question on ventilation/building code

Tell the managing agent that it's become too loud and needs to be worked on.

In my building, they're on timers that shut them down late at night. If you can find the timers, and can identify the one for that particular exhaust, then you can either adjust yourself or have the super do it. (I set the one for my inside bathroom to run 24/7.)

There is a NYC code saying windowless bathrooms, kitchens and hallways have to be mechanically ventilated, but I don't know for how many hours.

The threshold for unacceptable noise is very high, this being NYC, but you could always call 311 if the managing agent and super aren't responsive.

Thanks for the response. I brought this up with the managing agent who was essentially not very helpful, so I went to the super who has been. I don't know if these fans are mounted properly or not to be as quiet as possible, and I'm not sure if there is a real remedy regardless of how much one may cost. So the alternative was to see if we could adjust the timer so that they went off and on at a tolerable time for us. The super doesn't want to adjust it that much, and mentioned building codes, etc. The noise is really driving me crazy, so that's why I was hoping to find out if the fans HAVE to be running for a certain time period. It's not noisy outside where the fans are, that's why I think 311 couldn't do anything. It's noisy because the mechanical is right on top of us. Is this something worth even bringing up with the board?

calypso: Windowless bathrooms and kitchens : 24/7 ventilation.
Call DOB and give them your address. They can check if code for your building is different (due to when it was built.)

Is mechanical working properly? you can ask the super if it needs repair/maint.

In my older condo bldg, we have windowless bathrooms and our exhaust fans are set on a timer to coincide with when ppl would be taking showers: 2 hours in the morning and 2 hours in the evening. Definitely doesn't need to be on all day long.

So, to save a few bucks in CCs, you all live with stinky moldy dirty bathrooms.

The stinky and moldy are obvious. Dirty because when the exhaust is off, the dust and effluvia coating the duct float down and into the bathrooms.

Yesiree,NWT.
I heard that from the DOB inspector.

How old does the building need to be for exemption from this requirement?
The DOB inspector mentioned it and I don't remember now.

Thanks. I was wondering if I could propose something similar. The thing used to be running for 14 hours straight. I couldn't find NYC Building Code or Mechanical Code that said it had to be on for x-hours.

So NWT what you're saying is that you personally have the windows open 24 hrs/day or at least have an externally vented HVAC system running in your apartment non-stop. How else will the smells/humidity from your kitchen be properly vented if the place isn't fully vented at all times, even if you're not currently cooking something, right?

That bathroom's exhaust runs 24/7, drawing air from window cracks, so the whole apartment is ventilated, even in winter. Not drafty, but a change of air.

The kitchen has a window but no exhaust, so I open the window when necessary. Baking/cooking smells don't bother me, but the thought of an unventilated bathroom is breakfast-churning. Just a quirk of mine.