[Adopted 9-25-1997 by Ord. No. 1258 (Ch. 46, Art. II, of
the 1972 Code)]
[Amended 5-24-2001 by Ord. No. 1279]
This article applies to single-family and multifamily residential
structures and commercial, industrial and educational buildings with
a maximum of three stories in height.
In single-family and multifamily residential structures a combination
fire-protection sprinkler system shall be allowed. A combination fire-protection
system and domestic water system can utilize the same (common) water
service supply pipe to the premises so long as they meet NFPA-13 and
Philadelphia Suburban Water Company requirements.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Borough of Sharon Hill.
Any structure used for retail and service use which is intended
to service both regional and neighborhood customers.
Any structure used for light/limited industrial use in the
form of both industrial parks and individual industrial structures.
Occupancies where there are three or more living units, including
but not limited to apartment houses, convents and rectories within
the Borough. Schools and other public facilities.
An occupancy where a living unit is occupied by members of
one family, including occupancies of the same description where rooms
are rented.
For fire-protection purposes, an integrated system of underground
and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire-protection engineering
standards. The installation includes a water supply and/or connection
by underground piping to a city main. The portion of the sprinkler
system above ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically
designed piping installed in a building, structure or area, generally
overhead, and to which sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern.
The system includes a controlling valve and a device for activating
an alarm when the system is in operation. The system is usually activated
by heat from a fire and discharges water over the fire area. The sprinkler
system shall meet NFPA-13 specifications for sprinkler performance.
An occupancy where the living units are occupied by two separate
families with independent cooking, sleeping and bathroom facilities.
A.
All buildings and/or structures hereinafter constructed shall be
equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
B.
Plans of all proposed automatic fire-protection systems installations
shall first be approved by a certified fire-protection engineer and
then submitted to the Borough Fire Marshal for approval, prior to
the issuance of any building permit.
C.
Vacant or unoccupied buildings or portions thereof which now have
a sprinkler system shall be maintained in a workable condition at
all times.
D.
All buildings that are being renovated or modified for more than
50% of their value shall conform to the provisions of this article.
E.
All buildings that shall be converted from owner-occupied single-family
dwellings to single-family rental units or to multifamily dwellings
or increasing the number of dwelling units shall conform to the provisions
of this article.
[Amended 9-25-2003 by Ord. No. 1293]
A.
All sprinkler systems shall be installed in compliance with the applicable
sections of NFPA 13, 13-D or 13-R and any requirements imposed by
the Borough Fire Marshal.
B.
When an automatic sprinkler system is required by these regulations,
it shall be meant to require 100% complete coverage, except as specifically
allowed by exception of the Borough Fire Marshal and the Borough Engineer.
C.
A complete set of drawings showing the design, spacing and location
of all equipment as well as a listing of all hydraulic calculations
shall be submitted to the Borough Fire Marshal with approved engineer
seals, prior to the commencement of any work.
D.
A permit shall be obtained from the Borough Manager prior to the
commencement of any work.
It shall be the duty of the owner of each dwelling and/or building
to maintain the fire-protection system in proper operating condition
at all times as per NFPA 13.
A.
All systems, other than those contained in one- or two-family dwellings,
shall be flow-tested and inspected once a year by a certified fire-protection
engineer. A report on the system shall then be filed with the Borough
Fire Marshal.
B.
Occupancy by 10 persons or less.
(1)
All systems contained in single- and multiple-family dwellings where
occupancy does not exceed 10 persons shall be flow-tested and inspected
once every 18 months by a certified fire-protection engineer. A report
on the system shall then be filed with the Borough Fire Marshal.
C.
All systems in existence at the time of this section shall be tested
and inspected in compliance with the appropriate subsection of this
section.
The Borough Fire Marshal shall ensure proper compliance with
all sections of this article.
This article creates no legal liability to the Borough of Sharon
Hill other than to ensure that, at the time of inspection, the system
was present and functional.
Any person who shall be convicted of a violation of any of the
provisions of this article before any Magisterial District Judge shall
be sentenced to pay a maximum fine as provided from time to time by
state statute, together with costs of prosecution, or to imprisonment
in the county jail for a term not to exceed 30 days, or both.
