Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-24
Mechanical equipment requirements
Operative Text
A. Plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation, air-conditioning, refrigerating, cooking, fire-protection and radiation-production equipment, elevators, dumbwaiters, escalators and other mechanical additions, installations or systems for the use of the building shall be installed, located and maintained so that under normal conditions of use such equipment and systems will not be a danger to health and welfare, a danger because of structural defects or a source of ignition or a radiation hazard and will not create excessive noise or otherwise become a nuisance. Equipment and systems include, but are not limited to, apparatus, devices, fixtures, piping, pipe hangers, pipe covering, wiring, fittings and materials used as part of or in connection with such installations. B. Equipment and systems subject to damage from freezing shall be adequately protected against freezing. C. Moving parts of equipment which may be a potential hazard shall be guarded to protect against accidental contact.
Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-24 establishes that all mechanical systems in a building — including plumbing, heating, electrical, ventilation, elevators, and similar equipment — must be installed, located, and maintained so they do not endanger health, create structural hazards, pose fire or radiation risks, or become a nuisance through excessive noise. Equipment vulnerable to freezing must be adequately protected, and any moving parts that could injure people must be guarded against accidental contact. The rule covers not just major systems but also the components that make them up, such as piping, wiring, fixtures, and fittings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 215-24, compliant property operators generally conduct routine inspections of all mechanical systems — plumbing, HVAC, electrical, elevators, and related components — to confirm they remain in safe working order and free from conditions that could endanger occupants or create nuisances. Operators typically take steps to winterize equipment susceptible to freezing before cold weather arrives and ensure that exposed moving parts on machinery are properly guarded. Maintaining documentation of inspections, repairs, and upgrades to these systems is a common practice among operators seeking to demonstrate ongoing compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 215-24 of the Cohoes Code gives occupants a basis to expect that all mechanical systems in their building — from heating and plumbing to elevators and electrical wiring — are kept in a safe, non-hazardous condition throughout their tenancy. If a tenant observes conditions such as unguarded moving parts, unprotected pipes that have frozen or burst, or equipment creating excessive noise or health risks, those conditions may constitute a violation of this provision. Tenants can generally report such concerns to the local code enforcement or housing inspection office, and may also wish to consult a tenant-rights organization to understand what options are available under New York law.
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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