[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989]
This Part may be known and cited as the "Residential Water Sprinkler
Ordinance."
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989; as amended by Ord. 313, 6/27/2006;
and by Ord. 316, 1/23/2007]
The Board of Supervisors finds that there is a greater likelihood
of serious bodily injury, loss of life and loss of property in multiple-family
residential buildings having two or more dwelling units which are
not equipped with residential water sprinkler fire-suppression systems.
The Board of Supervisors further finds that it is in the best interests
and general welfare of the citizens of the Township to require all
newly constructed multiple-family residential buildings having two
or more dwelling units which are located within the Township to be
equipped with a residential water sprinkler fire-suppression system.
The Board of Supervisors also finds that the procedures, fees and
penalties provided herein are necessary to achieve the purposes of
this Part.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989; as amended by Ord. 241, 1/27/1998,
§ 1; by Ord. 313, 6/27/2006; and by Ord. 316, 1/23/2007]
Unless the context specifically and clearly indicates otherwise,
the meanings of the terms used in this Part shall be as follows:
A written document from the Township stating that a newly
constructed multiple-family residential building is in compliance
with the requirements of this Part regarding the installation of a
residential water sprinkler fire-suppression system.
The North Strabane Township Code of Ordinances, as the same
may be from time to time amended.
All buildings and structures, or parts thereof, in which
two or more families or households live or in which sleeping accommodations
are provided for individuals, with or without dining facilities. For
purposes of this Part, multiple-family residential buildings shall
include: all hotels, motels, boardinghouses and similar buildings
arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations; all multiple-family
dwellings having two or more dwelling units, including but not limited
to all apartment buildings, condominiums, townhouses, dormitories,
boardinghouses, carriage houses (duplex), and similar buildings arranged
for shelter and sleeping accommodations in which the occupants are
primarily not transient in nature.
A certificate of use and occupancy issued by the Township pursuant to Section 119.1 of Article 1 of the BOCA Basic Building Code, 1984 Edition, as adopted by the Township as the Township Building Code under Part 1 of Chapter 5 of the Township Code, or the permit issued by the Township pursuant to § 16.2 et seq. of the Township's Zoning Ordinance.
Any person, syndicate, association, partnership, firm, corporation,
trust, estate, institution, agency, authority or other entity recognized
by law as the subject of rights and duties.
A packaged system of components designed to be installed
according to pretested limitations as listed by a nationally recognized
testing laboratory.
An integrated system of piping connected to a water supply,
including a control valve and a device for actuating an alarm when
the system operates, with listed sprinklers which will be automatically
activated to discharge water over a fire area.
North Strabane Township.
A system employing automatic sprinklers attached to a piping
system containing water and connected to a water supply which is automatically
actuated by fire to discharge water over a fire area.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989]
After the effective date of this Part, it shall be unlawful
for any person to offer for occupancy to members of the public and/or
to occupy any newly constructed multiple-family residential building
without first obtaining a certificate of compliance from the Township.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989; as amended by Ord. 241, 1/27/1998,
§ 2; by Ord. 313, 6/27/2006; and by Ord. 316, 1/23/2007]
After the effective date of this Part, all newly constructed multiple-family residential buildings shall be equipped with a functional sprinkler system limited to a pre-engineered system which meets the standard Chapter 13 requirements (13A, 13D, 74) of the National Fire Protection Association (hereinafter referred to as "NFPA") for a wet system style and designation. It is recommended that the sprinkler system be installed during the course of building construction by either the owner, developer and/or contractor; provided, however, that in no event will a certificate of compliance or occupancy permit be issued by the Township until the required sprinkler system is installed and is functional. In addition, an annual sprinkler inspection will be required pursuant to NFPA regulations. This inspection will be performed by the North Strabane Township Volunteer Fire Department or the North Strabane Township Code Enforcement Officer.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989; as amended by Ord. 313, 6/27/2006;
and by Ord. 316, 1/23/2007]
Any person offering for occupancy any newly constructed multiple-family
residential building within the Township (herein referred to as "applicant")
shall make application on a form furnished by the Township at least
21 days before the anticipated date of occupancy. The applicant shall
then have a qualified individual, either a certified plumber or a
certified water sprinkler fire-suppression system contractor, approved
by the Township (hereinafter referred to as "inspector"), inspect
the sprinkler system in the multiple-family residential building to
be occupied. Such inspector shall complete the appropriate portions
on the form and certify that the sprinkler system has been inspected
and is properly connected to a source of water supply. The inspector's
certification will be delivered to the Township Manager or his designee
(hereinafter referred to as "Township official"), who shall then inspect
the sprinkler system in the multiple-family residential building to
be occupied to determine whether the sprinkler system satisfies the
requirements of the NFPA. The Township official shall complete the
appropriate portions on the form and certify that the sprinkler system
has been inspected and is in compliance with the NFPA requirements.
In the event that the sprinkler system is properly certified by both
the inspector and the Township official, the Township Manager or his
designate shall issue a certificate of compliance upon payment of
such fees as may be established by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
If either inspection discloses the nonexistence, misplacement, malfunctioning
or failure to comply with the NFPA requirements for the sprinkler
system, no certificate of compliance will be issued until a properly
placed and functioning sprinkler system is installed and certification
of such installation by the inspector and Township official is received.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989]
The Township Manager is hereby empowered to undertake the duties
imposed by this Part, including, but not limited to, establishing
the form of applications and inspector and Township official certifications.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989]
The Board of Supervisors may, by resolution, change from time
to time the fees authorized in this Part.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989]
Nothing in this Part shall limit in any fashion whatsoever the
Township's right to enforce its ordinances or the laws of the
commonwealth. Nothing in this Part shall be a defense to any citation
issued by any municipal corporation of the commonwealth pursuant to
any other law or ordinance.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989; as amended by Ord. 240, 10/28/1997;
and by Ord. 241, 1/27/1998, § 3]
1.Â
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Part may be
charged with such violation and, upon conviction thereof, shall be
sentenced to pay a fine not less than $50 and not more than $1,000
for each violation or, alternatively, sentenced to pay a fine of not
more than the maximum permitted under Pennsylvania law, as the same
may be from time to time amended and in effect as of the date of conviction.
In default of payment of imposed fines or penalties, the offender
may be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 30 days.
2.Â
In addition to and not in lieu of the foregoing, the Township may
seek equitable and legal relief to compel compliance with this Part.
[Ord. 172, 10/10/1989]
This Part shall become effective 60 days after its enactment
and adoption.
[Ord. 247, 6/4/1998, § 1; as amended by Ord. 313,
6/27/2006]
All sprinkler systems required to be installed in certain residential
structures situate in North Strabane Township shall be inspected upon
the following occurrences:
A.Â
Upon any change in interest from and after the effective date of
this Part 5B, leasehold or ownership, the initial inspection being
at no cost to the owner of the premises.
B.Â
Every two years, for which there shall be a fee of $10 to cover administrative
costs and expenses for said inspection. Furthermore, the Board of
Supervisors may, from time to time, by resolution, adjust the aforesaid
inspection fee.
C.Â
The Chief of Police of the North Strabane Township Volunteer Fire
Department is the designated official by the North Strabane Township
Board of Supervisors to conduct the inspections required by this Part
5B. In his absence, the Chief shall designate a qualified individual
to conduct said inspections.
[Ord. 247, 6/4/1998, § 2]
It shall be the obligation of the owner of all property situate
in North Strabane Township in which is located a fire-suppression
or sprinkler system to register with the Township the existence of
the same and to provide notice to the Township of a change in occupancy,
leasehold or otherwise, or change in ownership.
[Ord. 247, 6/4/1998, § 3]
North Strabane Township shall provide forms for the purposes
set forth in this Part 5B, and the Board of Supervisors may, from
time to time, by resolution, promulgate the rules, regulations and
the adoption of said forms for purposes of this Part 5B.
[Ord. 247, 6/4/1998, § 4]
No owner or occupant of any real property located in North Strabane
Township, leasehold or otherwise, shall obtain an occupancy permit,
zoning permit or municipal lien letter without first obtaining a required
inspection as set forth herein and thereby paying all applicable fees
associated with the same.
[Ord. 247, 6/4/1998, § 5]
Should any sprinkler or fire-suppression system, having been
inspected as set forth herein, be deemed inoperative or defective,
the Township shall issue a notice to take corrective measures. All
corrective measures shall be applied to any occupancy or use of the
premises. The Fire Chief and the Township Manager shall make the determination
as to any corrective measures which are necessary. The same shall
be provided, in writing, to the owner of the premises within five
days of the date of inspection.
[Ord. 247, 6/4/1998, § 6]
Any person, firm, corporation, business entity, or any other
owner or occupant of whatever nature, of real property who violates
any provision of this Part 5B shall be fined a sum of $100 per day,
each day constituting a separate offense under this Part 5B. Without
limiting the foregoing, North Strabane Township shall have all powers
vested in it by the Second Class Township Code or any other laws of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or in law or in equity to seek any
and all relief, including but not limited to injunctive relief in
the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County, in order to prevent
occupancy of any building or structure when the owners of occupants
of which have not complied with this Part 5B.
