N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 101: Requirements for fireproof construction

§ 101. Requirements for fireproof construction. 1. Every such dwelling

exceeding six stories or seventy-five feet in height shall be fireproof.

No multiple dwelling shall be altered so as to exceed either of such

heights without being made fireproof.

2. In a fireproof multiple dwelling the walls, floors, roof, stairs

and public halls shall all be fireproof except as provided in

subdivision three. No beams, lintels or other structural members shall

be of wood. No wood or other inflammable material shall be used in any

of the partitions, furrings or ceilings. For the portion of a multiple

dwelling more than one hundred fifty feet above the curb level, no wood

shall be used except as provided in subdivision three and except for

interior trim of windows.

3. The foregoing requirements shall not be construed as prohibiting:

a. Elsewhere than within, or in the openings to, the public halls,

stairs and shafts, the use of wood for sleepers, grounds, nailing

blocks, underflooring, finish flooring, interior doors with their

assemblies and saddles, floor base not more than one foot in height,

picture and wall moulding, shelving, closet and kitchen fixtures,

cupboards, cabinets and wardrobes.

b. The use of wood for windows and for interior trim and finish backed

solidly against, or filled with, incombustible material when located not

more than one hundred fifty feet above the curb level and elsewhere than

within, or in the openings to, the public halls, stairs and shafts.

c. The use within apartments of wood for decorative wall panelling,

wainscoting, mantels or other interior finish, and the use in an

entrance hall of wall panelling or wainscoting made of fireproof wood or

other material capable of successfully withstanding standard fire tests

prescribed in the local building code and in a manner approved by the

department.

d. Where fireproof doors are required, the use for such doors, with

their assemblies and saddles, of material and construction capable of

successfully withstanding a one-hour standard fire test prescribed in

the local building code and in a manner approved by the department.

Should any door required to be fireproof be found to have deteriorated

so that it shall after installation fail to conform to the standard fire

tests prescribed, such door shall be removed by the owner and replaced

by him with a door capable of successfully withstanding such tests.

4. All materials combustible in their natural state which are

constructed, processed or protected so that they will not support

combustion shall, before being installed in a multiple dwelling for any

of the uses herein specified, be permanently identified by label or

marking with the name of the manufacturer and the year of manufacture in

a manner approved by the department.

5. When required to be fireproof, any outer wall or any wall or

partition which carries any load in addition to its own weight shall,

unless otherwise in this chapter expressly required, be constructed of

materials capable of successfully withstanding a four-hour standard fire

test prescribed in the local building code and in a manner approved by

the department. When required to be fireproof, any wall or partition

which carries only its own weight, other than an outer wall, shall be

constructed of materials capable of successfully withstanding a one-hour

standard fire test prescribed in the local building code and in a manner

approved by the department.