Syracuse, N.Y., Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27 § 27-60
Air conditioning and mechanical ventilation in multiple dwellings and non-residential buildings
Operative Text
(a) Air conditioning systems: (1) Refrigerants that are highly flammable shall not be used. (2) Direct systems using refrigerants that are flammable or toxic shall not be used for air conditioning purposes. (3) Equipment shall be secured so as not to present a hazard. (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, shafts, hoistways or attics shall not be used as plenum chambers. (3) Ducts shall be securely fastened in place and appropriately firestopped. (4) Ducts and other air handling equipment shall be of non-combustible material. (5) Filters shall be installed and maintained so as not to constitute a fire or smoke hazard. (6) Air required for ventilation shall be taken from the exterior or shall be quality-controlled. (7) Exhaust air from a unit or a space the contents of which 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 systems 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. Enclosures or spaces where the 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. (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 (1) fire area, or more than one (1) 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.
Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 6 § 27-60 establishes safety standards for air conditioning and mechanical ventilation systems in multiple dwellings and non-residential buildings. The provision prohibits the use of highly flammable or toxic refrigerants, requires that ventilation ducts and components be made of non-combustible materials, and mandates that systems be designed to prevent the spread of fire, smoke, and hazardous fumes. It also requires that air intakes draw from uncontaminated exterior sources, that exhaust air from odor- or fume-producing spaces not recirculate to occupied areas, and that manual and automatic safety controls be installed to shut down fan systems during emergencies.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of multiple dwellings and non-residential buildings subject to Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 6 § 27-60 generally ensure that all HVAC and ventilation equipment is installed using approved non-combustible materials, with ducts securely fastened and firestopped. Compliant operators verify that refrigerants used in air conditioning systems are neither highly flammable nor toxic, and that air intakes are positioned to draw from clean, uncontaminated exterior sources. They also maintain manual shutoff controls for central fan equipment in accessible, clearly labeled locations outside fan rooms, and ensure that systems serving assembly spaces or multiple fire areas include automatic temperature-triggered shutdowns with manual restart requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in buildings covered by Syracuse Rev. Gen. Ord. ch. 27, art. 6 § 27-60 have an interest in knowing that their building's ventilation and air conditioning systems are required to meet specific fire and air-quality safety standards. If a tenant notices conditions suggesting non-compliance—such as fumes or odors recirculating through vents, unsecured ductwork, or missing emergency shutoff controls—they may consider documenting the issue and reporting it to the City of Syracuse's code enforcement or housing inspection office. Tenant-rights organizations in the Syracuse area can help residents understand how to raise such concerns or use a documented violation as part of a broader housing complaint process.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 1, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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