[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Economy 12-9-1980
as Ord. No. 227. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alarm systems — See Ch. 43.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 88.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
An audible signal indicating a fire condition.
A dwelling designed for or occupied exclusively as a residence for
two or more families, with separate housekeeping and cooking facilities for
each family.
Bedrooms or sleeping areas of a dwelling unit separated by use areas
other than bedrooms, such as a kitchen or a living room, or bedrooms or sleeping
areas located on separate floors in a structure containing two or more stories.
A building designed for or occupied exclusively as a residence for
only one family.
A device which detects visible or invisible particles of combustion.
A.
From and after the passage and effective date of this
chapter, every owner of a single-family dwelling and every owner of a multiple-family
dwelling shall install and maintain such smoke detectors as hereinafter provided.
B.
From and after the passage and effective date of this
chapter, all new single-family dwellings and multiple-family dwellings constructed
in the Borough of Economy shall have such smoke detectors installed as herein
provided, prior to occupancy. All presently existing multiple-family dwellings
situate within the Borough of Economy shall have such smoke detectors installed
as herein provided.
[Amended 2-10-1981 by Ord. No. 229]
C.
From and after the passage and effective date of this
chapter, any construction, reconstruction, alteration to living quarters or
addition to the living quarters of any single-family or multiple-family dwelling
of such scope, magnitude or type so as to require a building permit authorizing
such work shall cause the provisions of this chapter to take effect and become
applicable.
A.
Each smoke detector shall be capable of detecting abnormal
quantities of smoke that may occur in the dwelling and shall properly operate
in the normal environmental conditions of the dwelling.
B.
No smoke detector shall be installed unless the unit
bears the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or other similarly
nationally recognized testing and approval laboratory which maintains a periodic
follow-up review of the labeled devices to ensure compliance with the original
approval.
C.
Each detector shall cause the operation of an alarm which
shall be clearly audible in all bedroom areas over background noise levels
with all intervening doors closed. The audibility level must be met with all
usual night-operated household equipment, such as air conditioners and humidifiers,
in operation.
A.
Detector(s) shall be installed to protect each separate
sleeping area in any dwelling occupied by a single-family or in any mobile
home occupied by a single-family at a location between the bedrooms and other
use areas.
B.
Detector(s) shall be installed to protect inhabitants
of each dwelling unit in a multiple-family dwelling at a location between
the bedrooms and other use areas in the dwelling unit itself.
C.
The detector(s) shall be mounted in the ceiling and at
the central point between walls of the hallway or stairway, as the case may
be.
D.
A smoke detector installed at the head of stairs shall
be located as to ensure that smoke rising in that stairwell cannot be prevented
from reaching the detector by an intervening obstruction.
E.
The Fire Marshal, or other designee of the Fire Marshal,
shall be available for advice and to aid the property owners in the proper
installation of the above-mentioned detector(s).
A.
The Fire Marshal shall have the right to inspect the
installation of detector(s) required by this chapter in all new construction
of single-family dwellings and in all instances of construction, reconstruction,
alteration or addition to the living quarters of single-family dwellings of
such scope, magnitude or type so as to require a building permit authorizing
such work. Prior to any such inspection, at least 24 hours' prior notice,
in writing, shall be delivered personally to the property owner and/or tenant
advising of the date and time of the proposed inspection.
B.
The Fire Marshal shall have the right to inspect the
installation of detectors required by this chapter in all existing and newly
constructed multiple-family dwellings. Prior to any such inspection at least
24 hours' prior notice, in writing, shall be delivered personally to
the property owner and/or tenant, advising of the date and time of the proposed
inspection.
A.
If, after such inspection, it is determined that the
detectors were not installed according to the terms of this chapter, the owner
of a single-family dwelling shall have 30 days from the date of such determination
to properly comply with the provisions of this chapter. Failure to so comply
after the expiration of 30 days shall be deemed a violation of the chapter.
B.
In multiple-family dwellings, a determination that the
detector(s) were not installed according to the terms of this chapter shall
be deemed to be an immediate violation of this chapter.
A.
The Fire Marshal of Economy Borough shall enforce the
terms and provisions of this chapter.
A.
Any person,violating the provisions of this chapter shall,
upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a summary offense and be sentenced to
pay a fine of not more than $300, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default
of payment to undergo a term of confinement of not more than 90 days.
[Amended 2-10-1987 by Ord. No. 274]
B.
Each day's continuing violation shall be deemed
to be a separate and distinct offense.
