2006 New York Code - Legislative Finding.

 
    §  2.  Legislative  finding.    It  is  hereby declared that intensive
  occupation  of  multiple  dwellings  having  three  or  more   families,
  inadequate  provision for light and air, insufficient protection against
  and defective provisions for escape from fire, as well as the amount  of
  improper sanitation existing in multiple dwellings throughout this state
  are  a  menace  to  the  health, safety, morals, welfare, and reasonable
  comfort of its citizens; and that the establishment and  maintenance  of
  proper housing standards requiring sufficient light, air, sanitation and
  protection  from  fire  hazards  are  essential  to  the public welfare.
  Therefore the provisions hereinafter prescribed to provide more adequate
  protection in the event of fire, and sufficient light,  ventilation  and
  sanitation  for  certain  multiple  residence  buildings are enacted and
  their necessity in the public interest is hereby declared as a matter of
  legislative determination.