- Such balcony or space faces upon a public street, space, alley, park, highway, or right of way; or upon a yard, court, plaza, or space above a setback where such yard, court, plaza, or space above a setback complies with Section 1206;
- The maximum depth of any habitable room is 30 feet (9144 mm) measured from the outer face of the exterior wall forming the partial or full enclosure of the balcony or space;
- The enclosure of the balcony or space is not more than one story in height; and
- The front of a partially enclosed balcony or space above a setback shall be open to the outer air with an open area equal to at least 75 percent of the floor surface area of such balcony or space.
- Such balcony or space faces upon a public street, space, alley, park, highway, or right of way; or upon a yard, court, plaza, or space above a setback where such yard, court, plaza, or space above a setback complies with Section 1206;
- The maximum depth of any habitable room is 30 feet (9144 mm) measured from the outer face of the exterior wall forming the partial or full enclosure of the balcony or space;
- The enclosure of the balcony or space is not more than one story in height;
- The building is Type I or II construction;
- The outer enclosing walls of the balcony or space are glazed with an area at least 50 percent of the area of the interior enclosing walls of such balcony or space; the glazing may be clear plate glass or slow burning plastic;
- At least 50 percent of the glazed area required by Exception 3.5 of this section is openable; and
- No window from any bathroom, toilet room, kitchen or kitchenette shall open on such balcony or space.
1203.4.1.2.3 Basements and Cellars
Where openings provide natural ventilation to habitable spaces located in basements or cellars, such opening shall also comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 27-2081 through 27-2087 of the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and Sections 26(8) and 34 of the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law.
1203.4.1.2.4 Maximum Depth of Room
No part of any room shall be more than 30 feet (9144 mm) from a window opening onto a street or yard unless such room also opens onto a court complying with Section 1206.
Exception: In dwelling units containing more than three habitable rooms in Group R-1 or R-2 occupancies in buildings of Type I or II construction, rooms may be greater than 30 feet (9144 mm) in depth provided that all other requirements of Section 1203.4.1.2 are met and that the required windows are so located as to properly light all portions of the room in accordance with Section 1205.
1203.4.1.3 Bathrooms and Toilet Rooms in R and I-1 Occupancies
Bathrooms or toilet rooms in R or I-1 occupancies shall be provided with natural ventilation in accordance with Section 1203.4.1.3, unless provided with exhaust ventilation in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code. Openings providing required natural ventilation shall be windows.
Exception: Openable skylights may be substituted for windows provided that the bathroom or toilet room is on the top story.
1203.4.1.3.1 Minimum Opening
The minimum openable area to the outdoors shall be 5 percent of the floor area of the space being ventilated. Every window or skylight providing required natural ventilation shall be at least 3 square feet (0.28 m 2 ) providing a minimum of 1 1 /2 square feet (0.14 m 2 ) of openable area.
1203.4.1.3.2 Adjoining Spaces
Natural ventilation for bathrooms and toilet rooms may not be through openings from another room or space.
Exception: A bathroom or toilet room may open onto a partially enclosed balcony or space above a setback conforming with Exception 2 of Section 1203.4.1.2.2.
1203.4.1.3.3 Basements and Cellars
Where openings provide natural ventilation to bathrooms or toilet rooms located in basements or cellars, such opening shall also comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 27-2081 through 27-2087 of the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and Sections 26(8) and 34 of the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law.
1203.4.1.4 Kitchenettes in R and I-1 Occupancies
Kitchenettes in R or I-1 occupancies shall be provided with natural ventilation in accordance with Section 1203.4.1.4, unless provided with exhaust ventilation in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code. Openings providing required natural ventilation shall be windows.
- The kitchenette is on the top story;
- The skylight is 12 inches (305 mm) in its least dimensions;
- The skylight is at least 4 square feet (0.37 m 2 ) or one-eighth of the area of the kitchenette, whichever is greater; and
- The skylight provides ventilating openings for at least one-half of its area.
1203.4.1.4.1 Minimum Opening
The minimum openable area to the outdoors shall be 5 percent of the floor area of the space being ventilated. Every window or other opening providing required natural ventilation shall be at least 1 foot (305 mm) wide and at least 3 square feet (0.28 m 2 ) in total area, providing a minimum of 1 1 /2 square feet (0.14 m 2 ) of openable area.
Exception: Skylights shall comply with the exception of Section 1203.4.1.4.
1203.4.1.4.2 Adjoining Spaces
Natural ventilation for kitchenettes shall not be through openings off another room or space.
Exception: A kitchenette may open onto a partially enclosed balcony or space above a setback conforming with Exception 2 of Section 1203.4.1.2.2.
1203.4.1.4.3 Basements and Cellars
Where openings provide natural ventilation to kitchenettes less than 80 square feet (7.4 m 2 ) located in basements or cellars, such opening shall also comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 27-2081 through 27-2087 of the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and Sections 26(8) and 34 of the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law.
1203.4.2 Contaminants Exhausted
Contaminant sources in naturally ventilated spaces shall be removed in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code.
1203.4.2.1 Bathrooms
Rooms containing bathtubs, showers, spas and similar bathing fixtures in other than R and I-1 occupancies shall be mechanically ventilated in accordance with the New York City Mechanical Code, whether or not they are also provided with natural ventilation.
1203.4.3 Openings on Yards or Courts
Natural ventilation shall be provided by openings to a public street, space, alley, park, highway, or right-of-way; or upon a yard, court, plaza, or space above a setback where such yard, court, plaza, or space above a setback complies with Section 1206. No such opening shall be on a recess of less than 6 feet (1829 mm) in width.
- Openings providing natural ventilation to habitable spaces located in basements or cellars shall also comply with the applicable provisions of Sections 27-2081 through 27-2087 of the New York City Housing Maintenance Code and Sections 26(8) and 34 of the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law.
- A kitchenette, a bathroom, or a water closet compartment may be located on a recess of less than 6 feet (1829 mm) in width.
1203.4.4 Measurement of Openings
Dimensions of windows and other openings shall always be taken between stop beads or, if there are no stop beads, between the sides, head, and sill of the sash opening.
1203.5 Other Ventilation and Exhaust Systems
Ventilation and exhaust systems for occupancies and operations involving flammable or combustible hazards or other contaminant sources as covered in the New York City Mechanical Code or the New York City Fire Code shall be provided as required by both codes.
Section 1204 Temperature and Humidity Control
1204.1 Equipment and Systems
Interior spaces intended for human occupancy shall be provided with active or passive space-heating systems capable of maintaining a minimum indoor temperature as indicated in Table 1204.1 at a point 3 feet (914 mm) above the finished floor. The heating capacity of heat-producing devices and equipment which are contained in the room and in constant use during occupancy may be deducted from the capacity of the heating system. Portable heating systems shall not be considered as contributing to the capacity of the heating system.
Exception: Where specific rooms or spaces are not listed, the temperature shall be determined by the requirements of the listed space to which they most nearly conform or as determined by the registered design professional.
TABLE 1204.1 MINIMUM SPACE TEMPERATURE REQUIREMENTS a
| ROOMS OR SPACES | MINIMUM TEMPERATURE (°F) |
| Habitable rooms in all buildings | 68 |
| Building equipment and machinery rooms | 50 |
| Patients' rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms, stairs and corridors in hospitals and nursing homes | As per the New York State Health Code |
| Bathrooms and toilet rooms except patients' bathrooms and toilet rooms in hospitals and nursing homes | 68 |
| Offices, waiting rooms, art galleries, museums, libraries, meeting rooms, houses of worship, classrooms, auditoriums, lecture halls, nightclubs, restaurants, theatres, locker rooms, dressing rooms, and spaces where persons are engaged in sedentary activities | 68 |
| Laboratories, light machine work, product inspections, loft buildings, shops, stores, display rooms, show rooms, sales rooms, and spaces where persons are engaged in moderate physical activities | 65 |
| Gymnasia, dance halls, skating rinks, bowling alleys, heavy assembly workrooms or shops, and spaces where persons are engaged in vigorous physical activities | 60 |
| Automotive repair shops | 50 |
| Storage areas, garages, space where work or process requires a low temperature | None |
| Hospital operating rooms, and recovery, labor, delivery, and nursery rooms | As per the New York State Health Code |
| Swimming pools, bath houses, and shower rooms | 75 |
| a. Temperatures listed here are the minimum requirements of the department. However, other jurisdictional authorities may have more stringent requirements. |
| Exceptions: |
| 1. Heating systems are not required when occupancy is seasonal and the rooms or buildings are not occupied between November 1st and May 1st of the following year. |
| 2. Heating systems are not required when the processes or activities normally conducted in the space will generate sufficient heat to maintain the prescribed temperatures during the time of occupancy. |
| 3. Spaces where strict process requirements mandate temperatures other than those cited above shall be exempt from the minimum requirements listed in Table 1204.1. |
1204.2 Air Conditioning
Interior spaces intended for human occupancy that are provided with air conditioning shall be provided with active or passive systems that are capable of maintaining 78°F (26°C) at 50-percent relative humidity when the outdoor air temperature is 89°F (32°C) and the coincident wet bulb temperature is 73°F (23°C). Interior spaces without air conditioning shall be provided with mechanical or natural ventilation in compliance with other subsections of this code.
1204.3 Freeze Protection
All interior spaces shall be provided with active or passive systems or with methods of construction capable of preventing wet piping systems and vessels from freezing at all times, including permanently installed pipe heat tracing systems.
1204.4 System Design
The heating system and air-conditioning system, as applicable, shall be designed to provide sufficient capacity to meet the temperature and humidity requirements of Section 1204 when considering the outdoor air ventilation requirements and all losses in the system and ancillary uses, such as domestic hot water, for which the system is used. The system shall be designed and installed to meet all other applicable provisions of this code.
