N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 233: Bulkheads and scuttles

§ 233. Bulkheads and scuttles. 1. Every tenement, except as in this

section otherwise provided, shall have in the roof a fireproof bulkhead

with a fireproof door and after January first, nineteen hundred

fifty-seven, the door shall be self-closing. Bulkheads existing on April

eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, shall be lawful and may be

replaced or repaired with material conforming to the material of which

such bulkhead consisted on such date.

2. A bulkhead in the roof of an old-law tenement which is more than a

basement and four other stories in height or which is a basement and

four other stories in height and occupied by three or more families on

any story, may be of wood covered with metal on the outside and

fire-retarded on the inside. Such a bulkhead shall be equipped with a

fire-retarded door and assembly with the door self-closing.

3. In any old-law tenement which is four stories or less in height or

which is a basement and four other stories in height and occupied by not

more than two families on any story, no bulkhead shall be required

provided such tenement is equipped with a scuttle located in the ceiling

of a public hall on the top story and with access thereto direct,

uninterrupted and easily accessible to all tenants. All such scuttles

shall be at least twenty-one inches in width and twenty-eight inches in

length. They shall be constructed so as to be readily opened, covered on

the outside with metal and provided with stairs or stationary iron

ladders leading thereto.

4. Every required stair in every tenement erected after April

eighteenth, nineteen hundred twelve, which is more than a basement and

three other stories in height shall extend to and through a bulkhead in

the roof. Such bulkhead shall have a fireproof door and assembly with

the door self-closing and may be constructed of wood covered with metal

on the outside and fire-retarded on the inside.

5. Stairs leading to required bulkheads shall be fireproof and

constructed as specified in sections two hundred thirty-four to two

hundred thirty-eight inclusive, except that any such stairs existing on

April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, shall be permitted

without alteration, and that any such stairs constructed after such date

in any old-law tenement may have such width and angle of ascent, and

risers and treads of such dimensions, as approved by the department.

All stairs to required bulkheads shall be provided with a guide or hand

rail.

6. Bulkhead doors and scuttles 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 it from the inside of the dwelling. All key

locks are unlawful and where existing shall be removed.