Cal. Civ. Code § 194
Sprinkler heads in rooms
Operative Text
§ 194. Sprinkler heads in rooms. 1. On and after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-seven, in every room used for class B occupancy whether in a class A or class B non-fireproof converted dwelling, there shall be one or more sprinkler heads. Such sprinkler heads shall be installed in accordance with the supplementary rules and regulations of the department. This requirement shall not apply to dwellings which have a required second means of egress. 2. The requirements of this section shall not apply to a dwelling located within an area designated on the master plan as an area suitable for development and redevelopment, provided (a) that the agency in charge of such clearance shall have certified to the department on or before February first, nineteen hundred fifty-nine that the dwelling will be demolished within one year after the service of notice of violation and (b) that the dwelling is not in violation of any rules and regulations relating to overoccupancy, egress or fire protection. Such temporary exemption from the requirements of this section may be extended for an additional period of not more than six months upon renewal of such certification of demolition and safety.
N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 194 requires that rooms used for Class B occupancy in non-fireproof converted dwellings — whether classified as Class A or Class B — must have at least one sprinkler head installed, a requirement that has been in effect since July 1, 1957. Sprinkler heads must meet the installation standards set by the relevant department. Two categories of buildings are carved out: those that already have a required second means of egress, and those located in designated redevelopment areas where a certified demolition timeline and compliance with overoccupancy, egress, and fire-protection rules are established, with the possibility of a limited extension.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of non-fireproof converted dwellings with Class B occupancy rooms should be aware that N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 194 has mandated compliant sprinkler head installation in those rooms for decades, following departmental rules and regulations. Compliant operators generally verify whether their building qualifies for either the second-egress exemption or the redevelopment-area exemption before relying on either carve-out, and they maintain documentation of any applicable certifications. Operators whose buildings fall under the redevelopment exemption typically track the certification and any extension deadlines, as well as ongoing compliance with overoccupancy, egress, and fire-protection requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under N.Y. Mult. Dwell. Law § 194, tenants living in Class B occupancy rooms within non-fireproof converted dwellings have a right to expect properly installed sprinkler heads unless the building legitimately qualifies for a specific exemption under the statute. If a tenant believes sprinkler heads are absent or improperly installed, that concern can generally be raised with the local housing or buildings department, which has enforcement authority over this provision. Tenants may also consider reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization to better understand how this requirement applies to their building's classification and any claimed exemptions.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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