N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 188: Bulkheads and scuttles

§ 188. Bulkheads and scuttles. Except as provided in paragraph g of

subdivision three of section one hundred seventy-one, bulkheads and

scuttles shall conform to the following provisions: 1. Every required

bulkhead to and through the roof shall be fireproof or constructed of

wood covered with metal on the outside and fire-retarded on the inside,

and shall have a fire-retarded door and assembly with the door

self-closing. Every stair extending through a bulkhead shall have a hand

rail.

2. Every scuttle shall be at least twenty-one inches in width and

twenty-eight inches in length, covered on the outside with metal and

provided with a stair or a stationary iron ladder leading thereto and

easily accessible to all occupants of the dwelling. Every scuttle shall

be located in the ceiling of the stair hall on the top story and access

to the roof through the scuttle shall be direct and uninterrupted. It

shall be unlawful to enclose in any manner the ladder or stair leading

to a scuttle.

3. Every bulkhead door or scuttle shall not be self-locking and shall

be fastened on the inside with movable bolts, hooks, or a lock which

does not require a key to open from the inside of the dwelling.

4. Where a dwelling has a peak roof with a pitch of more than fifteen

degrees, no bulkhead or scuttle, or stair or ladder leading thereto,

shall be required.