N.Y. Multiple Residence Law § 27

§ 27. Fire-escapes. Wire, chain, cable, combustible, vertical ladder\nor rope fire-escapes shall not be accepted as a required or alternative\nmeans of egress and, unless such fire-escapes are supplemental to the\nmeans of egress required by section twenty-six, they shall be removed\nand replaced by a system of fire-escapes constructed and arranged as\nprovided in section one hundred thirty-three. All fire-escapes erected\non or after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-three, to serve as a\nsecond means of egress shall be in conformity with the provisions of\nsection one hundred thirty-three. It shall be unlawful to remove any\nfire-escape without permission from the department. Such system shall be\ninstalled, arranged and maintained in a manner satisfactory to the\ndepartment and in accordance with rules adopted by the commission.\n