Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 186 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 186-29
Chimneys, flues and gas vents
Operative Text
A. General requirements. (1) Chimneys, flues, gas vents and their supports shall be installed and maintained so as to be structurally safe, durable, smoketight, noncombustible, and capable of withstanding the action of flue gases without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling. (2) Such facilities shall effectively convey the products of combustion to the outer air. (3) Masonry chimneys, except approved prefabricated chimneys, shall have noncombustible foundations. (4) Flue linings shall be capable of withstanding the action of flue gas without softening, cracking, corroding or spalling at the temperature to which they will be subjected. (5) Openings for smoke pipes or gas-vent connections shall be provided with means for easy connection without restriction of flue. (6) No flue shall have smoke-pipe or gas-vent connections in more than one story of a building. (7) Fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces located in different tenancies shall not be connected to the same flue. B. Fire safety. Chimneys, flues and gas vents shall be installed and maintained so that under conditions of use the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto, insulated therefrom or in contact therewith, does not exceed a safe temperature. C. Spark arresters. A chimney or flue connected to an incinerator and a chimney or flue which may emit sparks shall be provided with a spark arrester of noncombustible construction. Spark arresters shall have sufficient total clear area to permit unrestricted passage of flue gases. Openings in spark arresters shall be of such size as to prevent passage of embers and to minimize clogging by soot.
Section 186-29 of the Massena, N.Y., Code of Ordinances establishes structural, safety, and fire-prevention standards for chimneys, flues, and gas vents in residential and other buildings. The rule requires that these systems be built and kept in a condition that is structurally sound, smoketight, and capable of safely carrying combustion byproducts to the outside air without deteriorating. It also prohibits connecting fuel-burning equipment from different tenancies to the same flue, limits smoke-pipe connections to a single story per flue, and requires spark arresters on chimneys connected to incinerators or those that may emit sparks.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers subject to Massena Code ch. 186 § 186-29 generally keep chimneys, flues, and gas vents in a condition that is structurally sound, smoketight, and free from cracks, corrosion, or spalling. Compliant operators ensure that each tenancy's fuel-burning equipment and fireplaces are connected to separate flues, and that no single flue carries smoke-pipe or gas-vent connections from more than one story. Where incinerators are present or sparks may be emitted, operators install and maintain properly sized noncombustible spark arresters that allow free passage of flue gases while blocking embers.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Massena Code ch. 186 § 186-29, tenants have an interest in knowing that their building's chimneys, flues, and gas vents must be maintained in a safe, smoketight, and structurally sound condition, and that combustion gases must be properly vented to the outside. If a tenant observes signs of chimney deterioration, improper venting, or shared flues between units, these conditions may constitute a code violation that can be reported to the local code enforcement or housing authority in Massena. Tenants may also wish to consult a local tenant-rights organization to understand how a violation of § 186-29 could be raised in the context of habitability concerns.
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 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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