Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-39
Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation in multiple dwellings
Operative Text
A. Refrigeration. (1) Mechanical refrigeration equipment shall be installed and maintained so as not to be a hazard from excessive pressure or refrigerant leakage. (2) Refrigerating equipment shall not be located in exits, except that self-contained refrigerating units may be permitted in lobbies, corridors or passageways, provided that they do not obstruct or diminish the width of exits. B. Refrigerants. (1) Refrigerants shall be normally nontoxic and nonflammable. (2) The amount of refrigerant contained in each direct refrigerating system shall not exceed the amount that in case of leakage may be contained safely, in accordance with generally accepted standards, in the space in which the equipment is located, or in the spaces in which the refrigerant would be dissipated. (3) Systems containing refrigerants exceeding the limit stated in Subsection B(2) shall be of the indirect type. (4) Refrigerating equipment shall not be located in exits, except that self-contained refrigerating units may be permitted in lobbies, corridors or passageways, provided that they do not obstruct or diminish the width of exits. C. Safety controls. Refrigerating equipment shall be provided with devices to relieve excessive pressures safely. D. Cooling towers. Cooling towers shall be installed and maintained so that when in operation noise, fog, or water spray will not cause a nuisance. E. Mechanical ventilating systems. (1) Ventilating systems shall be installed and maintained so that the rapid spread of heat, flame, or smoke through the system will be prevented. (2) Shafts, other than those designed for ventilating purposes, stairways, passageways, exits, hoistways, or attics shall not be used as plenum chambers. (3) Ducts shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately fire stopped. (4) Ducts and other air-handling equipment shall be of noncombustible material. (5) Filters shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke hazard. (6) Ducts passing through or located within combustible construction shall be separated from such construction by a clearance of at least 1/2 inch or by a noncombustible insulating material at least 1/4 inch thick. (7) Ducts passing through fire walls shall be equipped with a fire damper or shutter on each side of the fire wall. Ducts passing through other fire separations shall be equipped with a single fire damper or shutter. (8) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality controlled, including an amount of exterior air equal to not less than one air change per hour. (9) Exhaust air from a dwelling unit, or a space whose contents may emit odors, fumes, or vapors, shall not be circulated to another dwelling unit or to other spaces within the building. F. Air intake and exhaust openings. (1) Air intake openings shall be installed, located, and maintained to prevent the possibility of fire, smoke, fumes, or foreign matter being drawn into the system. (2) Air exhaust openings shall be installed, located, and maintained so that exhaust air will not constitute a hazard or nuisance. (3) Ventilating systems shall be provided with adequate openings for incoming and outgoing air to obtain the required circulation. Intake openings shall provide for air to be received from an uncontaminated source. (4) Where openings for mechanical exhaust are located in spaces that also contain fuel-burning equipment, there shall be provided fixed intake openings from the exterior to supply sufficient air so that the fuel-burning equipment is not adversely affected. G. Ventilation requirements. (1) Enclosures or spaces where heat, gases, vapors, or odors accumulate and may become a hazard or nuisance shall be provided with mechanical ventilation to remove such excess. (2) Cooking equipment in central kitchens shall be provided with mechanical exhaust systems which are not connected with any other exhaust system. Such systems shall be provided with equipment or filters to prevent the entry of flammable materials into ducts. Openings shall be provided to permit easy inspection and cleaning. System shall be installed and maintained so that in the event of fire the danger of spread to other parts of the building is minimized. (3) Mechanical ventilating systems shall be installed and maintained so that the temperature and velocity of the air coming into contact with occupants does not constitute a health hazard. (4) Required mechanical ventilation shall be provided in accordance with Table II. Table II Mechanical Ventilation Requirements Space Minimum Ventilation Shower rooms, locker rooms and dressing rooms 6 air changes per hour Recreation rooms 2 air changes per hour Lounges, reception rooms, dining rooms and meeting rooms 4 air changes per hour Workshops, service rooms, paint storage rooms and utility service rooms 1 air change per hour Laundry rooms 2 air changes per hour Central kitchens 4 air changes per hour Hoods for cooking equipment in central kitchens 100 cfm per square foot of hood Central dining rooms 4 air changes per hour Garage areas Above grade exceeding 1,000 square feet 4 air changes per hour Below grade 6 air changes per hour Passageways, hallways, corridors and stairways Above grade 1/2 air change per hour Below grade 1 air change per hour H. Safety controls. Safety controls shall conform to Section 1004.2e of the Uniform Code.
Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-39 establishes detailed technical standards for refrigeration equipment, refrigerants, mechanical ventilation systems, and air intake and exhaust openings in multiple dwellings. The provision sets requirements covering everything from refrigerant toxicity and pressure-relief devices to duct materials, fire dampers, and minimum air-change rates for specific spaces such as laundry rooms, garages, and central kitchens. The overarching goal is to prevent fire spread, smoke circulation, toxic exposure, and other hazards that could affect building occupants.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to Auburn, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 182 § 182-39 are generally expected to install and maintain refrigeration and ventilation equipment in full conformity with each subsection's technical specifications. Compliant operators typically ensure that refrigerating units are kept out of exit pathways (except as expressly permitted in lobbies and corridors), that ducts are constructed of noncombustible materials and equipped with fire dampers at fire walls, and that each type of space achieves the minimum air-change rates listed in Table II. Routine inspection and maintenance records for filters, pressure-relief devices, cooling towers, and exhaust systems help demonstrate ongoing compliance with the provision's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Auburn multiple dwellings covered by ch. 182 § 182-39 have an interest in knowing that the law requires landlords to maintain refrigeration and ventilation systems in a manner that prevents fire hazards, smoke spread, and exposure to toxic or odorous air. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as refrigerating equipment blocking an exit, inadequate ventilation in a laundry room, or exhaust air from one unit being circulated into another—they may consider documenting the condition and reporting it to the appropriate local code-enforcement authority in Auburn. Tenants may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand how a violation of § 182-39 might be raised in relevant 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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