{"data":{"id":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-mc-306","jurisdiction":"us-nyc","citation":"N.Y.C. Admin. Code § MC 306","heading":"Section MC 306: Access and Service Space","body":"306.1 Access.\n\nAppliances, control devices, heat exchangers and HVAC system components that require maintenance shall be accessible for inspection, service, repair and replacement without disabling the function of a fire-resistance-rated assembly or removing permanent construction, other appliances, venting systems or any other piping or ducts not connected to the appliance being inspected, serviced, repaired or replaced. A level working space not less than 30 inches deep and 30 inches wide (762 mm by 762 mm) shall be provided in front of the control side to service an appliance. Clearance shall also be provided as required by the New York City Electrical Code.\n\n306.1.1 Central furnaces.\n\nCentral furnaces within compartments or alcoves shall have a minimum working space clearance of 3 inches (76.2 mm) along the sides, back and top with a total width of the enclosing space being not less than 12 inches (304.8 mm) wider than the furnace. Furnaces having a firebox open to the atmosphere shall have not less than 6 inches (152.4 mm) working space along the front combustion chamber side. Combustion air openings at the rear or side of the compartment shall comply with the requirements of Chapter 7.\n\nException: This section shall not apply to replacement appliances installed in existing compartments and alcoves where the working space clearances are in accordance with the equipment or appliance manufacturer's instructions.\n\n306.2 Appliances in rooms.\n\nRooms containing appliances shall be provided with a door and an unobstructed passageway measuring not less than 36 inches (914.4 mm) wide and 80 inches (2032 mm) high.\n\nException: Within a dwelling unit, appliances installed in a compartment, alcove, basement or similar space shall be accessed by an opening or door and an unobstructed passageway measuring not less than 24 inches (609.6 mm) wide and large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance in the space, provided that a level service space of not less than 30 inches (762 mm) deep and the height of the appliance, but not less than 30 inches (762 mm), is present at the front or service side of the appliance with the door open.\n\n306.3 Appliances in attics.\n\nAttics containing appliances shall be provided with an opening and unobstructed passageway large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance. The passageway shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) high and 22 inches (558.8 mm) wide and not more than 20 feet (6096 mm) in length measured along the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the appliance. The passageway shall have continuous solid flooring not less than 24 inches (609.6 mm) wide. A level service space not less than 30 inches (762 mm) deep and 30 inches (762 mm) wide shall be present at the front or service side of the appliance. The clear access opening dimensions shall be not less than 20 inches by 30 inches (508 mm by 762 mm), and large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. The passageway and level service space are not required where the appliance is capable of being serviced and removed through the required opening.\n\n2. Where the passageway is unobstructed and not less than 6 feet (1828.8 mm) high and 24 inches (609.6 mm) wide for its entire length, the passageway shall be not greater than 50 feet (15 250 mm) in length.\n\n306.3.1 Electrical requirements.\n\nA luminaire controlled by a switch located at the required passageway opening and a receptacle outlet shall be provided at or near the appliance location in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.\n\n306.4 Appliances under floors.\n\nUnder-floor spaces containing appliances shall be provided with an access opening and unobstructed passageway large enough to remove the largest appliance. The passageway shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) high and 22 inches (558.8 mm) wide, nor more than 20 feet (6096 mm) in length measured along the centerline of the passageway from the opening to the appliance. A level service space not less than 30 inches (762 mm) deep and 30 inches (762 mm) wide shall be present at the front or service side of the appliance. If the depth of the passageway or the service space exceeds 12 inches (304.8 mm) below the adjoining grade, the walls of the passageway shall be lined with concrete or masonry. Such concrete or masonry shall extend not less than 4 inches (101.6 mm) above the adjoining grade and shall have sufficient lateral-bearing capacity to resist collapse. The clear access opening dimensions shall be not less than 22 inches by 30 inches (558.8 mm by 762 mm), and large enough to allow removal of the largest appliance.\n\nExceptions:\n\n1. The passageway is not required where the level service space is present when the access is open and the appliance is capable of being serviced and removed through the required opening.\n\n2. Where the passageway is unobstructed and not less than 6 feet (1828.8 mm) high and 22 inches (558.8 mm) wide for its entire length, the passageway shall not be limited in length.\n\n306.4.1 Electrical requirements.\n\nA luminaire controlled by a switch located at the required passageway opening and a receptacle outlet shall be provided at or near the appliance location in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.\n\n306.5 Equipment and appliances on roofs or elevated structures.\n\nWhere equipment or appliances requiring access are located on an elevated structure or the roof of a building such that personnel will have to climb higher than 16 feet (4876.8 mm) above grade, roof or floor level to access such equipment or appliances, an interior or exterior means of access shall be provided. Such access shall not require climbing over obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height or walking on roofs having a slope greater than 4 units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Such access to the roof or elevated structure and access from the roof or elevated structure to equipment requiring maintenance shall not require the use of portable ladders. Where access involves climbing over parapet walls, the height shall be measured to the top of the parapet wall.\n\nPermanent ladders installed to provide the required access shall comply with the following minimum design criteria:\n\n1. The side railing shall extend above the parapet or roof edge not less than 30 inches (762 mm).\n\n2. Ladders shall have rung spacing not to exceed 12 inches (304.8 mm) on center. The uppermost rung shall be not more than 24 inches (609.6 mm) below the upper edge of the roof hatch, roof or parapet, or equipment access platform, as applicable.\n\n3. Ladders shall have a toe spacing not less than 7 inches (177.8 mm) deep.\n\n4. There shall be not less than 18 inches (457.2 mm) between rails.\n\n5. Rungs shall have a diameter not less than 0.75-inch (19 mm) and be capable of withstanding a 300-pound (136.1 kg) load.\n\n6. Where a cage, well or ladder safety device is prohibited, ladders over 20 feet (6096 mm) in height shall be provided with landing platforms for each 30 feet (9144 mm) of height. Where a cage, well or ladder safety device is not provided, ladders over 20 feet (6096 mm) in height shall be provided with landing platforms for each 20 feet (6096 mm) of height. Landings shall be capable of withstanding 100 pounds (488.2 kg/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) per square foot. A guard rail and toeboard shall be provided on all open sides of the landing.\n\n7. Climbing clearance. The distance from the centerline of the rungs to the nearest permanent object on the climbing side of the ladder shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) measured perpendicular to the rungs. This distance shall be maintained from the point of ladder access to the bottom of the roof hatch. A minimum clear width of 15 inches (381 mm) shall be provided on both sides of the ladder measured from the midpoint of and parallel with the rungs except where cages or wells are installed.\n\n8. Landing required. The ladder shall be provided with a clear and unobstructed bottom landing area having a minimum dimension of 30 inches by 30 inches (762 mm by 762 mm) centered in front of the ladder.\n\n9. Ladders shall be protected against corrosion by approved means.\n\n10. Service personnel shall have access to ladders at all times.\n\n11. Where ladder extensions are installed, the side rails of through or side-step ladder extensions shall extend 3 1/2 feet (1066.8 mm) above the parapets and landings. For through ladder extensions, the rungs shall be omitted from the extensions and shall have not less than 18 inches (457.2 mm) nor more than 24 inches (609.6 mm) of clearance between rails. For side-step or offset fixed ladder sections, at landings, the side rails and rungs shall be carried to the next regular rung beyond or above the 3 1/2 feet (1066.8 mm) minimum.\n\nCatwalks installed to provide the required access shall be not less than 24 inches (609.6 mm) wide and shall have railings as required for service platforms.\n\nException: This section shall not apply to Group R-3 occupancies.\n\n306.5.1 Sloped roofs.\n\nWhere appliances, equipment, fans or other components that require service are installed on a roof having a slope of three units vertical in 12 units horizontal (25-percent slope) or greater and having an edge more than 30 inches (762 mm) above grade at such edge, a level platform shall be provided on each side of the appliance or equipment to which access is required for service, repair or maintenance. The platform shall be not less than 30 inches (762 mm) in any dimension and shall be provided with guards. The guards shall extend not less than 42 inches (1066.8 mm) above the platform, shall be constructed so as to prevent the passage of a 21-inch (533.4 mm) diameter sphere and shall comply with the loading requirements for guards specified in the New York City Building Code. Access shall not require walking on roofs having a slope greater than four units vertical in 12 units horizontal (33-percent slope). Where access involves obstructions greater than 30 inches (762 mm) in height, such obstructions shall be provided with ladders installed in accordance with Section 306.5 or stairways installed in accordance with the requirements specified in the New York City Building Code in the path of travel to and from appliances, fans or equipment requiring service.\n\n306.5.2 Electrical requirements.\n\nA receptacle outlet shall be provided at or near the equipment location in accordance with the New York City Electrical Code.","path":["New York City Administrative Code","Title 28","Chapter 8: New York City Mechanical 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":"99a9d4fb6b34f7ee9b4d87ec1a11b4d3edd494a33f536fa5abfa1e2d8dba3a38","source_id":"us-nyc","stale":false,"prev":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-mc-305","next":"us-nyc/n.y.c.-admin.-code-mc-307"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}