[Adopted 12-20-2000 by Ord. No. 00-9]
Certain documents, three copies of which are on file in the office of the Secretary of the Township of Towamencin, being marked and designated as the "International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2000 Edition," including Appendixes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, and K, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the code of the Township of Towamencin for regulating the design, construction, quality of materials, erection, installation, alteration, repair, location, relocation, replacement, addition to, use or maintenance of building, mechanical, plumbing and electrical systems in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses in the Township of Towamencin and providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms of such International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, 2000 edition, published by the International Code Council, on file in the office of the Township of Towamencin, are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this article, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes presented in § 62-2 of this article.
The following sections are hereby revised:
A.
Chapter 1.
(1)
Section R101.1, insert "Towamencin Township" for the name of jurisdiction. Further, insert last sentence as follows: "Towamencin Township is hereinafter referred to as `the Township.'"
(2)
Section R104.10.1, delete heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| 104.10.1 Areas prone to flooding. All construction activity within any floodplain area limits shall be regulated per the requirements of the Towamencin Township Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance[1] as well as the requirements of this code. |
(3)
Section R105.2, delete under the category entitled "building" section numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5.
(4)
Section R105.5, delete heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| 105.5 Expiration. Every permit issued by the Building Official under the provisions of this code shall expire by limitation and become null and void if the building or work authorized by such permit is not commenced within 180 days from the issue date of the permit, or if the building or work authorized by such permit is suspended or abandoned at any time after the work is commenced for a period of 180 days. Before work can resume a new permit shall be obtained to do so. If a permittee wishes to renew a permit that has expired due to suspended or abandoned work for more than 180 days, the permittee may apply in writing to the Building Official for a one-time renewal of the permit for 1/2 of the original permit fee. A permittee holding an unexpired permit in which work has not commenced may apply in writing to the Building Official for a one-time extension of 180 days provided that he can show good and satisfactory reasons, beyond his control, that the work cannot be commenced within the one-hundred-eighty-day period from the issue date. No additional fee is required for this one-time extension. In order to renew work on a permit after it has expired, the permittee shall pay a new full permit fee. |
(5)
Section R106.1.
(a)
Delete the first sentence of the first paragraph in its entirety and insert the following sentence: "Construction documents, special instructions, and structural observation programs and other data shall be submitted in two sets with each application for a permit."
(b)
Add the following sentence after the "exception" paragraph: "Construction drawings for an alteration, renovation, or addition onto an existing one- and two-family dwelling do not have to be prepared by a registered design professional so long as the drawings contain enough information for the Building Official to review per the requirements of this code."
(6)
Section R106.1.3, delete heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| 106.1.3 Information for construction and areas prone to flooding. For buildings and structures in flood hazard areas as established by the Flood Insurance Maps, construction documents shall include all requirements as outlined in the Towamencin Township Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and this code.[2] |
(7)
Section R108.3, add the following sentence after the paragraph: "The value of electric, plumbing, and HVAC work and equipment may be deducted from the value of the building permit fee if a separate electric, plumbing, or HVAC permit is required and obtained for the permit project."
(9)
Section R112, delete heading, section and all subsections in their entirety and insert the following:
| SECTION R112 | |
|---|---|
| MEANS OF APPEALS | |
| R112.1 Means of appeal. An appeal from any decision of the Building Official may be taken to the Board of Supervisors. Such appeal shall be made in writing, verified by an affidavit, within 10 days after such decision has been made, and shall be filed with the Township Secretary. The appellant or his representative shall have the right to appear and be heard by the Board. The Board shall render a prompt decision on such appeal. In making the decision, the Board may vary or modify any provision of this code, where there are practical difficulties in the way of executing the strict letter of the code, or to permit the use of innovative procedures or materials, provided that the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. Such variation or modification shall be the minimum necessary in order to grant relief. Every action of the Board on such appeals shall be by resolution, copies of which shall be certified to the Building Official and the appellant. The decision of the Board shall in such cases be final. |
(10)
Section R113.2, delete heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| R113.2 Notice of violation. The Building Official shall serve a notice of violation or order on the person responsible for the erection, construction, alteration, extension, repair, removal, use or occupancy of a building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code, or in violation of a detail statement or a plan approved thereunder, or in violation of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code. Such order shall direct the discontinuance of the illegal action or condition and the abatement of the violation within a period of 10 days from the date of notification, unless otherwise specified. In the event that the action or condition presents such a threat to the health, safety, or welfare of an individual or the community, the abatement period may be reduced by the Building Official. | ||
| If the notice of violation is not complied with promptly, the Building Official shall request the legal counsel of the Township to institute the appropriate proceeding at law or in equity to restrain, correct or abate such violation or to require the removal or termination of the unlawful use of the building or structure in violation of the provisions of this code or of the order or direction made pursuant thereto. | ||
(11)
Section R113.4, delete heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| R113.4 Violation penalties. Any person, partnership, firm or corporation who or which shall violate a provision of this code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements thereof or who or which shall use, erect, construct, alter or repair a building or structure in violation of an approved plan or of a directive of the Building Official, or of a permit or certificate issued under the provisions of this code, shall be liable to fines and penalties not exceeding $500.00, which fines and penalties may be collected by suit or summary proceeding brought in the name of the Township before any District Justice, or recovered as debts of a like amount are now by law recoverable. Proceedings for the violation of this code and for the collection of fines and penalties imposed thereby may be commenced by warrant, or by summons, at the discretion of the District Justice before whom the proceeding is begun. All fines and penalties collected for the violation of this code shall be paid over to the Township Treasury. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. | |
| The imposition of the penalties herein prescribed shall not preclude the legal counsel of the Township from instituting appropriate action to prevent unlawful construction or to restrain, correct or abate a violation, or to prevent illegal occupancy of a building, structure or premises or to stop an illegal act, conduct, business or use of a building or structure on or about any premises. |
C.
Chapter 3.
(1)
Table R301.2(1). The following design criteria is hereby added to the table and is part of this code:
| ROOF SNOW LOAD - 30 pounds per square foot. | |
| WIND PRESSURE (SPEED) - 90 mph. | |
| SEISMIC CONDITION - Zone D1. | |
| WEATHERING - Severe. | |
| FROST LINE DEPTH - 36 inches. | |
| TERMITE - Moderate to heavy. | |
| DECAY - Slight to moderate. | |
| WINTER DESIGN TEMPERATURE - 10. | |
| FLOOD HAZARDS - Per the requirements of the Towamencin Township Zoning Ordinance, Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance, and this code[4]. |
(2)
R301.2.4 Floodplain construction. In the "exception" paragraph, insert after the words "International Building Code," the words: "and the Towamencin Township Zoning and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinances."[5]
(3)
Section R302.1, delete heading and first paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| R302.1 Exterior walls. Exterior walls with a fire separation distance of less than 4 feet (1,524 mm) shall have not less than a two-hour fire-resistive masonry wall, as detailed in this section and Sections R321.1, R321.2.2, and R321.2.3. If both buildings on each side of the fire separation line are fully sprinklered per the requirements of NFPA 13, then the exterior walls can be constructed with no less than a one-hour fire-resistive rating with exposure from both sides. Projection shall not extend beyond the distance determined by the following two methods, whichever results in the lesser projections. |
(4)
Section R302.2, delete "3 feet (914 mm)" and replace with "4 feet (1219 mm)." Under the "exception" paragraph Subsection 1, insert prior to the period at the end of the sentence the following: "... provided that no opening is within 2 feet of the common firewall. The aggregate of all openings shall not be more than 25 percent of the total protected exterior wall required in Sections R302. 1 and 321.1."
(5)
Section R302.3, while retaining the "exception" paragraph, delete the main heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| R302.3 Penetrations. Penetrations located in the exterior wall of the dwelling with a fire separation distance less than 4 feet (1,524 mm) shall be protected in accordance with Section R321.3. |
(6)
Section R309.1, delete the second sentence in the first paragraph and insert the following: "Other openings between the garage and residence shall be equipped with a solid wood or honeycomb core steel doors not less than 13/8 inches (35 mm) thick which provides a minimum one-hour fire rating."
(7)
Section R309.2, delete the heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| R309.2 Separation required. The garage shall be separated from the residence and its attic area by not less than 5/8 inch (15.99 mm) Type X fire-rated drywall applied to the garage side. Where the separation is a floor-ceiling assembly, the floor-ceiling assembly as well as the structure supporting the separation also shall be protected by not less than 5/8 inch (15.99 mm) Type X fire-rated drywall. All beams, posts, or columns shall also be protected by a minimum one-hour rated enclosure of 5/8 inch (15.99 mm) Type X fire-rated drywall. |
(8)
R309.5 Flood hazard areas. Add new Subsection 3 to list at end of this section as follows:
| "3. Must meet the requirements of Towamencin Township Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision and Land Development Ordinance[6]." |
(9)
Section R321.1, delete heading and paragraph, including "exception" paragraph, in their entirety and insert the following:
| R321.1 Two-family dwellings. Adjoined dwelling units constructed under the provisions of this code, which adjoin other dwelling units, shall be completely separated from the adjacent dwelling unit with a two-hour fire-rated assembly. The vertical separation of all dwelling units shall be a two-hour-rated eight-inch-thick masonry firewall. The firewall shall be constructed from the foundation to the roof assembly as detailed in Sections R321.2.2 and R321.2.3. The common firewall shall also extend the full length of all attached elements of the buildings to include all enclosed areas and open roof structures. Any fire-rated floor-ceiling assembly shall also be constructed with a two-hour rating. The floor-ceiling assembly shall be constructed to extend and be tight against the exterior walls and firewalls and be rated from both sides. | |
| All dwelling units which share a common exterior wall along the same vertical plane shall be provided with a minimum one-hour-rated wall assembly for a distance of 4 feet on each side of the firewall. The wall shall be rated from both sides. If the exterior walls of the dwelling unit on each side of the firewall are offset from each other, than the offsets shall be constructed to provide the same two-hour rating as the firewall for a distance of 4 feet out from the common firewall, and the exterior wall will not need to be rated. If the offsets are less than 4 feet from the common firewall, the offsets shall be of the same two-hour rated construction as the firewalls and the exterior walls shall be provided with a one-hour rating for a distance of 4 feet as detailed in this section. | |
| Exception: If the dwelling units on each side of the fire-rated assembly are fully sprinklered per the requirements of NFPA13, then the vertical firewalls may be constructed with any approved noncombustible material, provided that no less than a two-hour-rated assembly is maintained. All floor-ceiling assemblies may be constructed as a one-hour-rated assembly. The one-hour-rated assembly shall be rated from both sides. The fire rating of the exterior walls and offset requirements detailed in this section shall not apply. |
(10)
Section R321.2, delete the heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| R321.2 Townhouses. Townhouses shall be constructed to meet the requirements of Section R321.1. |
(11)
Section R321.2.1, delete the heading and paragraph in its entirety and insert the following:
| "Reserved. See Sections R321.1, R321.2, R321.2.2, R321.2.3." |
(12)
R321.2.2 Parapets.
(a)
Delete the first paragraph and insert the following:
| R321.2.2 Parapets. Parapets constructed in accordance with Section R321.2.3 shall be provided for townhouses and all other dwelling units as an extension of the common firewall in accordance with the following: |
(b)
Include paragraphs 1 and 2 of the list, but delete the entire "exception" paragraph following list number 2 and replace with the following:
| "Exception: A parapet is not required in the two cases above when the roof is covered with an approved minimum C roof covering and the roof decking is of approved noncombustible materials, or of an approved two-hour-rated assembly for a distance of 4 feet out from each side of the firewall. If the dwelling units on each side of the firewall, including the attic space below the roof sheathing, or deck is fully sprinklered to meet the requirements of NFPA 13, then the requirements for parapets and this section shall not apply." |
(c)
Delete paragraph 3 of the list in its entirety and insert the following as new number 3: "If roof surfaces adjacent to the firewall are at different elevations, the common two-hour-rated firewall shall extend a minimum 30 inches above the lower roof. If the wall above the lower roof is more than 30 inches above the lower roof, the remaining wall above the initial thirty-inch firewall shall be permitted to be constructed of an approved one-hour-rated assembly to the underside of the upper roof provided that the wall is rated for one hour from both sides. If the dwelling units on both sides of the firewall, including the attic spaces below the roof sheathing, or decks are fully sprinklered to meet the requirements of NFPA 13, then the requirements of this section shall not apply."
(13)
R321.2.3 Parapet construction. Insert the following words after the first sentence in the first paragraph: "and Section R321.2.2."
(15)
Add new section R328, as follows:
| R328.1 Automatic sprinkler system. All structures over 5,000 square feet constructed under the provision of this code shall be equipped with an automatic residential sprinkler system to meet the requirements of NFPA 13. The square footage shall include the basement, living areas on all floor levels, garage, storage and mechanical areas. The sprinkler system shall be installed in all basement, attic, garage, living and storage areas of the building. |
Nothing in this article or in the code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action acquired or existing, under any act of ordinance hereby repealed by this article, nor shall any just or legal right or remedy of any character be lost.
