[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City
of Easton as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
[Adopted 1-14-1976 by Ord. No. 2342 (Art.
1723 of the 1965 Codified Ordinances)]
A.
The Chief Code Administrator or his authorized representative
shall be authorized to enter any building, dwelling, dwelling unit,
rooming house, rooming unit or premises at any reasonable time during
business hours or at such other time as may be necessary in an emergency
for the purpose of performing his duties under the City's Electrical
Code, Building Code, Plumbing Code, Health Code, Fire Code or any
other City ordinance requiring City personnel to make inspections.
B.
If permission to enter is refused or delayed by any
person, the Chief Codes Administrator may obtain a search warrant
in accordance with the procedure established for obtaining search
warrants.
[Amended 2-11-2009 by Ord. No. 5163]
No officer, agent or employee of the City shall
render himself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to
persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in
the discharge of his duties under the City's Electrical Code, Building
Code, Plumbing Code, Health Code, Fire Code, Mechanical Code, Zoning
Code or any other City ordinance requiring City personnel to make
inspections. Any suit brought against any officer, agent or employee
of the City as a result of any act required or permitted in the discharge
of his duties under any of the above-cited ordinances shall be defended
by the City Solicitor until the final determination of the proceedings
therein.
[Adopted 6-9-2004 by Ord. No. 4513 (Art.
1701 of the 1965 Codified Ordinances)]
The purpose of this article is to promote the
general health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the City of
Easton and to conform to the requirements of the Pennsylvania Construction
Code Act and regulations to the Act promulgated by the Pennsylvania
Department of Labor and Industry (hereinafter sometimes collectively
referred to as the "code").
A.
The City hereby elects to administer and enforce the
provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999,
35 P.S. §§ 7210.101 through 7210.1103, as amended from
time to time, and its regulations.
B.
The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa.
Code, Chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted
and incorporated herein by reference as the Municipal Building Code
of the City, governing the construction, alteration, movement, enlargement,
replacement, repair, equipment, use and occupancy, location, maintenance,
removal and demolition of all property, buildings and structures,
also providing for the issuance of permits. Each and all of the regulations,
provisions, conditions, and terms of the Pennsylvania UCC, as amended,
are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof as if fully
set forth in this article, with the changes and amendments noted hereinafter.
Administration and enforcement of the code within
the City of Easton shall be undertaken in the following way:
A.
Nothing herein shall be construed to affect, modify
or repeal any provisions of this article regulating streets and sidewalks
or plumbing installation, or any provision of any zoning, housing,
mechanical, electrical, subdivision, health, fire prevention, or similar
ordinance. Where any provision of this code imposes greater restrictions
than any other ordinance, law or regulation, the provisions of this
code shall control. Where any other provision of any other ordinance,
law or regulation imposes greater restrictions than this code, the
provisions of such ordinance, law or regulation shall control.
B.
If any section, subsection, sentence or clause of
this article is held, for any reason, to be invalid, such decision
or decisions shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions
of this article.
A.
On buildings, structures, electrical, gas, mechanical and plumbing systems or alterations requiring a permit, a fee for each permit shall be paid as required, in accordance with the schedule as established in Chapter 285, Fees.
B.
Any person who commences any work, with the exception
of emergency repairs or replacement, before obtaining the necessary
permits shall be subject to 100% of the usual permit fee in addition
to the required fee. Emergency repairs or replacement of equipment
may be made without first applying for a permit if a permit application
is submitted to the Building Official within three business days of
the repair or replacement.
C.
The Building Official is authorized to establish a
refund policy.
The Uniform Construction Code, adopted herein,
is hereby amended and changed in the following respects:
A.
UCC 403.1(b)(3) Exclusions (amended).
|
One-story detached accessory structures used
as tool and storage sheds, playhouses and similar uses, provided the
floor area does not exceed 120 square feet.
|
B.
UCC 403.3(a) Building Code Official Delegation (amended).
|
The Building Official shall be the Chief Codes
Administrator appointed by the authorized City authority to supervise
the administration and enforcement of the City codes together with
rules and regulations adopted thereunder. At a minimum, the Chief
Codes Administrator shall have a "Certified Building Official" certification
within one year of employment through the International Code Council.
In addition, he/she shall have "Accessibility Inspector/Plans Examiner"
certification through the International Code Council in addition to
a "Building Code Official" certification through the State of Pennsylvania.
The Building Official shall not be removed from office except for
just cause and after full opportunity to be heard on specific and
relevant charges by and before the appointing authority.
|
C.
UCC 403.3(b) Building Code Official Delegation (amended).
|
The Division of Fire Protection within the Bureau
of Fire is established within the City under the direction of the
Code Official. The function of the department shall be the implementation,
administration and enforcement of the provisions of the International
Fire Code. The Code Official shall be the Fire Marshal in the Bureau
of Fire, whose power is granted to the Deputy Fire Chief and, in his
absence, the Director/Fire Chief appointed by the chief appointing
authority of the City. The Code Official shall not be removed from
office except for cause and after full opportunity to be heard on
specific and relevant charges by and before the appointing authority.
|
D.
UCC 403.21(3) International Mechanical Code (amended).
IMC 1305.6 Fill Piping.
|
A fill pipe shall terminate outside of a building
at least two feet (610 mm) from any building opening at the same or
lower level. A fill pipe shall terminate in a manner designed to minimize
spilling when the filling hose is disconnected. Fill opening shall
be equipped with a tight metal cover designed to discourage tampering.
| |
|
Where a supply or storage tank has been removed
from within a building, it shall be the responsibility of the owner
of the tank to ensure that the portion of the fill system terminating
outside the building is also removed at the same time to preclude
the accidental use of the fill pipe which is no longer connected to
the pipe.
|
E.
UCC 403.21(5) International Plumbing Code (amended).
IPC 904.1 Roof Extensions.
|
All open vent pipes that extend through a roof
shall be terminated at least 12 inches above the roof, except that
where a roof is to be used for any purpose other than weather protection,
the vent extensions shall be run at least seven feet above the roof.
|
F.
UCC 403.21(6) International Residential Code (amended).
(1)
IRC Table 301.2.1 Climatic and geographic design criteria.
[Amended 9-11-2019 by Ord. No. 5683; 10-27-2021 by Ord. No. 5763]
|
Roof snow load
|
30 pounds per square foot
|
|
Wind Design
| |
|
Wind speed
|
115 mph
|
|
Topographic effects
|
Yes
|
|
Special wind region
|
No
|
|
Wind-borne debris zone
|
No
|
|
Seismic design category
|
B
|
|
Subject to damage from:
| |
|
Weathering
|
Severe
|
|
Frost line depth
|
36 inches
|
|
Termite
|
Moderate to heavy
|
|
Decay
|
Slight to moderate
|
|
Winter design temperature
|
9
|
|
Ice shield underlayment required
|
Yes
|
|
Flood hazards
| |
|
Jurisdiction entry to National Flood Insurance Program
|
June 18,1971
|
|
Air freezing index
|
Greater than 0 to 1,000
|
|
Mean annual temperature
|
55°
|
(2)
IRC 3103.1 Roof extension.
|
All open vent pipes which extend through a roof
shall be terminated at least 12 inches above the roof or six inches
above the anticipated snow accumulation, except, where a roof is to
be used for any purpose other than weather protection, the vent extensions
shall be run at least seven feet (2,134 mm) above the roof.
|
G.
UCC 403.21(8) International Fire Code (amended).
[Amended 5-24-2023 by Ord. No. 5825]
(1)
IFC 503.1.2 Temporary access (added).
|
The Fire Marshal/Deputy Fire Chief may designate
temporary fire lanes as may be required for specific events or gatherings.
|
(2)
IFC 905.3 Required installations (amended).
|
All buildings having floors used for human occupancy
located more than three stories above grade shall be provided with
standpipes according to the International Building Code. In addition,
standpipe systems shall be installed where required by Sections 905.3.1
through 905.3.8 and in locations indicated in Sections 905.4, 905.5,
and 905.6. Standpipe systems are permitted to be combined with automatic
sprinkler systems. Exception: Standpipe systems are not required in
Group R-3 occupancies.
|
(3)
IFC 906.5 Conspicuous location (amended).
|
Extinguishers shall be located in conspicuous
locations where they will be readily accessible and immediately available
for use. These locations shall be along normal paths of travel, unless
the Code Official determines that the hazard presented indicates the
need for placement away from normal paths of travel. Each dwelling
unit in a multiunit structure shall be provided with a minimum five-pound
ABC (Rating 2A-10BC) fire extinguisher which shall be wall mounted
in the kitchen area. Each basement or cellar shall also be provided
with a minimum five-pound ABC (Rating 2A-10BC) fire extinguisher properly
mounted in a convenient location.
|
(4)
IFC 907.2.2 Group B (amended).
|
A manual fire alarm system shall be installed
in Group B occupancies having an occupant load of 500 or more persons
or more than 100 persons above or below the lowest level of exit discharge
or in buildings more than two stories in height.
| |
|
Exception: Manual fire alarm boxes are not required
where the building is equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler
system, and the alarm-notification appliances will activate upon sprinkler
flow.
|
(5)
IFC 907.2.9 Group R-2 (amended).
|
A fire alarm system shall be installed in Group
R-2 occupancies. Exceptions: A separate fire alarm system is not required
in buildings that are equipped throughout with an approved supervised
automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1
or 903.3.1.2 and which have a local alarm that meets the notification
requirements of Section 907.10.1.
|
(6)
IFC 907.2.24 Mixed occupancy (added).
|
Single or multiple-station smoke alarms shall
be installed and maintained in all buildings of Use Group B or R-2
when mixed occupancy results in residential units being located on
a floor above or below a business or commercial use.
|
(7)
IFC 5601.2.3 Permit restrictions (amended).
|
The Code Official is authorized to limit the
quantity of explosives, explosive materials, or fireworks at a given
location. No person possessing a permit for storage of explosives
at any place shall keep or store an amount greater than authorized
in such permit. Only the kind of explosive specified in such permits
shall be kept or stored. The storage of explosives and blasting agents
is prohibited within the City limits excepting those areas zoned for
industrial uses, except for temporary storage for use in connection
with approved blasting operations; all storage shall conform to the
requirements of this code.
|
(8)
IFC 5704.2.13.1.4.6 Tanks abandoned in place (added).
|
Any conversion from fuel oil heat to another
type fuel shall require the removal of the oil fill pipe.
|
(9)
IFC 5704.2.9 Aboveground tanks (amended).
|
The storage of flammable liquids outside aboveground
is prohibited within the entire City limits, excepting those areas
zoned for industrial uses.
|
(10)
IFC 5706.4.5 Storage (bulk plants or terminals) (amended).
|
No new bulk plants for flammable liquids shall
be constructed within the entire City limits, except those areas zoned
for industrial use.
|
(11)
IFC 6104.02 Maximum capacity within established limits
(liquefied petroleum gas containers) (amended).
|
The bulk storage of liquefied petroleum gases
is prohibited within the entire City limits excepting only those areas
zoned for industrial uses. Within the limits established by law in
the adopting ordinance restricting the storage of liquefied petroleum
gas for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas, the
aggregate capacity of any one installation shall not exceed a capacity
of 2,000 gallons.
|
H.
UCC 403.21 (8) International Energy Conservation Code
(amended). IECC Table 302.1 Exterior Design Conditions.
|
Winter, design dry-bulb
|
9
| |
|
Summer, design dry-bulb
|
88
| |
|
Summer, design wet-bulb
|
75
| |
|
Degree-days heating
|
5810
| |
|
Degree-days cooling
|
773
| |
|
Climate zone
|
12B
|
I.
UCC 403.21(c) Uniform Construction Code — Standards
(added).
|
In addition to the provisions adopted in subsection
(a)(9) and (12)-(14), the following appendixes are hereby adopted:
| |||
|
(1)
|
International Building Code.
| ||
|
A.
|
Appendix F: Rodentproofing
| ||
|
B.
|
Appendix G: Flood-Resistant Construction
| ||
|
C.
|
Appendix I: Patio Covers
| ||
|
D.
|
Appendix J: Grading
| ||
|
(2)
|
International Fuel Gas Code
| ||
|
A.
|
Appendix A: Sizing and Capacities of Gas Piping
| ||
|
B.
|
Appendix B: Sizing of venting systems serving
appliances equipped with draft hoods, Category I appliances, and appliances
listed for use and Type B vents.
| ||
|
(3)
|
International Residential Code
| ||
|
A.
|
Appendix F: Radon Control Methods
| ||
|
(4)
|
International Fire Code
| ||
|
A.
|
Appendix B: Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings
| ||
|
B.
|
Appendix C: Fire Hydrant Location and Distribution
| ||
|
C.
|
Appendix D: Fire Apparatus Access Roads
| ||
|
D.
|
Appendix E: Hazard Categories
| ||
|
E.
|
Appendix F: Hazard Ranking
| ||
|
F.
|
Appendix G: Cryogenic Fluids — Weight
and Volume Requirements
| ||
J.
UCC 403.21(d) Stairway specifications: delete in its
entirety.
K.
UCC 403.42(c)(xiii) Commercial exemption (window replacement):
delete in its entirety.
L.
UCC 403.62(c)(x) Residential exception (window replacement,
etc.): delete in its entirety.
M.
UCC 403.62(c)(x)(xvii) Residential exception (deck):
delete in its entirety.
