Architects/Expeditors: Rear cellar hatch - can I close it up?

In nearly every brownstone cellar I have seen, there are two openings to the exterior: the large coal hatch in the front of the cellar and a smaller opening in the rear. In my two family brownstone, the rear opening is essentially a small hopper window located at the top of the cellar wall, not large enough or low enough for egress. Does NYC building code require the rear opening? for egress? for ventilation? Can I close it permanently by bricking it up? Do I need a permit for this masonry work?

slimc

in Building Code 13 years and 5 months ago

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meme2 | 13 years and 4 months ago

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dont loose your ventilation youll regret it

mike-the-expeditor | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Assuming that the brownstone was built under a pre-1968 code, the opening is required for the boiler that is (presumably) present.  It’s supposed to be a fresh-air intake with a louvre and a screen. If there’s an operating boiler in the room that has the opening, then you don’t want to close it up.

northofditmas | 13 years and 5 months ago

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Master Plumber once had a great post on boiler ventillation.  One point he made was that if there is not enough fresh air coming in to the basement your boiler will suck in warm house air that you spent money to heat.  Unless you now have electric floorboards you probably want the vent for your boiler.

sunbury | 13 years and 5 months ago

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I have the same set up and am happy with small window.  It’s great for ventilation.  It’s in the boiler room which I believe requires some type of venilation.  The room is closed off from rest of basement.