N.Y. Labor Law Section 274
Fire-escapes erected before October first, nineteen hundred and thirteen

All outside fire-escapes erected before October first, nineteen hundred and thirteen, and serving as required exits under the provisions of section two hundred and seventy-one shall conform to the following requirements:

1.

There shall be balconies on each floor of the building connected with stairways placed at an angle of not more than sixty degrees.

2.

A stairway shall lead from the top floor balcony to the roof, except when the fire-escapes are erected on the front of the building.

3.

A stairway not less than twenty-two inches wide shall lead from the lowest balcony to a safe landing place beneath, which stairway shall remain down permanently or swing up and down by counterbalancing weights.

4.

A safe and unobstructed exit shall be provided to the street from the foot of such fire-escapes as required in subdivision nine of section two hundred and seventy-three.

5.

Steps shall connect the sill of every opening leading to the fire-escapes with the floor wherever such sill is more than three feet above the floor level.

6.

All openings leading to the fire-escapes shall be provided with fireproof windows or fire doors.

7.

All windows opening upon the course of the fire-escape shall be fireproof windows.

Source: Section 274 — Fire-escapes erected before October first, nineteen hundred and thirteen, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/LAB/274 (updated Sep. 22, 2014; accessed Jan. 11, 2025).

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Accessed:
Jan. 11, 2025

Last modified:
Sep. 22, 2014

§ 274’s source at nysenate​.gov

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