operating equipment. All condensers, compressors, fans, air handlers and allied equipment for all air-conditioning systems (except self-contained window units) shall be located on the roof of multiple dwellings, hotels and specialized senior housing facilities or in another location approved by the Superintendent of Buildings.
Great Neck Plaza Code ch. 124 § 124-38 establishes safety standards for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings, hotels, and specialized senior housing facilities. The provision prohibits highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, requires that ductwork and air-handling components be made of noncombustible materials, and mandates that exhaust air from one unit not recirculate into other occupied spaces. It also requires safety controls—including manual shutoffs and automatic temperature-triggered fan stops—and specifies that major mechanical equipment must be placed on the roof or in a location approved by the Superintendent of Buildings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Great Neck Plaza Code ch. 124 § 124-38 generally ensure that all HVAC installations use only approved, non-flammable refrigerants and that ductwork is constructed from noncombustible materials, properly fastened, and firestopped. Compliant operators maintain ventilation systems so that exhaust air from individual units or odor-producing spaces is never recirculated to other occupied areas, and they keep air intake openings supplied from uncontaminated exterior sources. Equipment such as condensers, compressors, and air handlers (other than self-contained window units) is sited on the roof or in a location specifically approved by the Superintendent of Buildings, and manual emergency shutoff controls are kept conspicuously identified and readily accessible outside the fan room.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Great Neck Plaza Code ch. 124 § 124-38, residents of multiple dwellings have a right to ventilation systems that do not expose them to flammable refrigerants, recirculated exhaust odors or fumes from neighboring units, or fire and smoke hazards from improperly installed ductwork. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as fumes entering from another unit's exhaust or missing safety controls—they may document the issue and report it to the Great Neck Plaza building department or the Superintendent of Buildings. Tenants can also consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a violation of § 124-38 might be raised in a housing proceeding or complaint process.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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