§ 131.09 Commercial Buildings.
RCNY § 131.09
Any person whose duty it is to maintain a commercial building in a safe condition shall equip such building as follows and provide the following services: (a) Lighting. All parts of such building shall be adequately lighted by natural or artificial means so as to enable any activity in such building to be carried on safely and to permit effective inspection and cleaning.
(b)Ventilation. All parts of such building shall be adequately ventilated by natural or artificial means so as to be free from harmful heat, dust, fumes, vapors or gases and, except in refrigerators and hardening rooms, condensate.
(c)Plumbing. Plumbing and plumbing fixtures, including the water supply system, fixture traps, soil, waste, storm water drainage and vent pipes, drains, sewers, and all devices connected thereto within or adjacent to the building storm shall be properly connected, vented, drained, installed and maintained in good repair, and shall not contaminate the building's potable water supply. Water supply outlets and connections to water supply fixtures or appliances shall be protected from back-flow into the water system.
(d)Water; toilets, hand wash and utility sinks.
(1)Potable water shall be supplied under adequate pressure in quantities sufficient for drinking and sanitary needs of occupants.
(2)A sufficient number of hand wash sinks with running hot and cold water, liquid soap and individual disposable towels or mechanical drying devices shall be provided.
(3)A sufficient number of utility sinks of adequate size, with running water, shall be provided and shall be readily accessible to the areas where they are required for the washing of equipment or the building. Running hot water required for cleaning and sanitation, and when otherwise required by the Department, shall be provided.
(4)A sufficient number of toilet facilities shall be provided for the use of employees. Toilet facilities shall be equipped with the minimum number of water closets, urinals and other plumbing fixtures required by Chapter 4 of the New York City Plumbing Code, Administrative Code § PC 403, or successor law. Such toilets shall be properly flushed and trapped, conveniently located, adequately lighted and ventilated, and kept in a sanitary manner and in good repair.
(e)Floors. Floors shall be constructed of smooth, non-slip, hard materials, and kept clean and in good repair. When building use results in wet floors or requires frequent flushing of floors, floors shall be constructed of smooth cement, tile laid in cement, or other hard non-absorbent, watertight material; shall be graded and drained to properly trapped drains; and junctures formed by the wall and floor shall be covered with waterproof material that shall extend to a point at least six inches above the floor.
(f)Walls and ceilings. Walls and ceilings shall be constructed of hard materials, kept clean and in good repair. When uses of the building create steam or vapor, or when required by the Department, walls and ceilings shall be constructed of smooth cement, glazed tile, glazed brick or other non-absorbent material.
(g)Cleanliness and repair. Such buildings shall be regularly cleaned and kept clean and in good repair, and shall not be allowed to become overcrowded so as to impair the safety of operations or effectiveness of cleaning.
(h)Nothing in this section shall be interpreted as interfering with or prohibiting any private contract, lease, agreement or other arrangement between an owner, manager, tenant or occupant concerning their respective obligations to equip a building or provide the services required by this Code.
