New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 8 - EDUCATION DEPARTMENT
Chapter II - Regulations of the Commissioner
Subchapter J - Buildings And Transportation
Part 155 - Educational Facilities
Section 155.7 - Health and safety in existing educational facilities

Universal Citation: 8 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs ยง 155.7

Current through Register Vol. 46, No. 39, September 25, 2024

Facilities in school districts, other than city school districts in cities having 125,000 inhabitants or more, shall meet the following requirements and, in particular instances, such other requirements as may be deemed necessary by the commissioner to insure the health and safety and accident protection of occupants.

(a) Exits.

(1) There shall be at least two means of egress remote from each other, leading from each floor occupied by pupils, including basements.
(i) When pupils enter into a corridor, there shall be a choice of two unobstructed means of egress in different directions.

(ii) Handrails shall be provided on at least one side of stairways, and on both sides of stairways 88 inches or more in width.

(iii) There shall be no storage under any stairs or landings unless the enclosure is of approved fire-resistant construction.

(iv) Provision of fire escapes of approved design may be required where other exits are determined to be inadequate for fire safety.

(2) Dead-end corridor pockets shall not exceed a maximum depth of 11/2times the width of the pocket or 11/2 times the width of the corridor, whichever is less, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.

(3) Corridors and exitways shall be kept clear and free of obstructions at all times.

(4) Fixed and portable security gates shall not be located or used where they will obstruct exits or create dead-end conditions for occupied spaces.

(5) Every space of pupil occupancy over 500 square feet in area shall have two separate means of egress from such space. A space of pupil occupancy is any room or self-contained space housing pupils on a regular basis, other than a place of assembly or small rooms where no more than 10 pupils are under direct, responsible, adult supervision. Each means of egress shall be in a separate smoke zone, unless immediately adjacent to an approved exit. The primary exit is commonly the opening to the corridor. The second means of egress may be a door opening into a separate smoke zone, or a door directly to the exterior, or a window of such size and design that will facilitate egress, or a door providing egress through adjacent spaces where specifically approved.
(i) Any point in a space of pupil occupancy shall not exceed a maximum of 50 feet straight-line distance to an exit, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner. Any additional exit necessary to satisfy this requirement shall be remote and may be required to be directly to the exterior.

(ii) When spaces of pupil occupancy are defined in an open area by wardrobes, cabinetry and other furniture which does not present obstructions to egress and which allows students to circulate freely from one space to another, the total open space is considered, for exiting purposes, as a single space. Exits from such open-planned space shall meet requirements determined by the commissioner.

(6) Required emergency egress windows shall be of a size and design, including hardware and, in appropriate instances, steps or ladder to high sills, that will permit and facilitate emergency egress. Such windows shall be free of obstructing screens or storm sash.
(i) The minimum clear opening area for such windows shall be six square feet, with a minimum dimension of 24 inches, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner.

(ii) At least one such window in each space of pupil occupancy shall be marked with an appropriate sign identifying it as an emergency egress window.

(7) Places of assembly. A place of assembly is any area used for the assembly of 100 or more persons, and spaces over 1800 square feet in area used for the assembling of persons. A place of assembly shall have at least two exits remote from each other.
(i) Maximum occupancy for places of assembly shall be based on the number and size of existing approved exits on the basis of 50 persons for each one-half exit unit of 11 inches. Where existing exits are inadequate for the occupancy capacity of a place of assembly, or when directed by the commissioner, signs restricting the number of occupants shall be conspicuously posted at each exit location. Signs shall read in red letters on white background:

"MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY --3" high, 3/4" stroke

NOT TO EXCEED --2" high, 1/2" stroke

XXX PERSONS" --3" high, 3/4" stroke

(8) Courtyards with completely enclosed perimeters are areas of possible pupil occupancy and must be provided with exits as a space of pupil occupancy and as follows, unless otherwise approved by the commissioner:
(i) Enclosed courts up to a 700-square foot area shall have at least one exit equipped with hardware of a type which will always permit the door to be opened from the court side without the use of a key.

(ii) Enclosed courts of more than a 700-square foot area shall have at least two exits, remote from each other, equipped with hardware of a type which will always permit the door to be opened from the court side without the use of a key.

(9) Hardware.
(i) All door hardware from spaces of pupil occupancy shall be of a type that will always permit the door to be opened from within the space without the use of a key.

(ii) All exterior and interior doors in exitways, and exit doors from places of assembly shall have panic hardware, except that panic hardware is not required for push/pull interior exit doors if these doors have nonlatching hardware. Panic hardware shall not be required for exterior corridor doors serving less than three classrooms or for doors serving only service areas such as boiler room, kitchen or storerooms.

(iii) Exit doors shall not be locked or chained or otherwise rendered inoperable from the inside at any time.

(b) Smoke and fire control. As used in this subdivision, the terms Class "A", "B" or "C" refer to types of construction which are defined by subdivision 11 of section 11 of the Local Finance Law.

(1) In Class "B" and Class "C" buildings of two stories or more, unless otherwise approved, stairs shall be enclosed at each floor level and every floor shall be separated from levels above and below by stair enclosures and/or smoke barriers constructed to obstruct effectively the passage of smoke and fumes, or every space of pupil occupancy shall be provided with direct exit to the exterior. In appropriate instances, alternate means of egress may be required and stairway enclosures in Class "A" construction may be required.

(2) Class "B" and Class "C" buildings shall not have places of assembly above the first floor, except in a Class "B" building a written exception may be granted where it is determined by the commissioner that adequate exits exist.

(3) In appropriate instances, doors, walls and ceilings of places of assembly and exitways (corridors, stairs, vestibules, etc.) may be required to be finished with fire retardant materials or coatings.

(4) Stairway enclosures required by paragraph (1) of this subdivision and smoke barriers required by paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of this section shall be constructed of noncombustible materials of such design and detail to obstruct effectively the passage of smoke and fumes.
(i) Doors in stair enclosures and smoke barriers shall be metal, metal covered, approved treated wood construction, or solid bonded core wood doors not less than 13/4 inches thick.

(ii) Glazing in doors, sidelights and frames shall be one-quarter inch wire glass.

(iii) Such doors shall swing in the direction of egress, with no latching or locking devices unless operated by panic hardware. Double-acting hinged doors are not permitted and corridor pockets opposing swing of doors shall conform to the provisions of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of this section.

(iv) Such doors shall be self-closing and maintained in a normally closed position unless approved automatic release devices are provided, whereby upon interruption of an electrical circuit, the door is released and becomes self-closing. The electrical circuit shall be positively interrupted by operation of an approved smoke detection system and/or activation of the building fire alarm system. Fusible links shall not be used to hold open such doors.

(5) Wood floors shall not be treated or finished with oil. Floors so finished previously shall be cleaned and refinished with a penetrating seal.

(6) Fire extinguishers shall be located so that no point in a corridor, lobby or stair is more than 120 feet from an extinguisher. Fire extinguishers shall also be placed readily accessible to auditorium stages, shops, cafeterias and kitchens, boiler rooms, science labs and accessible from other places which are possible sources of fire. Fire extinguishers shall bear the Underwriter's label and be of a type most suitable for the kind of fire most likely to occur in a given area.

(7) Fire-resistive (hourly rated) floors, interior walls and doors, and ceilings shall be provided at the following spaces unless otherwise approved by the commissioner. Those spaces having a roof over the entire space may have roof construction and ceilings of nonrated fire- resistive materials.
(i) Two-hour fire-rated construction with 11/2 hour fire-rated, self-closing fire doors are required at:
(a) boiler, heater or furnace rooms;

(b) refrigeration, electrical and equipment rooms;

(c) incinerator rooms;

(d) storerooms for fuel, flammable liquids and gas powered equipment; and

(e) transformer vaults.

(ii) Required fire doors shall be maintained in a normally closed position and not held open by fusible links.

(iii) Combustible attic space shall not be used for storage.

(c) Accident protection.

(1) Glazing of panels and doors shall be with safety glazing materials as follows, unless glazed areas are protected by approved grilles or rails:
(i) interior exit doors, exterior exit doors and immediately adjacent sidelights, except where glazing is 48 inches or more above the floor;

(ii) all glazed panels where glazing is within 18 inches of the floor, or platform level of music-room type risers;

(iii) gymnasiums and playrooms and elsewhere where subject to physical abuse;

(iv) acceptable safety glazing materials shall be at least one-quarter inch thick wire glass, one-quarter inch tempered (heat treated) glass, one-quarter inch laminated safety glass, or approved plastic materials.

(2) Glazed doors and sidelights within six feet of such doors shall be marked by appropriate means in accord with the provisions of Part 47 of Title 12 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York, except marking on door and/or sidelight is not required:
(i) where less than 80 percent of the area of the door or sidelight above a reference line 18 inches above the floor is glazed;

(ii) where width of sidelight is not more than 20 inches, with 1 3/4 inch minimum opaque stiles;

(iii) where floor treatment a distance of three feet out from a sidelight will deter approach;

(iv) where sidelights are supported on 18-inch minimum height opaque sill and wall construction;

(v) where sidelights are protected by approved 18-inch minimum height permanent barriers such as benches, planters or guardrails, extending across at least two thirds of the sidelight.

(3) Window cleaning. Safety provisions shall be made for persons engaged in window cleaning. Windows shall be cleaned from approved safe surfaces, windowsills or ledges, boatswain's chairs or scaffolds, all as defined in Part 21 of Title 12 of the Official Compilation of Codes, Rules and Regulations of the State of New York.
(i) A safe surface is a place where the cleaner is working not over six feet off the floor or grade and not over three feet above a stair run. Ladders may be used generally when the top of the window is not over 35 feet above grade or floor. Windowsills and ledges may be used when the window openings are provided with approved anchors for use with safety belts. Approved boatswain's chairs and scaffolds also may be used.

(d) Mechanical. Mechanical equipment, heat-producing and cooling equipment, auxiliary apparatus and controls, and installation and use of same, shall be such as will insure safe operation in accord with applicable recognized standards, as determined by the commissioner, and be consistent with efficient energy consumption.

(1) Gas and oil fuel-burning equipment having a capacity of over 400,000 BTU per hour shall be provided with electronic flame safeguard controls which, upon flame failure, shall normally respond in two to four seconds to cut off fuel supply through the burner and main fuel valve.

(2) All primary controls for fuel-burning equipment shall operate on a 120- volt, single- phase grounded circuit. Such controls generally include the hold-in coil of the motor starter, the solenoid coil for the pilot valve, the solenoid coil for the main fuel valve or the actuator for the motorized fuel valve, the ignition transformer and the modulator transformer.

(3) Direct-fired fuel-burning heating units shall not be used in any space of pupil occupancy.

(4) Unused duct work shall be sealed off at each floor level with fire-resistive materials.

(5) Ventilation with fresh air shall be available in all occupied spaces.

(e) Water and sanitation.

(1) An adequate supply of safe, potable water for drinking shall be dispensed from approved sanitary drinking fountains.

(2) Toilet rooms for boys and girls, with flush toilets and wash sinks which are connected to an adequate water supply under pressure, and connected to an approved individual or public sewage disposal system, shall be provided.

(3) No source of water supply, nor sewage disposal system, shall be used which has not been approved by the appropriate agency of the State Department of Health or Department of Environmental Conservation.

(f) Gas.

(1) Gas entering a school building shall be low-pressure gas.

(2) Gas transmission and distribution piping shall meet the requirements of the Public Service Commission.

(g) Electrical. Electrical equipment and auxiliary apparatus and controls, and installation and use of same, shall be such as will insure safe operation in accord with applicable recognized standards, as determined by the commissioner, and be consistent with efficient energy consumption.

(1) Suitable and sufficient artificial light shall be provided for the visual tasks being performed.

(2) Exit lights. School buildings shall be provided with exit lights to identify building exits, stairs, corridors, and exits from places of assembly, and to designate the path of travel to the exterior, except school buildings having six or less classroom areas may have exit signs in place of exit lights.
(i) The word "EXIT" shall be in letters not less than 4 1/2 inches high and strokes not less than 3/4 inches wide.

(ii) Exit lights shall be circuited and wired to minimize the possibility of interruption.

(3) Emergency lighting. Automatic emergency lighting systems shall be provided for places of assembly exceeding an area of 1800 square feet, and for all exitways leading from such areas. Such areas include all-purpose rooms, auditoriums, cafeterias, group-instruction rooms, playrooms and gymnasiums, swimming pools and other combination places of assembly.

(4) Fire alarm.
(i) School buildings of seven or more classroom areas shall be equipped with a manually operated electric fire-alarm system, which may include automatic smoke and/or fire detection, which will continue to sound the alarm until the tripped station has been restored to normal operation or, in an existing system, has completed a cycle of not less than 30 seconds.

(ii) School buildings of one to six classroom areas shall be equipped with either a manual, hand or electric, fire alarm which is capable of being sounded for such a period of time as will insure evacuation of the building, or an electric fire-alarm system as described in subparagraph (i) of this paragraph.

(iii) School buildings within fire districts having an electrically operated, street-located general municipal fire-alarm box system shall have, wherever practical, the school building fire-alarm system interconnected to the municipal system, so that sounding of the school building fire-alarm system automatically gives the alarm to the fire department affording protection to the school building. Wherever practical, a fire-alarm box compatible with the municipal system, which will sound the alarm of the school building system, shall be accessibly located on the site or on the school building.

(5) Telephone. A telephone which can be used in the case of emergency shall be provided in all buildings having pupil occupancy.

(h) Additions and alterations. In the case of additions to or alterations of an existing facility, the requirements of this section must be continuously maintained during the construction period, or provisions made to provide equivalent safety to the school-district-occupied portions of the facility.

(i) Facilities shall be operated and maintained to provide effectively for the accident protection and life safety of occupants, to reduce exposure to property loss by fire, and to assure efficient use of natural resources.

(j) When, based on these regulations, it is the judgment of the commissioner that the general conditions of a school building, or any part thereof, indicate that it would be detrimental to the health and safety of occupants, the commissioner may designate an area or areas of the building as unusable for pupil occupancy or may limit the number of occupants thereof.

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