§ 3-03 Standard Factory Exits.
RCNY § 3-03
(a)Fire escapes.
(1)In any building erected prior to October 1, 1913, now occupied or to be occupied as a factory, more than five stories in height and not exceeding nine stories in height, nor in any case more than 90 ft. from curb level to top floor level, one of the required means of exit or escape under § 271-1 of the Labor Law may consist of an outside fire escape, provided that: (i) Any such fire escape hereafter erected shall comply with all the provisions of § 273, Labor Law, and in addition thereto: (A) The balconies and stairs shall be protected on the outside by substantial railings to a height of at least 4 ft. 6 in., measured from floor of balcony or center of stair tread, constructed of bars at least one-half (1/2) inch in diameter, spaced not more than six (6) inches on centers, or of substantial grille work, or of screening not less than No. 10 U.S. gauge wire with not more than one and one-half (1 1/2) inch mesh, all rigidly braced; (B) When there is safe egress from the roof of the building to any adjoining structure, the fire escape stairway shall continue to the roof, and if there be no safe means of egress, a gooseneck ladder shall be provided from the top story balcony to the roof.
(ii)Any such fire escape erected prior to October 1, 1913, shall conform in every respect with the requirements of subparagraph (i) of this paragraph (1), except that balconies may be not less than 3 feet in width; the connecting stairs not less than 20 inches in width, and placed at an angle not exceeding 60 degrees if the building is not over six stories in height, otherwise at an angle of 45 degrees.
(2)In any building erected prior to October 1, 1913, now occupied or to be occupied as a factory, five stories or less in height, one of the required means of exit under § 271 of the Labor Law may consist of an outside iron fire escape, provided that: (i) Any such fire escape hereafter erected shall comply with all the provisions of § 273, Labor Law.
(3)The single fireproof casement doors leading to all fire escape balconies shall open out and shall be self-closing. An easily operated door lock with knobs on both sides of the door shall be provided. Such fire doors may be at window sill level if fixed iron step at least two feet wide, with risers not exceeding eight (8) inches, and treads not less than eight (8) inches are provided on the inside from floor level to sills properly secured.
(4)(i) Any such fire escape erected subsequent to October 1, 1913, and prior to these rules taking effect, unless previously accepted as one of the required means of exit or escape by the administrative official having jurisdiction, shall conform in every respect to the provisions of these rules.
(5)All fire escapes shall be maintained structurally safe, properly painted, and kept clear of all obstructions.
(b)Enclosure of factory stairways.
(c)Safe egress from roofs of factory buildings.
(i)When the roofs, or the top of the parapet wall of an adjoining building are more than eight feet below or more than five feet above the top of the parapet wall of the building in question, and there is no outside party wall fire escape, party wall exterior screen stairway, party wall balconies or bridges, or where any outside exits do not connect to adjoining buildings at roof level, or where there are no unbarred window openings five feet above the roof or parapet wall of the building in question.
