{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-713","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § BC 713","heading":"Section BC 713: Shaft Enclosures","body":"713.1 General.\n\nThe provisions of this section shall apply to shafts required to protect openings and penetrations through floor/ceiling and roof/ceiling assemblies. Interior exit stairways and ramps shall be enclosed in accordance with Section 1023.\n\n713.2 Construction.\n\nShaft enclosures shall be constructed as fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies in accordance with Section 711, or both.\n\n713.3 Materials.\n\nThe shaft enclosure shall be of materials permitted by the building type of construction.\n\nException: Noncombustible materials shall be used for shaft enclosures in Group I-1, R-1 and R-2 buildings irrespective of the building type of construction.\n\n713.4 Fire-resistance rating.\n\nShaft enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating of not less than 2 hours where penetrating three stories or more, and not less than 1 hour where penetrating fewer than three stories. The number of stories connected by the shaft enclosure shall include any basements or cellars, but not any mezzanines. Shaft enclosures shall have a fire-resistance rating not less than the floor assembly penetrated, but need not exceed 2 hours. Shaft enclosures shall meet the requirements of Section 703.2.1.\n\n713.5 Continuity.\n\nShaft enclosures shall be constructed as fire barriers in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. Where the roof construction is of combustible materials, shaft enclosure walls shall extend through the roof construction not less than 30 inches (762 mm) above the roof. Where the roof construction is of noncombustible materials, shaft enclosure walls shall extend from the top of the floor/ceiling assembly below to the underside of the floor or roof slab or deck above and shall be securely attached thereto. These walls shall be continuous through concealed spaces such as the space above a suspended ceiling. The supporting construction shall be protected to afford the required fire-resistance rating of the element supported. Hollow vertical spaces within the shaft enclosure construction wall shall be firestopped at every floor level.\n\nException: A shaft enclosure of a refuse or laundry chute shall extend through combustible or noncombustible roof construction not less than 6 feet (1828.9 mm) above the roof.\n\n713.6 Exterior walls.\n\nWhere exterior walls serve as a part of a required shaft enclosure, such walls shall comply with the requirements of Section 705 for exterior walls and the fire-resistance-rated enclosure requirements of Section 713.4 shall not apply.\n\nException: Exterior walls required to be fire-resistance-rated in accordance with Section 1021.2 for exterior egress balconies, Section 1023.7 for interior exit stairways and ramps and Section 1027.6 for exterior exit stairways and ramps.\n\n713.7 Openings.\n\nOpenings in a shaft enclosure shall be protected in accordance with Section 716 as required for fire barriers. Doors shall be self- or automatic-closing by smoke detection in accordance with Section 716.5.9.3. Automatic-closing by smoke detection is not permitted for doors serving interior exit stairways or ramps.\n\nException: For no more than one interior exit stairway or ramp in a building, doors serving such enclosure may be automatic-closing by smoke detection provided that all the following conditions are satisfied:\n\n1. The building contains no Group H space and:\n\n1.1. Is not a high-rise building pursuant to Section 403.1 of this code, or for the purposes of prior code buildings, Section 27-232 of the Administrative Code, and is equipped with a fire alarm system; or\n\n1.2. Is equipped with fire alarm systems and automatic sprinkler systems throughout; or\n\n1.3. Is a high-rise office building, as such term is defined in Section 27-232 of the Administrative Code, that is 100 feet (30 480 mm) or more in height, equipped with a fire alarm system and subdivided into compartments pursuant to subdivision c of Section 27-339 of the Administrative Code.\n\n2. Such doors serve no more than three levels within such vertical exit enclosure, which must be consecutive levels.\n\n3. All levels served by such doors are served by not less than one other exit.\n\n4. Such doors are connected to a fire alarm system and installed in accordance with NFPA 80 and Section 716.5.9.3 of this code.\n\n5. The hold-open devices of such doors:\n\n5.1. Are capable of manual release at the fire command center, or if a fire command center is not required, at a fire alarm control panel that is near the main building entrance; and\n\n5.2. Are capable of manual release by pulling the doors to the closed position.\n\n713.7.1 Prohibited openings.\n\nOpenings other than those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted in shaft enclosures.\n\n713.8 Penetrations.\n\nPenetrations in a shaft enclosure shall be protected in accordance with Section 714 as required for fire barriers. Structural elements, such as beams or joists, where protected in accordance with Section 714 shall be permitted to penetrate a shaft enclosure.\n\n713.8.1 Prohibited penetrations.\n\nPenetrations other than those necessary for the purpose of the shaft shall not be permitted in shaft enclosures.\n\n713.9 Joints.\n\nJoints in a shaft enclosure shall comply with Section 715.\n\n713.10 Duct and air transfer openings.\n\nPenetrations of a shaft enclosure by ducts and air transfer openings shall comply with Section 717.\n\n713.11 Enclosure at the bottom.\n\nShafts that do not extend to the bottom of the building or structure shall comply with one of the following:\n\n1. They shall be enclosed at the lowest level with construction of the same fire-resistance rating as the lowest floor through which the shaft passes, but not less than the rating required for the shaft enclosure.\n\n2. They shall terminate in a room having a use related to the purpose of the shaft. The room shall be separated from the remainder of the building by fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. The fire-resistance rating and opening protectives shall be not less than the protection required for the shaft enclosure.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. The fire-resistance-rated room separation is not required, provided there are no openings in or penetrations of the shaft enclosure to the interior of the building except at the bottom. The bottom of the shaft shall be closed off around the penetrating items with materials permitted by Section 718.3.1 for draftstopping, or the room shall be provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system.\n\n2. A shaft enclosure containing a waste or linen chute shall not be used for any other purpose and shall discharge into a room protected in accordance with Section 713.13.4.\n\n3. The fire-resistance-rated room separation and the protection at the bottom of the shaft are not required provided there are no combustibles in the shaft and there are no openings or other penetrations through the shaft enclosure to the interior of the building.\n\n713.12 Enclosure at the top.\n\nShafts that do not extend to the top of the building or structure shall comply with one of the following:\n\n1. They shall be enclosed at the highest level with construction of the same fire-resistance rating as the highest floor through which the shaft passes, but not less than the rating required for the shaft enclosure.\n\n2. They shall terminate in a room having a use related to the purpose of the shaft. The room shall be separated from the remainder of the building by construction having a fire-resistance rating and opening protective not less than the protection required for the shaft enclosure.\n\n713.12.1 Smoke venting of stair and other closed shafts.\n\nAll closed shafts, including vertical exit enclosures, having a floor area exceeding 4 square feet (0.37 m\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t) shall be provided with a smoke vent in accordance with Sections 713.12.1.1 through 713.12.1.3. Interior vertical exit shaft enclosures shall also comply with Chapter 10.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. Elevator and dumbwaiter shafts in accordance with Chapter 30.\n\n2. Interior exit stairways and ramps constructed as smokeproof enclosures in accordance with Section 1023.11.\n\n713.12.1.1 Smoke vent construction.\n\nSmoke vents may be constructed as windows, louvers, skylights, vent ducts, or similar devices, and shall be approved for such use. Where a vent duct is installed, such vent duct shall be enclosed by construction having the same fire-resistance rating as required for the shaft enclosure.\n\n713.12.1.2 Smoke vent dimensions.\n\nThe effective venting area shall be not less than 3 1/2 percent of the maximum shaft area at any floor, but in no event less than 72 square inches (46 451.5 mm\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t2\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t).\n\n713.12.1.3 Smoke vent location.\n\nSmoke vents shall be located in accordance with Section 713.12.1.3.1 or 713.12.1.3.2, as applicable.\n\n713.12.1.3.1 Smoke vents located above the roof line.\n\nWhere a closed shaft or smoke vent duct penetrates through the roof of the building, the vent shall be approved for such use and located as follows:\n\n1. The vent shall be located not less than 8 inches (203.2 mm) above a noncombustible roof assembly or not less than 36 inches (914.4 mm) above a combustible roof assembly.\n\n2. The vent shall be located not less than 10 feet (3048 mm) from any window, door, exterior stairway, or interior lot line. The vent may be located not less than 5 feet (1524 mm) from any window or door provided that the vent is located at a point higher than the top of such window or door.\n\n3. Where the vent is constructed as a window or louver, the sill of the window or louver shall be located not less than 36 inches (914.4 mm) above the roof assembly.\n\n713.12.1.3.2 Smoke vents located in an exterior wall.\n\nWhere a smoke vent is located in an exterior wall, openings in the wall are prohibited within an area 30 feet (9144 mm) vertically above the vent opening and 5 feet (1524 mm) horizontally on either side of the vent opening.\n\n713.13 Waste and linen chutes, including discharge rooms, and incinerator rooms.\n\nWaste and linen chutes, and discharge rooms for such chutes, shall comply with the provisions of NFPA 82, Chapter 6 of this code and shall meet the requirements of Sections 713.13.1 through 713.13.6 of this code. Incinerator rooms shall meet the provisions of Sections 713.13.4 through 713.13.5 of this code.\n\nException: Chutes serving and contained within a single dwelling unit.\n\n713.13.1 Waste and linen.\n\nA shaft enclosure containing a recycling, or waste or linen chute, and any associated discharge room, shall not be used for any other purpose and shall have a fire-resistance rating of 2 hours. Openings into the shaft, including those from access rooms and discharge rooms, shall be protected in accordance with this section and Section 716. Openings into chutes shall not be located in corridors. Doors into chutes shall be self-closing. Discharge doors shall be self- or automatic-closing upon the actuation of a smoke detector in accordance with Section 716.5.9.3, except that heat-activated closing devices shall be permitted between the shaft and the discharge room.\n\n713.13.2 Materials.\n\nA shaft enclosure containing a waste, recycling, or linen chute shall be constructed of noncombustible materials.\n\n713.13.3 Waste and linen chute access rooms.\n\nAccess openings for waste and linen chutes shall be located in dedicated rooms or compartments enclosed by not less than 2-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711 or both. Openings into the access rooms shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating of not less than 1 1/2 hours. Doors to access rooms shall be self-closing, except where the storage of waste, including recyclables, or linen and other laundry, is not permitted in such access room, doors may be automatic-closing upon the detection of smoke in accordance with Section 716.5.9.3.\n\nException: Access openings for waste or linen chutes located within a dwelling unit need not be located within a separate room or compartment.\n\n713.13.4 Chute discharge room.\n\nWaste or linen chutes shall discharge into an enclosed room separated by not less than 3-hour fire barriers constructed in accordance with Section 707 or by horizontal assemblies constructed in accordance with Section 711, or both. Openings into the discharge room from the remainder of the building shall be protected by opening protectives having a fire protection rating equal to the protection required for the shaft enclosure. Doors shall be self- or automatic-closing upon the detection of smoke in accordance with Section 716.5.9.3. Waste chutes shall not terminate in an incinerator room. Waste and linen rooms that are not provided with chutes need only comply with Table 509.\n\nException: Opening protectives shall not be required at a waste or linen chute opening to a discharge room.\n\n713.13.5 Incinerator room.\n\nIncinerator rooms shall comply with Table 509.\n\n713.13.6 Automatic sprinkler system.\n\nAn approved automatic sprinkler system shall be installed in accordance with Section 903.2.11.6.\n\n713.14 Elevator, dumbwaiter and other hoistways.\n\nElevator, dumbwaiter and other hoistway enclosures shall be constructed in accordance with Chapter 30 and this section.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 28","Chapter 7: New York City Building Code"],"source_url":"https://files.amlegal.com/pdffiles/NewYorkCity/Admin/XML.zip","current_through":"Local Law 2026/135 (enacted August 31, 2026)","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-06T02:48:57Z","sha256":"a7cc56531af2b79ca6980dfd5aebf30d4676137187c92891e4f547616cf0123e","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":true,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-712","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-bc-714"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}