Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-62
Installation and clearance
Operative Text
Where heat-producing equipment is installed on or adjacent to combustible materials, the location, insulation, clearance and the control of the equipment shall be such that the temperature on the surface of the combustible materials will not exceed a safe temperature.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-62 establishes a performance-based safety standard for heat-producing equipment placed on or near combustible materials. The rule requires that the combination of location, insulation, clearance, and equipment controls must keep the surface temperature of any nearby combustible material within a safe range. Rather than specifying exact distances or materials, the provision focuses on the end result: combustible surfaces must not reach unsafe temperatures.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-62, compliant property operators generally ensure that any heat-producing equipment—such as furnaces, boilers, or water heaters—is positioned, insulated, and controlled so that adjacent combustible materials never reach unsafe surface temperatures. Operators typically document installation specifications, maintain manufacturer-recommended clearances, and schedule routine inspections to verify that insulation and controls remain effective over time. When equipment is replaced or upgraded, a review of clearance and insulation adequacy relative to the new unit's heat output is a standard part of the installation process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Albany, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 231 § 231-62 is designed to protect occupants by ensuring heat-producing equipment does not create fire hazards near combustible materials in their homes. Tenants who observe scorching, discoloration, or excessive heat on walls, floors, or other surfaces near heating equipment may have grounds to report a potential code violation to Albany's local code enforcement or housing inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a landlord's failure to meet this standard might be raised as a housing code complaint or used as a defense in related proceedings.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated November 7, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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