[1]
Editors Note: Former Part 1, Numbering of Buildings, of the
2004 Code of Ordinances, adopted by Ord. No. 10-15-85, 10/15/1985,
as amended, was repealed by A.O.
[Ord. 2017-02, 6/27/2017]
1.
The purpose of this Part is to protect and promote health, safety,
and welfare of the residents of the Township and particularly commercial
businesses.
2.
An ordinance is necessary to require certain commercial buildings
to install Knox-Boxes®.
3.
The benefits of installing Knox-Boxes® include providing immediate
emergency access to firefighters, leading to increasing Fire Department
efficiency; preventing costly forced entry damage and allowing undamaged
doors to be resecured after the Fire Department's emergency response;
and protecting private property, inventory, equipment, supplies and
preventing possible injury to firefighters and emergency responders
from forced entry into property.
[Ord. 2017-02, 6/27/2017]
1.
Knox-Box® Required for New Commercial Buildings. All new commercial
buildings shall have installed a Knox-Box®, of an Underwriters'
Laboratories (UL) type and size approved by the Township Fire Marshal,
in a location specified by the Township Code Enforcement Officer,
prior to the issuance of the permit to occupy.
2.
Knox-Box® Required for Existing Commercial Buildings with Improvements.
All existing commercial buildings constructing improvements that require
any land use or zoning approval shall have installed a Knox-Box®,
of an Underwriters' Laboratories (UL) type and size approved by the
Township Fire Marshal, in a location specified by the Township Code
Enforcement Officer, prior to the issuance of a construction permit
and/or certification of occupancy.
3.
Knox-Box® Required for Existing Commercial Buildings. All existing
commercial buildings equipped with automatic fire detection and/or
suppression systems shall have installed a Knox-Box®, of a UL
type and size approved by the Township Fire Marshal, in a location
specified by the Township Code Enforcement Officer, within six months
of the effective date of this Chapter.
4.
Knox-Box® Contents. All Knox-Boxes® shall contain labeled
keys, easily identifiable in the field, to provide access into the
property and/or building and to any locked areas within the said building
as the Township Fire Marshal may direct. Each key shall be labeled
with information to clearly identify the door(s) in which the key
is to be used (i.e., front door, side door, business name, unit number,
etc.). The operator of the building shall immediately notify the Fire
Marshal and/or Code Enforcement Officer if any key is changed and/or
rekeyed. The new key shall be provided to the Township, and the new
key shall be secured in the Knox-Box®.
[Amended by A.O.]
5.
Locked Gates of Driveways. Any locked gates of driveways which allow
access to a commercial business are required to place a Fire Department
access lock on the access point to allow immediate emergency access
to the commercial property. All locks are to be approved by the Township
Fire Marshal.
6.
The operator
of the building shall provide emergency contact information to the
Fire Marshal and/or Code Enforcement Officer on the forms prescribed
by the Township. Two emergency contacts shall be provided. Cards containing
the emergency contact information shall also be kept in the Knox-Box®.
[Added by A.O.]
7.
The operator
of the building shall notify the Fire Marshal if the Knox-Box®
purchased or installed is alarmed. The operator shall provide the
name and contact information of the alarm company to the Fire Marshal
and/or Code Enforcement Officer.
[Added by A.O.]
[Ord. 2017-02, 6/27/2017; as amended by A.O.]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provisions
of this Part shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought
before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of
Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable
by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs of prosecution. In default
of payment thereof, the defendant may be sentenced to imprisonment
for a term not exceeding 90 days. Each day or portion thereof that
such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute
a separate offense, and each section of this Part that is violated
shall also constitute a separate offense.
