[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township
of Butler 4-18-2022 by Ord. No. 918.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 176,
Fire Prevention, adopted 1-21-2019 by Ord. No. 908.
A certain document, one copy of which is on file in the Emergency Services Office and one copy of which is on file in the Zoning Office of Butler Township, being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, 2018 edition, as well as Appendix Chapters A through M of said code, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the Township of Butler in the State of Pennsylvania regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Fire Code on file in the office of the Township of Butler are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in the legislation, with additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 176-2 of this chapter.
A.
The following
use groups as defined by the International Building Code shall be
subject to annual fire prevention and life safety premises inspection:
(1)
Use
Group A — Assembly.
(2)
Use
Group B — Business.
(3)
Use
Group E — Education (applies to day cares only).
(4)
Use
Group M — Mercantile.
(5)
Use
Group R — Residential (R-1 and R-2, inspection applies only
to common entrances/exits, common lobbies and open areas).
(6)
Tents
and temporary structures 400 square feet or greater, erected for assembly
and other nonresidential events.
B.
The property
owner shall receive notification no less than 20 days prior to the
scheduled inspection date
C.
Fees for
annual fire prevention and life safety premises inspections shall
be contained in the Township Fee Resolution.
D.
A duly
authorized agent appointed by the Township shall conduct fire prevention
and life safety premises inspections. The inspection shall consist
of testing existing life safety appliances, verifying that routes
to emergency exits are obstacle-free, and ensuring that general fire
prevention practices are being observed.
E.
If the
Township's agent observes a nonfunctional appliance or condition requiring
correction, the property owner shall receive a written notice indicating
the findings of the inspection, including a statement advising of
the nonfunctional appliance or dangerous condition. A duplicate copy
shall be provided to the Township. A reinspection shall be scheduled
10 business days from the date of the written notice to verify that
corrections have been completed as required. A reinspection fee shall
apply.
F.
Upon successful
completion of the fire prevention and life safety premises inspection,
the property owner shall receive a certificate of approval signed
by the duly authorized agent that performed the inspection. The certificate
of approval shall be kept on premises until replaced by the following
year's certificate.
A.
Savings clause. Nothing in this chapter or in the Fire Code herein
adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding now pending
in any court, or any rights required, or liability incurred, or any
cause or causes of action accrued or existing, under any act or ordinance
repealed hereby. No right or remedy of any character shall be lost,
impaired or affected by this chapter.
B.
Short title. This chapter, together with the Fire Code adopted herein,
shall be known and may be cited as the "Fire Code of the Municipality."
C.
Enforcement. The code shall be enforced by the Director of Emergency
Services or his/her authorized representative or entity, or such other
persons as the Township Manager may designate.
Ordinance No. 908, adopted by the Board of Commissioners on
January 21, 2019, is hereby repealed.
This chapter and the rules, regulations, provisions, requirements,
orders and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect
and be in full force and effect from and after the date of its final
passage and adoption.