Clothes Dryers in Basement Without Automatic Sprinkler

DOB issued a violation notice to landlord after finding four clothes dryers in the basement without any sprinkler system. DOB's inspector observed four washers and four dryers connected by electric wiring to power sources. Landlord argued that the 2008 building code requirement to install a sprinkler system if there were more than two dryers didn't apply to a 1930s building. The ALJ ruled against landlord, who appealed and won. Building Code Section 903.2, issued in 2008, applied only to "new buildings and structures" and didn't apply to landlord's older building. And retroactive requirements of the 1968 building code didn't apply to landlord's building since it had five floors of residential apartments and was in a "J-2" occupancy group.

RCFHP, Inc.: ECB App. No. 1200999 (1/31/13) [3-pg. doc.]