Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 (eCode360 ed. 2026) § 245-36
Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation in 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. B. Ventilating systems. (1) Ventilating systems 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 shall not be used as plenum chambers. (3) Ducts shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately fire-stopped. (4) Ducts and other air-handling equipment shall be of noncombustible material. (5) Filters shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke hazard. (6) 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 at least 1/4 inch thick. (7) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality-controlled. (8) 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. C. Air intake and exhaust openings. (1) 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. (2) Ventilating system 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 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 fuel-burning equipment is not adversely affected. (4) Exhaust openings shall be located so that the exhaust air will not create a nuisance. D. Ventilation requirements. (1) 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. (2) Public spaces 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 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 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 an 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.
Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-36 establishes detailed safety standards for air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings. The rule prohibits the use of highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, requires that ductwork, filters, and air-handling equipment be made of noncombustible materials and properly fire-stopped, and mandates that exhaust air from one unit not be recirculated to other occupied spaces. It also requires that ventilation systems include safety controls — such as manual shutoffs and automatic temperature-triggered fan stops — to limit the spread of fire, smoke, and hazardous fumes throughout a building.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings subject to Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-36 generally ensure that all HVAC and ventilation equipment is installed using noncombustible materials, with ducts securely fastened and properly fire-stopped at required clearances. Compliant operators verify that refrigerants used in the building are neither highly flammable nor toxic, and that exhaust air from individual units or odor-producing spaces is discharged to the exterior rather than recirculated within the building. Maintaining accessible, clearly labeled manual shutoff controls and automatic temperature-triggered fan stops for central systems — particularly those serving assembly spaces or multiple fire areas — is also a standard part of ongoing compliance under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Sleepy Hollow, N.Y., Code of Ordinances ch. 245 § 245-36, residents of multiple dwellings have an interest in ventilation systems that are maintained to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and hazardous fumes, and that do not recirculate exhaust air from other units into their living spaces. If a tenant observes conditions that appear to violate these standards — such as improperly maintained ductwork, missing safety controls, or fumes entering from other parts of the building — they may document the issue and report it to the appropriate local building or housing code enforcement authority in Sleepy Hollow. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help residents understand what remedies or complaint processes may be available under this provision.
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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