§ 2-22 Fire Escapes.
RCNY § 2-22
(a)Removal of an Existing Fire Escape. LPC Staff will approve the removal of an existing fire escape if the proposal satisfies the following relevant criteria: (1) The fire escape is not a significant protected feature of the building based on a finding that: (i) The fire escape is not original to the building; (ii) The fire escape does not have architectural merit in itself; and (iii) The fire escape is not mentioned or otherwise called out as significant in the LPC designation report; or (iv) The fire escape is not located on a building within a historic district in which fire escapes are identified as significant architectural features that contribute to the special architectural and historic character of the district.
(2)Damage to the facade caused by the installation, presence or removal of, or exposed by the removal of, the fire escape will be repaired to match the historic fabric; and (3) Architectural elements removed, damaged or altered by the installation of the fire escape will be reinstalled, repaired or, if beyond repair, replaced or replicated.
(b)Alteration, Restoration and Maintenance of an Existing Fire Escape. LPC Staff will approve work on an existing fire escape if the proposal satisfies the following relevant criteria: (1) Replacement of a fire escape drop ladder with a swing stair or a swing stair with a drop ladder matches the material, general details and color of the existing fire escape; (2) Installation of a horizontal and/or vertical extension matches the material, details, color and dimensions of the existing fire escape, provided the installation will not conceal or damage any significant architectural features of the building; and (3) Restoration and maintenance, including replacing any parts in kind with parts, match the existing fire escape in terms of material, details and color, or repainting of the existing color, a dark color such as black or brown that is typical of the historic district, or a color that matches or is similar in hue to the existing color of the facade.
(c)Installation of New Fire Escapes. LPC Staff will approve the installation of a new fire escape if the proposed work satisfies all of the following relevant criteria: (1) Primary facade of a building in a historic district.
(i)Similar installations are commonly found on historic buildings in the district; (ii) The fire escape is simple and utilitarian in design; (iii) The installation will not cause the removal or, or damage to, any significant architectural features of the building; (iv) The installation will not detract from the special historic and architectural character of the building or adjacent buildings; (v) The fire escape cannot be located on a secondary facade; and (vi) There is no feasible alternative to installing the fire escape. In making a determination that there is no feasible alternative, LPC Staff will consider whether the need for a fire escape on the primary facade is necessitated by recent or approved interior renovations.
(3)Nonvisible secondary facade of any building.
