Glens Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 128 § 128-26
Exit facilities and stairways
Operative Text
A. Exit facilities from dwellings or dwelling units shall lead to a public thoroughfare, either directly or through a court or yard. Passage to such exits shall not lead through any other dwelling or dwelling unit. In multiple dwellings, approved exits shall be provided. B. Within one year of the effective date of this article, each multiple residence of two stories or more shall have at least two interior stairways, remote from each other, providing egress from each story to the ground level. Each such stairway shall be totally enclosed with fire-resistant material of at least one-hour's fire-resistance rating. All openings into said stairways shall be sealed with similar fire-resistant materials. At each story, all door openings or entranceways into said stairways shall be equipped with a self-closing fire-resistant door and frame, constructed of materials of at least one-hour's fire-resistance rating which open in the direction of egress from the building. C. The owner(s) may apply for and the Building Inspector may, at his discretion, allow or disallow the owner(s) to maintain only a single interior stairway constructed or reconstructed in accord with Subsection A of this section if the fire-resistant materials in the walls, ceiling, floor and door of said single stairway are covered with fire-resistant material of at least two-hours' fire resistance rating and if at least one exterior fire escape, remote from the interior stairway, is constructed and/or maintained to the satisfaction of the Building Inspector in accordance with the terms of § 133 of the Multiple Residence Law of the State of New York, as amended from time to time, or the building, including the single stairway, is equipped with a sprinkler system installed and maintained, at the owner's own cost and expense, in accordance with the most recent standards published by the National Fire Protection Association.
Glens Falls, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 128 § 128-26 establishes fire-safety and egress requirements for residential buildings. Exit paths from dwelling units must lead to a public street, court, or yard without passing through another unit. Multi-story multiple dwellings are generally required to have at least two separate, fire-resistant enclosed interior stairways, though an alternative arrangement involving a single stairway with enhanced fire-resistance and an exterior fire escape or sprinkler system may be permitted at the Building Inspector's discretion.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under ch. 128 § 128-26, operators of multiple dwellings two stories or higher generally maintain at least two interior stairways that are remote from each other, fully enclosed with materials rated for at least one hour of fire resistance, and fitted with self-closing fire-resistant doors at each story. Owners who wish to rely on a single interior stairway instead must apply to the Building Inspector, who has discretion to approve that arrangement only when enhanced two-hour fire-resistant materials are used throughout and either a qualifying exterior fire escape or a compliant sprinkler system is also in place. Compliant operators keep documentation of materials ratings, stairway enclosures, and any approved alternative arrangements readily available for inspection.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 128-26 of the Glens Falls Code gives residents of multi-story buildings a right to egress paths that are properly enclosed, fire-resistant, and accessible without passing through another unit. If stairways appear unenclosed, lack self-closing fire doors, or exit routes seem to pass through other dwelling units, tenants may report concerns to the Glens Falls Building Department, which oversees compliance with this provision. Tenant-rights organizations can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes are available.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
No inbound references recorded yet for this provision.