[Adopted 3-10-1959 as Ord. No. 642]
There is hereby created the office of Fire Marshal,
whose duty shall be to enforce this ordinance and the performance
of duties hereinafter more fully set forth. It shall be the duty of
the Public Safety Committee of the Board of Commissioners to designate
a resident of the Township of Springfield to fill the said office.
[Amended 4-29-1975 by Ord. No. 916]
The Fire Marshal shall, with the approval of
the Public Safety Committee, designate two or more persons as his
authorized deputies to assist in the performance of his duties. These
Deputy Fire Marshals shall be residents of the Township of Springfield
and shall, with the Fire Marshal, constitute the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
No person, firm or corporation in possession
of or having control of any building or premises in the Township of
Springfield shall permit or allow therein or thereon any fire hazard
or any installation, construction equipment, matter or thing which,
by reason of not being installed, constructed or maintained according
to recognized standards and practices for the prevention of fire,
creates or produces a danger to persons or property from fire.
It shall be the duty of the Fire Marshal to
enforce all laws and ordinances relating to the prevention of fires;
the storage and use of explosives and flammables; the installation
and maintenance of private fire-alarm systems and fire-extinguishing
equipment; the maintenance and regulation of fire escapes; the means
of adequacy of exit in case of fire from all buildings covered by
the ordinance and other places in which persons work or congregate
for any purpose; and to investigate the cause, origin and circumstances
of fires.
The Fire Marshal or his authorized Deputy may
at all reasonable hours and not less than twice yearly enter any public
building or any private building used for any business, commercial
or industrial purpose and any apartment or converted home with two
or more apartments for the purpose of making any inspection or investigation
which he may deem necessary for the prevention of fire and to secure
the safety of persons from fire.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 45-23.1, Fees, added 6-9-1981
by Ord. No 1049, was repealed 9-8-2015 by Ord. No. 1560.
Whenever the said Fire Marshal or his authorized
Deputy shall find in any public building or apartment, or upon any
premises covered by this ordinance, combustible or explosive matter
or dangerous accumulations of rubbish or unnecessary accumulation
of wastepaper, boxes, shavings or any highly flammable material which
is situated as to endanger property, or shall find obstructions to
or on fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors or windows liable to
interfere with the operation of the Fire Department or egress of occupants
in case of fire, he shall order the same to be removed or remedied.
Whenever the said Fire Marshal or his authorized
Deputy shall find any public building or apartment or other structure
covered by this ordinance which, for want of repairs, lack of sufficient
fire escapes or automatic or other fire-alarm apparatus or fire-extinguishing
equipment or by reason of age or dilapidated condition or from any
other cause, is especially liable to fire and which is so situated
as to endanger other property or the occupants thereof and whenever
such officer or authorized Deputy shall find, in any building covered
by this ordinance, combustible or explosive matter or flammable conditions
dangerous to the safety of such buildings or the occupants thereof,
he shall order such dangerous conditions or materials to be removed
or to be remedied in accordance with recognized standards and practices
for the prevention of fire.
The Fire Marshal shall keep records of all inspections
and fires and of all facts concerning the same.
The yearly compensation for the office of Fire
Marshal and Deputies shall be set by the Township Board of Commissioners.
[Amended 2-11-1975 by Ord. No. 912; 7-10-1984 by Ord. No. 1092; 9-8-1987 by Ord. No. 1168; 6-12-1990 by Ord. No. 1227; 6-8-1993 by Ord. No. 1279; 12-10-1996 by Ord. No. 1325]
The recognized standards and practices for the
prevention of fire shall be held to be known as the "National Fire
Prevention Code, Tenth Edition, 1996" and the code known as the "Life
Safety Code (NFPA 101)," being particularly the 1994 Edition, both
of which shall be referred to as the "Fire Prevention Code" and which
are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully
set out in this ordinance.
The owner, occupant or person in charge of or
managing any building or premises covered by this ordinance shall
forthwith, after notice from the Fire Marshal so to do, correct any
condition in such building or premises so that the premises, building,
processes or materials shall be in such condition as to comply with
the recognized standards and practices for the prevention of fire.
The Fire Marshal, or his authorized Deputies,
shall not solicit sales of any fire-protective appliances in conjunction
with the enforcement of this ordinance.
The failure or neglect of any person responsible
hereunder to comply with any order of the Fire Marshal made pursuant
to the provisions of this ordinance shall be deemed to be a violation
of this ordinance.
No person shall rekindle or maintain any bonfire
or rubbish fire or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained
on any private land unless the location is not less than 50 feet from
any structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from
spreading to within 50 feet of any structure, or the fire is contained
in an approved waste burner with closed top, located safely not less
than 15 feet from any structure.
A.
If, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal or his Deputies,
an immediate fire hazard exists, it shall be his duty to order immediate
evacuation of such building and close the building until such violation
has been corrected.
B.
If, in the opinion of the Fire Marshal or his Deputies, an immediate fire hazard exists in the township parks because of the lack of rainfall in said parks, then the Fire Marshal or his Deputies may order that there be a ban on smoking in the parks, that there be no fires burning in the parks and that, if the conditions become sufficiently dangerous, the parks themselves be closed and anyone entering upon said park shall be in violation of the provisions of this code. All said violations of the order of the Fire Marshal, when posted by said Fire Marshal, shall be considered violations of § 45-34.
[Added 6-14-1977 by Ord. No. 975]
[Added 2-11-1975 by Ord. No. 912][1]
A.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that the
parking of motor vehicles, trailers, etc., upon any public or private
street, lane, alley, shopping district or other areas of private property
is liable to interfere with the operations of the Fire Department
or hamper the egress of occupants of buildings in case of fire or
other emergency, he shall post signs on such street, lane, alley,
shopping district or area of private property reading "No Parking
by Order of Fire Marshal."
B.
The Fire Marshal is hereby given authority to adopt
and enforce temporary parking regulations to cover emergencies or
special conditions in any public or private street, lane, alley, shopping
district or other areas of private property if he shall determine
that the parking of motor vehicles, trailers, etc., is liable to interfere
with the operations of the Fire Department. He shall post signs on
such street, lane, alley, shopping district or area of private property
reading "No Parking - Temporary Fire Regulation - by Order of the
Fire Marshal of Springfield Township."
C.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that "No
Parking by Order of Fire Marshal" signs on any public or private street,
lane, alley, shopping district or other areas of private property
will not clearly indicate the area where parking is prohibited, he
is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes by having lines painted,
four inches in width, on the roadway surface, indicating the area
in which parking is prohibited. In addition, he shall have painted
the words "FIRE LANE" in letters three feet in height on the roadway
surface at intervals he deems necessary within the prohibited parking
area.
D.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that the
parking of motor vehicles, trailers, etc., upon any public or private
street, lane, alley, shopping district or other area of private property
is liable to interfere with the operations of the Fire Department
or hamper the egress of occupants from buildings in case of fire or
other emergency, he is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes by
having lines, four inches in width, painted on the roadway surface,
indicating the area in which parking is prohibited, without posting
signs on such streets, lanes, alleys shopping districts or areas of
private property reading "No Parking by Order of Fire Marshal." In
addition, he shall have painted the words "FIRE LANE" in letters three
feet in height on the roadway surface at intervals he deems necessary
within the prohibited parking area.
[Added 2-11-1975 by Ord. No. 912]
It shall be unlawful for any person, persons,
firm or corporation to possess, sell or distribute containers for
carrying flammable liquids, which containers have not been approved
for such use by the Fire Marshal of this township. Furthermore, it
shall be unlawful for any person, persons, firm or corporation to
dispense flammable liquids into any container other than those previously
approved for such use by the Fire Marshal of this township. Under
no conditions will any plastic container be used to carry flammable
liquids.
[Added 2-11-1975 by Ord. No. 912]
A.
The Fire Marshal shall determine where public fire
hydrants are required in order to provide proper protection to properties
from fire. After determining where hydrants are needed, he shall order
the same from the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company.
B.
In addition to those public fire hydrants that are
required, the Fire Marshal of this township may require additional
fire hydrants on private property where he feels additional protection
is necessary in order to protect this property from fire or explosion.
C.
Private fire hydrants, supplied by an eight-inch or
larger main, shall be provided in new real estate subdivisions, on
new streets, in shopping centers, educational institutions, apartment
complexes and similar occupancies at the direction of the Fire Marshal,
who shall consult with an approved rating bureau and the Philadelphia
Suburban Water Company before directing such installations; provided,
however, that a six-inch main may be installed in lieu of an eight-inch
main if approved by the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company, an approved
rating bureau and the Fire Marshal.
D.
The cost of installation and maintenance of all private
fire hydrants shall be the responsibility of the owner of said property.
However, when new streets are taken over and made public by the township,
all private fire hydrants on such streets become public, and thereafter,
rental charges for the same will be borne by the township.
E.
The Fire Marshal shall obtain maps and plans showing
the location and size of all water lines and fire hydrants, the quantities
of water and the water pressures in such lines and hydrants and shall
make such information available to the Volunteer Fire Companies and
shall keep the same up-to-date. He shall also act as a liaison between
the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company and the Volunteer Fire Companies
and shall work closely with the officials of the Water Company for
the purpose of making certain that an adequate supply of water is
provided at all times.
F.
It shall be unlawful for any person, persons, firm
or corporation to draw water from a fire hydrant for any purpose without
permission of the Philadelphia Suburban Water Company and the Fire
Marshal of this township or to willfully permit water from a fire
hydrant to be wasted or to damage or break a fire hydrant or to hinder
or obstruct any fireman or any vehicle of the Fire Department in connecting
to such hydrant at the time of a fire or other emergency.
[Added 2-11-1975 by Ord. No. 912]
A.
Appeals. An appeal from any decision, action, order
or requirement of the Fire Marshal may be taken to the Public Safety
Committee of the Township Board of Commissioners. Such appeal shall
be made in writing within 10 days after such decision, action, order
or requirement has been made, and said appeal shall be filed with
the Township Secretary. The Public Safety Committee shall then promptly
hand down a decision, and if the decision is not in agreement with
the appellant, he or his representative shall have the right to appear
before the Public Safety Committee and be heard if such right is requested
in the written appeal. A prompt decision of such appeal shall be made
by the Public Safety Committee. Every action of the Public Safety
Committee on such appeals shall be certified to the Fire Marshal and
the appellant. In making its decision, the Public Safety Committee
may vary or modify any provision of the Fire Prevention Code or this
ordinance where there are practical difficulties in the way of executing
the strict letter of the law, so that the spirit of the law shall
be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done.
B.
Abatement. Any building or structure erected, altered,
converted or presently maintained contrary to the provisions of this
Fire Prevention Code or this ordinance is hereby declared to be a
common or public nuisance and shall be abated as such.
C.
Remedies. In case any building, structure or fire
hazard is constructed, maintained or converted in violation of the
provisions of this Fire Prevention Code or this ordinance or of any
order, requirement or regulation made pursuant hereto, the Township
Solicitor or other proper officer of the township, in addition to
other remedies, shall institute in the name of the township any appropriate
action or proceeding, whether by legal process or otherwise, to restrain
or abate such violation.
D.
Validity. Should any section or provision of this
Fire Prevention Code or this ordinance be declared, by any court of
competent jurisdiction, to be invalid, such decision shall not affect
the validity of the Fire Prevention Code or this ordinance as a whole
or the validity of any other part thereof.
[Added 2-11-1975 by Ord. No. 912; amended 5-9-1978 by Ord. No. 992]
A.
Any person, persons, firm or corporation who shall violate the provisions of this article or any regulations pursuant thereto (excepting therefrom violations of § 45-34) shall be deemed guilty of breach of this article and shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $1,000, and in default of payment thereof shall be liable to imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 30 days.
[Amended 3-13-2018 by Ord. No. 1581]
B.
Where the owner or operator of any vehicle is in violation of § 45-34 hereof, a police officer, Fire Marshal and/or his deputies shall place on such vehicle a notice to the owner or operator thereof that such vehicle has been parked in violation of the provisions of this article and instructing such owner or operator to report to the Township Building of Springfield Township in regard to such violation. Each owner or operator may, within 48 hours of the time when such notice was attached to such vehicle, pay at Township Building as a penalty for and in full satisfaction of such violation the sum of $50. Any such owner or operator who fails to make such payment at the Township Building within 48 hours shall be deemed guilty of a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of $50, together with costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment thereof, shall be liable to imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed 10 days.
[Amended 7-11-1978 by Ord. No. 994; 3-13-2018 by Ord. No.
1581]
C.
Each day's violation shall constitute a separate offense,
and notice to the offender shall not be necessary to constitute an
offense.
[Added 9-12-1978 by Ord. No. 998]
D.
The application of the above penalty or penalties,
however, shall not be held to prevent the enforced removal of prohibited
conditions.
[Added 9-12-1978 by Ord. No. 998]
