Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 168 § 168-39
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, as provided in § 168-25G . 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. 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 firestopped. (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. The 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, Mechanical Ventilation Requirements, below. TABLE II - Mechanical Ventilation Requirements Space Minimum Ventilation Shower rooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms 6 air changes per hour Recreation rooms 2 air changes per hour Lounges, reception rooms, dining rooms, meeting rooms 4 air changes per hour Workshops, service rooms, paint storage rooms, 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. (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 more than one story of a building shall be provided with controls arranged so that under an abnormal rise in temperature of the air in the system, the fans causing normal circulation shall stop and require manual restart.
Section 168-39 of Glen Cove, N.Y., Code of Ordinances Chapter 168 establishes comprehensive safety and performance standards for refrigeration equipment, refrigerants, cooling towers, and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The rule sets requirements covering everything from refrigerant toxicity limits and pressure-relief devices to duct materials, fire dampers, air-change rates by room type, and automatic fan shutoff controls. Its overarching effect is to ensure that air-handling and cooling systems do not create fire, smoke, health, or nuisance hazards for building occupants or neighbors.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to § 168-39 of Glen Cove Code Chapter 168 generally keep refrigeration equipment properly maintained and free of pressure or leakage hazards, ensure refrigerants meet nontoxicity and nonflammability standards, and verify that cooling towers operate without generating noise, fog, or spray nuisances. Compliant operators also install and maintain ductwork using noncombustible materials, equip ducts at fire walls with the required dampers, and confirm that each space type meets the minimum air-change rates specified in Table II of § 168-39. Manual fan-stop controls for central fan equipment are kept conspicuously labeled and accessible outside the fan room, and multi-story recirculating systems are equipped with automatic temperature-triggered shutoffs that require manual restart.
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 Glen Cove have an interest in knowing that § 168-39 of Code Chapter 168 entitles them to live in buildings where refrigeration and ventilation systems are maintained to prevent fire, smoke, fume, and health hazards. If a tenant observes conditions suggesting non-compliance—such as refrigerant odors, inadequate ventilation, or improperly placed equipment blocking exits—those observations can be documented and reported to the appropriate local code enforcement or housing authority. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand how a violation of § 168-39 might be raised in a housing proceeding or complaint process.
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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