Borough of Catasauqua, PA Article IV Fire Prevention Code

[Adopted 6-6-2016 by Ord. No. 1331[1]]

[1] Editor’s Note: This ordinance also repealed former Article IV, Fire Prevention Code, adopted 6-5-1995 by Ord. No. 1037 (Ch. VI, Part 1, of the 1962 Code).

§ 130-13 Adoption of Fire Prevention Code.

A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the office of the Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough of Catasauqua being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, 2009 Edition, including Appendix Chapters E through J (see International Fire Code Section 101.2.1, 2009 Edition), as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the Borough of Catasauqua in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises and herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Fire Code on file in the office of the Borough of Catasauqua are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this article, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 130-14 of this article.

§ 130-14 Additions, deletions, insertions and changes.

The following sections of the 2009 International Fire Code are hereby revised:

A. In Section 101.1, insert: "Borough of Catasauqua."

B. Amend Section 103.1 in its entirety to read: "Office of Code Enforcement. The administration of this and of the International Fire Code 2009 shall be carried out by the Office of Code Enforcement of the Borough of Catasauqua in accordance with the provisions established by Ordinance No. 645, Chapter 125, of the Code of Ordinances, and by the International Fire Code 2009, hereby adopted."

C. Amend Section 103.3 in its entirety to read: "The Building Official and/or the Fire Code Official may seek assistance of technical experts, inspectors and other persons for the administration of this code after request to and approval by Borough Council. The Borough Manager may approve the use of such persons if the expense does not exceed $500."

D. Amend Section 105.6.30. Amend the exceptions to the general requirement to read as follows: "Exceptions: a) recreational fires; and b) bonfires where approval for the same has been received from the Fire Chief."

E. Amend Section 105.6.31 to add the following: "Exception: The requirement to obtain an operational permit to remove paint with a torch shall be applicable only to contractors for hire and shall not apply to working on their own property."

F. Section 105.6.32 relating to the use of candles is deleted in its entirety.

G. Delete Section 108.3 in its entirety.

H. In Section 109.3, insert: "Summary offense; $1,000, less than $100; 90 days."

I. In Section 111.4, insert: "$100" and "$1,000."

J. Amend Section 202, General Definitions, as follows:

BOARD OF APPEALS

The Code Hearing Board of the Borough of Catasauqua. (See Section 130-15 of the Code.)

BUILDING OFFICIAL

The Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough of Catasauqua.

CHIEF APPOINTING AUTHORITY

The Council of the Borough of Catasauqua.

CORPORATE COUNCIL

The Solicitor of the Borough of Catasauqua.

DEPARTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTION

The Office of Code Enforcement of the Borough of Catasauqua, as established by Ordinance No. 645 (Chapter 125 of the Code).

FIRE CODE OFFICIAL

The Code Enforcement Officer of the Borough of Catasauqua or other designated authority, appointed by Borough Council and charged with the enforcement of the code, or a duly authorized representative.

K. Section 2601.2 relating to permits for welding, shall be deleted in its entirety.

L. Amend Section 3804.2 to add the following subsection:

3804.2.1 Maximum Aboveground Capacity. Nothwithstanding any other provisions of this Section 3804, the aggregate capacity of any aboveground installation shall not exceed a water capacity of 200 gallons (757 l) for residential properties and 1,000 gallons (3785 l) for nonresidential properties.

§ 130-15 Geographic limits.

The geographic limits referred to in certain sections of the 2009 International Fire Code are hereby established as follows:

A. Section 3404.2.9.6.1 (geographic limits in which the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited): prohibit in all residential zoning districts.

B. Section 3406.2.4.4 (geographic limits in which the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks is prohibited): prohibit in all residential zoning districts.

C. Section 3506.2 (geographic limits in which the storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers is prohibited): allow only in the Industrial Zoning District.

D. Section 3804.2 (geographic limits in which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas): prohibit in R-2 Medium Density and R-3 High Density Zoning Districts.

§ 130-16 (Reserved)