[Adopted 5-8-1967 by Ord. No. 1306]
[Amended 3-13-1972 by Ord. No. 1464; 6-13-1977 by Ord. No.
1672; 6-7-1993 by Ord. No. 2174; 6-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2418]
The Uniform Construction Code, contained in
34 PA. Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time,
is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal
building code of Haverford Township, including the Fire Code.
[Amended 2-12-1973 by Ord. No. 1506; 5-13-1974 by Ord. No.
1561; 6-10-1974 by Ord. No. 1568; 9-9-1974 by Ord. No. 1577; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2663]
The Fire Prevention Code shall be enforced by the Department
of Codes Enforcement of the Township of Haverford.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 86-3, Composition
of Bureau of Fire, as amended, and former § 86-4, Composition
of Board of Directors of Bureau of Fire; absence of any Fire Chief
or Fire Marshal, as amended, were repealed 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2663.
[Amended 7-13-1970 by Ord. No. 1393;[1] 6-7-1993 by Ord. No. 2174; 6-14-2004 by Ord. No. 2418; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No.
2663; 8-13-2018 by Ord. No. 2844]
A.
Automatic fire detection devices required.
(1)
Automatic fire detection devices, approved by the Department of Codes
Enforcement, designed to give early warning of incipient fires, shall
be installed in all new and existing commercial buildings in Haverford
Township from and after the date of adoption of this code and in all
multiple-occupant, multiple-use preexisting buildings and/or any multifamily
buildings with six or more dwelling units/rooms, such as apartments,
dormitories, nursing and convalescent homes, homes for the aged and
medical and health centers, within one year after the date of adoption
of the code or upon change of occupancy after the date of adoption
of this code, whichever comes first.
(2)
The installation, maintenance and use of such fire warning systems
shall conform to the appropriate standards currently adopted and published
by the National Fire Protection Association, and the entire contents
thereof are hereby adopted by this code. A copy of this code is presently
on file and will continue to be on file in the Township Building,
where it will be available for examination.
(3)
All equipment used in the automatic fire detection devices of this
section shall be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory.
B.
Alarm requirements.
(1)
All commercial buildings. A listed and labeled smoke- and/or heat-detection
system, which shall be approved by the Department of Codes Enforcement,
shall be installed and maintained to protect every room or space of
the entire premises. All detectors in the system shall be interconnected
and coupled to means for producing an alarm of at least 85 dBA throughout
the entire premises, including an outside alarm. The provisions of
this subsection shall not apply to those structures encompassed by
this subsection which are protected by a sprinkler system approved
by the Fire Code Official.
C.
Residential smoke alarms.
(1)
For new construction, smoke detectors shall be required in each sleeping
room. outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity
of the bedroom and on each additional story of the residence, including
basements and habitable attics. Smoke detectors shall be hard wired
and connected to a 120V household electrical circuit. Smoke detectors
shall be interconnected in such a manner that the actuation of one
detector will activate all the detectors in the residence.
(2)
For existing dwellings where work requiring a permit or a change
of occupancy occurs, smoke alarms shall be required in each sleeping
room, outside each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity
of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the residence, including
basements and habitable attics. Smoke alarms are permitted to be battery
operated. When renovations occur where 50% of interior walls or ceilings
are removed the requirements for new construction shall be required.
D.
Residential carbon monoxide alarms.
(1)
For new construction, where an attached garage or fuel-fired appliances
exist an approved carbon monoxide alarm shall be installed outside
each sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Carbon
monoxide alarms shall be hard wired and connected to a 120V household
electrical circuit.
(2)
For existing dwellings where work requiring a permit or a change
of occupancy occurs a carbon monoxide alarm shall be required where
attached garages or fuel-fired appliances exist. An approved carbon
monoxide alarm shall be installed outside each sleeping area in the
immediate vicinity of the bedrooms. Carbon monoxide alarms are permitted
to be battery operated. When renovations occur where 50% of interior
walls or ceilings are removed the requirements for new construction
shall be followed.
E.
Commercial carbon monoxide alarms.
(1)
Carbon monoxide alarms shall be required in all new and existing
commercial buildings where fuel-fired appliances exist or where carbon
monoxide could pose a life safety risk to occupants of a building.
Carbon monoxide alarms shall be hard wired and interconnected with
the building smoke detection system.
(2)
Carbon monoxide alarms shall be installed in rooms containing fuel-fired
appliances and in a central location within occupied spaces served
by the first supply air register from a fuel-fired appliance.
F.
Operational requirements.
(1)
A contractor must disable any fire alarm device installed at a premises
where the contractor is working prior to commencing any work at the
premises. The failure to do so, with the result that a false fire
alarm is transmitted resulting in the dispatch of fire personnel shall
constitute a violation hereunder.
G.
False fire alarm violation.
(1)
A contractor must provide for a fire alarm system to be disabled
before engaging in work in or about a premise where a fire alarm system
is installed. The failure to do so, with the result that a false fire
alarm is transmitted resulting in the dispatch of fire personnel shall
subject the contractor to payment of a fine of $200 for the first
violation, $400 for the second violation and $600 for each subsequent
violation.
(2)
In any case where notice of violation has been given to a contractor
by either handing the notice to such person or the representative
thereof or by first class mail sent to the address on file for such
person or entity, on which notice is set forth the time, place and
nature of the violation charged, the contractor may, within 30 days
after the time such notice is transmitted, settle such violation by
making payment of the amount set forth in the notice either by mail
or at the Codes Department, as a guilty plea and as a penalty for
and in satisfaction of each violation.
(3)
Failure of such notice recipient to make such payment within said
thirty-day period shall result in the nonissuance of future permits
and the issuance of a citation or a complaint and prosecution before
a Magisterial District Judge.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance, regarding former
Subsection F, further provided that the adoption of Section 14.2a
shall in no way be interpreted to mean that the absence or failure
to list specific requirements and specifications for other type fire
hydrants or fire protection equipment is intended to prevent the appropriate
officials of the Township from requiring specified equipment where
determined to be in the interest of public health, safety and welfare.
[Added 9-9-1974 by Ord. No. 1577; amended 3-28-1988 by Ord. No.
2013; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2663]
Approved automatic sprinkler systems shall be
installed throughout all newly erected institutional buildings and
new additions to institutional buildings and throughout existing buildings
converted to institutional use after the effective date of this article.
A.
All sprinkler system connections, new and old, shall
be five-inch Storz female couplings, caps and chains or other type
caps approved by the Department of Codes Enforcement.
B.
The number and location of connections shall be as
directed by the Department of Codes Enforcement; provided, however,
that buildings that face on two streets shall have a minimum of two
connections interconnected with the sprinkler system. The sprinkler
system's connections shall be located approximately two feet above
ground level or as otherwise directed by the Department of Codes Enforcement.
[Added 3-10-2014 by Ord. No. 2716]
A.
Definition. For purposes of this section, the term "key lock box"
shall mean a key lock box compatible with a Knox Rapid Entry System
Key Box, as approved by a designated Fire Inspector with the Haverford
Township Department of Code Enforcement.
B.
Key lock box system.
(1)
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at
or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Fire
Inspector:
(a)
Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic
alarm system or automatic suppression system. Other commercial or
industrial structures that are secured in a manner that restricts
access during an emergency may be voluntarily equipped with such a
key lock box.
(b)
Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access
through locked doors and have a common corridor for the access to
the living units.
(c)
Governmental structures, school facilities, and nursing care
facilities.
(2)
All newly constructed structures subject to this section shall have
the key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of
an occupancy permit. All structures in existence on the effective
date of this section and subject to this section shall have a key
lock box installed and operational within one year of the effective
date of this section.
C.
Contents of key lock boxes. The key lock box shall contain keys to
locked ports of entrance, whether on the interior or exterior of the
structure, keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms, keys to locked
electrical rooms, keys to elevator controls, and keys to any fenced
or secured areas.
D.
Location of key lock box. The key lock box shall be mounted on the
structure entrance at a height of between four to six feet and within
three feet of the direct access port or such other location as approved
by the Fire Inspector. Flush-mounted or surface-recessed key lock
box installations will be permitted, provided that the key lock box
is clearly marked. Once the key lock box is installed, the owner of
the structure shall contact the Fire Inspector to arrange for the
inspection of the key lock box and to install the access keys.
E.
Fenced structures. For those structures that shall have a key lock
box and that are within a fenced area where the fence is locked, the
owner or operator thereof shall also provide a key switch that opens
the gate to the fence or a padlock that opens the gate to the fence,
which shall be keyed the same as the lock box door.
F.
Changing keys. Whenever the owner or operator of a structure required
to have a key lock box shall change the keys required to be contained
in the key lock box as set forth above, said owner or operator shall
contact the Fire Inspector, who shall oversee all changes to the contents
of the key lock box.
G.
Contact person. The owner or operator of the structure required to
have a key lock box shall provide a list of contact persons indicating
name, home address, and home telephone number to the Fire Inspector.
The owner or operator of the structure shall immediately upon any
change with respect to that list furnish the Fire Inspector with the
changed information.
H.
Responsibilities of the Fire Inspector. On the installation of any
keys, codes or switches required to be contained in the key lock box,
the Fire Inspector shall immediately advise the head of the Haverford
Township Bureau of Fire. The head of the Haverford Township Bureau
of Fire shall be responsible to forward information to the Delaware
County 911 for inclusion in its system database.
I.
Violations and penalties. Any person, firm, or corporation who shall
violate any provision of this section, upon conviction thereof, in
an action brought before a magisterial district judge in the manner
provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania
Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not
more than $1,000 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine
and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day
that a violation of this subsection continues or each subsection of
this section that shall have been found to have been violated shall
constitute a separate offense.
[Amended 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2663]
Any person shall have the right to appeal a decision of the code official to the Board of Appeals of Delaware County, pursuant to and in accordance with the procedures contained in Chapter 8, Article II of these General Laws.
[1]
Editor’s Note: Former § 86-9, Determination
on new materials, processes or occupancies requiring permits, as amended,
was repealed 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2663.
[Amended 6-30-1986 by Ord. No. 1960; 6-13-1988 by Ord. No.
2019; 3-12-2012 by Ord. No. 2660; 5-14-2012 by Ord. No. 2663]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provision of this Fire Prevention Code shall, upon summary conviction
before any Magisterial District Justice, pay a fine not exceeding
$1,000 and costs of prosecution; and in default of one payment of
the fine and costs, the violator may be sentenced to the county jail
for a term of not more than 30 days. Whenever such persons shall have
been officially notified by any Township authority by the service
of a summons in a prosecution or in any other way that he is committing
a violation of this Fire Prevention Code, each day in which he shall
continue such violation or permit such violation after such notification
shall constitute a separate offense, punishable by a like fine or
penalty. Such fines or penalties shall be collected as like fines
or penalties are now by law collected.
In case of any building, structure or fire hazard
maintained in violation of the provisions of this Fire Prevention
Code, the proper officer of the Township or the Fire Marshal, in addition
to other remedies, may institute in the name of the Township any appropriate
action or proceeding, whether by legal process or otherwise, to restrain
or abate such violation. All the remedies provided in this Fire Prevention
Code are intended to be cumulative.
[Amended 6-30-1986 by Ord. No. 1960]
In interpreting and applying the provisions
of this article, they shall be held to be the minimum requirements
for the promotion of the public health, safety, morals, comfort, convenience
and general welfare. It is not intended by this article to interfere
with or abrogate the Township of Haverford Building Code or any rules,
regulations or permits previously adopted or issued thereunder or
any other code or ordinance of the Township or the rules and regulations
of the Department of Public Health of the Township of Haverford or
any other provision or regulation of the Township which is not in
conflict. Where the provisions of this article impose greater restrictions
than those of any statute, other ordinance or regulation, the provisions
of this article shall be controlling. Where the provisions of any
statute, other ordinance or regulation impose greater restrictions
than this article, the provisions of such statute, ordinance or regulation
shall be controlling.
