N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 1204: Section BC 1204: Temperature and Humidity Control

1204.1 Equipment and Systems.

Interior spaces intended for human occupancy shall be provided with active or passive space heating systems capable of maintaining an indoor temperature as indicated in Table 1204.1 at a point 3 feet (914.4 mm) above the finished floor. The heating capacity of heat-producing devices and equipment which are contained in the room and in constant use during occupancy may be deducted from the capacity of the heating system. Portable heating systems shall not be considered as contributing to the capacity of the heating system.

Exception: Where specific rooms or spaces are not listed, the temperature shall be determined by the requirements of the listed space to which they most nearly conform or as determined by the registered design professional.

Table 1204.1 Minimum Space Temperature Requirements

a

Rooms or Spaces

Minimum Temperature (°F)

Habitable rooms in all buildings

68

Building equipment and machinery rooms

50

Patients' rooms, bathrooms and toilet rooms, stairs and corridors in hospitals and nursing homes

As per the New York State Health Code

Bathrooms and toilet rooms except patients bathrooms and toilet rooms in hospitals and nursing homes

68

Offices, waiting rooms, art galleries, museums, libraries, meeting rooms, houses of worship, classrooms, auditoriums, lecture halls, night clubs, restaurants, theatres, locker rooms, dressing rooms, and spaces where persons are engaged in sedentary activities

68

Laboratories, light machine work, product inspections, loft buildings, shops, stores, display rooms, show rooms, sales rooms, and spaces where persons are engaged in moderate physical activities

65

Gymnasia, dance halls, skating rinks, bowling alleys, heavy assembly workrooms or shops, and spaces where persons are engaged in vigorous physical activities.

60

Automotive repair shops

50

Storage areas, garages, space where work or process requires a low temperature

None

Hospital operating rooms, and recovery, labor, delivery, and nursery rooms

As per the New York State Health Code

Swimming pools, bath houses, and shower rooms

75

a. Temperatures listed here are the minimum requirements of the department. However, other jurisdictional authorities may have more stringent requirements.

Exceptions:

1. Heating systems are not required when occupancy is seasonal and the rooms or buildings are not occupied between November 1st and May 1st of the following year.

2. Heating systems are not required when the processes or activities normally conducted in the space will generate sufficient heat to maintain the prescribed temperatures during the time of occupancy.

3. Spaces where strict process requirements mandate temperatures other than those cited above shall be exempt from the minimum requirements listed in Table 1204.1.

1204.2 Air Conditioning.

Interior spaces intended for human occupancy that are provided with air conditioning shall be provided with active or passive systems that are capable of maintaining 78°F (26°C) at 50 percent relative humidity when the outdoor air temperature is 89°F (32°C) and the coincident wet bulb temperature is 73°F (23°C). Interior spaces without air conditioning shall be provided with mechanical or natural ventilation in compliance with other subsections of this code.

1204.2.1 Air Conditioning in Covered Rooms.

A covered room, as defined in Section 27-2030 of the Administrative Code, shall be provided with active or passive systems that are capable of maintaining a maximum space temperature in accordance with the requirements of ASHRAE 55 and a maximum space relative humidity in accordance with the requirements of ASHRAE 62.1. Interior spaces without air conditioning that are not intended for human occupancy shall be provided with mechanical or natural ventilation in compliance with other subsections of this code.

(L.L. 2026/023, 1/17/2026, eff. 6/1/2030)

1204.3 Freeze Protection.

All interior spaces shall be provided with active or passive systems or with methods of construction capable of preventing wet piping systems and vessels from freezing at all times, including permanently installed pipe heat tracing systems.

1204.4 System Design.

The heating system and air conditioning system, as applicable, shall be designed to provide sufficient capacity to meet the temperature and humidity requirements of Section 1204 when considering the outdoor air ventilation requirements and all losses in the system and ancillary uses, such as domestic hot water, for which the system is used. The system shall be designed and installed to meet all other applicable provisions of this code.