Garden City, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 127 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 127-35
Air-conditioning and 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) 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) 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.
Section 127-35 of Garden City's Code of Ordinances establishes safety standards for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The provision restricts the types of refrigerants that may be used, sets requirements for how ducts, filters, and air-handling equipment must be constructed and maintained, and governs where air intake and exhaust openings may be located. It also mandates that ventilation systems include specific safety controls—such as manual shutoff switches and automatic temperature-triggered fan stops—to limit the spread of fire, smoke, and hazardous fumes throughout a building.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings in Garden City are generally expected to ensure that all HVAC and ventilation systems comply with the material, installation, and safety-control requirements set out in § 127-35. This includes using only permitted refrigerants, constructing ductwork from noncombustible materials with proper fire-stopping and clearances, and ensuring that exhaust air from odor- or fume-producing spaces is never recirculated to other occupied areas. Compliant operators also maintain conspicuously labeled manual shutoff controls outside fan rooms and, where required, install automatic temperature-triggered fan stops and emergency switches in assembly spaces.
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 Garden City have an interest in knowing that § 127-35 sets baseline safety standards for the ventilation and air-conditioning systems in their buildings, including rules designed to prevent fire spread and limit exposure to fumes or smoke. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as improperly maintained ductwork, missing safety controls, or exhaust air being recirculated into living spaces—they may consider documenting the issue and contacting the appropriate local building or housing code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what options may be available when ventilation systems appear to fall short of the requirements in § 127-35.
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 10, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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