[Ord. No. 750,
§ I, 7-12-1976; Ord. No. 838, § 1, 9-8-1980; Ord.
No. 930, § 1, 4-8-1985; Ord. No. 1041, § 1, 8-13-1990; Ord.
No. 1051, § 1, 12-10-1990; Ord. No. 1123, § 1, 3-8-1993; Ord.
No. 1238, § 1, 9-8-1997; Ord. No. 1421, § 16, 5-10-2004]
(a) The Uniform Construction Code, contained in 34 Pa. Code, Chapters
401-405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted and incorporated
herein by reference as the Fire Prevention Code of Plymouth Township,
pursuant to the provisions of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act,
Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101-7210.1103, as amended
from time to time, and its regulations.
(b) The following documents are also incorporated by reference within
the provisions of the fire prevention code of Plymouth Township, Montgomery
County, Pennsylvania: The National Fire Codes of the National Fire
Protection Association, and its incorporated standards and codes,
as published, as well as all current editions and supplements and
future editions and supplements thereto.
(c) Section 101 of the National Fire Code, known as the "NFPA 101" (registered
trademark), also known as the "Code for Safety to Life from Fire in
Buildings and Structures," is hereby specifically adopted in its entirety
and made a part of the fire prevention code of the township.
(d) The International Fire Code, as amended from time to time, is hereby
specifically adopted in its entirety and made part of the Fire Prevention
Code of the Township. Additionally, Appendices C, D, I and K of the
International Fire Code, as amended from time to time, are also adopted
in its entirety and made part of the Fire Prevention Code of the Township.
If there is any conflict with the International Fire Code and the
Uniform Construction Code, the Uniform Construction Code prevails.
[Amended 3-9-2020 by Ord.
No. 1660; 9-14-2021 by Ord. No. 1672; 7-13-2022 by Ord. No. 1678]
(a)
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Prior to the issuance of an operational permit, pursuant to
Section 105.6 of the International Fire Code, each business shall
pay a fee, as specified in the Township fee schedule, and Plymouth
Township shall inspect each business.
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(e) Where there is a conflict between the Township Code, Sections
6-6 through
6-7.6, and the International Fire Code and its appendices, the Township Code shall apply.
[Added 9-14-2021 by Ord.
No. 1672]
[Ord. No. 750,
§ II(1), 7-12-1976; Ord. No. 990, § 1, 4-11-1988; Ord.
No. 1363, § 1, 10-9-2001]
No person shall kindle or maintain any bonfire, rubbish fire,
or any other type of open fire, or authorize any such fire to be kindled
or maintained on any private or public land at any time or for any
purpose except for the following:
(a) Any fire set to prevent or abate a fire hazard.
(b) Any fire set for the purpose of instructing personnel in fire fighting.
(c) Any fire set for the prevention and control of disease or pests when
recommended by the Montgomery County Department of Health.
(d) Any fire set solely for recreational or ceremonial purposes.
(e) Any fire set solely for cooking food.
Any permitted open fires, with the exception of subparagraph
(e) above, shall have the prior written approval of the Fire Marshal
and the Department of Environmental Protection.
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[Ord. No. 750,
§ II(2), 7-12-1976; Ord. No. 964, § 1, 2-9-1987]
(a) The fire marshal shall have the power to restrict and regulate the
parking of motor vehicles on all parking lots and in all driveway
areas adjacent to commercial buildings, multiple occupancy buildings,
or other buildings open to the general public, for the purpose of
providing and insuring proper egress by occupants and ingress of fire
equipment in case of fire.
(b) Upon determination by the fire marshal that a parking or driveway
area should at all times be kept free of parked vehicles for fire
protection purposes as set forth in paragraph (a) of this section,
such determination shall be recorded by the fire marshal in a book
maintained for that purpose in his office and the restricted area
shall thereafter be posted with signs clearly designating the applicable
parking restrictions.
(c) Whenever the fire marshal shall have caused parking restrictions
to be posted so as to give notice of the parking restrictions, violations
of such restrictions by the parking or standing of motor vehicles
in such restricted area shall be punishable by a fine of twenty dollars
($20.00) in addition to costs to be imposed upon the person violating
such restrictions in summary proceedings before a justice of the peace.
(d) Citations or parking tickets for violations of this section of the
fire code of the township shall be issued by the members of the township
police department, the fire marshal and deputy fire marshals.
[Ord. No. 750,
§ II(4), 7-12-1976; Ord. No. 883, § 1, 12-13-1982; Ord. No. 951, § 1, 5-12-1986]
(a) The owners of any building or structure shall, whenever the same
becomes vacant or unoccupied for any reason, remove therefrom all
papers or other combustible waste materials accumulated therein or
upon any part of the premises. All doors, windows or other openings
into such building or structures, whether man-made or resulting from
destruction by the elements, shall be kept closed and locked while
the building or structure remains unoccupied. In the event that windows,
doors or other openings are broken, or a breach is made in one or
more walls of the building or structure, they or it shall be immediately
replaced or boarded up in such a manner as will prevent entrance therethrough.
(b) Any building or structure which becomes uninhabitable due to damage
from fire and/or explosion shall, within one (1) year be removed or
be made habitable. During the period of time that said structure remains
vacant, the grounds shall be maintained by the owner.
[Ord. No. 750,
§ II(5)(a), 7-12-1976; Ord. No. 805, § 1, 11-13-1978; Ord. No. 1123, § 2, 3-8-1993; Ord. No. 1143, §§ 1, 2, 11-22-1993; Ord. No. 1176, §§ 1-3, 8-21-1995; Ord.
No. 1229, § 1, 5-12-1997]
Automatic sprinkler equipment, as defined herein, shall be installed
and maintained by a qualified sprinkler contractor throughout all
buildings hereafter erected. Excluded from this requirement shall
be the following:
(1) Temporary structures with planned use of one (1) year or less.
(2) Sheds, private detached garages as defined by the Plymouth Township
Zoning Ordinance No. 342, as amended, and other accessory buildings
not used for living purposes and not meeting the definition of medium
or high hazard use.
(3) Correctional and detention areas of buildings.
(4) Any structure not listed in Life Safety Code 101 and less than four
hundred (400) square feet of gross floor area.
(5) Single-family detached dwellings, which do not utilize truss construction,
including additions or alterations to single-family detached dwellings
which do not utilize truss construction.
[Ord. No. 750,
§ II(5)(b), 7-12-1976; Ord. No. 1123, § 3, 3-8-1993; Ord.
No. 1143, §§ 3, 4, 11-22-1993; Ord. No. 1292, § 1, 6-15-1999]
Automatic sprinkler equipment shall be installed and maintained
in:
(1) All existing cellars and basements having a floor area of two thousand
(2,000) square feet or more and used for the manufacture or sale of
Class A goods, wares or merchandise, or for the manufacture storage
or sale of Class B goods, wares or merchandise, or for the housing
of automobiles which is not divided from floor to underside of floor
above by one (1) or more fire-retardant partitions.
(2) Any new buildings hereafter constructed and any portion of an existing
building which undergoes alterations, renovations, or additions that
creates a floor area of five thousand (5,000) square feet or more
which is not divided from the floor to the underside of the floor
above or roof deck by one (1) or more fire-retardant portions.
[Ord. No. 951,
§ 2, 5-12-1986; Ord. No. 1027, § 1, 2-19-1990; Ord.
No. 1262, § 1, 5-11-1998; Ord. No. 1520, § 1, 5-11-2009]
(a) Registration and licensing required. Installation, alterations or
repairs of sprinkler and/or standpipe systems shall be made only by
a contractor registered and licensed to perform such work within Plymouth
Township by the Fire Marshal.
(b) Annual fee. The annual fee for contractors authorized to install
sprinkler, standpipe or alarm systems shall be as established from
time to time by resolution of Township Council.
(c) Insurance coverages. Contractors registered and licensed under sec.
6-7.1 of the Code shall provide insurance certificates as evidence
of comprehensive general liability coverage in amounts established
from time to time by resolution of Township Council, and proof of
worker's compensation coverage or an exemption from such coverage
in accordance with applicable laws.
[Ord. No. 1027, § 2, 2-19-1990; Ord. No. 1262, § 2, 5-11-1998]
(a) Sprinkler systems. The owner of any building or structure shall pay
an installation fee for sprinkler systems in accordance with a schedule
of fees established from time to time by resolution of Township Council.
(b) Alarm systems. The owner of any building or structure shall pay an
installation fee for alarm systems in accordance with a schedule of
fees established from time to time by resolution of Township Council.
(c) Fire alarm systems. Each company engaged in the business of the installation,
alteration, repair or monitoring of fire alarm systems shall pay an
annual fee as established from time to time by resolution of Township
Council.
(d) Third party independent sprinkler system and alarm system plan review.
The owner of any building or structure shall pay a fee for a third
party independent sprinkler system and/or alarm system plan review
on behalf of the Township as established from time to time by resolution
of Township Council.
[Ord. No. 1123, § 4(6-8), 3-8-1993]
(a) Definition and design standards. "Automatic sprinkler equipment/systems,"
as used in this chapter, shall be defined as a sprinkler system installed
in accordance with NFPA #13, "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler
Systems," and designed in accordance with, but not limited to, the
following NFPA Standards:
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#13 "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
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#231 "Standard for General Storage."
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#231C "Standard for Rack Storage of Materials."
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#13D "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler System in One-
and Two-Family Dwellings and Mobile Homes."
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#13R "Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems in
Residential Occupancies Up to and Including Four Stories in Height."
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The fire marshal shall determine the occupancy classification
and hazard group as per National Fire Protection Association standards
to be utilized in the design of each sprinkler system.
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(b) Requirements. All sprinkler systems shall:
(1)
Be designed by a qualified sprinkler design engineer or a licensed
fire protection engineer.
(2)
Be connected to an Underwriters Laboratories-listed central station service, as defined by NFPA Standard #71, "Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Signaling Systems for Central Station Service." The UL listing shall apply to all equipment utilized in the installation of the system as well as to the central station signaling agency. Conditions to be supervised include, but are not limited to, water flow, valve closure, high and low air pressure, temperature, pump running and pump power, as necessary. At the discretion of the fire marshal, a proprietary station signaling system, as defined by chapter
1-
4 of NFPA 72, "Standard for the Installation, Maintenance, and Use of Protective Signaling Systems," may be substituted for the central station system when it is deemed to offer an equivalent level of protection. Single- and two-family dwellings and mobile homes are exempt.
(3)
Have a water flow detection device installed on the sprinkler
system and so connected to the building alarm system that in the event
of water flow the building evacuation alarm shall be activated.
(4)
Have a three-inch female National Standard Thread (NST) for
all fire department connections on the outside of all new buildings.
(5)
Have any trash, laundry or incinerator chutes and rooms or access
areas within all new buildings equipped with a minimum of one (1)
sprinkler head per floor.
(c) Fire pumps. When necessary for adequate operating pressure, a fire
pump shall be installed. All design and installation of fire pump
systems shall be done in accordance with National Fire Protection
Association 20 "Standard for the Installation of Centrifugal Fire
Pumps."
(d) Standpipe components and hose cabinet assemblies. Standpipe components
and hose cabinet assemblies shall be listed by Underwriter Laboratories
and installed in accordance with the "Standard for the Installation
of Standpipe and Hose Systems" of the National Fire Protection Association
(NFPA 14) by a qualified sprinkler and standpipe contractor. The fire
marshal shall approve the design and installation of each such system,
and, in addition, each system shall:
(1)
Have 2 1/2-inch male National Standard Thread (NST) in
all new buildings.
(2)
Have the fire department connection installed at not more than
one hundred (100) feet from a fire hydrant on all new construction.
(e) Tamper alarms. All standpipe systems, both wet and dry, shall be
equipped with an audible tamper alarm on each and all hose cabinets
and valves on each level of the building.
(f) Inspection, care and maintenance. Inspection, care and maintenance
of sprinkler systems, standpipes, hose assemblies and all other water
base extinguishing systems shall be performed in compliance with National
Fire Protection Association Standard #25, "Standard for the Inspection,
Testing, and Maintenance of Water Based Extinguishing Systems." An
annual inspection and test of all sprinkler systems and standpipes,
excluding single- and two-family dwellings, shall be done, with full
flow of water as necessary, by a qualified sprinkler contractor and
a report of such test results shall be filed, with the fire marshal's
office not later than ten (10) business days after such test. Test
results shall be reported on a form specified by the fire marshal.
Notice of such annual tests shall be made in writing to the fire marshal
at least ten (10) business days prior to the date of such test and
the fire marshal shall witness such tests at his discretion.
(g) Approval and filing of plans. Plans for sprinkler systems shall be
approved by and filed in the fire marshal's office.
[Ord. No. 1123, § 5(6-10), 3-8-1993]
A water flow test shall be done within the six-month period
prior to the design of any proposed sprinkler system installation.
[Ord. No. 1123, § 6(6-8), 3-8-1993; Ord. No. 1143, § 6, 11-22-1993; Ord. No. 1176, § 4, 8-21-1995; Ord. No. 1229, § 2, 5-12-1997]
(a) Life Safety Code 101. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the requirements of sections
6-6 through
6-7.5 above shall govern whenever the aforesaid provisions are inconsistent with the provisions of the NFPA Life Safety Code 101 currently in effect and any subsequent editions and supplements thereto. Except as provided in section
6-6 through
6-7.5, automatic sprinkler equipment, as defined herein, need not be installed and/or maintained in any buildings heretofore erected, converted, substantially altered or installed. Buildings heretofore erected, converted, substantially altered or installed shall only be obligated to comply with township building and life safety codes in effect on the date of the issuance of permits for such erection, conversion, substantial alteration or installation.
(b) Effective date. Except as hereinafter provided, the requirements of sections
6-6 through
6-7.5 shall be effective thirty-one (31) days after the date of adoption. The requirements of sections
6-6 through
6-7.5 shall apply to single-family dwellings (attached or detached) erected after January 1, 1994.
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Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, after the effective date of this ordinance [Ordinance No. 1229], the requirements of sections 6-6 through 6-7.5 shall not apply to single-family detached dwellings which do not utilize truss construction, including additions or alterations to single-family detached dwellings which do not utilize truss construction, but shall continue to apply to single-family detached dwellings which do utilize truss construction, including additions or alterations to single-family detached dwellings which do utilize truss construction, and to single-family attached dwellings; semi-detached dwellings, multiple dwellings, two-family dwellings, townhouse dwellings, attached dwellings, triplex and quadriplex dwellings and all other forms of multiple-family dwellings.
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The following regulations for the operation of self-service
gasoline stations, in addition to those regulations of statewide application,
are adopted to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens
of Plymouth Township:
(a) Dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into motor vehicles
at self-service gasoline stations with ten (10) or less "positions"
available for the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into
motor vehicles is permitted when the following conditions are met:
(1) There is at least one (1) attendant on duty while the station is
open to the public. This attendant shall be required to remain within
fifteen (15) feet of the main power shut-off switch or switches at
all times when flammable or combustible liquid is being dispensed.
(2) Each pump island shall be equipped with a fire suppression system
which has been approved by the township fire marshal.
(3) Except as set forth in subsection (c) below, food may not be sold
at the service station, unless it is sold in vending machines.
(4) All pumps shall be made visible to the attendant on duty at all times
by means of optical or electronic devices, regardless of the nature
of the vehicle parked thereat.
(5) If the attendant on duty is stationed in a control booth or control
room, no gasoline may be dispensed when the attendant is outside of
that booth or room.
(b) Dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into motor vehicles
at self-service gasoline stations with more than ten (10) "positions"
available for the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into
motor vehicles is permitted when the conditions set forth in subparagraphs
(a)(1)—(5) are met, and the following additional conditions
are met: In addition to the attendant required to be on duty at all
times pursuant to subparagraph (a)(1) above, there shall be at least
one (1) attendant on duty at all times while the station is open to
the public for each additional ten (10) "positions" available for
the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids.
(c) A self-service gasoline station at which food is sold (other than
food sold in vending machines) shall comply with the regulations set
forth above, and in addition to the attendant or attendants required
to be on duty as set forth above shall employ an additional attendant
between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m.
(d) For the purpose of the regulations set forth above, the number of
"positions" shall be determined by the maximum number of motor vehicles
into which flammable or combustible liquid can be dispensed at any
one time. The number of positions shall not be determined by the number
of dispensing nozzles.
[Ord. No. 750,
§ II(7), 7-12-1976]
The use of charcoal grills, cookers, barbecues or other devices
utilizing charcoal or other combustible material for the purpose of
cooking, barbecuing, or otherwise preparing food out-of-doors shall
be prohibited except as ground level and shall in no event be utilized
closer than fifteen (15) feet to any multiple occupancy dwelling.
[Ord. No. 842,
§ 1, 10-13-1980; Ord. No. 966, § 1, 5-11-1987; Ord.
No. 1076, § 1, 6-10-1991]
(A) Definition. A solid fuel burning appliance is a device constructed
to burn coal, wood, or other solid fuels, manufactured for placement
within the living area of a structure, as contrasted with and differentiated
from the central heating system of a structure.
(B) Permit Required. A building permit shall be required for the installation
of a solid fuel burning appliance in any structure in Plymouth Township.
(C) Location Requirements. Except as to installations into an existing
fireplace, all solid fuel burning appliances shall be installed and
used not less than ten (10) feet from any exit door from the room
in which it is housed. Such appliance may be installed or used at
the base of a stairway or in a closet, pantry, or any other similar
type of confined space.
(D) N.F.P.A. Requirements. The provisions of the National Fire Protection Association's regulations pertaining to solid-fuel-burning appliances [Chapter
8 of NFPA 211] are hereby included by reference.
(F) Requirements for Masonry and Existing Chimneys.
(a)
Any masonry or existing chimney to be used for a solid fuel
burning appliance, including those to be installed into an existing
fireplace, shall be equipped with a flue liner which has been inspected
and is in good repair.
(b)
Any masonry or existing chimney to be used for such an appliance
shall not be connected in any way to any other type of ventilation,
or any other heat producing source.
(G) Penalties. Any person or persons, corporation or other business entity,
owner or lessee of any property in or on which a violation of this
section shall have taken place shall, upon conviction thereof before
a justice of the peace, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), plus the costs of prosecution, to
be collected as such fines and penalties are now by law collected
and, in the event of refusal to pay such fine and such costs as may
be imposed, the violator or chief officer thereof shall be sentenced
to imprisonment for a term not to exceed thirty (30) days. Each day
of violation after a notice to cease and desist such violation shall
constitute a separate offense, punishable upon conviction as set forth
herein. Prosecutions may be brought either by the building inspector,
the fire marshal, or any other member of the code enforcement department.
(H) Validity. The provisions of this section are severable, and if any
section, clause, sentence, part or provision hereof shall be held
to be illegal, invalid or unconstitutional by any court, such decision
of the court shall not effect or impair the remaining sections, clauses,
sentences, parts or provisions hereof.
[Ord. No. 750,
§ III, 7-12-1976]
Except as may be specifically otherwise provided in this chapter, any person, owner or lessee of any property in or on which a violation of the provisions of the fire code adopted by this chapter shall have taken place shall, upon conviction thereof before a justice of the peace, by subject to punishment as provided in section
1-9 of this Code of Ordinances. Prosecution may be brought by any police officer of this municipality or by the fire marshal or deputy fire marshals.
[Ord. No. 1174, § 1, 7-17-1995]
(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply for this section:
(1) Mercantile occupancies. Stores, markets, and other rooms, buildings,
or structures used for the display and/or sale of merchandise including,
but not limited to, supermarkets, department stores, drug stores,
auction rooms, shopping centers/malls, hardware stores, convenience
stores, video sales and rental stores, flea markets and craft centers,
building materials/supply centers, rental equipment centers and automobile
sales showrooms.
(2) Class A mercantile occupancies. All mercantile occupancies within
any building or structure having an aggregate gross area of more than
thirty thousand (30,000) square feet or utilizing more than three
(3) levels, excluding mezzanines for sales purposes.
(3) Class B mercantile occupancies. All mercantile occupancies within
any building or structure having more than three thousand (3,000)
square feet but less than thirty thousand (30,000) square feet aggregate
gross area, or utilizing floors above or below the street floor level
for sales purposes. Mezzanines shall be permitted.
(4) Class C mercantile occupancies. All mercantile occupancies within
any building or structure having less than three thousand (3,000)
square feet aggregate gross area used for sale purposes on one story
only, excluding mezzanines.
(b) Definitive identification of egress routes to exits:
(1) The owner and/or tenant of any portion of any building or structure
used and/or occupied for any Class A mercantile occupancies or Class
B mercantile occupancies shall provide definitive identification of
means of egress routes to exits from within the building or structure
including, but not limited to, the following:
a. Recognizable lanes of travel to each exit by the use of bright and/or
contrasting tape and/or floor covering different from floor covering
in adjacent areas.
b. Directional exit signs no higher than twelve (12) feet from the floor
and located in such a manner as to reasonably direct occupants to
an exit including a sign at every location where the exit route turns.
c. All interior finish behind an exit sign, if any, shall have contrasting
colors to the sign.
(2) In the event of the remodeling or reconfiguration of any mercantile
occupancies which affect the designated exit lanes and signage, the
owner and/or tenant of any portion of any building or structure used
and/or occupied for any Class A mercantile occupancies or Class B
mercantile occupancies shall establish the exit lanes and signage
as required herein.
(c) Fire marshal approval. The owner and/or tenant of any portion of
any building or structure used and/or occupied for any Class A mercantile
occupancies or Class B mercantile occupancies shall submit a plan(s)
of the exit lanes and signage required in this section for the prior
written approval of the township fire marshal.
(d) Retroactive compliance required. The provisions of this section shall
apply to any existing Class A mercantile occupancies and/or Class
B mercantile occupancies, but the owner and/or tenant of any portion
of any building or structure used and/or occupied for such occupancies
shall have one year from the effective date of this section to comply.
[Ord. No. 1175, § 1, 7-17-1995]
(a) Definitions. The following definitions shall apply for the section:
(1) Truss construction. A combination of members, such as beams, bars
and ties, usually arranged in triangular units to form a rigid framework
for supporting loads over a span of structural members that connect
together to span the space between the walls of the building to support
a vertical load.
(2) Truss emblem. A sign consisting of an isosceles triangle not less
than twelve (12) inches horizontally by six (6) inches vertically
made of reflective material with white as the background and red lettering
containing the following: "F" to signify a building or structure having
a floor with truss construction; "R" to signify a building or structure
having a roof with truss construction; or "FR" to signify a building
or structure having both a floor and roof with truss construction.
(b) Identification of truss construction.
(1) Except as provided in subparagraph (c) below, the owner of a building
or a structure containing truss construction in any form or manner
shall install and maintain a truss emblem to the left of the main
entrance and at a height of not less than five (5) feet above the
floor level. The truss emblem required under this section shall be
purchased from the Township at a cost determined from time to time
by resolution of Township Council.
(2) The owner and/or developer of a residential subdivision or residential
condominium shall install and maintain a truss emblem within the public
right-of-way or upon the common elements/area (in the case of a private
street or condominium) at each entrance to such subdivision or condominium.
(c) Exemption. Except for a nonresidential building or structure, the
owner of a building or a structure within a residential subdivision
or residential condominium referred to subparagraph (b)(2) above shall
be exempt from installing and maintaining a truss emblem. The owner
of any other single-family dwelling unit or semidetached dwelling
containing not more than two (2) dwelling units shall also be exempt
from installing and maintaining a truss emblem.
(d) Fire Marshal approval. The owner and/or developer of any building
or structure required to have a truss emblem under this section shall
submit a plan for such truss emblem as to design and location for
the prior written approval of the Township Fire Marshal.
(e) Retroactive compliance required. The provisions of this section shall
apply to the owners of existing buildings or structures having truss
construction, but such owners shall have one year from the effective
date of this section to comply.