Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 157-33
Mechanical ventilation in multiple dwellings
Operative Text
A. Refrigerants. (1) Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be used in multiple dwellings. (2) Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable or toxic shall not be used for air-conditioning purposes. B. 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 and so that under conditions of use the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto or in contact therewith will not exceed a safe temperature. (2) Stairways, passageways, exits, shafts, hoistways or attics shall not be used as plenum chambers. (3) Duets shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately firestopped. (4) Duets 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) Duets 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) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality-controlled. (8) Exhaust air from a dwelling unit or a space whose contents may emit odors, fumes or vapors shall not be circulated to other occupied spaces within the building. C. Air intake and exhaust openings. (1) Air intake and exhaust openings shall be installed, located and maintained so as not to constitute a hazard or nuisance and so as to prevent the possibility of fire, smoke, fumes or foreign matter being drawn into the system. (2) Ventilating systems shall be provided with adequate openings for incoming and outgoing air to obtain the required circulation. Intake openings shall provide air from an uncontaminated source. (3) 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. (4) Exhaust openings shall be located so that the exhaust air will not create a nuisance. D. Ventilation requirements. (1) Enclosures or spaces where heat, gases, vapors or odors may accumulate and become a potential source of hazard or nuisance shall be provided with adequate means of ventilation to remove such excess. (2) Public spaces shall be provided with means for obtaining air supply for the maximum number of persons for which such spaces are designed. E. Safety controls. (1) Manually operated controls shall be provided to stop the operation of all central fan equipment. Such controls shall be conspicuously identified and in readily accessible locations outside the fan room. (2) Every system using recirculated air and serving an assembly space or more than one fire area or more than one story of a building shall be provided with controls arranged so that, under abnormal rise in temperature of the air in the system, the fans causing normal circulation shall stop and require manual restart. (3) Every system for ventilating an assembly space shall be provided with an emergency switch conveniently located and with a durable sign giving instructions for shutting down the system in case of fire.
Clarkstown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 157 § 157-33 establishes detailed safety requirements for mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The rule prohibits the use of highly flammable refrigerants and restricts flammable or toxic refrigerants in air-conditioning systems, while requiring that ductwork, filters, and air-handling equipment be made of noncombustible materials and properly firestopped. It also mandates that exhaust air from individual units not be recirculated to other occupied spaces, that air intakes draw from uncontaminated exterior sources, and that fan systems include manual and automatic safety controls capable of shutting down circulation in the event of abnormal heat or fire.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to ch. 157 § 157-33 generally ensure that all ventilation and air-conditioning equipment is installed with noncombustible ducts, properly secured and firestopped, and that refrigerants used do not fall into the highly flammable or toxic categories prohibited by the code. Compliant operators also verify that exhaust air from individual units or odor-producing spaces is discharged to the exterior rather than recirculated within the building, and that air intakes are positioned to draw from clean, uncontaminated exterior sources. Maintaining manual shutdown controls in accessible, clearly labeled locations outside fan rooms, and equipping assembly-space systems with emergency shutoff switches and posted instructions, are also standard practices under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Residents of multiple dwellings in Clarkstown have an interest in knowing that § 157-33 of the town code requires building owners to maintain ventilation systems that prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and fumes and to ensure that exhaust air from one unit is not recirculated into other occupied spaces. If a tenant observes conditions suggesting these requirements are not being met—such as odors or fumes appearing to enter from shared ventilation—they may consider documenting the issue and contacting the appropriate Clarkstown building or housing code enforcement office to report a potential violation. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand how a violation of § 157-33 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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation