Hempstead Town, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 88 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 88-14

A. The provisions of this section shall supplement the requirements of Article 4 of the Multiple Residence Law of the State of New York, and shall apply to all Class B multiple residences used or arranged to be occupied transiently, and shall include hotels, lodging houses, dormitories, boarding and nursery schools, sorority houses, fraternity houses and rooming houses. Conval scent, old-age and nursing homes shall comply with § 88-15 in addition to this section. B. Emergency lighting. In every hotel or similar dwelling in which there is a place of public assembly having a capacity of 200 or more persons, and in all public hallways on each floor, there shall be installed and maintained, in addition to the principal lighting system, an independent substitute system powered by a source of electricity other than that of the principal system, which shall be arranged to operate automatically upon failure of the electric current to provide a distinct illumination for a period of 30 minutes of all exitways and aisles. A light intensity of 0.5 footcandle at floor or ground level shall be deemed distinct illumination within the meaning and intent of this section. C. Storage compartments. All spaces in or within 30 feet of the dwelling where inflammable or combustible materials are stored must be equipped with a sprinkler or fire-detection system. D. Kitchens and pantries. (1) All kitchens and pantries serving restaurants or dining rooms in any transient dwelling shall be equipped with an automatic sprinkler system or a fire-detection system. Where such kitchens and pantries are located at least 30 feet from such dwelling, no sprinkler or fire-detection system shall be required. (2) Where a kitchen or service pantry is used in connection with a place of public assembly, it shall be separated from such place of assembly by construction having a fire-resistive rating of at least one hour. All doors from such area shall be at least one-hour fireproof, self-closing doors. Such doors may have a vision panel of wired glass and shall meet the specifications as defined for wire glass in § 88-12II(4) and (5) . Interior openings other than doors shall be provided with automatic fire dampers or fire shutters. E. Interior fire alarm system. In every transient dwelling containing 20 or more sleeping rooms for transient occupancy, there shall be an interior fire alarm system so installed and maintained that it can be operated manually from any floor to sound an alarm or alarms capable of being heard clearly in all parts of the dwelling. Such alarm system shall be installed, arranged and maintained pursuant to Rule 1 of the State Multiple Residence Law . F. Watchman. In every fireproof dwelling containing 50 or more rooms used for living or sleeping purposes by transient occupants, and in every such non-fireproof dwelling containing 30 or more such rooms, the owner shall employ one or more watchmen or clerks whose duty it shall be to visit every portion of the dwelling at frequent intervals, between the hours of 11:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m., for the purpose of detecting fire or other sources of danger and giving immediate and timely warning thereof to all the occupants. There shall be provided a watchman's clock system or other device to record the movements of such watchman. Such system shall be installed, supervised and maintained in accordance with Rule 3 of the State Multiple Residence Law . However, the provision of this subdivision shall not apply when throughout the dwelling a closed-circuit automatic, thermostatic, fire-detecting system is installed or where throughout the dwelling an approved-type automatic sprinkler system is installed which actuates a fire alarm by the flow of water through such system. If at any time any one of the foregoing protective devices is inoperative or undergoing repair, it shall be the responsibility of the owner or person in charge to provide a temporary watchman's service until such time as the protective system is placed in satisfactory normal operation. G. Shafts and elevators. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of every building coming under the jurisdiction of this section to have all elevator and other shafts kept free and clear of any accumulation of grease, debris or combustibles, and such removal shall be done when necessary but not less than four times a year. H. Switchboard operators. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of every building coming under the jurisdiction of this section, in which a telephone switchboard is maintained or operated, to acquaint all such operators with the necessary steps and procedure to follow in event of a telephone report of fire or other danger. In addition, such procedure shall be posted at or near the switchboard. No person shall be permitted to operate such switchboard until they have been duly instructed on such procedure. I. Fire training of personnel. It shall be the responsibility of the owner or operator of every building coming under the jurisdiction of this section to have personnel trained in the procedure for reporting verbal or visual signs of fire or other danger and in the operation of all fire-extinguishing appliances provided on the premises. J. Where second means of egress not required. In two-story transient dwellings, except nursing and convalescent homes, homes for the aged and boarding and nursery schools or similar occupancies, such secondary means of egress shall not be required, provided that the first means of egress shall be an interior stair closed off at top and bottom with fireproof, self-closing doors and the dwelling contains less than 20 sleeping rooms and the sills of the second-story windows do not exceed 14 feet in vertical height above the ground or other safe landing place immediately below such window sills. K. Cellar ceiling. The ceiling of the cellar shall be completely fire retarded or the entire cellar ceiling shall be equipped with a complete sprinkler or fire-detection system. In addition to such fire retarding, sprinkler or fire-detection system, any room within the dwelling in which a boiler or furnace is used for generating heat or hot water to service the dwelling shall be enclosed with fire-retarded partitions and every door opening therefrom and its assembly shall be fireproof and self-closing. The ceiling of such room shall also be fire retarded or equipped with a sprinkler or fire-detection system.