[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(1), 1-10-1983; Ord. No. 1289, § 1, 6-15-1999]
When used in this article, the following words and phrases shall,
for the purpose of this article, have the meanings given them by this
section:
(a)
Smoke detector is defined as a device capable of sensing visible
and invisible particles or products of combustion and which, when
activated thereby, provides an audible alarm suitable to warn occupants,
which device shall be approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, Inc.,
or other comparable testing agency.
(b)
Residential structure, as used herein, shall include all buildings used for sleeping or lodging purposes, including, but not limited to, multiple-family dwellings, hotels, motels, mobile homes, rooming houses, apartment houses, condominiums, townhouses, hospitals, institutional homes, nursing homes, convalescent homes, half-way houses, and rest homes. Single-family detached dwellings and two-family semi-detached dwellings in existence on February 11, 1983, are specifically excluded from all requirements of this article unless undergoing alterations, repairs and additions as outlined in section 6-22 below.
[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(2), 1-10-1983; Ord. No. 1289, § 2, 6-15-1999; Ord.
No. 1386, § 1, 8-12-2002]
(a)
Smoke detectors required. Smoke detectors shall be installed in each
sleeping room, outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate
vicinity of the bedrooms and on each additional story of the dwelling,
including basements and cellars, but not including crawl spaces and
uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels,
a smoke detector need be installed only on the upper level, provided
the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level,
except that if there is a door between levels, then a detector is
required on each level. All detectors shall be interconnected such
that the actuation of one alarm will actuate all the alarms in the
individual unit and shall provide an alarm which will be audible in
all sleeping areas. All detectors shall be approved and listed and
shall be installed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
(b)
Alterations, repairs and additions. When alterations, repairs or
additions requiring a permit occur, or when one or more sleeping rooms
are added or created in existing dwellings, the entire building shall
be provided with smoke detectors located as required for new dwellings;
the smoke detectors are not required to be interconnected unless other
remodeling considerations require removal of appropriate wall and
ceiling coverings to facilitate concealed interconnected wiring.
(c)
Power source. Required smoke detectors shall receive their primary
power from the building wiring when such wiring is served from a commercial
source, and when primary power is interrupted, shall receive power
from a battery. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting
switch other than those required for overcurrent protection. Smoke
detectors may be battery operated when installed in buildings without
commercial power.
[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(3), 1-10-1983]
It shall be the responsibility of the owner of each residential
structure, condominium council or association, where applicable, to
maintain all smoke detectors in good working order.
[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(4), 1-10-1983]
The owner of each residential structure shall, in the month
of January of each year, certify to the fire marshal that the required
maintenance has been performed on all detectors required in the owner's
dwelling units and structures and that said devices are in good working
condition as of the date of certification.
[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(5), 1-10-1983]
The code enforcement officers of Plymouth Township may inspect
all residential structures required to install smoke detectors and
may issue such orders as may be required to ensure compliance with
this article.
[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(6), 1-10-1983]
The removal or destruction of any smoke detector equipment by
the occupant of any dwelling unit of a residential structure is a
summary offense punishable by fine or imprisonment as provided herein.
[Ord. No. 889,
§ 1(7), 1-10-1983; Ord. No. 1000, § 3, 11-14-1988]
Whenever any person, firm or corporation has been notified by any of the duly authorized and constituted representatives of the township of the violation of any provision of this article, or by service of summons or prosecution, or in any other way that such a violation has been committed, each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense punishable as provided in Section 1-9(a) of this Code.
