N.Y. Multiple Dwelling Law § 51: Shafts, elevators and dumbwaiters

§ 51. Shafts, elevators and dumbwaiters. 1. Every shaft constructed

after April eighteenth, nineteen hundred twenty-nine, in any multiple

dwelling shall be enclosed on all sides with fireproof walls and shall

have fireproof doors and assemblies at all openings, with the doors

self-closing. Dumbwaiter shafts, except those adjoining public halls,

may be constructed with walls of gypsum plaster blocks approved by the

department, at least two inches thick if solid and at least three inches

thick if hollow.

2. All dumbwaiter doors constructed after such date shall be fastened

by an interior lock in the shaft operated and controlled from a central

point in the cellar or lowest story if there be no cellar.

3. The doors of every elevator shaft constructed after such date shall

be provided with an automatic device approved by the department to

prevent the normal operation of the elevator unless the hoistway door at

which the car is standing is closed and locked, or unless all hoistway

doors are locked in a closed position. Such doors may have a vision

panel of wire glass not exceeding one square foot in area.

4. Every elevator installed after such date shall be equipped with a

gate with an automatic device approved by the department to prevent the

normal operation of such elevator unless such gate is closed.

5. When any elevator or dumbwaiter constructed after such date opens

into more than one stair, elevator vestibule or other public hall on any

floor, such elevator or dumbwaiter shall be placed in a separate shaft.

Not more than three elevators or two dumbwaiters shall ever be placed in

the same shaft.

6. Every dwelling erected after such date which exceeds six stories or

sixty feet in height shall be equipped with one or more passenger

elevators, operative at all times, at least one of which shall be

accessible to every apartment above the entrance story.

7. In every multiple dwelling, elevator shafts, not previously

enclosed to the satisfaction of the department, shall be enclosed with

fireproof walls and shall have fireproof doors and assemblies, with the

doors self-closing.