N.Y. Multiple Residence Law § 257: Public stairs

§ 257. Public stairs. 1. Every stair and fire-stair shall, except as

otherwise provided in subdivisions three and four of this section and in

section two hundred fifty-nine, be constructed as provided for

fire-stairs in sections two hundred two and two hundred five for

fireproof dwellings.

2. Every stair and fire-stair shall be at least three feet in clear

width throughout, and at all floor levels shall have landings at least

three feet eight inches in clear width.

3. Every stair and fire-stair shall be completely separated from every

other stair and fire-stair and from every public hall and shaft by

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

self-closing and without transoms, at all openings, except that in

dwellings two stories or less in height such walls may be fire-retarded.

The doors giving access to such stairs shall not be held open by any

device whatever.

4. Except in the case of an interior enclosed stair separated from and

directly accessible to the public hall by a self-closing fireproof door

and except as provided in subdivision five, there shall be provided to

light and ventilate every stair at every story a window or windows

opening on a street, court or yard.

5. In a dwelling occupied by two families or less on every story:

a. If such dwelling is three stories or less in height, there may be

provided for any stair, in lieu of windows, a stairwell sixteen inches

or more in clear width extending from the entrance story to the roof.

b. If such dwelling is a permanently occupied dwelling and is two

stories or less in height, there may be provided for any stair, in lieu

of windows, a stairwell six inches or more in clear width. For the

purposes of this paragraph, a section of a permanently occupied dwelling

may be deemed a separate multiple dwelling.

c. If such dwelling is two stories in height and has no public hall on

the first story, no stairwell or stair windows need be provided.