[Ord. 1459, 5/11/1981, § 2; as amended by Ord.
1628, 7/10/1989, § 2; and by Ord. 1735, 4/12/1993]
1.
Smoke Detectors. On or after July 1, 1981, every existing building
used for multiple-family occupancy shall be protected by smoke detectors
as provided for in this Part. The detector shall be sensitive to any
of the products of combustion except that detectors sensitive only
to heat are not acceptable unless installed with detectors that sense
smoke. Said smoke detectors shall be capable of sensing visible or
invisible particles of combustion and each detection device shall
be audible with a minimum rating of 85 dBA at 10 feet. Said smoke
detectors shall be either the ionization photo-electric or a combination
of both built into one unit. They shall be installed by date indicated
in the manner hereinafter provided unless any other provision of the
Borough, State or Federal law shall require installation before that
date. For the purpose of this Section, a "multifamily residential
building" shall mean a building containing two or more dwelling units
or one dwelling that is rental.
2.
Location. At least one smoke detector shall be installed within 10
feet to the access of each sleeping area. Said installation shall
be done in accordance with the installation instructions provided
with each unit, or in variation therefrom, upon the approval of the
fire officials. A sleeping area is defined as the area or areas of
the dwelling unit in which the bedrooms (or sleeping rooms) are located.
Rooms habitually used for sleeping which are separated by other use
areas (such as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms or closets)
shall be considered as separate sleeping areas for the purpose of
this § 101. In addition, a smoke detector shall be installed
on each additional story of the family living unit and in all halls,
corridors or stairwells of multifamily residential buildings, including
basements and cellars as directed by the fire official.
3.
Equipment. All devices, combinations of devices, and equipment required herein are to be installed in conformance with the provisions of the Building Code [Chapter 5] and this § 101, and said equipment to be installed shall be approved by the fire official.
4.
Installation. Smoke detectors must be directly hardwired to the building's
power supply or operated on a plug-in outlet which is fitted with
a plug restrainer device, provided that said outlet is not controlled
by any switch, and further provided that there is no switch, cord
switch or extension cord on the detector.
5.
Maintenance. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner
or agent to annually inspect and maintain any smoke detector device
installed in compliance with the provisions of this § 101,
in accordance with the manufacturer's warranty and/or suggested
maintenance. In addition, the property owner shall provide any and
all tenants or householders access to a copy of the maintenance schedule,
operating manual, and any other instructional or precautionary literature
which the manufacturer shall supply with the unit. Tests and inspections
as recommended by the manufacturer, shall be made by the tenant or
householder not less than once a month for other than battery-powered
detectors and not less than once a week for battery-powered detectors.
6.
Certification at Change in Occupancy. At every change of occupancy
of every multifamily dwelling unit occasioned by or incidental to
a sale, lease, sublease, or change in tenancy, it shall be the duty
of the grantor thereof to certify to the tenant, at the time of conveyance
and before occupancy, that all smoke detectors as required by this
§ 101 or other applicable laws are installed and in proper
working condition.
7.
Permits.
A.
No smoke detector or alternative system shall be directly connected
(permanently wired) to the electrical system of the structure unless
an electrical permit shall be first obtained from the Inspections
Department.
B.
Council may impose a reasonable fee for the permit for the installation
of the permanently wired systems, and if Council desires, it may also
charge a fee for the certification at the change of occupancy if his
would require inspection by Borough officials.
8.
Other Standards Applicable. This § 101 is intended to be
used with and supplemented by the applicable provisions of the National
Fire Protection Association Standard — 72E-1978 and 74-1978,
which are hereby incorporated herein. However, if there shall be any
conflict between this legislation and any rules and regulations adopted
pursuant thereto, and the referenced standards, the provision which
affords the greater degree of fire and life safety, as determined
by the fire official, shall prevail.
9.
Alternative. Where smoke detectors are installed as part of an approved
fire detection system, the requirements for single station smoke detectors
may be set aside. An approved system shall be defined as a combination
of devices that meets the requirements of this § 101 and
is installed in accordance with National Fire Protection Association
standard.
10.
Penalties. In addition to any sanction or remedial procedure provided,
any person violating any of the provisions of this Part or the code
adopted hereby or neglecting to comply with any order or notice issued
pursuant to a violation of any section thereof shall, upon conviction,
for every such violation or failure to comply, be sentenced to pay
a fine of not more than $600 and costs of prosecution, and, in default
of payment of such fine and costs, to imprisonment for not more than
30 days. Provided; each violation shall constitute a separate offense,
and each day's failure to comply with such provision shall constitute
a separate offense.
