Section 236. Stairs in fireproof tenements

1. Except as in this section
  otherwise  provided,  every  fireproof  tenement   erected   after   May
  fifteenth,   nineteen  hundred  two,  containing  more  than  thirty-six
  apartments or suites of rooms above the entrance  story  shall  have  an
  additional stair for every additional thirty-six apartments or suites or
  fraction thereof.
    2. If such a tenement contains not more than forty-eight apartments or
  suites  above  the  entrance  story,  in lieu of an additional stair the
  stairs, stair halls and entrance halls throughout  the  entire  tenement
  may  each  be  at least one-half wider than is specified in sections two
  hundred  thirty-four,  two  hundred   thirty-seven   and   two   hundred
  thirty-eight.
    3.  If  such  a  tenement contains more than seventy-two apartments or
  suites but not more than eighty-four above the entrance story,  in  lieu
  of  three stairs there may be only two stairs, provided that one of such
  stairs and the stair and entrance halls connected therewith are at least
  one-half wider than is specified in sections  two  hundred  thirty-four,
  two hundred thirty-seven and two hundred thirty-eight.
    4.  For  the  purposes  of  this  section  a  janitor's apartment in a
  penthouse shall not be construed as an additional apartment.
    5. The number of apartments on any story in any fireproof tenement may
  be altered, if the number of living rooms on such story is not increased
  by more than thirty per centum. If the number of  living  rooms  on  any
  story  or section thereof above the entrance story exceeds thirty, there
  shall be an additional stair for each thirty rooms or  fraction  thereof
  on  any  such  story  or  section  thereof, except that if the number of
  living rooms on any such story or section does not exceed forty, in lieu
  of an additional  stair  one  stair  and  every  public  hall  connected
  therewith  may  be at least one-half wider than is specified in sections
  two hundred  thirty-four,  two  hundred  thirty-seven  and  two  hundred
  thirty-eight;  but  in every such tenement erected before May sixteenth,
  nineteen  hundred  thirteen,  and  altered  as  herein  permitted,   the
  occupants of each additional apartment shall have access to at least two
  independent  means  of  egress,  which  shall  be made to conform to the
  requirements of section two hundred thirty-one for  fireproof  tenements
  erected after such date.
    6.  Whenever  the  total  number  of  rooms,  exclusive  of bathrooms,
  water-closet compartments, and cooking spaces less  than  eighty  square
  feet  in area, in any fireproof tenement or section thereof is decreased
  through the process of an alteration, the number of  apartments  may  be
  altered  and  the  provisions of this section which relate to additional
  stairs shall not be applicable.