[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Eddystone 6-8-1981 by Ord. No. 465, approved 6-8-1981. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any device which automatically detects heat, smoke or other
products of combustion and actuates an alarm to alert and warn the
inhabitants of any building or structure described herein and which
has been approved by the Fire Marshal of the Borough of Eddystone.
A.
All owners of newly constructed buildings or structures or additions
thereto, which do not have an approved fire-suppression system therein,
shall install an approved automatic fire- and smoke-detecting device
therein as provided hereinafter before said building or structure
or addition thereto can be occupied and/or used for any purpose.
B.
All owners of existing buildings or structures which do not have
an approved fire-suppression system therein shall install an approved
automatic fire- and smoke-detecting device therein as provided hereinafter
within 60 days of the enactment of this chapter unless the Borough
Council of the Borough of Eddystone extends said period of time upon
written application of an owner. If the required device is not installed
within the required time limit, the Fire Marshal of the Borough of
Eddystone shall issue a written order requiring the building or structure
to be vacated and the use of said building or structure to cease forthwith.
C.
An approved automatic fire- and smoke-detecting device is hereby
required for each 5,000 square feet of floor area or portion thereof.
Said device shall be mounted on the ceiling or on a wall not more
than 12 inches from the ceiling at a point centrally located. When
activated, said device shall provide an audible alarm sufficient to
alert and warn the occupants within said five-thousand-square-foot
area or portion thereof.
A.
All owners of newly constructed single- or multiple-occupancy residential
buildings or structures, which do not have an approved fire-suppression
system therein, shall install an approved automatic fire- and smoke-detection
device therein as provided hereinafter prior to the issuance of a
certificate of occupancy permitting the occupancy of said building
or structure or any single-family residential unit therein.
B.
All owners of existing single- or multiple-occupancy rental residential
buildings or structures, which do not have an approved fire-suppression
system therein, shall install an approved automatic fire- and smoke-detection
device therein as provided hereinafter within 60 days of the enactment
of this chapter unless the Borough Council of the Borough of Eddystone
extends said period of time upon the written application of an owner.
C.
All owners of existing single-occupancy owner-occupied residential
buildings or structures, which do not have an approved fire-suppression
system therein, shall install an approved automatic fire- and smoke-detection
system therein as provided hereinafter whenever there is a change
in the legal ownership of said building or structure and prior to
the issuance of a certificate of occupancy permitting the occupancy
of said building or structure or whenever there is structural change
or repair at a cost of $1,000 or more, whichever occurs first.
D.
In each single-occupancy residential building or structure, there
shall be a minimum of one automatic fire- and smoke-detection device
per floor (a basement is considered a floor); and in each multiple-occupancy
residential building or structure, there shall be a minimum of one
automatic fire- and. smoke-detection device per dwelling unit and
basement therein.
E.
Each required automatic fire- and smoke-detection device shall be
mounted on the ceiling or on a wall not more than 12 inches from the
ceiling, at a point centrally located in a corridor or area giving
access to rooms used for sleeping, cooking and/or heating purposes.
F.
In a dwelling unit within a multiple-occupancy residential building
or structure, said device shall be centrally located on the ceiling
of the main room. Where sleeping rooms are on an upper level, said
device shall be placed at the center of the ceiling directly above
the stairway.
When activated, the automatic fire- and smoke-detection device
shall provide an audible alarm sufficient to alert and warn the occupants
of said building or structure or dwelling unit. Said audible alarm
shall provide a distinctive tone and shall not be used for any other
purpose than that of a fire alarm. It shall be located so as to be
effectively heard above all other sounds by all the occupants in every
occupied space within the building.
Upon the installation of a required automatic fire- and smoke-detection
device, and thereafter, the owner or occupant of any building or structure,
portion thereof or dwelling unit therein shall maintain said device
in proper operating condition at all times.
Any owner of any building or structure described hereinbefore
who desires an exemption from the provisions of this chapter shall
submit a written request to the Borough Council. Upon receipt of said
written request, a copy thereof shall be forwarded to the Fire Marshal
of the Borough of Eddystone for recommendation. If it is found that
the required fire- and smoke-detecting device is not required to protect
the public health, welfare and safety of the inhabitants of the Borough
of Eddystone, the Borough Council, with the consent of the Fire Marshal,
shall approve said exemption.
[Amended 1-9-1989 by Ord. No. 524, approved 1-9-1989]
Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this
chapter shall, upon conviction before any District Justice, be sentenced
to pay a fine not in excess of $1,000 and costs of prosecution and,
in default of the payment of such fine and costs, to be imprisoned
in the county jail for a period not in excess of 90 days. Each violation
of the provisions of this chapter and each day any violation exists
or continues shall constitute a separate offense.
