Basic Requirements

NYC Admin. Code tit. 27, ch. 1, subch. 8, art. 2

in effect

NYC Admin. Code § 27-525 General.

§ 27-525 General. The provisions of this article shall apply to all places of assembly, in addition to the specific requirements of articles three through five of this subchapter for the several categories of places of assembly.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-525.1 Place of assembly permit.

§ 27-525.1 Place of assembly permit. a. It shall be unlawful to use or occupy any building or premises or part thereof as a place of assembly unless and until a permit therefor shall have been issued by the department. The permit shall be for a term of one year. b. The application for such permit and such permit shall be in a form prescribed by the commissioner. c. The annual fee for a permit issued pursuant to this section shall be the amount provided for in paragraph seven of subdivision a of section 26-214 of the code. An application for such permit or renewal thereof shall be accompanied by the annual fee, except as otherwise provided in section 26-210 of the code. d. The permit issued pursuant to this section shall be posted in a conspicuous place in the place of assembly which is covered by such permit. e. In the case of a permittee that is an establishment that offers for sale food and/or beverages for on-premises consumption, but not including establishments operated by a not-for-profit corporation, and employs or uses the services of a security guard, as that term is defined in subdivision six of section eighty nine-f of the general business law, such permittee shall comply with the provisions of article 7-A of the general business law, shall obtain proof that such security guard is registered pursuant to article 7-A of the general business law, shall maintain such proof in a readily available location, in accordance with rules promulgated by the commissioner during all hours in which such place of assembly is open to the public, shall maintain a roster of all security guards working at any given time when such place of assembly is open to the public, and shall require each security guard to maintain on his or her person proof of registration at all times when on the premises. f. For purposes of this section, there shall be a rebuttable presumption that a person employed or whose services are retained at a place of assembly whose job functions include (1) the monitoring or guarding of the entrance or exit of such place of assembly to manage ingress and egress to such place of assembly for security purposes during the hours of operation of such establishment and/or (2) protection of such place of assembly from disorderly or other unlawful conduct by such patrons is a security guard provided, however, that such rebuttable presumption shall not apply to the owner of such establishment as described in subdivision e of this section that has received a place of assembly permit. g. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, only the permittee shall be liable for violations of this section that relate to a permittee's obligations regarding security guards. h. In addition to employees of the department, employees of the police department and the department of consumer and worker protection shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this section regarding security guards. i. The enforcement agency shall report any violation of the provisions of this section relating to security guards to the state liquor authority if the permittee holds a license pursuant to the alcoholic beverage control law. (Am. L.L. 2020/080, 8/28/2020, eff. 8/28/2020) Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1990/023 and L.L. 2020/080.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-526 Location.

§ 27-526 Location. No place of assembly shall be located within two hundred fifty feet of any occupancy containing explosive contents.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-527 Posted capacity.

§ 27-527 Posted capacity. Signs shall be posted in all assembly spaces, indicating the number of persons who may legally occupy the space. Signs shall not be required where seating is fixed in place in accordance with an approved seating plan and no provision is made for standee spaces. Such signs, where required, shall read as follows: OCCUPANCY BY MORE THAN________ PERSONS IS DANGEROUS AND UNLAWFUL Public Assembly License No. ______________________________________ (where applicable) Commissioner, Dept. of Buildings, City of New York When a space is occupied for multiple purposes involving different occupant loads, the sign shall read as follows: OCCUPANCY BY MORE THAN (number) PERSONS AS (type of occupancy) OR BY (number) PERSONS AS (type of occupancy) OR BY (number) PERSONS AS (type of occupancy) IS DANGEROUS AND UNLAWFUL Public Assembly License No. ______________________________________ (where applicable) Commissioner, Dept. of Buildings, City of New York Signs shall be at least twelve inches wide and sixteen inches high. The lettering shall be red on a white background. The letters shall be at least one inch high and the numerals at least one and one-quarter inches high. Signs shall be framed under a transparent protective cover, and permanently mounted in a location that is conspicuously visible to a person entering the space. Signs shall be lighted by artificial illumination at all times during occupancy to maintain at least five foot candles on the surface of the sign.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-528 Approved seating plans.

§ 27-528 Approved seating plans. In every place of assembly providing seating, copies of approved seating plans and approved alternate seating plans shall be kept on the premises. The plans shall be readily available for inspection, and shall provide the following information: (a) For assembly spaces: (1) The location of each seat of each tier of seating, along with the number of occupants of each seating section. (2) The location and number of standees for each standee area. (3) The total number of occupants of each tier and of the assembly space. (4) The location and classification of all exits. (b) For safe areas: (1) The furniture and equipment arrangement and location. (2) The number of occupants to be accommodated. (c) For stage areas: (1) The maximum number of occupants, including audience seating on the stage. (2) Any conditions limiting the use of the stage area. (3) The location of all exits. These plans shall not be smaller in size than required for one-eighth inch scale plans.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-529 Enclosure and interior finish.

§ 27-529 Enclosure and interior finish. Places of assembly shall be separated from adjoining occupancies by construction meeting the requirements of table 5-1 or table 5-2, whichever may apply. The interior finish of places of assembly shall meet the requirements of table 5-4.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-530 Means of egress.

§ 27-530 Means of egress. Places of assembly shall be provided with exit facilities meeting all of the requirements of this subchapter and all of the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter. A place of assembly located in a building classified in another occupancy group shall comply with the exit requirements of this subchapter, but may use the exit facilities of the building of which it is a part as a means of egress from the building.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-531 Seating in assembly spaces.

§ 27-531 Seating in assembly spaces. All seating in assembly spaces shall conform to the following: (a) Seating arrangements. Except as otherwise provided in this subchapter, all seating shall be arranged in rows to provide for orderly egress. (1) CHAIR SEATING. Seating patterns employing individual chairs shall comply with the following: a. Assembly spaces in which the net floor area, exclusive of stage area, is less than eight square feet per person shall be provided with chairs that are rigidly anchored to the construction or fixed in place by devices that prevent movement in any direction, except that not more than twelve movable chairs may be provided in a box or loge if such box or loge is separated from the main seating pattern by railings or other permanent construction and has an area of at least five square feet per chair. b. In assembly spaces where the net floor area, exclusive of stage area, is between eight and twelve square feet per person, movable chairs may be used provided all chairs in a row between aisles are fastened or ganged together to preserve the integrity of the row. Not more than twelve chairs shall be used in any row between aisles. c. In assembly spaces where net floor area, exclusive of stage area, is more than twelve square feet per person, individual movable chairs may be used. Not more than twelve chairs shall be used in any row between aisles. d. All chairs placed on stepped platforms less than four feet wide shall be anchored or fixed in place. e. The minimum distance between centerlines of chairs in the same row shall be nineteen inches. f. The spacing between the back of one chair in any row and any part of the chair in the row behind it, including arm blocks, when the seat is in the lift-up position for automatic operation or in the horizontal position for nonlift-up or nonautomatic operation, when measured horizontally between plumb lines, shall be at least twelve inches, and this spacing shall be increased for any of the following reasons: 1. Where a difference in floor level occurs between any two rows, the spacing shall be increased as follows: Difference in Level (in.) Increase in Space (in.) 6-10, plus any fraction of an inch 1 11-16, plus any fraction of an inch 2 17-22, plus any fraction of an inch 3 23 and over 4 2. Where it is necessary from any location to pass more than seven chairs to reach the nearest aisle, spacing shall be increased one-quarter of an inch for each chair in excess of seven. g. Not more than eight chairs shall be provided in any row of seating having access to only one aisle except as provided below for bleacher and platform seating. h. Performance viewing positions shall be provided for persons who use wheelchairs in accordance with the following schedule. Capacity of Assembly Space Number of Viewing Positions 75 to 100 minimum 4 101 to 150 minimum 5 151 to 200 minimum 6 201 to 300 7 301 to 400 8 401 to 500 9 501 to 1,000 2 percent of total Over 1,000 20 plus 1 for each 100 over 1,000 These positions shall be located so as not to interfere with egress from any row of seats and shall be reachable by means of ramps and/or elevators. Steps shall not be allowed in line of travel from the main approach entry to the designated locations. Size and placement of wheelchair locations, surfaces, access to performing area and listening systems where required, shall comply with the provisions of reference standard RS 4-6. These positions may be utilized by persons who do not use wheelchairs provided that the positions are delineated on the approved seating plans, the seating is readily removable and the positions are unsold one full working day before the performance. (2) BLEACHER SEATING. Fixed or folding bleachers shall comply with the following: a. For the purpose of determining occupant load, individual seat space width shall be assumed to be eighteen inches. There shall be a space of at least fourteen and one-half inches between the back edge of each seat and the front edge of the seat immediately behind it when measured between plumb lines. b. The width of footboards and seat boards shall be at least nine and one-half inches. Where wider seat boards are provided, the space between seats may be reduced by an amount equivalent to the increase in width. c. Sections having not more than ten consecutive rows of seating shall not require aisles. Where there are more than ten consecutive rows, aisles shall be provided at the ends of seat rows, the minimum spacing between seat rows shall be increased to sixteen inches and the required space between seat rows shall be increased by one-quarter of an inch for each seat in excess of seven that it is necessary to pass to reach an aisle. Cross aisles shall be provided at the bottom of each section of seating. d. Bleacher seating shall be constructed to comply with the requirements of subchapters nine and ten of this chapter. (3) PLATFORM SEATING. Stepped platforms used for seating without chairs shall comply with the following: a. For the purpose of determining occupant load, individual seat space width shall be assumed to be eighteen inches. b. Platforms shall be at least twenty-eight inches deep from front to back. c. Platform depth shall be increased one-quarter of an inch for each seat in excess of seven that it is necessary to pass to reach an aisle. d. Aisles complying with section 27-532 of this article shall be provided when the height between levels of platform seating exceeds eight inches. (4) BENCH SEATING. Bench or pew seating, with or without backs, may be used when complying with the applicable requirements for chair seating in of paragraph one of this subdivision. For the purpose of determining occupant load, individual seat space width shall be assumed to be eighteen inches. (5) TABLE AND CHAIR SEATING. Tables and chairs shall be so arranged that the distance from any chair at any table by way of a path between tables and chairs is not greater than eighteen feet to an aisle leading to an exit. The width of the path shall be at least eighteen inches, except that it may be reduced by one inch for each one foot that the distance to the aisle is less than eighteen feet but may not be reduced to less than twelve inches. Chairs, when placed with the front edge of the seat on a line with the edge of the table, shall not protrude into the path. Booths containing up to eight seats may be used, provided they open directly on an aisle. (6) COUNTER SEATING. Counters at which food or beverages are consumed shall be attached to the floor. Fixed or movable chairs or stools may be provided. The number of occupants shall be determined on the basis of one occupant for each eighteen inches of counter length. The width of aisles bordering counters shall be measured excluding a depth of eighteen inches for chair or stool spaces. (7) STANDEE AREAS. Standee areas may be permitted within assembly spaces provided each standee space has a minimum width of twenty-two inches and a minimum depth of twenty-one inches. Standee areas shall not encroach on the required exit facilities and shall be separated from the space to be left clear for passage by tape, ribbon or other easily broken material, supported by lightweight posts fixed in stationary sockets, so constructed and placed as to not constitute an obstruction in case of panic or emergency. (8) PROTECTIVE GUARDS. Protective guards shall be provided for seating and standee areas as follows: a. A protective guard at least thirty inches high above the floor shall be provided along the fascia of all balconies, loges, and boxes, except that the guard shall be at least thirty-six inches high at the bottom of stepped aisles. When rails or other parts of such guards are designed with ledges more than two and one-half inches wide, the top surface of the ledges shall slope down toward the seating area at an angle of at least thirty degrees from the horizontal. The guards shall provide an unperforated curb or toeguard at least twelve inches high above the level of the floor of the balcony, loge, or box. b. A protective guard at least thirty inches high above the floor shall be provided at cross aisles where fixed seat backs of any adjacent lower level do not project at least twenty-four inches above the cross aisle level. c. A protective guard at least eighteen inches high above the floor shall be provided along the front edge of any stepped platform where fixed seat backs of the adjacent lower level do not project at least eighteen inches above the stepped platform level. d. A protective guard at least twenty-six inches high above seat level shall be provided at the open ends of bleacher seating, extending from the front of the third row of seats to the back of the highest row of seats, and continuously along the rear of the seating, except where the seating is adjacent to a wall. e. Guards shall be designed to meet the load requirements for railings in subchapter nine of this chapter. Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 1987/058.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-532 Aisles and cross aisles.

§ 27-532 Aisles and cross aisles. Assembly spaces shall be served by aisles, cross aisles, or other unobstructed floor areas providing access to exits, except as permitted for bleacher seating in paragraph two of subdivision (a) of section 27-531 of this article. (a) The capacity of aisles and cross aisles shall be adequate to serve all persons for whom they provide a primary path of travel to an exit. (See section 27-533 of this article.) (1) CAPACITY. The capacity of aisles and cross aisles shall be as listed in table 8-1. The unit of exit width shall be twenty-two inches. Seats or other facilities shall not project into an aisle or cross aisle so as to reduce the width of the aisle or cross aisle more than one inch per unit of exit width. (2) MINIMUM WIDTH. Aisles and cross aisles shall have a minimum width of forty-four inches except that the width may be at least thirty-six inches under any one or more of the following conditions: a. In any assembly space having a total of not more than three hundred occupants. b. When not more than the number of persons permitted for one unit of exit width is served. c. At the narrowest point when a tapered aisle is permitted under paragraph three of this subdivision. d. When an aisle parallels and is alongside an enclosure wall or partition that is provided with exit doors spaced not more than sixteen feet on centers, provided such aisle serves only the rows of seats adjacent to it. (3) TAPERED AISLES. Tapered aisles shall be used where egress is provided only at one end of the aisle, except that uniform aisles may be used when their width for the entire length will accommodate eighty per cent of the total occupant load served by the aisle. Tapered aisles shall be widened gradually so that their width at the point of discharge provides for the entire occupant load of the aisle. (4) UNIFORM AISLES. Aisles of uniform width shall be used where egress is provided at both ends of an aisle by either cross aisles or exit doors. The width of uniform aisles shall not be less than required for sixty per cent of the total occupant load served by the aisles. (5) AISLE WIDTH AT OPENINGS. When an aisle or cross aisle discharges directly into exit openings, a space shall be provided in front of such openings that is at least as wide as such openings and at least as deep as the width of the aisle or cross aisle. (6) CROSS AISLES. Cross aisles, at any point shall not be closer than twelve feet to a stage area using scenery or scenic elements. Steppings shall not be permitted in cross aisles. (7) AISLE GRADIENTS AND STEPPINGS. The floors of aisles shall have a gradient of not more than one in eight. Where differences in levels require a greater gradient, steps shall be used, complying with the following: a. When one riser only is used between levels of platforms, its height shall not exceed eight inches, and where more than one riser is used, none shall exceed seven and three-quarter inches. b. No riser shall be less than four inches high. c. No riser shall vary from the height of the riser immediately above or below except that risers that are separated by a tread of seventeen inches or more may vary up to one-quarter inch. d. The width of treads of intermediate steps between platform levels shall be at least nine and one-half inches, but not more than ten and one-half inches, exclusive of nosings. e. Treads at the level of platforms and seventeen inches or more in width may slope not more than one-quarter inch in twelve inches. f. No steps shall be used to enter a row of seats from an aisle unless an unobstructed floor space of at least seven square feet is provided at the level of the aisle, between the aisle and the steps. g. Each step in an aisle shall be marked along its nosing with a permanent contrasting color stripe, and shall be provided with a step light. h. The line of risers of aisle steppings shall deviate no more than twenty degrees from a line perpendicular to the centerline of the aisle. (8) STEPPED AISLE LANDINGS. Stepped aisles shall be provided with landings at exit openings, and shall have a length equal to at least the width of the aisle and a slope of not more than one in twelve. (9) LIGHTING. Aisles and cross aisles shall be provided at all times with at least one-half foot candle of artificial illumination by electrical means. (10) VOMITORIES. Vomitories within assembly spaces shall comply with all of the requirements for aisles, and shall have a clear ceiling height of at least seven feet.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-533 Travel distance.

§ 27-533 Travel distance. At least one exit opening shall be available from every attached seat or standee space in an assembly space, or from the most remote point in the space when movable seats are provided or, when no seats are provided, within the primary travel distance limitation listed in table 8-1. In addition, an alternate exit opening shall be available from every attached seat or standee space, or from the most remote point when attached seats are not provided within the secondary travel distance limitation listed in table 8-1. Such alternate exit openings may serve to satisfy the requirements for primary travel distance for other seats or locations. Exit openings satisfying the primary and secondary travel distance requirements for any one seat or location shall be separated from each other by a distance of at least twenty-five feet. (a) Travel distance shall be the measured distance along centerlines of paths of travel to the centerline of the exit opening, as adjusted by penalties for multi-directional or stepped travel as provided below. (1) No path of travel shall be permitted through rows of seating other than the first leg of travel from a seat to an aisle. (2) The first thirty-five feet of a primary path of travel and a secondary path of travel may be common to each other except that this distance may be increased to fifty feet in F-2 places of assembly. (3) Not more than three changes in direction of travel shall be permitted in the path of travel to an exit opening. A change in direction shall be deemed to occur when it is necessary to change direction by a forty-five degrees or greater angle, measured from the preceding line of travel, except that it shall not be considered as a change in direction when it is necessary in an aisle or cross aisle to travel in another direction not more than seven feet. (4) Travel distance shall be the sum of the distances of all segments of travel to the exit, computed as follows: Segment Length First leg of travel Measured distance Second leg of travel after first change in direction Measured distance Third leg of travel after second change in direction 1.25 times measured distance Fourth leg of travel after third change in direction 1.40 times measured distance Any leg of travel with four or more steps 1.25 times length of segment as computed above

NYC Admin. Code § 27-534 Exit openings.

§ 27-534 Exit openings. Exit openings from assembly spaces shall comply with the following: (a) Capacity. The capacity of exit openings shall be listed as in table 8-1, based on the number of occupants for whom the opening satisfies the primary travel distance requirement. (b) Width. Exit openings shall be at least thirty-six inches wide for single doors and at least sixty-six inches but not more than eighty-eight inches wide for doors swinging in pairs, except that in assembly spaces having an occupant load of over three hundred persons, single door openings shall be at least forty-four inches wide. (c) Classification. Exit openings from assembly spaces shall be classified as follows: Class 1. Exit openings that are used for normal entry to the assembly space, and that open directly to a safe area or to an open exterior space. Class 2. Exit openings that are not used for normal entry to the assembly space, and that open directly to a safe area or to an open exterior space. Class 3. Exit openings that open from the assembly space into corridors, exit passageways, or vertical exits. (d) Distribution of classes. The required exit capacity from F-2 places of assembly, and from all other assembly spaces in which the net floor area, exclusive of stage area, is twelve square feet or more per person may be provided by exit openings of any class. The required exit capacity from assembly spaces in which the net floor area, exclusive of stage area, is less than twelve square feet per person shall be distributed so that exit openings of each class are provided to comply with the following requirements: 1. For assembly spaces in which the mean floor level is not more than fifteen feet above or below the adjoining grade elevation, the exit capacity shall be distributed as follows: Class 1 – not less than forty per cent Class 2 – not more than sixty per cent Class 3 – not more than forty per cent 2. For assembly spaces in which the mean floor level is more than fifteen feet, but not more than thirty feet, above or below the adjoining grade elevation, the exit capacity shall be distributed as follows: Class 1 – not less than sixty per cent Class 3 – not more than forty per cent 3. For assembly spaces in which the mean floor level is more than thirty feet above or below the adjoining grade elevation, the exit capacity shall be distributed as follows: Class 1 – not less than one hundred per cent (e) Location. No exit opening shall be closer than twelve feet to any part of a stage using scenery or scenic elements. All exit openings shall be clearly identifiable and shall not be disguised as part of a wall or covered in any way to obscure them from view. Where, because of the configuration of the assembly space enclosure an exit opening is not visible from all seats using it as a means of egress, directional exit signs shall be placed on the enclosure alongside the exit opening to indicate its location. These signs shall be in addition to those required over the exit opening. (f) Locking. No exit door shall be locked so as to prevent egress from an assembly space while it is occupied.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-535 Safe areas.

§ 27-535 Safe areas. Safe areas shall comply with the following: When provided to serve class one or class two exit openings safe areas shall be separated from assembly spaces by noncombustible construction having a two hour fire-resistance rating, and shall serve as transition areas in the line and direction of exit travel. They shall serve for normal entry to the assembly space and may be used as corridors, lobbies, or lounges. No room or space classified in occupancy group A, B1, D-1, or D-2 shall open upon a safe area. Safe areas shall be at a level not more than six feet above or below the level at which egress is made from the assembly space, except that a separate safe area shall not be required for any assembly space having an occupant load of less than one hundred fifty persons and which is served by a safe area of another assembly space, when such safe area is in the direction of egress. Ventilating systems for safe areas shall not be connected to systems serving any other spaces, unless separated from such systems by fire dampers actuated by smoke detectors meeting the construction requirements of subchapter thirteen of this chapter. (1) COLLECTING SAFE AREAS. Places of assembly having more than one assembly space may have a collecting safe area that receives the occupant load discharged into it by other safe areas. Collecting safe areas shall be located within six feet above or below the assembly space nearest to grade. (2) OCCUPANT LOAD. The occupant load of a safe area shall be the aggregate occupant load of all exit openings discharging directly into it. The occupant load of a collecting safe area shall be the aggregate occupant load of all exit openings discharging directly into it, plus fifty per cent of the occupant load of other safe areas discharging into it. (3) DIMENSIONS. Except as provided in subdivision four of this section, the clear unobstructed floor area of each safe area shall be sufficient to accommodate the total occupant load of the safe area on the basis of two square feet per person, not including space occupied by furniture or equipment. The minimum dimension of such unobstructed space shall be eight feet. The width of the unobstructed space shall be measured at right angles to the direction of travel to an exit and shall not be less than required for the occupant load, on the basis of the exit capacity listed in table 8-1. The height of safe areas shall be at least eight feet at all points. (4) SAFE AREAS NEAR GRADE. When a safe area provides egress to an open exterior space, either directly or through a vestibule, the safe area need not provide the floor area required by subdivision three of this section when the level of discharge from the safe area to the open exterior space is not more than four feet above or below the grade of the open exterior space. (5) RAMPS AND STEPS. Ramps in safe areas shall have a gradient of not more than one in twelve, except that when not exceeding six feet in length, the gradient may be not greater than one in ten. Steps in safe areas shall comply with the following requirements: a. No riser shall be less than six inches nor more than seven and one-half inches high. b. No riser shall vary in height from the riser immediately above or below it. c. Treads in flights of steps shall be at least ten and one-half inches wide exclusive of nosing, and, except as provided in paragraph d of this subdivision, the sum of two risers plus the width of one tread shall be at least twenty-four inches but not more than twenty-five and one-half inches. d. No change in levels shall have less than three risers, except that where the intervening tread is between twenty-eight inches and thirty-six inches, two risers may be used when the edge of each tread is marked by a contrasting color stripe. e. Where exit openings from an assembly space are above or below the level of the safe area, a platform shall be provided at the same level as that of the exit opening. The platform shall be at least one foot wider on each side than the exit opening, and shall extend a minimum of six feet in the direction of exit travel. The sides of such platforms, and of steps or ramps leading from them, shall be protected by guards at least three feet high. (6) EXITS FROM SAFE AREAS. The capacity of exits from safe areas shall be as listed in table 8-1. Exit openings from safe areas shall discharge into exit types as provided in subchapter six of this chapter. (7) DOOR HARDWARE. Doors from safe areas or from exits from safe areas opening directly to the outdoors and furnished with locks shall be equipped with fire exit bolts complying with the requirements of paragraph two of subdivision (k) of section 27-371 of subchapter six of this chapter.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-536 Corridors.

§ 27-536 Corridors. Corridors shall comply with all of the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter, except as modified below: (a) Capacity. The capacity of corridors shall be as listed in table 8-1. (b) Changes in level. Changes in level requiring less than three risers in a corridor shall be by a ramp having a slope not greater than one in ten.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-537 Exit passageways.

§ 27-537 Exit passageways. Exit passageways shall comply with all of the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter, except as modified below: (a) Capacity. The capacity of exit passageways shall be as listed in table 8-1. (b) Changes in level. Changes in level requiring less than three risers in an exit passageway shall be by a ramp having a slope not greater than one in ten.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-538 Vertical exits.

§ 27-538 Vertical exits. Stairs, escalators and ramps shall comply with all of the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter, except as modified below: (a) Capacity. The capacity of stairs, escalators or ramps shall be as listed in table 8-1. (b) Width. The minimum width of stairs shall be at least forty-four inches, except that where the total occupant load is not more than permitted for one unit of exit width, the minimum width may be thirty-six inches. (c) Unenclosed vertical exits. Vertical exits leading directly from one safe area to another, or leading from a safe area directly to an open exterior space, need not be enclosed. (d) Ramp slope. Ramps serving as vertical exits shall not have a slope greater than one in ten.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-539 Open exterior spaces.

§ 27-539 Open exterior spaces. (a) Capacity. Open exterior spaces shall be adequate in width and area to accommodate the accumulated occupant load of all exits discharging into them on the basis of two square feet per person. (b) Minimum dimensions. The minimum dimensions of open exterior spaces shall be twenty feet, except that when the principal entrance to the place of assembly is from an open exterior space, the minimum dimension of this space shall be thirty feet. No open exterior space shall have less than four hundred square feet of floor area, and floor area shall be measured exclusive of the following: 1. The area immediately outside any exit door from the place of assembly for a distance perpendicular to the exit doors of ten feet for the full width of the exit opening. 2. The area of steps, platforms, stairs, or ramps within or leading to or from the space. 3. The area of obstructions such as shrubs, trees, fixed furniture, signs, sculptures, pools, and similar obstructions to occupancy or exit travel. (c) Above or below grade. When an open exterior space is more than fifteen feet above or below the grade of the street or public space to which it discharges, its required area shall be increased by one-third. (d) Egress from open exterior spaces. Exterior exit passageways, ramps, or steps leading from open exterior spaces shall be not less in width than required for the occupant load of all exits discharging into the open exterior space. The width of such exit passageways shall be based on the capacities listed in table 8-1, but in no case less than ten feet. Ramps and steps shall comply with the requirements of paragraph e of subdivision five of section 27-535 of this article.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-540 Exit lighting.

§ 27-540 Exit lighting. In addition to the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter, lighting shall be provided in the following areas: (a) Safe areas. Safe areas shall be artificially lighted by electrical means at all times during occupancy of a place of assembly so as to provide illumination of at least five foot candles at the level of the floor and on the surface of all stairs, steps, ramps, and escalators within the safe area. (b) Open exterior spaces. Yards or courts which serve as open exterior spaces shall be artificially lighted by electrical means at all times between sunset and sunrise during occupancy of a place of assembly so as to provide illumination of at least five foot candles at the level of the floor over at least the required area.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-541 Exit signs.

§ 27-541 Exit signs. Signs meeting the requirements of subchapter six of this chapter and subdivision (e) of section 27-534 of this article shall be provided in all assembly spaces to indicate the location of exits and, where necessary, the direction to the exits. All exit or directional signs shall be placed so that they are clearly visible from all parts of the assembly spaces, and the bottom of all signs shall be at least seven feet above floor level. Signs shall be of the internally lighted type in all assembly spaces where the general illumination is reduced to less than five foot candles during a performance or during occupancy. Signs shall be lighted at all times during occupancy. TABLE 8-1 Determination of Exit and Access Requirements Occupancy Group Classification Maximum Travel Distance Within Assembly Space (ft.) a Capacity (number of persons per unit of width) Ramps Corridors, Safe Areas, Exit Passageways Primary Secondary Aisle and Cross Aisle e Doors or Openings Stairs and Escalators From Assembly Space From Safe Area F-1a b 85 125 80 50 100 60 80 F-1b c 100 125 90 80 125 80 100 F-2 175 250 400 400 500 320 425 F-3 100 d 125 d 90 80 125 80 100 F-4 85 d 125 d 80 50 100 60 80 Notes for Table 8-1: a See section 27-533. When an exit opening from an assembly space discharges into corridor that does not meet the requirements of this code for a safe area, the travel distance shall include the distance within the corridor to an exit. b See paragraph four of subdivision (b) of section 27-546 for stages. c See paragraph three of subdivision (b) of section 27-547 for stages. d In places of assembly completely equipped with automatic sprinklers, this distance may be increased fifty percent. e See section 27-532.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-542 Emergency lighting.

§ 27-542 Emergency lighting. All assembly spaces shall be provided with emergency lighting facilities sufficient to provide at least five foot candles of illumination at the floor level. Such lighting shall be on circuits that are separate from the general lighting and power circuits, either taken off ahead of the main switch or connected to a separate emergency lighting power source, and be arranged to operate automatically in the event of failure of the normal lighting system. The provisions of this section shall apply retroactively to all existing places of assembly that are or would be classified in occupancy groups F-3 and F-4 or are changed to such classification under this code, in accordance with the following schedule and specifications: 1. Cabarets, dance halls, night clubs, and taverns having an occupant load exceeding one hundred fifty persons shall complete the installation required by this section on or before April twelfth, nineteen hundred seventy-nine. 2. Cabarets, dance halls, night clubs, and taverns having an occupant load of one hundred fifty persons or less shall complete such installation on or before July twelfth, nineteen hundred seventy-nine. 3. Spaces occupied exclusively as restaurants shall complete such installation on or before October twelfth, nineteen hundred seventy-nine. 4. All other spaces in occupancy groups F-3 and F-4 shall complete such installation on or before January twelfth, nineteen hundred eighty. 5. The wiring shall conform with the electrical code of the city of New York, and have the same protection as specified for wiring in reference standard RS17-3, RS17-3A or 17-3B. 6. Storage battery equipment may be used as the sole source of energy provided it conforms with the provisions of section four of reference standard RS 17-3 or consists of two battery packs listed by an acceptable testing laboratory or conforms with nationally accepted standards for such source of emergency energy.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-543 Light projection sources.

§ 27-543 Light projection sources. Motion picture projection and other light projection sources shall comply with the following: (a) Film. The projection, use or storage of film having a nitrocellulose base (commonly known as nitrate film) shall not be permitted except under conditions specified in special permits when issued by the fire department. Safety film meeting the specifications and test standards of reference standard RS 8-1 may be projected, used or stored. (b) Projection machines. Projection machines shall meet the requirements of the electrical code of the city of New York. The lamp housing of projection machines using carbon-arc or other light sources that emit gaseous discharge shall be equipped with, or connected to a mechanical ventilation system of adequate capacity to exhaust the products of combustion through ducts directly to the outdoors. Such duct systems shall comply with the requirements of subchapter thirteen of this chapter. When more than one projection machine or other facility employing a carbon-arc or similar light source is used, all may be vented by the same duct system if the capacity is adequate for all facilities so connected. (c) Other light source facilities. All devices, such as spotlights, that employ a carbon-arc or other light source that emits gaseous discharge shall be vented directly as required in subdivision (b) of this section, unless the space in which such devices are located is mechanically ventilated and provides at least two thousand cubic feet of room volume for each device. (d) Light or projection rooms or booths. When enclosed, rooms or booths used for the projection of motion picture film or the manipulating of lights shall be built of noncombustible materials, and shall provide a clear working space of at least two feet around the projection apparatus. Such rooms or booths shall be provided with vents opening to a mechanically ventilated area or the outdoors, adequate in size to supply the make-up air required. The rooms or booths shall be provided with at least one noncombustible or metal clad door at least two feet by six feet opening in the direction of exit travel, and no point within the room, booth, or gallery shall be more than fifty feet from a door opening into a corridor or space that provides access to an exit at a distance not greater than seventy-five feet.

NYC Admin. Code § 27-544 Motion picture screens.

§ 27-544 Motion picture screens. Motion picture screens shall be noncombustible, or have a flame spread rating not over twenty-five, or be of materials that have been rendered flameproof in accordance with the provisions of chapter four of this title. The construction supporting screens shall be noncombustible, and shall comply with the stage rigging requirements of subchapter nine and with the provisions of subchapter ten of this chapter.

Source: City of New York, Charter, Administrative Code and Rules (American Legal Publishing XML export, codelibrary.amlegal.com)URL: https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCadmin/0-0-0-50314Fetched: 10/24/2026