Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 § 215-38
Air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation
Operative Text
A. One- and two-family dwellings. (1) Exhaust air from a dwelling unit shall not be circulated to another dwelling unit. (2) Ducts shall be installed in accordance with generally accepted standards. B. Multiple dwellings. (1) Refrigerants. (a) Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be used in multiple dwellings. (b) Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable or toxic shall not be used for air-conditioning purposes. (2) Ventilating systems. (a) Ventilating systems shall be installed and maintained so that the rapid spread of heat, flame or smoke through the system will be prevented so that under conditions of use, the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto or in contact therewith will not exceed 175º F. (b) Stairways, passageways, exits, shafts, hoistways or attics shall not be used as plenum chambers. (c) Ducts shall be installed in accordance with generally accepted standards. (d) Ducts and other air-handling equipment shall be of noncombustible material. (e) Filters shall be installed and maintained so as not to create a fire or smoke hazard. (f) 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 of at least 1/4 inch thick. (g) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality controlled. (h) 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. (3) Air intake and exhaust openings. (a) 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. (b) Intake openings shall provide air from an uncontaminated source. (c) 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 operation of fuel-burning equipment is not affected. (d) Exhaust openings shall be located so that the exhaust air will not create a nuisance. (4) Ventilation requirements. (a) 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. (b) Public spaces shall be provided with means for obtaining air supply for the maximum number of persons for which such spaces are designed. (5) Safety controls. (a) 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. (b) Every system using recirculated air and serving an assembly space of more than one fire area or 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. (c) Every system for ventilating an assembly space shall be provided with an emergency switch and with a durable sign giving instructions for shutting down the system in case of fire. The switch shall be so located as to be readily accessible to Fire Department personnel.
Section 215-38 of Jamestown, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 215 establishes safety requirements for air-conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in both one- and two-family dwellings and multiple dwellings. The rule prohibits practices that could spread fire, smoke, or toxic substances through ventilation systems, such as using highly flammable refrigerants, routing exhaust air into occupied spaces, or using stairways and exits as air plenums. It also mandates that ducts, filters, and intake and exhaust openings be installed and maintained to prevent fire hazards, and that safety controls—including emergency shutoffs accessible to fire personnel—be in place for systems serving assembly spaces.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of rental properties in Jamestown subject to § 215-38 generally ensure that all ductwork, filters, and air-handling equipment are made of noncombustible materials and installed to accepted standards, with ducts properly separated from combustible construction. Compliant managers of multiple dwellings avoid highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, keep exhaust air from circulating into other occupied spaces, and source intake air from uncontaminated exterior locations. For systems serving assembly spaces, property managers typically install conspicuously labeled manual shutoff controls outside fan rooms and emergency switches with posted shutdown instructions accessible to Fire Department personnel, as required under § 215-38(B)(5).
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in Jamestown dwellings covered by § 215-38 have an interest in knowing that the law requires ventilation systems to be designed and maintained so that exhaust air, fumes, or odors from one unit cannot circulate into other occupied spaces. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as smoke or fumes entering through ventilation, or missing emergency shutoff signage—they may consider documenting the issue and contacting the appropriate Jamestown code enforcement or housing authority to report a potential violation of § 215-38. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under local housing codes.
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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