Oyster Bay, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 135 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 135-43
Air conditioners and mechanical ventilation for multiple dwellings
Operative Text
A. Refrigerants. (1) Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be used in multiple dwellings. (2) Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable or toxic shall not be used for air-conditioning purposes in multiple dwellings. B. Ventilating systems. (1) Ventilating systems in multiple dwellings shall be installed and maintained so that the rapid spread of heat, flame or smoke through the system will be prevented and so that under conditions of use, the temperature of any combustible material adjacent thereto or in contact therewith will not exceed a safe temperature. (2) Stairways, passageways, exits, shafts, hoistways or attics in multiple dwellings shall not be used as plenum chambers. (3) Ducts in multiple dwellings shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately fire-stopped. (4) Ducts and other air-handling equipment in multiple dwellings shall be of noncombustible material. (5) Filters in multiple dwellings shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke hazard. (6) Ducts passing through or located within combustible construction in multiple dwellings shall be separated from such construction by a clearance of at least 1/4 inch or by a noncombustible insulating material at least 1/4 inch thick. (7) Air required for ventilation in multiple dwellings shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality-controlled. (8) Exhaust air from a dwelling unit in multiple dwellings or a space whose contents may emit odors, fumes or vapors shall not be circulated to other occupied spaces within the building. C. Air intake and exhaust openings. (1) Air intake and exhaust openings in multiple dwellings 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. (2) Ventilating systems in multiple dwellings shall be provided with adequate openings for incoming and outgoing air to obtain the required circulation. Intake openings shall provide air from an uncontaminated source. (3) Where openings for mechanical exhausts in multiple dwellings 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. (4) Exhaust openings in multiple dwellings shall be located so that the exhaust air will not create a nuisance. D. Ventilation requirements. (1) Enclosures or spaces in multiple dwellings 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. (2) Public spaces in multiple dwellings shall be provided with means for obtaining air supply for the maximum number of persons for which such spaces are designed. E. Safety controls. (1) Manually operated controls in multiple dwellings 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 in a multiple dwelling and serving an assembly space or more than one fire area or more than one story of a building shall be provided with controls arranged so that under abnormal rise in temperature of the air in the system, the fans causing normal circulation shall stop and require manual restart. (3) Every system for ventilating in a multiple dwelling and assembly space shall be provided with an emergency switch conveniently located and with a durable sign giving instructions for shutting down the system in case of fire.
Oyster Bay, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 135 § 135-43 establishes comprehensive safety standards for air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The provision prohibits the use of highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, requires that ventilation components be made of noncombustible materials, and mandates that systems be designed to prevent the spread of fire, heat, and smoke. It also requires that exhaust air from individual units not recirculate to other occupied spaces, that intake air come from uncontaminated exterior sources, and that manual and automatic safety controls be installed and accessible for emergency shutdowns.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to ch. 135 § 135-43 generally ensure that all HVAC and ventilation equipment is installed with noncombustible materials, that ducts are properly fire-stopped and securely fastened, and that refrigerants used do not fall into the highly flammable or toxic categories prohibited by the code. Compliant operators also maintain filters, air intake openings, and exhaust outlets so they do not create fire, smoke, or nuisance hazards, and verify that exhaust air from individual units is never recirculated to shared occupied spaces. Manual shutdown controls for central fan equipment must be conspicuously labeled and placed in accessible locations outside the fan room, and systems serving assembly spaces or multiple fire areas must include automatic temperature-triggered fan shutoffs with manual restart capability as required under § 135-43(E).
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 Oyster Bay are protected under ch. 135 § 135-43 by rules requiring that ventilation systems not spread fire or smoke, that exhaust air from one unit not be recirculated into other occupied spaces, and that emergency shutdown controls be accessible and clearly marked. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards—such as improperly maintained filters, missing fire-stopping on ducts, or absent emergency controls—they may report concerns to the local building or housing code enforcement office. Tenant-rights organizations can also help residents understand what documentation to gather and what complaint processes may be available under local code enforcement procedures.
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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