Every window, exterior door and basement hatchway or similar
devices shall be kept rodentproof and reasonably watertight and weathertight
and shall be kept in working condition and good repair.
A. During that portion of the year when there is a need for protection
against flying insects, every door opening directly from a dwelling
unit to outside space shall have supplied properly fitting screens
having at least 16 mesh and a self-closing device, and every window
or other device with openings to outdoor space used or intended to
be used for ventilation shall likewise be supplied with screens except
that such screens shall not be required during such period:
(1) In rooms deemed by the Secretary to be located high enough in the
upper stories of a building as to be free from such insects.
(2) In rooms located in areas of this commonwealth which are deemed by
the Secretary to have so few insects as to render screens unnecessary.
B. Every window located at or near ground level used or intended to
be used for ventilation and every other opening located at or near
ground level which might provide an entry for rodents shall be supplied
with an adequate screen or such other device as will effectively prevent
their entrance.
Every dwelling, multiple dwelling, rooming house or accessory
structure and the premises on which located shall be maintained so
as to prevent and eliminate rodent harborage.
All fences shall be maintained in good condition, and any wood
materials shall be protected against decay by use of paint or other
preservative. Wherever any egress from the dwelling opens into the
fenced area, there shall be a means of egress from the premises to
any public way adjacent thereto.
Accessory structures present or provided by the owner, agent
or tenant occupant on the premises of a dwelling shall be structurally
sound, be designed to prevent rodent harborage and be maintained in
good repair and free of vermin by the owner, agent or occupant, or
such structures shall be removed from the premises.
Every foundation, roof, floor, exterior and interior wall, ceiling
inside and outside stair, every porch, and every appurtenance thereto,
shall be safe to use and capable of supporting the loads that normal
use may cause to be placed thereon and shall be kept in sound condition
and good repair. Every inside and outside stair or step shall have
uniform risers and treads.
Every plumbing fixture and water and waste pipe shall be properly
installed and maintained in good sanitary working condition in compliance
with appropriate ordinances or regulations.
Every water closet compartment, bathroom and kitchen floor and
wall surface shall be constructed and maintained so as to be reasonably
impervious to water and so as to permit such floor to be easily kept
in a clean and sanitary condition.
Every plumbing fixture and pipe, every chimney, flue and smoke
pipe, and every other facility, piece of equipment or utility which
is present in a dwelling or dwelling unit or which is required under
this chapter shall be constructed and installed in conformance with
the appropriate statutes, ordinances and regulations.
No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility,
equipment or utility which is required under this chapter to be removed
from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling or
dwelling unit let or occupied by him, except for such temporary interruption
as may be necessary while actual repairs or alterations are in process
or during temporary emergencies when discontinuance of service is
approved by the Secretary.
All construction and materials, ways and means of egress and
installation and use of equipment shall conform to applicable state
and local laws dealing with fire protection.