As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
SMOKE DETECTOR
A device which sounds an audible alarm when activated by
sensing visible or invisible particles of combustion and smoke. The
alarm signal shall be rated at not less than 85 decibels at 10 feet
and shall be clearly audible in adjacent rooms when any intervening
door is closed.
All new buildings constructed in the Borough of Darby shall
contain smoke detectors. No certificate of occupancy shall be issued
for the occupancy of new buildings until the Building Inspector or
other designated official of the Borough shall have inspected the
building and determined that smoke detectors are installed therein.
If any building is repaired, altered, added to or changed, and
a building permit is required for such change, alteration, repair
or addition, smoke detectors shall be installed in the entire building
and not just in the area added, changed, repaired or altered. No certificate
of occupancy shall be issued until said smoke detectors are installed
and an inspection made by the Code Enforcement Officer, the Building
Inspector or other designated officer of the Borough.
If any house, structure or building is sold, said house, structure
or building shall be inspected and smoke detectors shall be installed
by the owner.
All existing industrial and commercial buildings and multifamily
dwellings shall have smoke detectors installed within said buildings
by April 4, 1985. Said buildings shall be subject to inspection by
the Code Enforcement Officer, the Building Inspector or other designated
officer of the Borough to determine compliance with this section of
the chapter.
Inspection as provided by this chapter shall be made by the
Code Enforcement Officer or by the Building Inspector of the Borough
or by another official of the Borough as designated by the Borough
Council.
Any ordinances or regulations of the Borough which now provide
for a fire alarm system requiring stricter standards than this chapter
shall not be amended or affected by this chapter, and the stricter
regulations and provisions shall continue to apply.
Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter constitutes
a violation hereof, and said violator shall, upon conviction for said
violation, be fined not less than $50 nor more than $300, and costs
of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof shall be imprisoned
for not less than one day nor more than 30 days. Each day's failure
to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute a separate
violation.
The Borough disclaims any liability or responsibility to any
property owner or other person or persons for failure of the said
owner to install and maintain a smoke detector, and the Borough also
disclaims any liability or responsibility for any personal injury
or property damage that may occur because of the failure of anyone
to install a smoke detector or for the malfunctioning of any installed
smoke detector causing it to fail to signal an alarm.
The charge for inspections shall be as follows:
A. Residential.
(2) Multifamily home: $25 for the first two housing units; $10 for each
additional housing unit.
[Amended 2-6-1985 by Ord.
No. 637, approved 2-6-1985]
B. Commercial - Industrial: $25 plus $2 for each detector required.