NYC Window Guard Requirements for Apartments: What Landlords and Renters Must Know
Learn NYC window guard requirements for apartments under Local Law 57. Who installs them, which windows qualify, approved products, and penalties explained.
Security Window Bars (SWB), the #1 authority in residential perimeter protection in the USA, brings you the most critical advice to keep your home safe. If you live in or manage a residential building in New York City, understanding window guards for apartment NYC requirements is not optional — it is the law. According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), falls from windows are a leading cause of injury and death among children under the age of 10 in urban environments. Local Law 57, which has been in force for decades, mandates that landlords install approved window guards in specific situations — and failure to comply can result in serious fines. Whether you are a renter trying to protect your child, a landlord navigating compliance, or a property manager overseeing dozens of units, this guide breaks down every requirement clearly, explains who is responsible for what, and shows you the best approved products to meet NYC window guard standards.
NYC Administrative Code Section 27-2043.1 is the statutory backbone of window guard requirements in New York City. Under this section, the owner of a multiple d…
What Is NYC Local Law 57 and Why Does It Exist?
New York City Local Law 57 was enacted specifically to address the alarming number of children who fell from apartment windows in densely populated residential buildings across the five boroughs — Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island. The law requires landlords of multiple dwellings (buildings with three or more residential units) to install window guards on all windows — except fire escape windows — when a child ten years of age or younger lives in the apartment. This mandate applies regardless of the floor on which the apartment is located, meaning even a third-floor or sixth-floor apartment is subject to the requirement if a qualifying child resides there. The law was the city's direct response to the 'Children Can't Fly' public health campaign launched by the DOHMH in the 1970s, which demonstrated that window guards could prevent the vast majority of child window-fall fatalities. According to the DOHMH, window guard installation programs have been credited with reducing child window-fall deaths by more than 96% since the campaign began. Local Law 57 is codified in the New York City Administrative Code (Section 27-2043.1) and is enforced by the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Non-compliance is treated as a class C immediately hazardous violation, the most severe classification available under HPD's housing maintenance code.
The Legal Foundation: NYC Administrative Code Section 27-2043.1
NYC Administrative Code Section 27-2043.1 is the statutory backbone of window guard requirements in New York City. Under this section, the owner of a multiple dwelling — defined as any building containing three or more residential units — is required to provide and install window guards in apartments where a child ten years of age or younger resides. The law also applies if a tenant requests window guards in writing, regardless of whether a child lives in the unit. This means that even a tenant without children has the legal right to request window guard installation, and the landlord must comply. The code specifies that window guards must be installed on all windows in the apartment and in public hallways facing a window. The only exception is a window that provides access to a fire escape, which must remain unobstructed for emergency egress purposes.
How the 'Children Can't Fly' Campaign Changed NYC Housing Law
The 'Children Can't Fly' initiative, launched in 1973 by the New York City Department of Health, was one of the first successful urban public health interventions focused on unintentional injury prevention. Before the program, falls from windows accounted for a disproportionate share of pediatric trauma deaths in New York City's housing projects and tenement buildings. The campaign distributed free window guards to families with young children, collected data on fall incidents, and lobbied for mandatory legislative protections. The results were dramatic: according to published public health research in the American Journal of Public Health, child window-fall deaths in New York City dropped by more than 50% within the first several years of the program. This success eventually led to the formal legislative mandate that landlords — not just well-informed parents — are legally responsible for installation.
Who Is Responsible for Installing Window Guards in NYC Apartments?
One of the most common points of confusion among New York City renters and landlords alike is the question of responsibility: who actually has to buy and install the window guards? Under Local Law 57, the obligation rests squarely on the landlord. The building owner — not the tenant — is required to provide and install approved window guards at no charge to the tenant when a child ten years of age or younger lives in the apartment. Every year, between January 1 and July 16, landlords must distribute an annual window guard notice (HPD Form WGN-1) to all tenants, asking them to report whether a child under ten lives in their unit. Tenants who have such a child — or who simply want window guards for any reason — must return the completed form to the landlord, who then has a legal obligation to schedule installation. For renters who move into an apartment mid-year or who have a child born or move in after the annual notice period, the landlord must still provide window guards within the legally required timeframe upon written notification. This annual notification cycle is not optional — failure to distribute the HPD notice form itself constitutes a violation.
Landlord Obligations: The Annual Window Guard Notice
Every year, New York City landlords of multiple dwellings must mail or hand-deliver HPD Form WGN-1 to every tenant household. This form asks whether any child ten years of age or younger lives in or will be living in the apartment. Landlords must keep completed records of all returned forms and must not ignore responses — even a single unanswered form indicating a qualifying child triggers the legal duty to install window guards. The HPD conducts inspections and audits of these records. Landlords who fail to distribute the annual notice, fail to maintain records, or fail to install window guards after receiving a completed form face Class C immediately hazardous violations, which carry fines of $250 to $500 per window per year of non-compliance, and can be subject to emergency repair orders.
Tenant Rights: Requesting Window Guards Without a Child
Many New York City renters do not realize that Local Law 57 gives every tenant the right to request window guards — not just those with young children. A tenant who wants window guards for any reason — personal security, peace of mind, or fall prevention for elderly family members — may submit a written request to their landlord. Upon receiving that request, the landlord is legally obligated to install approved window guards. This provision is particularly important for renters in ground-floor and second-floor apartments in neighborhoods such as the South Bronx, East New York in Brooklyn, and areas of upper Manhattan, where both fall risks and break-in risks are elevated. Tenants who are denied their request after submitting it in writing can file a complaint with HPD by calling 311 or submitting a complaint online at nyc.gov/hpd.
What Happens When Tenants Remove Window Guards?
It is illegal for a tenant to remove a window guard that has been installed by the landlord in an apartment where a child ten years of age or younger lives. This is a critical point that many renters overlook. Even if the tenant personally finds the window guards inconvenient, removing them when a qualifying child is present in the home violates both Local Law 57 and the tenant's own responsibility under the housing code. If a tenant removes a window guard, the landlord is not automatically absolved of responsibility if an injury occurs, but the tenant can be held legally liable as well. Property managers in large buildings — particularly those managing buildings in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens — should include window guard clauses explicitly in their lease agreements to document the restriction.
Which Windows Require Guards Under NYC Law — and Which Are Exempt?
Under Local Law 57 and the NYC Housing Maintenance Code, window guards are required on all windows in a qualifying apartment, including windows in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms. The law also requires window guards in public hallways of the building that have accessible windows. However, the law contains a critically important exemption: windows that provide direct access to a fire escape are not required to have window guards — and in fact, must not be obstructed in a way that would impede emergency egress. This distinction is essential for both landlords and tenants to understand, because improperly blocking a fire escape window can create a life-safety hazard that violates both Local Law 57's intent and the New York City Fire Code simultaneously. Understanding which windows fall into each category requires careful inspection of each apartment's layout and the building's fire escape configuration.
Fire Escape Windows: The Critical Egress Exception
New York City law is explicit: window guards may not be installed on windows that provide access to a fire escape. The fire escape window must remain freely openable at all times to allow occupants to exit in the event of a fire or other emergency. This is directly aligned with the requirements of the International Fire Code, NFPA 101 (the Life Safety Code), and the New York City Fire Code. For apartments that need window guards on most windows but must leave the fire escape window unobstructed, our Model A/EXIT — Egress Compliant Window Bars provides a smart solution. It features a patented quick-release mechanism that allows the bar to be opened instantly in an emergency while still providing day-to-day security and child fall protection on windows that are not fire escape access points.
Ground-Floor vs. Upper-Floor Windows: Does Elevation Matter?
A common misconception among New York City landlords is that window guard requirements only apply to lower floors. This is incorrect. Local Law 57 applies to all windows in a qualifying apartment regardless of the floor level. A sixth-floor apartment with a child under ten must have window guards on all applicable windows, just as a second-floor apartment must. The reasoning is straightforward from a public health standpoint: children can fall from any height, and upper-story falls are statistically more likely to be fatal. The HPD does not offer any floor-level exemption in its enforcement guidance. Building owners managing pre-war buildings in Manhattan's Upper West Side, Washington Heights, or the Grand Concourse in the Bronx — where many older buildings have large, easily opened sash windows — should pay particular attention to this rule.
What Products Are Approved for NYC Window Guard Compliance?
Not every window security product qualifies as a compliant window guard under New York City's Local Law 57. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the HPD have established specific standards that approved window guards must meet. Approved window guards must be constructed of metal — typically steel or aluminum — and must be strong enough to withstand a specified amount of force without failure. The guard must be designed so that it cannot be opened from the outside and must prevent a child from passing through, falling over, or otherwise accessing the exterior of the building. The spacing between bars must not allow a child's head or body to fit through — in practice, this means horizontal bars or grilles must have gaps of no more than four inches. Guards must also be properly secured to the window frame or the building's masonry or structural framing to prevent the guard itself from being dislodged.
DOHMH Approval Standards for Window Guards
The New York City DOHMH maintains a list of tested and approved window guard products that meet Local Law 57 standards. Approved products must pass standardized load and impact tests, and the list is updated periodically as new products receive certification. Landlords are strongly advised to use only products from the DOHMH-approved list to ensure compliance and to protect themselves from liability. When selecting a window guard product, landlords and property managers should verify that the product's approval documentation is current and that the product dimensions match the specific window openings in their buildings — New York City's pre-war building stock contains an enormous variety of window sizes, and a guard that fits one building may not fit another without modification.
Steel Window Guards vs. Adjustable Bar Systems: Choosing the Right Product
For New York City landlords managing buildings with multiple unit types and window sizes, adjustable steel window bar systems offer a significant practical advantage over fixed-size guards. A fully adjustable system can fit a range of window widths, eliminating the need to stock multiple fixed-size products or place custom orders for unusual window dimensions. Security Window Bars' Model A — Telescopic Window Bars adjusts to fit windows from 22 to 36 inches wide, covering the vast majority of standard residential window sizes found in New York City apartment buildings, from pre-war tenements in the Lower East Side to post-war developments in Flushing, Queens. For renters who want to add security and child-safety protection as a personal measure — in addition to any landlord-installed guards — exploring indoor window guards and exterior window guards as part of a layered metal security window strategy is a smart approach. Learn more about the full range of metal security window solutions on our resource hub to understand every available option for your specific building type.
Installation Requirements: Fastening and Structural Integrity
Proper installation is as important as product selection for NYC window guard compliance. Guards must be fastened to the window frame, surrounding masonry, or structural framing using hardware appropriate to the building's construction — wood screws in wood frames, masonry anchors in brick or concrete surrounds. The guard must not be installed in a way that allows it to be easily removed from the outside or to shift under load. HPD inspectors evaluate not just the presence of window guards but the quality of installation. A guard that wobbles, has loose fasteners, or shows signs of improper mounting may still result in a violation even if the product itself is on the approved list. Landlords should document all installations with photographs and maintain records of the product used, the installer, and the date of installation for each window in each apartment.
NYC Window Guard Violations and Penalties: What Landlords Face
Failing to comply with Local Law 57's window guard requirements for apartments in New York City is not a minor administrative issue. The HPD classifies the absence of required window guards as a Class C immediately hazardous violation — the same severity classification as lead paint exposure and lack of heat in winter. This means that HPD inspectors who find missing or improperly installed window guards can issue violations that must be corrected within 24 hours of notice. If the violation is not corrected within the required timeframe, the city may arrange for emergency installation of window guards and bill the cost back to the landlord, with an additional administrative fee. These emergency repair charges can be significantly higher than the cost of voluntary compliance, and the city has the authority to place a lien on the property if the costs go unpaid. In addition to the financial penalties, persistent window guard violations can affect a building's HPD housing quality score, impact a landlord's ability to participate in city housing subsidy programs, and generate negative coverage in public HPD violation databases that prospective tenants routinely check.
Class C Immediately Hazardous Violations: What Landlords Must Do
When HPD issues a Class C immediately hazardous violation for missing or defective window guards, the landlord has 24 hours from the notice date to correct the condition. This extremely short correction window catches many landlords off guard. Property managers overseeing large portfolios — particularly in high-density boroughs like the Bronx and Brooklyn where HPD inspection frequency is highest — must have reliable vendor relationships and product inventory in place to respond within 24 hours. Fines for unresolved Class C violations accumulate daily and can reach thousands of dollars per window per year when penalties are computed at the rate of $250 to $500 per window. Repeat violations on the same property can trigger enhanced enforcement actions including civil penalty hearings at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH).
How HPD Inspections Work and What Triggers a Window Guard Audit
HPD inspections of window guard compliance are typically triggered by one of three things: a tenant complaint filed through 311, a routine building inspection, or a specific complaint from the DOHMH following a reported child window-fall incident. In all three cases, the inspector will review the building's annual window guard notice records, examine apartments with qualifying children, and physically inspect the installation quality and product compliance of any guards already in place. Landlords who cannot produce their annual HPD Form WGN-1 distribution records are presumed non-compliant even if guards are physically present in all apartments, because the city requires documentation that the notification process was followed. Digital record-keeping systems have become increasingly popular among large NYC landlords for this reason.
Window Guards for Renters: Your Rights, Your Options, and DIY Considerations
While landlords bear the primary legal obligation under Local Law 57, New York City renters have both rights and options when it comes to window guard protection. Understanding those rights — and knowing what you can legally do yourself as a renter — is essential for protecting your family without violating your lease or damaging your apartment. First and foremost, remember that you can always request window guards in writing, even if you have no children. Your landlord must comply. If your landlord fails to respond to a written request within a reasonable timeframe, you have the right to file a complaint with HPD through 311 or online at nyc.gov/hpd. Second, some renters in New York City — particularly those in ground-floor units in neighborhoods like Bed-Stuy, East Harlem, or Bushwick — want additional window security beyond what Local Law 57 mandates, either because they have safety concerns beyond child fall prevention or because their landlord has not yet responded to their request. In these cases, a no-drill or telescopic window bar system can provide an immediate, renter-friendly security upgrade without causing permanent damage to the apartment.
No-Drill Window Bar Solutions for NYC Renters
One of the most practical solutions for New York City renters who need window security quickly — either as a supplement to landlord-installed window guards or as a standalone security measure — is a telescopic, no-permanent-damage window bar system. Security Window Bars' Model A — Telescopic Window Bars requires no permanent drilling in many installations, mounts between the window frame sides using spring tension and adjustable steel bars, and can be removed cleanly when you move out. This is a critical advantage for the estimated 44.1 million apartment renters in the USA (U.S. Census Bureau, 2023), millions of whom live in New York City and cannot make permanent modifications to their apartments. The Model A fits windows 22 to 36 inches wide, installs in 15 to 20 minutes, and provides the same steel-strength deterrent as permanently welded burglar bars at a fraction of the cost — starting at just $90 versus $600 to $1,800 for professional installation.
Egress Compliance for Renters: Why Model A/EXIT Matters in NYC
Renters in New York City who want to install their own supplemental window bars must be careful not to block any window that serves as a required fire egress point. The New York City Fire Code, NFPA 101, and the International Building Code all require that sleeping area windows maintain a minimum clear opening of at least 20 inches in width and 24 inches in height for emergency egress. Security Window Bars' Model A/EXIT — Egress Compliant Window Bars addresses this requirement directly with a patented quick-release mechanism that allows the bar to be opened instantly from the inside, maintaining fire egress compliance while still providing robust daily security. For renters in NYC bedroom windows, the Model A/EXIT is the responsible, code-aware choice. Review our complete Window Bar Installation Guide at securitywb.com/installation to understand how to install correctly without compromising egress.
Filing a 311 Complaint When Your Landlord Refuses to Install Window Guards
If you have submitted a written request for window guards to your New York City landlord and have not received a response or installation within a reasonable timeframe — typically 30 days for non-emergency situations, though Class C violations require 24-hour correction — you have the right to file a formal complaint with HPD. You can call 311 from anywhere in New York City, visit nyc.gov/hpd, or use the NYC311 mobile app. When you file your complaint, be prepared to provide your building address, apartment number, your name, and a description of the window guard condition. HPD will schedule an inspection, and if the inspector confirms the violation, the landlord will receive an official HPD violation that triggers the penalty and correction process described earlier in this guide.
Beyond NYC: How Other Major US Cities Approach Window Guard Requirements
While New York City's Local Law 57 is the most comprehensive and well-known window guard mandate in the United States, it is not the only city-level regulation addressing this issue. Understanding how other major American cities approach window guard requirements helps landlords who manage properties in multiple markets — and renters in cities other than New York — understand what protections may or may not exist in their jurisdiction. In general, most US cities rely on a combination of state building codes, local housing maintenance codes, and general landlord-tenant law rather than a single dedicated window guard statute like NYC's Local Law 57. However, the practical need for window guards in densely populated urban areas is universal, regardless of whether a specific law mandates them.
Chicago, Los Angeles, and Houston: Window Security Without a NYC-Style Mandate
In Chicago, the city's Municipal Code (Title 13 — Buildings) requires landlords to maintain windows in good repair and to address hazardous conditions, but there is no standalone statute equivalent to NYC's Local Law 57 specifically mandating window guards for apartments with young children. Similar situations exist in Los Angeles, Houston, and Philadelphia — cities that are among the FBI's most frequently cited in burglary and property crime statistics but that rely on general habitability standards rather than specific window guard mandates. This means that in these cities, renters who want window guards for child safety or security must often take the initiative themselves. A no-drill telescopic window bar system from Security Window Bars provides an immediate solution for renters in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood, LA's Koreatown, or Houston's Third Ward who want robust window security without waiting for landlord action or local legislation.
Building Code Requirements That Apply Nationwide: IBC and NFPA 101
Even in cities without a NYC-style window guard mandate, two national standards create baseline window safety requirements for all new construction and significant renovations across the USA. The International Building Code (IBC) and NFPA 101 (the Life Safety Code) both contain provisions addressing window opening control devices and egress window requirements. Under these codes, operable windows in buildings four or more stories above grade must have opening control devices that limit the window opening to a maximum of four inches in residential occupancies — the same four-inch standard used by NYC's DOHMH for approved window guards. These opening control devices serve a function similar to window guards for fall prevention, and when combined with a quality steel security bar system, they create a comprehensive window security envelope that addresses both safety and security concerns simultaneously.
Choosing the Right Window Guard Product for NYC Compliance and Home Security
Selecting the right window guard product for a New York City apartment — whether you are a landlord seeking full Local Law 57 compliance or a renter seeking to add supplemental security — requires balancing three factors: legal compliance, structural suitability, and practical usability. On the compliance side, landlords must use DOHMH-approved products and ensure proper installation documentation. On the security side, both landlords and renters benefit from understanding that the best window guards serve a dual purpose: they prevent child falls and they deter burglars. According to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) data, approximately 60% of residential burglaries occur through ground-floor windows and doors. In a dense urban environment like New York City, this statistic translates directly into a strong case for robust window security at every level of a residential building — not just the floors mandated by child safety law. A steel window bar system that provides genuine intrusion resistance, meets fire egress requirements, and installs without permanent damage represents the gold standard for NYC apartment security.
Model A vs. Model B vs. Model A/EXIT: Which SWB Product Fits Your NYC Apartment?
Security Window Bars offers three distinct products that address different scenarios common in New York City residential buildings. The Model A — Telescopic Window Bars ($90) is ideal for renters and landlords who need a flexible, adjustable solution that installs without permanent damage and can be repositioned or removed between tenants. It fits the widest range of standard NYC window sizes and is the most renter-friendly option in the SWB lineup. The Model B — Wall-Mount Window Bars ($91) is designed for permanent installation on ground-floor windows, building facades, and commercial properties where maximum security is the priority and drilling into masonry is acceptable — a common scenario in ground-floor retail spaces in neighborhoods like Harlem, Astoria, or the South Bronx. The Model A/EXIT — Egress Compliant Window Bars ($92) is essential for any sleeping area window where both security and fire egress compliance are required, making it the right choice for bedroom windows in NYC apartments where renters want supplemental protection beyond landlord-installed guards.
Balancing Security and Aesthetics in NYC Apartment Buildings
One concern that frequently arises among New York City building owners — particularly in historic districts or architecturally significant buildings in neighborhoods like the Upper West Side, Brooklyn Heights, or Park Slope — is that window bars will compromise the building's appearance. Security Window Bars' matte black powder-coated finish addresses this concern directly. The clean, modern aesthetic of SWB products complements both pre-war building architecture and contemporary residential design without the industrial appearance of older-style painted iron bars. For building owners concerned about neighborhood architectural standards or landmark preservation guidelines, consulting with the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission (LPC) before installing exterior-facing window guards on landmarked buildings is strongly recommended. Interior-mounted systems like the Model A avoid exterior modification concerns entirely while still providing effective security and child fall protection.
🏆 Conclusion
New York City's window guard requirements for apartments are among the most comprehensive in the United States, and for good reason: the combination of high-density urban living, older building stock with large operable windows, and concentrated populations of young children creates a genuine and preventable public health risk. Local Law 57 places the primary legal obligation on landlords, but renters have powerful rights too — including the right to request window guards regardless of whether they have children. Whether you are a landlord managing a portfolio of Bronx apartment buildings, a renter in a ground-floor Brooklyn unit, or a property manager trying to stay ahead of HPD inspections, understanding the requirements, approved products, installation standards, and penalty structure is essential. Security Window Bars provides steel-strength window security solutions designed specifically for the American residential market — telescopic, egress-compliant, and renter-friendly. Protect your family, meet your legal obligations, and secure your property with the most trusted name in window bar security in the USA. Visit securitywb.com or shop directly on Amazon for fast delivery to any address in New York City and all 50 states.
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Shop on Amazon →Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Under NYC Local Law 57 and NYC Administrative Code Section 27-2043.1, landlords of multiple dwellings — buildings with three or more residential units — are legally required to install approved window guards at no cost to the tenant when a child ten years of age or younger lives in the apartment. Landlords are also required to install window guards upon a written request from any tenant, regardless of whether a child is present. Failure to comply is classified as a Class C immediately hazardous HPD violation with significant financial penalties.
Under Local Law 57, window guards are required on all windows in a qualifying apartment — including bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms — as well as accessible windows in public hallways of the building. The only exemption is for windows that provide direct access to a fire escape, which must remain unobstructed for emergency egress. This exemption applies regardless of the floor level — even upper-story apartments must have guards on all non-fire-escape windows when a qualifying child lives in the unit.
Submit a written request to your landlord — either a letter delivered in person with a copy kept for your records, or a certified letter sent via USPS to ensure documentation. Clearly state your apartment address, your name, and your request for window guards. If your landlord does not respond or install guards within a reasonable period, file a complaint with the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) by calling 311, visiting nyc.gov/hpd, or using the NYC311 app. HPD will schedule an inspection and issue a violation if the condition is confirmed.
If HPD issues a Class C immediately hazardous violation for missing or defective window guards, the landlord has 24 hours to correct the condition. If the correction is not made within that timeframe, the city may arrange emergency installation of window guards and bill the landlord for the cost plus an administrative surcharge. Fines for unresolved violations range from $250 to $500 per window per year. Persistent non-compliance can result in civil penalty hearings at OATH (Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings) and liens placed on the property.
Renters in New York City can install supplemental window security products as long as they do not permanently damage the apartment, do not block any fire escape window, and comply with their lease agreement's terms on alterations. No-drill telescopic window bar systems — such as Security Window Bars' Model A — are specifically designed for renters because they install without permanent holes or damage and can be removed cleanly when you move out. For any window in a sleeping area, renters should choose an egress-compliant model with a quick-release mechanism to maintain fire safety compliance.
Local Law 57 mandates that landlords install window guards specifically in apartments where a child ten years of age or younger resides. However, the law also gives every tenant — regardless of whether they have children — the right to request window guard installation in writing, and the landlord must comply with that request. Additionally, landlords must distribute the annual HPD window guard notice form (WGN-1) to all tenants in the building, not just those with young children. So while the automatic mandate targets apartments with qualifying children, the right to have guards installed extends to all tenants.
No. Windows that provide direct access to a fire escape are explicitly exempt from the window guard installation requirement under Local Law 57. In fact, installing a window guard on a fire escape access window could violate the New York City Fire Code by obstructing an emergency egress route. For windows adjacent to or near fire escape windows where some level of security is still desired, consider egress-compliant bar systems with quick-release mechanisms — like the SWB Model A/EXIT — which allow the window to be opened rapidly in an emergency while still providing security under normal conditions.
Approved window guards for NYC Local Law 57 compliance must be constructed of metal (steel or aluminum), must withstand a specified load without failure, must prevent a child's head or body from passing through — meaning bar spacing must be no more than four inches — and must be fastened securely to the window frame or surrounding structure so they cannot be dislodged from the outside. The NYC DOHMH maintains an approved product list and publishes testing standards. Landlords should verify that any product they purchase is currently on the approved list and that installation documentation — including product model, installer name, and installation date — is maintained for HPD inspection purposes.