Mich. Comp. Laws § § 125.494
Shafts and courts; openings.
Operative Text
Sec. 94. Shafts and courts. In every dwelling where there is a court or shaft of any kind, there shall be at the bottom of every such shaft and court a door giving sufficient access to such shaft or court to enable it to be properly cleaned out: Provided, That where there is already a window giving proper access, it shall be deemed sufficient. In all multiple dwellings of class "b" not of fireproof construction, or not protected with an approved sprinkler system or an approved and self supervised and properly maintained automatic fire alarm system, exceeding 2 stories in height, and having sleeping accommodations for 50 or more persons in which stairways and shafts are not made to comply with sections 39 and 46, the interior stairs, dumb waiters, elevators, clothes chutes, rubbish and all other inside shafts or openings between the various floors or stories of the building shall be enclosed or cut off with a fire resistive enclosure so as to prevent or restrict the vertical spreading of fire or smoke. All stairway shafts or openings between the cellar or basement and the story above in class "b" multiple dwellings shall be enclosed or cut off in the basement or cellar as mentioned above. Such enclosure shall be made of metal lath and 3/4 of an inch of gypsum or portland cement plaster on wood or metal studs, hollow metal, kalomine or other partitions of equivalent fire resistance. Fixed wire glass panels or wire glass windows in steel or metal covered frames may be placed in such enclosures. All door openings in such enclosures shall be protected with self closing fire doors.
Michigan housing law under MCL § 125.494 addresses how shafts and courts in dwellings must be maintained and protected against fire. Every dwelling with a shaft or court must have a door at its base allowing adequate access for cleaning, though an existing window providing equivalent access satisfies this requirement. In larger Class B multiple dwellings that are not fireproof or sprinkler-protected, exceed two stories, and house 50 or more sleeping occupants, all interior shafts and openings between floors must be enclosed with fire-resistive materials—such as gypsum plaster, hollow metal, or equivalent partitions—and fitted with self-closing fire doors to limit the vertical spread of fire and smoke.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of dwellings subject to MCL § 125.494 generally ensure that every shaft and court has a functional access door at its base, or confirm that an existing window provides equivalent cleaning access. For Class B multiple dwellings meeting the size and occupancy thresholds described in § 125.494, compliant operators verify that all interior shafts, stairways, dumbwaiters, clothes chutes, and similar openings are enclosed with approved fire-resistive construction—including metal lath and plaster, hollow metal, or equivalent materials—and that all door openings within those enclosures are equipped with self-closing fire doors. Routine inspection of these enclosures and hardware helps demonstrate ongoing compliance with the structural and fire-safety standards the provision establishes.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants living in dwellings covered by MCL § 125.494 have an interest in knowing that shafts and courts must be accessible for cleaning and that, in qualifying larger buildings, interior shafts and openings must be enclosed to limit fire and smoke spread. If a shaft access door is missing or fire-resistive enclosures appear damaged or absent, these conditions may represent violations of § 125.494 that can be reported to the local building or housing inspection authority in Michigan. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help residents understand what documentation to gather and what local complaint processes may be available.
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 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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