Township of West Hanover, PA Chapter 103 Fire Prevention

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of West Hanover 4-15-2002 by Ord. No. 2002-3.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]

GENERAL REFERENCES

Fire Marshal — See Ch. 22.

Open burning — See Ch. 85.

Fire protection districts — See Ch. 105.

[1] Editor's Note: This ordinance superseded former Ch. 103, Fire Prevention, adopted 9-20-1999 by Ord. No. 1999-14.

§ 103-1 Adoption of International Fire Code.

[Amended 11-5-2007 by Ord. No. 2007-21]

A. West Hanover Township has by resolution and by Chapter 88[1] elected to administer and enforce the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, and its regulations, as amended from time to time.[2]

[1] Editor’s Note: See Ch. 88, Construction Codes, Uniform.

[2] Editor’s Note: See 35 P.S. § 7210.101 et seq.

B. The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pennsylvania Code, Chapters 401 through 405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated herein by reference as the Building Code of the Township of West Hanover, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.

C. A certain document, three copies of which are on file in the office of the Township Secretary of the Township of West Hanover, being marked and designated as “Uniform Construction Code,” as enacted by the State of Pennsylvania, be and is hereby adopted as the code of the Township of West Hanover for establishing a uniform construction code; uniform fire prevention code; imposing powers and duties on municipalities and the Department of Labor and Industry; providing for enforcement; imposing penalties; and making repeals; referred to, adopted and made part herein as if fully set out in this chapter, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any.

§ 103-2 Additions, insertions and changes.

The following sections are hereby revised as follows:

101.1

Title. Insert: "West Hanover Township."

Appendix B, Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings

[Added 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

Appendix C, Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution

[Added 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

Appendix D, Fire Apparatus Access Roads

[Added 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

Appendix I, Fire Protection Systems-Noncompliant Conditions

[Added 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

Appendix J, Emergency Responder Radio Coverages

[Added 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

§ 103-3 Annual testing of firesafety systems in nonresidential buildings.

[Added 4-4-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-05]

A. All fire alarm systems shall be tested annually in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) as amended from time to time, all manufacturers' recommendations, and the prevailing Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

B. All water-based fire-protection systems shall be tested annually in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 25 (Inspection, Testing, and Maintenance of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems) as amended from time to time, all manufacturers' recommendations, and the prevailing Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

C. All emergency illumination and exit signs shall be tested annually in accordance with National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 101 (Life Safety Code) as amended from time to time, all manufacturers' recommendations and the prevailing Uniform Construction Code (UCC).

D. All testing shall be documented and certified by an independent third-party agency or contractor qualified to conduct such testing. Certifications must be attached to testing documentation. (Appendix A)[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.

§ 103-4 Annual reporting of testing of firesafety systems in nonresidential buildings.

[Added 4-4-2011 by Ord. No. 2011-05]

A. The owner and/or operator of each and all nonresidential building(s) shall provide certification of testing performed as specified in § 103-3.

B. Certification must be submitted by December 1 of each calendar year for testing completed in that calendar year to the Township Codes Official with the pass/fail record of such testing. (Appendix A)[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Appendix A is included as an attachment to this chapter.

§ 103-4.1 Interference with Fire Department operations.

[Added 5-15-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-04]

A. It shall be unlawful to silence, reset or interfere with a fire alarm control panel, attempt to interfere with or conspire to interfere with the correct actual reading of a fire alarm control panel before Fire Department emergency responders arrive, or to interfere with, attempt to interfere with, or conspire to interfere with, obstruct or hamper with any Fire Department operation during active alarm situations and routine inspections.

B. Existing and new hotel/motel fire alarm control panels must be equipped with the notice sticker furnished by the Township Fire Marshal and installed by the Township Fire Marshal or his/her approved designee: "Silencing and/or resetting of fire alarm panel must be done by Fire Department personnel only. Resetting panel may result in criminal charges."

C. It shall be the responsibility of the legal property owner to inform his/her tenant of the requirements of this § 103-4.1, and the tenant must inform all employees, including but not limited to supervisors and managers, on duty of the requirements of this § 103-4.1. Failure to comply with this section by any party will result in a violation of this chapter and may result in criminal charges.

D. Violators are subject to penalties and fines per § 103-5 and may be subject to criminal charges.

§ 103-5 Violations and penalties.

Any person who shall violate any provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding $1,000. Each day that a violation continues beyond the date fixed for compliance shall constitute a separate offense. It is further provided that, upon judgment against any person by summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default of payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and committed to the county prison for a period not exceeding 30 days.

§ 103-6 Saving clause.

Nothing in this chapter or in the code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired or liability incurred, or any cause of action acquired or existing, nor shall any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.

§ 103-7 When effective.

[Added 5-3-2010 by Ord. No. 2010-11]

The Secretary of West Hanover Township shall certify to the adoption of this Ord. No. 2010-11 and cause the same to be published as required by law, and this Ord. No. 2010-11 shall take full force and effect immediately upon final passage and approval.