Township of Carroll, PA Chapter 82 Heating Equipment

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of Carroll Township 10-7-1981 by Ord. No. 19. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 82-1 Definitions and word usage.

A. Scope. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the following terms have the meanings indicated in this article.

ADMINISTRATIVE AUTHORITY

The individual official, board, department or agency established and authorized by a political subdivision created by law to administer and enforce the provisions of this chapter.

B. Interchangeability. Words used in the present tense include the future; words in the masculine gender include the feminine and neuter; the singular number includes the plural and the plural the singular.

C. Terms not defined. Where terms are not defined they shall have ascribed to them their ordinary accepted meanings such as the context herein may imply.

§ 82-2 Approval required prior to installation.

Any person, owner, agent or tenant shall not commence with the installation of any or all chimney, stove pipe or wood/coal heating equipment unless first approved by the Shermans Dale Fire Chief.

§ 82-3 Installation of wood/coal heating equipment.

[Amended 12-2-2003 by Ord. No. 51]

All wood/coal heating appliance shall be at least 36 inches from all combustible materials. Where clearance is less than 36 inches but more than 18 inches the combustible surface shall be protected by fire-rated gypsum board, two-hour-rated or more, covered with 28 gauge metal spaced one inch or more from combustible surface, or manufacturer recommendations. Adequate space shall be provided to permit air circulation. If clearance is less than 18 inches but more than 12 inches, the combustible wall shall be protected by a four-inch brick veneer, extending two feet above and two feet beyond each side of heating appliance.

A. All wood/coal burning equipment that has circulating devices shall be at least 24 inches from a combustible surface unless the appliance has a rating for lesser distance from combustible surface.

B. If the distance of circulating wood/coal burning appliance is 12 to 24 inches from a combustible surface the surface shall be protected by fire-rated gypsum board, two-hour-rated or more, spaced one inch or more from the walls with adequate one-inch spacing from the floor to permit air circulation between wall and shield.

C. If the circulating wood/coal burning equipment is eight to 12 inches from a combustible surface the surface shall be protected by fire-rated gypsum board, two-hour-rated or more, covered with 28 gauge metal spaced one inch or more from the wall and floor to permit air circulation.

D. Noncombustible material shall extend at least 18 inches beyond the stove which ashes are removed from and at least six inches beyond sides and rear.

E. Where stove legs are at least 18 inches above a combustible surface a 24 gauge sheet metal or other suitable approved noncombustible material shall be used.

F. Where stove legs are between six inches and 18 inches above a combustible surface, a 24 gauge sheet metal over fire-rated gypsum board, two-hour-rated or more, or other approved noncombustible material shall be used.

G. Where stove legs are six inches or less above a combustible surface, a four-inch hollow masonry pad should be laid or an approved noncombustible surface of not less than an inch thickness shall be used.

§ 82-4 Chimney connection.

A. Connectors serving wood-burning appliances shall not be connected to a chimney serving other appliances. All stove pipe shall be equal to or larger than appliance flue connector.

B. All connector pipe shall be of a minimum of 24 gauge black pipe or heavier.

C. All connector pipe shall rise from the stove toward the chimney at least 1/4 inch per foot or more.

D. Crimped end of chimney connector pipe shall point toward stove. Adapters may be used to permit crimped end to point toward stove.

E. Single wall connector pipe shall not pass through the floor or wall. However when necessary, a connector may pass through a partition other than a fire partition under the following conditions:

(1) Where ventilated type metal thimble is used and is three times larger than the chimney connector.

(2) Where a metal or burned fire-clay thimble is used and the thimble is surrounded on all sides by not less than eight inches of brickwork or equivalent fireproofing material.

(3) When the section of the connector pipe passing through the combustible material is replaced by a properly installed section of factory built insulated Class A pipe for solid fuels.

(4) All stove pipe shall be a minium of 18 inches from combustible walls and ceilings.

(5) If stove pipe is 12 to 18 inches from combustible surfaces, the surface shall be covered with fire-rated gypsum board, two-hour-rated or more, spaced one inch from the walls or ceilings.

[Amended 12-2-2003 by Ord. No. 51]

(6) If stove pipe is nine to 12 inches from combustible surfaces, it shall be covered with fire-rated gypsum board, two-hour-rated or more, with a 28 gauge sheet metal spaced one inch from wall or ceiling.

[Amended 12-2-2003 by Ord. No. 51]

§ 82-5 Title.

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Wood/Coal Burning Stove Requirements."

§ 82-6 Violations and penalties.

A. Except as indicated in Subsection B below, any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall, upon being found liable therefor in a civil enforcement proceeding commenced by the Township before a District Justice, pay a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $600, plus all court costs, including reasonable attorney's fees, incurred by the Township in the enforcement of this chapter. No judgment shall be imposed until the date of the determination of the violation by the District Justice. If the defendant neither pays nor timely appeals the judgment, the Township may enforce the judgment pursuant to the applicable Rules of Civil Procedure. Each day a violation exists shall constitute a separate offense. Further, the appropriate officers or agents of the Township are hereby authorized to seek equitable relief, including injunction, to enforce compliance herewith.

B. If enforcement of this chapter is regulated under 53 P.S. § 66601(c.1)(2) of the Second Class Township Code, any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter, shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a District Justice under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.