2006 New York Code - Ventilation For Shafts.

 
    §  59.  Ventilation for shafts. 1. There shall be provided in the roof
  directly over each stair, fire-stair, dumbwaiter,  elevator  or  similar
  shaft  which  extends  to  or  within one story of a roof, a ventilating
  metal skylight of the cross-sectional area of such shaft. Such  skylight
  need  not, however, exceed twenty square feet in area. Where an existing
  skylight is smaller than the  dimensions  or  area  prescribed  in  this
  subdivision,  no  structural change shall be required, but a ventilating
  metal skylight fitting  the  existing  opening  in  the  roof  shall  be
  sufficient.  Every skylight shall be glazed with plain glass in the roof
  of such skylight and shall be equipped with metal screens over and under
  the skylight. In lieu of a skylight a window of the same area at the top
  story shall be accepted.
    2.  Whenever  there  is a flooring of solid construction at the top of
  any enclosed stair, fire-stair,  elevator  or  similar  shaft,  openings
  shall  be left near the top of such shaft for ventilation. Such openings
  shall provide  at  least  two  hundred  eighty-eight  square  inches  of
  unobstructed  ventilation  and shall communicate directly with the outer
  air, or be otherwise ventilated in accordance with the provisions of the
  local building code.
    3. It  shall  be  unlawful  to  discharge  into  any  such  shaft  any
  inflammable  or  volatile  gases, liquids or other thing or matter which
  would endanger life.