A.
For the purpose of prescribing requirements and controls
to safeguard life, property and public welfare from the hazards of
fire and explosions arising from the storage, handling or use of substances,
materials, devices, and from conditions hazardous to life, property
and public welfare in the use or occupancy of buildings, structures
and premises, the Borough Council of the Borough of Chester Heights,
Delaware County, Pennsylvania, does hereby adopt a certain document
marked and designated as the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code, 1996,
as published by the Building Officials and Code Administrators International,
Inc., save and except such portions as hereinafter deleted, modified
or amended by other sections of this chapter. A copy of the above
referenced Code is on file in the Office of the Borough Fire Marshal
and is available for public inspection.
B.
The Borough Council of the Borough of Chester Heights
deems it appropriate to make certain amendments, deletions and modifications
to said BOCA National Fire Code in an effort to further safeguard
life, property and public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion.
As used in this Code, the following terms shall
have the meanings indicated:
An unconfined fire or open burning of any type and shall include, but not be limited to, the burning of vegetative matter and brush where land is being cleared and similar projects. (See § 97-29)
Those aisles, roadways, passageways, or other areas located
on private property which are designated by the Fire Marshal as fire
lanes to insure ingress and egress of fire or other emergency vehicles
for the protection of persons and property and where such areas, when
blocked or congested, would interfere with the free movement of such
emergency vehicles. A fire lane shall be designated by a solid line
or lines and by signs establishing such lanes which read "No Parking
by Order of the Fire Marshal" or similar wording. In the event of
a fire lane adjacent to a building, it shall be no less than 30 feet
in width and there shall be a painted yellow line established 30 feet
from the building, curb, or border, whichever is applicable, and signs
placed at intervals and heights as prescribed in the Vehicle Code
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for parking regulatory signs.
"Fire lane" shall also mean any thirty-foot wide area, designated
by a yellow line(s) in front of any fire hydrant or fire department-type
connection, whether attached to or remote from any building or structure.
The Fire Marshal or the Assistant Fire Marshal of the Borough
of Chester Heights.
The Borough of Chester Heights.
A.
Amendments to the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code,
1996 Edition.
(1)
Chapter 1, Section F-100: The words "The Borough of Chester Heights" shall be inserted after the words "Fire Prevention Code of ...," to designate the name of the adopting municipality.
(2)
Appendix A, Section 1: The words "The Borough of Chester
Heights shall be inserted after the words "adopted by . . .," to designate
the name of the adopting municipality."
(3)
Appendix A, Section 6: The word "Pennsylvania" shall
be inserted after the words "the State of . . .," in the first sentence.
(4)
Appendix A, Section 20: the specific effective date
of this chapter shall and is hereby inserted in the second sentence.
B.
Deletions to the BOCA National Fire Prevention Code,
1996 Edition.
(1)
Chapter 1, Section F-107.2. Permits required, and Section F-107.8, Payment of Fees, are hereby deleted, and the following new provisions substituted in their place:
(a)
Section 107.2 Permits Required. Permits are
required for the various uses and activities as provided in this Code,
except that no permit is required whenever a Borough of Chester Heights
building permit has been issued governing the construction, installation,
or demolition of the prescribed item of this Code. Required permits
shall at all times be maintained on the premises designated therein
and shall at all times be subject to inspection by the Fire Marshal.
(b)
Section F-107.8 Payment of Fees. A permit shall
not be issued until the proper fee has been paid. The fee shall be
calculated from the Fee Schedule adopted by the Borough Council.
(4)
Chapter 3, Section F-311.0 Fire Lanes: is hereby deleted
and the following provisions substituted in its place:
(a)
F-311.0 Fire Lanes on Private Property for public
use.
(b)
F-311.1 Marking of Fire Lanes: The
marking of fire lanes on private property devoted to public use shall
be required on all parking areas and other similar places, so as to
insure that fire-fighting and other lifesaving equipment shall have
access to all portions of the property at all times. All building
permit applications (except for single-family residential where no
new streets are required) shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal for
review prior to approval by the Building Inspector. The plans that
accompany building permit application shall include the location and
marking of fire lanes and shall be submitted to and approved by the
Fire Marshal, and a permanent record of the marking of said fire lanes
shall be maintained by the Borough of Chester Heights. The cost of
marking and thereafter maintenance of said fire lanes and plan of
same shall be borne by the owner of the property where said lanes
are located.
(c)
F-311.2 Parking or Otherwise Obstructing
Fire Lanes: The parking of any vehicle or otherwise obstructing
fire lanes shall be prohibited at all times.
(5)
Article 31 , Section F-3101.2 Permit Required: Delete
the words "Sale or Discharge" in the first sentence. By this deletion,
the sale or discharge of fireworks, as defined in the BOCA National
Fire Code, cannot be approved by the issuance of a permit. The sale
or discharge of fireworks is thus clearly prohibited by Section F-3101.1
of the Code unless covered by a state-granted permit.
Traffic signaling devices installed in the Borough
shall have an emergency traffic control system attached for use by
the Fire Company. Specifications for the traffic control system shall
be as follows:
A.
The system shall be approved by the Borough Fire Chief.
B.
The system shall be compatible with existing systems
used on fire company vehicles.
C.
The system shall be triggered optically at least 1,200
feet from the start of the intersection. The triggering device shall
be capable of being mounted in the fire company vehicles. Operation
of the triggering device shall be continuous without operator assistance
until the signal is no longer required for a fire vehicle to clear
the intersection.
D.
The receiving circuitry shall be capable of assigning
priority traffic movement to one of two channels on a first come,
first served basis. Each channel shall be connected to select a traffic
movement from those normally available from within the controller.
E.
The selector shall be capable of recognizing a "commit
to green" signal and the selector shall switch and hold for a minimum
of four seconds; even if the optical signal is lost.
F.
The receiving sensors shall be mounted so that the
triggering device can optically "see" the sensors continuously up
to the point of intersection.
G.
Upon losing the optical signal, the traffic selector
will release the controller to resume normal operation.
H.
The sensors shall be mounted so that the triggering
device can trigger the system from any traffic direction.
I.
Maintenance of this device shall be the responsibility
of the same government body that has responsibility for maintenance
of the traffic signal.
J.
One transmitter shall be provided per installation
to the Chester Heights Fire Company for use on emergency vehicles
as necessary.
|
(Reserved)
|
A.
The number and location of the fire department connection(s)
shall be at the Fire Marshal's direction.
B.
The fire department connection shall be located approximately
24 inches above the finished grade, or as otherwise directed by the
Fire Marshal.
C.
Each fire department connection shall be provided
with a conspicuous, durable and permanently legible sign reading FOR
FIRE DEPARTMENT USE ONLY.
D.
The fire department connection(s) shall be provided
with five-inch STORZ connection, cap, chain and clapper valve.
A.
Private fire hydrants connected to sufficient water
supply for fire-fighting purposes shall be provided in all new real
estate subdivisions with new streets, in shopping centers, educational
institutions, apartment complexes and similar occupancies, at the
direction of the Fire Marshal who shall consult with an approved rating
bureau and the appropriate water authority before directing such installations.
When new streets are taken over and made public by the Borough, all
private fire hydrants on such streets become public and thereafter
hydrant rental and other necessary charges for the same are borne
by the Borough.
B.
Private and municipal fire hydrants shall adhere to
the following specifications:
(1)
Hydrants shall be of the dry-barrel-type, frostproof,
having a minimum of six inch barrel and connection to the water main.
(2)
Two-and-one-half-inch National Standard Thread (NST)
nipple outlets pumper connection, with caps and chains.
(3)
The hydrant outlets shall be a minimum of 18 inches
from the finished grade and a maximum of 36 inches above the finished
grade.
(4)
The operating nut shall be no smaller than one inch
and no longer than a one-and-one-half-inch pentagonal nut, opening
counterclockwise.
(5)
The two-and-one-half-inch NST outlets shall have a
pitch diameter of 2.897 inches, a major diameter of 3.074 inches and
a minor diameter of 2.82 inches with 7.5 threads to the inch.
(6)
The four-and-one half-inch NST outlets shall have
a pitch diameter of 5.571 inches, or diameter of 5.735 inches an a
minor diameter of 5.392 inches with four threads to the inch.
Automatic sprinklers shall be installed and
maintained throughout the buildings of the type set forth below, hereafter
erected, converted or altered: (See BOCA Fire Code for specific terms
and definitions.)
A.
High-hazard occupancy buildings.
B.
Hospital and other institutional-type buildings.
C.
Sanitariums, nursing homes, convalescent homes, homes
for the aged, mentally retarded, housing bed-ridden or ambulatory
patients.
D.
Non-fire-resistive buildings used as places of public
assembly.
E.
Schools, dormitories and other type buildings used
for educational purposes.
F.
Fire-resistive buildings having an undivided floor
area of 10,000 square feet, or more, per floor used in whole or in
part for a Group H or Group F type occupancy. In addition, any Group
S type occupancy where combustible goods are stored. This shall include
but not be limited to stores, restaurants and supermarkets. (Refer
to BOCA Building Codes for Group definitions).
G.
Non-fire-resistive buildings used in whole or in part
for a Group H or Group F type occupancy. Also, any Group S type occupancy
where combustible goods are stored. This shall include but not be
limited to stores, restaurants and supermarkets.
H.
Non-fire-resistive buildings used as offices over
5,000 square feet.
I.
Motels, hotels and occupancies of temporary and transient-type
habitation.
J.
Multiple-family dwellings and apartments where there
are more than three units in one fire area, or where there is a common
entranceway for two or more units.
K.
Any nonresidential occupancy two or more stories in
height. The height shall be taken from the lowest point of grade exposed.
Automatic sprinkler equipment shall be installed
and maintained in accordance with and comply with NFPA 13. All fire
protection equipment shall be connected to an adequate water supply,
as determined by the system calculations and any additional requirements
for hose streams that the Fire Marshal deems necessary. All fire protection
systems shall be tested once every 12 months by an organization approved
by the Fire Marshal. The results of these tests shall be forwarded
to the Fire Marshal.
Before any automatic sprinkler equipment is
installed and/or altered in any building, detailed plans and calculations
thereof shall be first submitted to and approved in writing by the
Fire Marshal. The drawings and calculations must be certified as complying
with NFPA 13 in writing by the sprinkler installer. If the Fire Marshal
deems it necessary, the plans shall be signed by a licensed professional
engineer.
A.
The following formula shall be used when calculating
the required adequate water supply for all occupancies:
|
Supply (GPM) = Gross Cubic Feet Building Volume
/ 100
|
B.
The gross building volume shall include all areas
in a building not separated by an approved four-hour fire wall.
C.
The resulting water supply can be downgraded by the
Fire Marshal when considering other protection devices that are incorporated
into the building, these include but are not limited to two-hour fire
dividers and spot protection of hazards.
D.
When an occupancy is equipped with sprinklers, the
calculated water flow for the sprinkler system plus hose lines will
be considered adequate. (The minimum hose line calculations shall
be no less than 250 GPM.)
E.
The duration of the minimum water flow shall be no
less than two hours for most occupancies, for high hazard occupancies
the flow shall be for no less than four hours.
Dry fire standpipes shall be installed and maintained
in any building more than 30 feet in overall height. The installation
shall be done in accordance with the NFPA 14. A dry fire standpipe
is not required in the following:
Any building other than a residential building
which has a fire alarm system or other fire protection system shall
provide a secure key box installed in a location accessible to the
Fire Company in case of an emergency. This box shall contain keys
to the fire alarm panel(s), building access, and all other keys needed
to gain access to the building and its systems or other means of access
acceptable to the Fire Marshal.
A.
Inspections shall be completed by the Fire Marshal
or his assistant according to the following schedule:
C.
The fire inspection program shall include all of the
following unless waived by the Fire Marshal or his assistant.
(1)
Testing of smoke detectors: statically.
(2)
Placement of smoke detectors: location and number
per square foot (1,200).
(3)
House numbers properly displayed and can easily be
seen from street (four inches).
(4)
Storage of flammable or hazardous materials (paints,
solvents, cleaners, gasoline) etc.
(5)
Door exits with double cylinder locks (emergency key
nearby).
(6)
Storage of flammable material close to house [trash,
building materials, lp gas tank(s)] etc.
(7)
Gates, chains and other methods of restricting access
to roadways or other vehicle paths.
(8)
Electrical systems (properly installed and not overloaded,
exposed wires, open boxes, proper grounding and ground fault interrupters
where needed) etc.
(9)
Heating systems (overview of exhaust exits from heaters
- main, space and water) fuel hazards of natural gas, heating oil
and propane.
(10)
Portable fire extinguisher (active dates).
(11)
Fire-signaling systems (certificate of working
order from certified technician or business).
(12)
On new construction, access to attics and crawl
spaces shall have a minimum opening of 24 inches by 36 inches.
Smoke alarms are required in all residential
and commercial buildings according to the following schedule:
A.
In residential buildings they shall be placed so as
not to exceed 1,200 square feet per detector or one per level, whichever
is greater.
B.
In commercial buildings they shall be placed so as
not to exceed 800 square feet per detector. They shall be wired so
that all detectors in one "fire area" shall sound upon the activation
of a single detector.
C.
The smoke detectors shall be installed in accordance
with the manufacturer's recommendations.
A false alarm is any alarm, responded to by
the Fire Company, where no fire, significant smoke or other emergency
is found. False alarms shall be charged to the occupant (or owner
in case of common areas) according to the following schedule:
Fire drills shall be conducted in all buildings
as specified by NFPA 101, and records of these drills shall be maintained
for two years for review by the Fire Marshal.
The Fire Marshal shall have the power to interpret
and/or grant relief from a strict interpretation of the BOCA National
Fire Prevention Code when, upon application in writing by the owner
or lessee, or their duly authorized agent, there appear to be practical
difficulties in carrying out the strict letter of said Code; provided,
however, that the spirit of the Code shall be observed, public safety
secured, and substantial justice accomplished; provided further, however,
that no such interpretation by the Fire Marshal shall be made without
prior approval of the Borough Council and the Fire Chief. The particulars
of such proposed interpretation, when granted, shall be entered upon
the records of the Fire Marshal and a signed copy shall be sent to
the applicant. A signed copy shall be retained by the Borough Secretary.
The Borough Council and the Fire Marshal shall
act as a committee to determine and specify, after giving affected
persons an opportunity to be heard, any new materials, processes or
occupancies which shall alter the requirement for permits as enumerated
in this Code. The Fire Marshal shall post such a proposal in a conspicuous
place in the Borough Fire Hall at 222 Llewelyn Road, Chester Heights,
Pennsylvania and distribute copies thereof to interested persons so
that they may have an opportunity to be heard.
All gates, chains or other methods of blocking or restricting access to a private road, public road, pathway or other clearing capable of supporting vehicular traffic shall provide, at the expense of the property owner, a method of access according to § 97-21, Secured key access.
A.
The burning of any brush or other type of natural
vegetation from that property, on that private property, shall be
allowed on any Friday or Saturday or on other days with notice to
the Fire Marshal by telephone. Said burning shall be done in a controlled
fashion as follows:
(1)
Leaves shall be placed in a noncombustible drum-type
container with a screen or other type mesh lid approved by the Fire
Marshal to control embers.
(2)
Wood and other nonleaf vegetation may be burned in
piles not to exceed 10 feet in diameter and no higher than five feet.
(3)
Construction and other type building materials shall
not be burned at any time.
(4)
Burning of any other type of material is prohibited.
B.
All burning under this section shall be attended at
all times and shall be extinguished completely at dusk. Persons not
abiding by these requirements are in direct violation of the Fire
Code and shall be fined accordingly.
A.
Whenever the Fire Marshal rejects an application or
refuses to grant a permit, or when it is claimed that the provisions
of the Code do not apply, or that the true intent and the meaning
of the Code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant
may appeal the decision of the Fire Marshal to the Borough Council
within 60 days of the date of said decision.
B.
The appeal shall be submitted in writing to the Borough
Secretary. The Borough Council shall render a decision within 90 days.
The applicant shall be notified in writing of the decision of the
Borough Council within 14 days of that decision. The decision of the
Borough Council shall be final.
A.
The Fire Marshal and assistants shall have the authority to cite any person, business, corporation, or other entity who shall violate any provision of this Code, or who shall fail to comply therewith, or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order made thereafter, or who shall build in violation of any detailed statement of specifications or plans submitted and approved thereunder, or any certificate or permit issued thereunder, and from which no appeal has been taken, or who shall fail to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the Borough of Chester Heights or by a court of competent jurisdiction, within the time allowed, shall be deemed to have committed a violation of this Code (except as noted in Subsection A below) and shall upon conviction, be guilty of a summary offense which shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $300 for each offense or, in default thereof, may be imprisoned in the Delaware County Prison for a period not to exceed 30 days. Each day that the violation continues shall be considered a separate offense.
B.
Any person, business, corporation or other entity
who or which has been cited for parking in a fire lane, fire zone,
obstructing an emergency exit or entrance (any part or component of
a required means of egress), fire hydrant, or fire department connection
shall pay, within five days, to the Borough of Chester Heights, a
fine set by the Borough for each citation. If the fine is not paid
within the five days, the fine shall be increased. A new citation
may be issued every day that the specific violation continues.
C.
Any person, business, corporation or other entity
notified of a violation as set forth in this section, who or which
does not elect to pay the fine as hereinabove provided, shall, upon
summary conviction, be punishable by a fine of not less than $35 nor
more than $300 for each violation or offense, or upon failure to pay
such fine, shall be imprisoned not more than 30 days.
D.
In addition to the punishment for violations set forth in § 97-31A, B and C above, any person, business or corporation who or which parks in a fire lane or fire zone, obstructs an emergency exit or entrance, fire hydrant, or fire department connection shall be subject to have his, her, or their vehicle towed immediately and without further notice. The cost of towing and/or storage of said vehicle, shall be borne entirely by the owner thereof, in accordance with the standard schedule of charges of the towing firm then in effect.
E.
The Fire Marshal may, at his option, issue warnings
to cars parked in a fire lane. Such warning shall take the form of
a sticker to be placed on the driver's window of the offending vehicle.
