N.Y. Lab. Law § 268

§ 268. Exterior screened stairway. "Exterior screened stairway" means\na stairway conforming to the following requirements:\n 1. It shall be built of incombustible material.\n 2. The risers of the stairs shall not be more than seven and\nthree-quarters inches in height and the treads not less than ten inches\nwide.\n 3. On each floor there shall be a balcony connecting with the stairs.\n 4. Access to the balconies shall be by means of fire doors extending\nto the floor level and which shall slide freely or open outwardly so as\nnot to obstruct the passageway.\n 5. All windows or other openings upon the course of such stairs shall\nbe fireproof.\n 6. The level of the balcony floor shall not be more than seven inches\nbelow the level of the door sill.\n 7. The stairs shall continue from the roof to the ground level and\nshall lead (a) directly to a street, or (b) to a fireproof enclosed\npassageway independent of other exit from the building and leading to a\nstreet or road, or (c) to an open area having communication with a\nstreet or road.\n 8. The balconies and stairs shall be guarded on the sides by a screen\nof incombustible material.\n