[Adopted 9-20-1983 by Ord. No. 1570]
Whenever the following words are used in this article, they shall have
the respective meanings as follows:
A liquid with a flash point at or above 100° F. to include Class
II and Class III liquids such as but not limited to heating fuel and kerosene.
A gas which is customarily used for burning with air to produce heat,
including but not limited to liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, propane
and butane.
A liquid with a flash point below 100° F. to include Class I
liquids such as but not limited to gasoline, alcohol and turpentine.
The temperature at which the liquid gives off vapor sufficient to
form an ignitible mixture with the air.
A.
The use of portable, unvented, heating devices which
incorporate the use of an open flame and flammable gas is prohibited in all
dwellings and buildings.
B.
The use of portable, unvented, heating devices which
incorporate the use of an open flame and are fueled by Class I, II or III
flammable or combustible liquid is prohibited in all buildings with the following
occupancy classifications:
(1)
Assembly where the primary and intended use of any building
or structure is for the purpose of assembly of persons for association, amusement,
entertainment, education, instruction, worship, recreation, sports, transportation,
military drilling, dining or similar purposes with admission either public
or restricted.
(2)
Educational where the primary and intended use of any
building or structure or any part thereof is for the purpose of education,
instruction or recreation, including auditoriums and gymnasiums.
(3)
Group habitation in the following two classes:
(a)
Buildings or structures where the occupants are under
restraint or are physically or mentally handicapped or are partially or completely
disabled; hospitals, sanatoriums, nursing, convalescent or rest homes, boarding
homes for the aged, orphanages, jails, reformatories and houses of correction
shall be included in this classification.
(b)
The following buildings or structures where the occupants
are not under restraint or limitation: hotels, apartments, apartment hotels,
multiple dwellings [three or more families], dormitories, convents, monasteries,
lodging houses, group homes and all habitable buildings, the construction
and use of which is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and
Industry.
(4)
Working stage shall be a permanent stage, in connection
with any occupancy, and which is used for theatrical, musical and like performances.
The use of portable heating devices which are unvented and incorporate
the use of an open flame and are fueled by a Class I, II or III flammable
or combustible liquid is permitted in buildings or structures where the primary
use and intended use is for commercial, industrial, office or storage, provided
that the protection required by this article is complied with as follows:
A.
The heating unit shall meet all of the applicable standards
promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association and must also be approved
by and bear the label of Underwriters' Laboratories.
B.
The unit may be used only when the area of use is occupied
by a person capable of properly operating said unit under normal and emergency
conditions.
C.
The unit shall be surrounded by a one-half-inch square
wire mesh frame so as to prevent persons from coming into contact with it,
to include top and sides.
D.
The unit shall have a minimum six-inch clearance between
it and the wire mesh protection screen.
E.
A minimum clearance of 36 inches shall be maintained
from all flammable or combustible materials.
F.
The unit may not be used in areas or structures where
hazardous or highly flammable materials are manufactured or stored.
G.
Proper ventilation must be provided.
H.
The unit must be refueled outside of the building or
structure.
I.
The unit must be equipped with an automatic shutoff device.
J.
The unit must be equipped with a self-contained integral
ignition device.
K.
The unit must be constructed with a low center of gravity
and minimum tipping angle of 33° from the vertical with an empty reservoir.
L.
The unit is to be used only for the purpose designed
for and so stated by the manufacturer.
M.
The unit shall not limit or restrict any exit.
N.
All containers used for indoor storage of fuel shall
be of metal construction with a positive screw-type spout, shall be an approved
safety can under UL regulations or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Fire
Marshal Regulations, with a maximum size of five gallons (United States).
The container shall be labeled as to its contents with two-inch-high letters.
A maximum of five gallons may be stored within a building subject to the regulations
contained herein. Storage of fuel must be at least 10 feet distant from any
permanent heating unit, boiler, furnace or wood stove or the portable heating
unit. The storage container must be deemed not to be a hazard by the Cheltenham
Township Fire Marshal. Under no circumstances may fuel be stored in a hallway
or means of ingress or egress or a room without adequate ventilation.
O.
Storage of fuel outside of the building or structure shall be limited to 10 gallons (United States) when properly vented, secure from tampering, at least 10 feet from any source of ignition and not in conflict with any other provision of this article or section of Article III, Fire Prevention Code.
P.
Use of said units will not be permitted in a building
or structure where any other adjoining part of said building or structure
prohibits its use under this article.
[Amended 11-21-1995 by Ord. No. 1846-95]
Any person, partnership or corporation who or which shall violate the
provisions of this article shall be, upon conviction thereof in a summary
proceeding, sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, such fine to
be collected in the manner prescribed by law.
