Cal. Civ. Code § 139
Boiler rooms
Operative Text
§ 139. Boiler rooms. In every dwelling the boiler or furnace of a central heating plant shall be enclosed in a fireproof room or space and all openings therefrom to other portions of the dwelling shall be equipped with fireproof doors and assemblies with the doors self-closing, except that in any dwelling three stories or less in height, such room or space may in the alternative be enclosed with walls or partitions constructed of fire-resistive materials and the ceiling fire retarded.
Under N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 139, every dwelling that has a central heating plant must house its boiler or furnace inside a room or space built to fireproof standards, with any openings to the rest of the building fitted with self-closing fireproof doors and assemblies. Buildings of three stories or fewer are given a limited alternative: instead of full fireproof enclosure, the walls or partitions around the boiler room may be made of fire-resistive materials and the ceiling fire-retarded. The rule is aimed at containing the spread of fire originating in or near heating equipment.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of dwellings subject to N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 139 generally ensure that the boiler or furnace room is fully enclosed to the required standard before the heating system is placed in service and that all door assemblies remain self-closing and in good working order. In buildings of four or more stories, full fireproof construction is required with no alternative; owners of three-story-or-fewer buildings who rely on the fire-resistive-materials option should confirm that both the wall construction and ceiling treatment meet the applicable standard. Routine inspections of door hardware, wall integrity, and ceiling treatments help demonstrate ongoing compliance with § 139.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
N.Y. Mult. Resid. Law § 139 establishes a right to live in a dwelling where the boiler or furnace is properly enclosed to limit fire risk, and a failure to maintain that enclosure may constitute a housing code violation. Tenants who observe damaged fireproof doors, doors propped open, or deteriorated boiler-room walls or ceilings can document the conditions and report them to the local housing or building department, which has authority to inspect and cite violations under § 139. Tenant-rights organizations can explain how such a violation might be raised in housing court proceedings or used in other enforcement contexts.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated September 13, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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