Section 27-331
§ 27-331 Exterior walls. Exterior walls shall comply with the
fire-resistance rating requirements of table 3-4. Where provisions of
this code require a space or facility to be enclosed, the construction
requirements for the enclosure shall not apply to any exterior wall that
forms part of the enclosure.
(a) Openings in exterior walls. In addition to the requirements of
table 3-4 and subchapters six and eight of this chapter, exterior
openings above the third floor level of a building or above a height of
forty feet, except buildings in occupancy group J-3, open parking
structures, and buildings of construction classes II-D and II-E, shall
have opening protectives when (1) any part of the opening is less than
thirty feet distant in a direct unobstructed line not in the same plane,
from an opening in another building or from a wood frame building or (2)
any part of the opening is above and less than thirty feet in a direct
unobstructed line from, any roof construction that has a fire-resistance
rating of less than one hour or that has unprotected openings therein
within this distance, whether the roof construction is on the same
building or on an adjacent building.
(b) Opening protective required ratings. In a building or space
classified in occupancy group A, all opening protectives shall be
three-quarter hour (class E) opening protectives meeting the
requirements of reference standard RS 5-8. Such protectives shall be
fixed self-closing or automatic. Alternatively, these openings may be
protected with three-quarter hour (class F) protectives together with
outside sprinklers installed in accordance with construction
requirements of subchapter seventeen of this chapter. In such cases,
there shall be an automatic dry pipe sprinkler head centered over each
opening with the orifice directed against the opening. All opening
protectives required by table 3-4 or by subdivision (a) above in
buildings classified in other than occupancy group A shall be
three-quarter hour (class F) openings.
(c) First story openings. Opening protectives required by table 3-4
may be omitted in show windows or other openings on the lowest story of
a building facing on a street or public space.
(d) Nonautomatic protectives. Required opening protectives in exterior
openings, if not self-closing or automatic, shall be kept closed by the
occupants at all times when not required for light or ventilation under
the provisions of subchapter twelve of this chapter.
(e) Construction of unprotected openings. Exterior windows and doors,
including their frames and glazing, that are not required by this code
to have a fire-protection rating, may be of combustible materials. Below
a height of seventy-five feet, slow-burning plastic glazing may be used
in windows. Glazing in balcony doors shall comply with the requirements
of paragraph four of subdivision (g) of section 27-369 of article five
of subchapter six of this chapter.
(f) Vertical separation of openings. In buildings classified in
occupancy groups A, B, C, D and E, exceeding three stories or forty feet
in height, openings located vertically above one another in exterior
walls except in stairway enclosures, shall be separated by a spandrel
wall at least three feet high between the top of one opening and the
bottom of the opening immediately above; or each such opening above the
lower one shall be protected against fire by an opening protective; or a
fire canopy of noncombustible materials, extending out at least two feet
horizontally from the wall and at least as long as the width of the
lower opening, shall be constructed between the two openings. Spandrels
and fire canopies shall be constructed to provide at least the
fire-resistance rating required for the exterior wall, but in no event
less than one hour.
Section 27-332
§ 27-332 Party walls. The construction, design, and fire-resistance
rating of party walls shall be the same as required by this code for
vertical fire divisions. Concealed spaces in cornices and eaves shall be
fire-stopped as a continuation of the party wall.
Section 27-333
§ 27-333 Parapets on exterior walls. Parapets shall be provided on all
exterior walls of buildings of construction class II-A, II-B, or II-C
that have roof construction of combustible materials.
(a) Exceptions. A parapet need not be provided on the exterior wall of
any building:
(1) That is less than twenty-two feet high; or
(2) Whose roof has a pitch of more than twenty degrees to the
horizontal and whose overhang, fascia, cornice or gutter is of
noncombustible construction, or if of combustible construction is
separated from the roof and ceiling construction by construction having
the fire-resistance rating required for the exterior wall of the
building. Combustible members, excluding roof sheathing and its
supporting members, if covered by a class A roof covering and complying
with the restrictions as required by section 27-335 of this article,
shall not extend through this construction, but shall have at least four
inches of solid noncombustible material below, at the sides, and at the
ends of such members; or
(3) That is provided with a fire canopy at, or not more than two feet
below the roof level, continuous around that portion of the wall that is
without a parapet, constructed as required by subdivision (f) of section
27-331 of this article.
(b) Construction. Parapets required under this section shall be of
materials and assembly having at least the fire-resistance rating of the
wall below, and shall be at least two feet high.
Section 27-334
§ 27-334 Protective guards. Buildings that are more than twenty-two
feet in height and have roofs that are flatter than twenty degrees to
the horizontal shall be provided with a parapet not less than three feet
six inches high, or be provided with a three foot six inch high railing
or fence, or a combination of a parapet and railing or fence which
together are not less than three feet six inches high. Railings or
fences may be located inward from the face of the exterior wall a
distance not exceeding six feet, and shall be of a type that will
prevent children from crawling through or over them. Where roofs are
used for recreational purposes, wire fencing at least ten feet high
shall be constructed. Where ball games are played on roofs the wire
fencing shall be extended to provide an overhead closure. Except on
buildings of class II-D or II-E construction, railings or fences shall
be of noncombustible material. Railings shall be constructed as required
in section 27-558 of article three of subchapter nine of this chapter.
Section 27-335
§ 27-335 Exterior trim. For the purposes of this section, exterior
trim shall be defined as any material, other than door and window frames
and sash, that is applied to exterior walls and which, if removed or
destroyed, will not reduce the structural stability of the building
enclosure, and which is installed so as not to reduce the required
fire-resistance rating of the enclosure. Exterior trim shall include
cornices, overhanging eaves, fascias, belt courses, pilasters,
surrounds, gutters, leaders, half-timber work, shutters, trellises, etc.
(a) Combustible exterior trim:
(1) May not be used on buildings required to be of construction group
I except that slow-burning plastics or approved equivalent materials may
be used up to a height of twenty-five feet, provided that such trim
covers not more than five percent of the surface area of the building
enclosure (openings not included), or not more than one thousand square
feet.
(2) May be used to a height of forty feet on buildings of construction
classes II-A, II-B, and II-C provided that such trim covers not more
than ten percent of the surface area of the building enclosure (openings
not included), projects not more than eight inches beyond the outside
face of the building enclosure, and has an exterior separation of at
least fifteen feet measured from the outermost surface of the trim.
EXCEPTION. Cornices, gutters, or overhanging roofs, when permitted,
may project up to three feet beyond the outside face of the building
enclosure if they are at least eight inches above the topmost opening,
are firestopped as required by section 27-345 of article five of this
suchapter and either:
a. have their combustible structural members protected by soffits and
fascias of a material or assembly having at least a one hour
fire-resistance rating, or
b. have all their combustible members separated from the roof and
ceiling construction by construction having the fire-resistance rating
required for the exterior wall, with at least four inches of solid
noncombustible material below, at the sides, and at the ends of such
members;
(3) May be used to an unlimited extent in buildings of construction
classes II-D and II-E on exterior walls that are not required to have a
fire-resistance rating.
Section 27-335.1
§ 27-335.1 Acoustical and thermal insulation; use in noncombustible
construction.
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary,
acoustical or thermal insulation which is not noncombustible may be used
where noncombustible construction is required if:
(1) it satisfactorily passes a test for determining noncombustibility
of elementary materials, based on the test procedures of A.S.T.M.
El36-65, and, upon exposure to fire will not produce products of
decomposition or combustion that are more toxic in point of
concentration that those given off by wood or paper when decomposing or
burning under comparable conditions; or
(2) it has a flame-spread rating not greater than twenty-five, a smoke
developed rating not greater than fifty, is without evidence of
continued progressive combustion when tested in accordance with the test
procedure of reference standard RS 5-5, and upon exposure to fire will
not produce products of decomposition or combustion that are more toxic
in point of concentration than those given off by wood or paper when
decomposing or burning under comparable conditions.
(b) Notwithstanding any provision of subdivision a of this section or
any other provision of this code to the contrary, acoustical or thermal
insulation, which is not noncombustible and which does not meet the
requirements of subdivision a of this section, may be used where
noncombustible construction is required subject to the approval of the
commissioner, and provided it is installed in a composite method of
construction, with a minimum of three inches of unpierced masonry or
concrete on all sides.
(c) Notwithstanding any provision of subdivision a or b of this
section or any other provision of this code to the contrary, thermal
insulation, which is not noncombustible and which does not meet the
requirements of subdivisions a and b of this section, may be installed
in an exterior wall system in any noncombustible construction group,
provided that:
(1) such insulation is of a thickness no greater than four inches;
provided, additional thickness used exclusively for decorative or
leveling purposes shall be permissible, where the area of such
additional thickness does not exceed fifteen percent of the wall area on
any single story;
(2) such insulation has a heat value not in excess of six thousand BTU
per square foot;
(3) such insulation is installed in a composite method of construction
and is separated from interior spaces by a thermal barrier having at
least a one-hour fire resistance rating;
(4) such insulation has a flame spread rating not greater than
twenty-five and a smoke developed rating not greater than four hundred
fifty, and is covered with, and sealed or joined by, material having a
flame spread rating not greater than twenty-five and a smoke developed
rating not greater than fifty, when tested in accordance with the
procedures of reference standard RS 5-5;
(5) such insulation is installed in a manner which meets the
requirements for firestopping set forth in section 27-345;
(6) upon exposure to fire, the exterior wall system and each of its
components will not produce products of decomposition or combustion that
are more toxic in point of concentration than those given off by wood or
paper when decomposing or burning under comparable conditions;
(7) the structure on which the exterior wall system is installed meets
the requirements of section 27-331 pertaining to minimum horizontal and
vertical separation distances; provided, however, that such insulation
shall not be used on the exterior surface of a wall of a court or shaft
if the horizontal or vertical separation distance between such wall and
another wall of such court or shaft is less than twenty feet;
(8) the use of such insulation on soffits or other horizontal areas
shall not extend more than three feet beyond the outside face of the
building enclosure;
(9) the use of such insulation on buildings having party walls meets
the requirements of section 27-332;
(10) such insulation meets the acceptance requirements of section
27-131;
(11) the results of a fire test of a representative portion of the
exterior wall system meet the requirements of reference standard RS5-21;
(12) the edge or face of the assembly containing such insulation is
labeled with the following information:
a. the name of a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable
to the commissioner which has inspected such insulation;
b. the model of the exterior wall assembly for which such insulation
is listed by a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to
the commissioner;
c. the identity of the manufacturer of such insulation;
d. the flame spread and smoke developed ratings; and
(13) the installation of such insulation shall be subject to
controlled inspection to ensure that the installation is fully
consistent with the terms of the listing by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory acceptable to the commissioner, acceptance
requirements of section 27-131 and the manufacturer's installation
recommendations.
(d) The commissioner may, with regard to thermal insulation, the use
of which is authorized by this subdivision, establish by regulation
training criteria for persons installing such insulation, and prohibit
the installation of such insulation by persons not adequately trained.
Any person installing such insulation shall certify to the commissioner
that the installation is fully consistent with the terms of the listing
by a nationally recognized testing laboratory acceptable to the
commissioner, acceptance requirements of section 27-131 and the
manufacturer's installation recommendations.
(e) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) "Composite method of construction" shall mean a method of
construction in which diverse materials are combined to form an
assembly, whether the assembly is prefabricated or fabricated at the
site of installation.
(2) "Exterior wall system" shall include the exterior walls of a
building and the appurtenances thereof.
Section 27-336
§ 27-336 Porticos, porches, etc. Porticos, entranceways, storm
enclosures, bay windows, oriel windows, porches, or similar appendages
may be constructed of combustible materials or assemblies on buildings
of construction class II-E to an unlimited extent, and on buildings of
construction classes II-A, II-B, II-C, and II-D under all of the
following conditions:
(a) The building is classified in occupancy group J-2 or J-3.
(b) The building is not more than three stories or forty feet high.
(c) The appendage has an exterior separation on all exposed sides of
at least fifteen feet, measured from the outermost surface of the
appendage.
(d) The appendage is so constructed that its removal or destruction
will not reduce the structural stability or fire resistive integrity of
the building.
(e) The vertical surface area of the combustible portions of the
appendage, including any exterior trim, is not more than ten percent of
the total wall area (windows excluded) of the building.
(f) The appendage has a superficial roof area not exceeding one
hundred fifty square feet and is included in the area limitations of
table 4-1 and 4-2 for the entire building.
(g) The appendage is not higher than the sills of the second story
windows.
(h) The roof of the appendage has a class A roof covering.
(i) The soffit or ceiling covering the combustible roof framing of the
appendage has a one hour fire-resistance rating.
(j) The requirements of subdivisions (h) and (i) of this section shall
not apply in the case of roofs or awnings over patios or entrance
platforms where the area of vertical exposure of the patios or platforms
to the outdoors is equal to at least that of the patio or platform area.
Plastic shall be slow burning; canvas or other fabric shall be
noncombustible or flameproofed in accordance with the provisions of
title fifteen of the administrative code.
Section 27-337
§ 27-337 Roof coverings. Roof coverings shall be classified as A, B,
or C on the basis of their resistance to exterior fire exposure as
listed in reference standard RS 5-9, or as determined by tests made in
conformance with reference standard RS 5-10 for those not listed.
(a) Limitations of use. Every roof placed on a building shall be
covered with class A or B roof covering, except class C roof coverings
may be placed on buildings classified in occupancy group J when not more
than three stories or forty feet in height, and on buildings permitted
by this code to be of class II-D or II-E construction. The use of
roofing having no rating is prohibited, except for replacement to the
extent of twenty-five percent of the roof area in any twelve month
period.
(b) Combustible roof decking. Unless attached directly to
noncombustible framework, all roof coverings shall be applied to a
closely fitted deck; except that wood shingles, to the extent permitted
in subdivision (a) of this section, may be applied to wood slats.
(c) Roof insulation. Combustible roof insulation may be applied on top
of roof decking or slab provided that it is protected with the roof
covering applied directly thereto.
Section 27-338
§ 27-338 Roof structures. (a) Construction of penthouses. Enclosure
walls of penthouses shall comply with the requirements for exterior
walls of table 3-4 for the construction class of the building on which
they are erected. Roofs of penthouses shall comply with the requirements
for roof construction of table 3-4 and section 27-337 of article five of
subchapter six of this chapter.
(b) Construction of bulkheads. Bulkheads shall be constructed of
noncombustible materials having a one hour fire-resistance rating,
except that in buildings of construction class II-E, they may be
constructed of combustible materials having a one hour fire-resistance
rating.
(c) Scuttles. Scuttles shall be constructed of noncombustible
materials, or of combustible materials covered on the top, sides, and
edges with noncombustible materials.
(d) Skylights. For the purposes of this section, the term "skylight"
shall be construed to include the sash, frames, and glazing of roof
monitors and sawtooth roofs.
(1) SASH AND FRAMES. Skylights that are inclined at less than sixty
degrees to the horizontal on all buildings of other than construction
classes II-D and II-E, shall have sash and frames constructed of
noncombustible materials, and their glazing shall be as prescribed in
paragraph two of this subdivision. Skylights that are inclined at
greater than sixty degrees to the horizontal shall have sash and frames
constructed as required for windows, and their glazing shall be as
required for windows. Glass, glass blocks, or plastic used in skylights
shall be designed and constructed to withstand the same live loads as
required for roofs plus any concentrated live loads required herein.
(2) GLAZING. a. Skylights over stairways and shafts. Skylights placed
over stairways and shafts shall be glazed with plain glass not more than
one-eighth inch thick or unreinforced plastic not more than
three-sixteenths of an inch thick.
b. Skylights over other spaces. Skylights in all locations other than
over stairways and shafts shall be glazed with one-quarter inch wired
glass, plain glass, glass block, or plastic of material and installation
complying with subparagraph c of this paragraph.
c. Plastic. Plastic used for the glazing of skylights other than
skylights over stairways and shafts shall be slow burning plastic. The
aggregate area of skylight openings, other than over stairways and
shafts, shall not exceed thirty-nine per cent of the floor area of any
room or space sheltered by the roof in which they are located. The edges
of plastic, if exposed, shall be protected by metal or other
noncombustible material. Skylights in which plastic is used, if on roofs
having a pitch of twenty degrees to the horizontal or less, shall be
constructed in accordance with the following:
1. The area within the curbs of each skylight shall not exceed five
square feet, except that this area may be of any size, limited only by
other provisions of this section,if the opening is protected on all
sides by a noncombustible railing thirty-six inches in height complying
with the provisions of section 27-558 of article three of subchapter
nine of this chapter for railings; or the skylight is subdivided into
areas of five square feet or less by noncombustible muntins or bars
capable of supporting a live load of three hundred pounds at any point;
or a noncombustible screen or grid capable of supporting a load of three
hundred pounds over any one foot by two foot area as provided above,
integral with, or not more than three feet below the skylight, with the
wire or bars spaced into areas of five square feet or less (if above the
roof, the wires shall be of corrosion resistive metal).
2. There shall be a minimum clear distance of three feet between
skylights.
(3) Separation of skylights from structures. There shall be at least
ten feet between a plain glass or plastic skylight and any door in a
stair bulkhead located above the roof in which the skylight is located,
and at least ten feet between such a skylight and any opening in any
roof structure or other wall above the roof not equipped with an opening
protective. On buildings up to one hundred feet in height there shall be
at least ten feet from such a skylight to the outside face of an
exterior wall facing on a frontage space.
(4) SCREENS. Plain glass skylights shall be protected on their
underside by noncombustible screens having a mesh not smaller than
three-quarters of an inch by three-quarters of an inch nor larger than
one inch by one inch of at least No. 12 B. & S. gauge wires. The screen
shall be installed tight against the roof opening or shall project on
all sides for a distance of not less than the distance of the screen
below the glass, and shall be of such material and construction so as to
support a load of three hundred pounds over any one foot by two foot
area. The provisions for wire glass or screen protection shall not apply
to glass block skylights.
(e) Greenhouses. Greenhouses on the roofs of buildings other than
buildings of construction class II-D or II-E shall be constructed of
noncombustible framework and shall be glazed with plain or wire glass,
or slow burning plastic. The floors of greenhouses shall be constructed
at least as required for roof construction in table 3-4 for the
construction class of the building on which it is located.
(f) Construction of sloping roofs. Roofs having a slope of more than
sixty degrees to the horizontal shall be constructed of material having
the same fire-resistance rating as required for an exterior non-bearing
wall of the building of which it is a part. When the slope is sixty
degrees or less to the horizontal, the sloping roof shall be constructed
as required for the roof of the building. Where the back of a false
mansard is exposed to the outdoors, the back shall be covered with
noncombustible material or with roof coverings as required for the roof
of the building.
(g) Dormers. Roofs of dormers shall be of the same type of
construction and have roof covering of the same class as required for
the roof of the building on which they are located. The walls of dormers
shall be constructed of materials having the same fire resistance rating
as required for non-bearing exterior walls of the building on which they
are located; except that in buildings of construction classes II-A,
II-B, II-C, and II-D, the walls may be constructed of combustible
framing provided that the outside face of the framing is protected with
noncombustible sheathing and the aggregate area of all such dormer
walls, including openings therein, does not exceed twenty percent of the
roof area.
(h) Water tanks.
(1) SUPPORTS. All water tanks placed in or on a building and having a
capacity of more than five hundred gallons shall be supported on
noncombustible walls or framing. When such tank is located within the
building, above the lowest story, its framing shall be fire protected as
required for columns supporting one floor or the tank shall be located
within a room or space that is enclosed with construction having a
fire-resistance rating equivalent to that otherwise required for the
protection of the framing.
(i) Cooling towers. Cooling towers shall be constructed of
noncombustible materials, except as follows:
(1) Outside the fire districts, when located on a building three
stories or forty feet in height or less of construction group I, cooling
towers may be constructed of combustible materials provided they are not
more than fifteen feet high and do not exceed seven hundred fifty square
feet in area.
(2) Outside the fire districts, when located on the ground and not
exceeding three stories or forty feet in height or one thousand five
hundred square feet in area, cooling towers may be constructed of
combustible material provided they are protected by a noncombustible
screen, fence, or wall at least twenty feet from the tower and at least
seven feet high.
(3) Filling and drift eliminators may be of combustible materials if
the towers are provided with automatic sprinkler protection complying
with the construction provisions of subchapter seventeen.
(4) Filling and drift eliminators may be of combustible materials
where the towers are not provided with automatic sprinkler protection,
provided all of the following conditions are met:
a. The cooling tower is constructed of noncombustible material;
b. The cooling tower is located on a building in construction group
I-A or I-B;
c. The cooling tower and filling and drift eliminators are located at
least thirty feet away from any windows or fresh air intakes which are
at an elevation above the roof on which the cooling tower is located,
whether in the same building or in an adjoining building;
d. The cooling tower is located not less than fifteen feet from the
nearest lot line; and
e. The cooling tower is located not less than ten feet from any
chimney, except that the distance shall be not less than twenty feet
from a chimney venting products of combustion other than from gas or oil
fired appliances, whether on the same building or an adjoining building.
(5) In no event shall cooling towers or filling and drift eliminators
be constructed of materials that contain asbestos.
(j) Miscellaneous roof structures. The following roof structures may
be constructed of combustible material if less than twelve feet high
above the roof: antenna supports; flagpoles; clothes drying frames;
duckboarding or platforms that do not cover more than twenty per cent of
the roof area at that level.
To the extent possible under law, Friends of Devin Balkind for Public Advocate has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to New York City Administrative Code. This work is published from: United States.
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