Code for Stairway Hallways?
Can anyone tell me the code for storing things in a brownstone stairway hallway? Is there a minimum clearance requirement? Our tenants have built shelves in the common stairway hallway (with out permission) and I am wondering if we can allow them to keep them there or if they must be removed. Thanks!
Can anyone tell me the code for storing things in a brownstone stairway hallway? Is there a minimum clearance requirement? Our tenants have built shelves in the common stairway hallway (with out permission) and I am wondering if we can allow them to keep them there or if they must be removed. Thanks!
Easy: I always put the firecode language right in the lease. Never had a problem. Shelves? That is quite amazing. Your tenants are a stitch. Tell them to remove the shelves pronto.
Your tenants are renting their apartment, not the hallway. They shouldn’t be allowed to have “anything” in the hallway no matter the fire code. And I do believe the firecode would concur.
From the NYC Fire Safety Residential Apartment Brochure:
“Keep stairways and outside fire escapes free of
obstructions at all time. Do not store anything such as baby strollers, bicycles or rubbish on or under stairways or on stairway landings.”
Personally, I think it would be messy, ugly and unsafe to have anything at all in the hallways. You own the building, enforce the regulation.
see http://brownstoner.com/forum/archives/2006/12/nyfd_regulation.html
trying to understand how someone builds shelves in the hallway of a bldg they do not own..without permission :confused: know that’s not the question..but..wow
We got a violation from the Fire department when they knocked on the door and wanted to walk up all the way to the roof on a surprise inspection. Our third floor tenants had some stuff in the hallway including a bicycle. The firsemen explained that the first thing they have to do in case of fire in your house is turn off the electricity. In a dark hallway, a box is a tripping hazard for them. And delays them in putting out the fire. Therefore, nothing can be in the hallway .
We got a violation from the Fire department when they knocked on the door and wanted to walk up all the way to the roof on a surprise inspection. Our third floor tenants had some stuff in the hallway including a bicycle. The firsemen explained that the first thing they have to do in case of fire in your house is turn off the electricity. In a dark hallway, a box is a tripping hazard for them. And delays them in putting out the fire. Therefore, nothing can be in the hallway .
seriously take control of your house.. are start renting the hallway.
Do a search on this site. People posted in response to a similiar question I posed some time ago. The spirit of the law is that exits can’t be blocked. Someone posted the actual rule on the web. I had tenants who stored things in the hallway – a little table, grocery cart, outerwear, shoes…. It was getting out of hand and actually did restrict access to their apartment and the roof. I discussed it and the rationale and they have removed the stuff.
The other aspect is that the hallway is not part of the apartment you rent to them. It is your house. Check the lease.
Good luck.