Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-28
Chimneys, flues and gas vents
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Chimneys, flues, gas vents and their supports shall be installed and maintained so as to be structurally safe, durable, smoketight, noncombustible and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling. (2) Such facilities shall effectively convey the products of combustion to the outer air. (3) Masonry chimneys, except approved prefabricated chimneys, shall have noncombustible foundations. (4) Flue linings shall be capable of withstanding the action of flue gas without softening, cracking or spalling at the temperature to which they will be subjected. (5) Openings for smoke pipes or gas vent connections shall be provided with means for easy connection without restrictions of flue. (6) Fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces located in different tenancies shall not be connected to the same flue. B. Firesafety. Chimneys, flues and gas vents shall be installed and maintained so that under conditions of use, the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto, insulated therefrom or in contact therewith does not exceed a safe temperature.
Cohoes, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-28 establishes structural and fire-safety standards for chimneys, flues, and gas vents in residential and other buildings. These components must be built and kept in a condition that safely carries combustion byproducts to the outside air, resists heat and corrosion, and does not allow nearby combustible materials to reach unsafe temperatures. Notably, fuel-burning equipment or fireplaces in separate tenancies may not share a single flue.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 215 § 215-28, compliant property operators generally ensure that all chimneys, flues, and gas vents are periodically inspected and maintained in a structurally sound, smoketight, and noncombustible condition. Operators also verify that flue linings remain intact and that no two separate tenancies share a common flue connection for fuel-burning equipment or fireplaces. Routine documentation of inspections and any corrective work supports a record of 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 215-28 of the Cohoes Code gives tenants an interest in knowing that chimneys, flues, and gas vents serving their unit are properly maintained and that their heating equipment is not sharing a flue with another tenancy. If a tenant observes signs of chimney deterioration, smoke infiltration, or suspected shared-flue arrangements, they may report concerns to the local code enforcement or housing inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a landlord's failure to meet the standards in § 215-28 might be raised in a housing or code-enforcement proceeding.
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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