
(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- With warm temperatures in the forecast all week, the city of Chicago is reminding building owners about cooling requirements.
If the heat index exceeds 80 degrees, certain residential buildings must provide air conditioning in all apartments or have an air-conditioned indoor common area where people can gather, the Department of Buildings says.
Those buildings include those that house older people under the "Federal Fair Housing Act" and buildings that are more than 80 feet tall or have a 100 or more apartments.
People who are in dangerously hot homes can call 3-1-1 for help or information on the nearest city cooling center.
Not surprisingly, air-conditioning repair and maintenance shops were busy Wednesday as humid conditions settled across Chicago.
Matthew Kwilas, owner of House of Heat in west suburban Oak, said the phone has been ringing off the hook this week.
He tells WBBM Newsradio that preventive maintenance is important to avoid problems during the worst of summer.
Warm temperatures were expected to continue through the weekend.
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