[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Boyertown 6-2-1986 by Ord. No.
4-86. Amendments noted where applicable.]
A.
All residential rental occupancy units shall have functioning smoke
detectors installed in such locations as to protect each sleeping
area, including any such area occupied by any owner thereof or by
any owner's agent or employee.
B.
A "sleeping area" is defined as the area or areas of the living unit
in which bedroom (or sleeping rooms) are located. Where bedrooms or
rooms habitually used for sleeping are separated by other areas (such
as kitchens or living rooms, but not bathrooms or closets), each shall
be considered as separate sleeping areas for the purposes of this
section.
C.
Each sleeping area separated from another by a door must have a separate
smoke detector.
D.
"Residential occupancy units" are defined to include any building
or structure or portion thereof occupied by persons for whom sleeping
accommodations are provided, including but not limited to one- and
two-family dwellings, lodging or rooming houses, dormitories, apartment
buildings, hotels and single-family attached and detached dwellings.
[Amended 10-6-1986 by Ord. No. 13-86]
A.
It shall be the duty of owners of rental units to install and maintain
smoke detectors. Tenants may assume maintenance responsibilities if
a written contract exists between the owner and tenant.
B.
Maintenance shall include keeping smoke detector units serviceable
by replacing batteries when necessary or by keeping them connected
to an electrical source so that they remain capable of transmitting
an audible signal in the presence of smoke. Said batteries shall be
checked at least once every six months.
C.
The removal or destruction of any smoke detector except for the purpose
of immediate replacement is strictly forbidden.
A.
Smoke detectors may be wired (hard-wired) to the building power supply
or be a monitored battery-supply-type unit.
B.
Each detector shall be capable of sensing visible or invisible particles
of combustion except that detectors sensitive only to heat are not
acceptable. All detectors shall be listed by Underwriters' Laboratories,
Inc. The system, if powered by electricity, shall be primarily or
secondarily powered by battery and shall be constructed so as to give
off a continuous audible or visual signal when its batteries require
replacement or recharge.
[Amended 4-5-1993 by Ord.
No. 1-93]
Any person who violates any provision or subsection of this
chapter shall, upon conviction thereof by an authorized court, be
sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $600 and costs or to undergo
imprisonment in the Berks County Prison for a period of not in excess
of 30 days, or both.
