[Adopted 2-19-2001 by Ord. No. 2001-300]
This ordinance may be cited and shall be known
as the "Palmer Township Basic Fire Prevention Ordinance, Article III."
As used in this ordinance, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A box designed to contain building entrance keys and keys
to other areas of the building.
A.
Structures subject to the use of a key lock box system.
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at
or near the main entrance or such other location specified by the
Fire Commissioner:
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
(2)
All buildings within the Township that have an automatic
alarm and/or sprinkler system.
(3)
Any preexisting commercial or industrial building
or structures which have been approved for the construction of building
additions equal to or greater than 33% of the total square footage
of the structure prior to the construction of said addition.
(4)
Any other property determined by the Palmer Township
Fire Commissioner as being required to install a key box. Upon examination
of the physical condition and characteristics of any property and
upon notice in writing to the assessed owner and principal occupant,
the Fire Commissioner may further require a key lock box in a specific
location whenever access to or within a structure is unduly difficult
because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary
for lifesaving or firefighter purposes.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
B.
All newly constructed structures subject to this section
shall have the key lock box installed and operational before issuance
of a certificate of occupancy.
C.
The owner or operator of the structure required to
have a key lock box shall at all times keep a key in the lock box
that will allow access to the structures.
D.
The Fire Commissioner shall designate the type of
key lock box to be implemented within the Township and shall have
the authority to require all structures to use the designated system.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
E.
Owners or operators of controlled vehicle parking
areas which use mechanical parking gates to control motor vehicle
ingress and egress shall install and maintain emergency override control
devices on each gate. Said device shall be a master-key-operated-type
switch approved by the Fire Commissioner of the Township of Palmer.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
F.
All costs associated with the purchase and installation
of the key lock box system shall be the responsibility of the owner
of the premises.
G.
All buildings equipped with elevators shall install
a key lock box system. The building owner/manager shall provide two
sets of keys for entry to the building and all portions of the premises
and two sets of elevator control keys if elevators are equipped with
bypass switches.
H.
Except as otherwise noted herein, the provisions of
this ordinance shall not apply to structures completed before the
adoption of this ordinance.
A.
Any property protected by an on-site twenty-four-hour
seven-day-a-week security guard service or maintenance personnel shall
be exempt.
B.
All residential properties, including apartments of
two stories or less, shall be exempt.
C.
Any commercial or industrial structures constructed
prior to the adoption of this ordinance shall be exempt.
A.
Key box contents:
(1)
Keys to locked points of egress, whether on interior
or exterior of such buildings;
(2)
Keys to the locked mechanical rooms;
(3)
Keys to the locked elevator rooms;
(4)
Keys to the elevator controls;
(5)
Keys to any fence or secured areas;
(6)
Keys to any other areas as directed by the Fire Commissioner;
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
(7)
A floor plan of the rooms within the building.
B.
Key box types specifications. The key lock box shall
be approved by the Fire Commissioner of Palmer Township, along with
the location for installation.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
A.
Recordkeeping. The Fire Commissioner shall record
pertinent data regarding each property protected by a key lock box.
The Fire Commissioner shall include whatever information is necessary
for recordkeeping purposes.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
B.
Registration fee. There shall be a twenty-five-dollar
registration fee when a lock box is initially installed.
C.
The Fire Department shall be in complete control of
the key lock box system authorization and operation. Each key lock
box system shall utilize approved signatures from the Fire Department
for the release of keys and all lock products from the manufacturer.
D.
Notification. If locks are changed at any location
with the key lock box system, the Fire Commissioner shall be notified
immediately.
[Amended 8-21-2006 by Ord. No. 2006-365]
E.
Enforceability. This ordinance may be enforced by
the Palmer Township Fire Department and/or Palmer Township Code Enforcement
Officer.
Any violation of this ordinance is a summary
offense and carries with it a fine of $500 and shall be enforced in
the manner and by the procedure established by 53 P.S. § 1601(C.1)(2).
All ordinances or resolutions or parts of ordinances
or resolutions, in so far as they are inconsistent herewith, be and
the same they are hereby repealed.
