[Adopted 11-19-1996 by Ord. No. 779 (Ch. X, Part 5, of the 1993 Code of Ordinances)]
When rapid access to or within a structure or an area is unduly difficult because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving or firefighting purposes, the Fire Chief of the West Reading Fire Company No. 1 (the "Fire Company") may require a key safe or safes to be installed by the structure's owner or occupant at the owner's or occupant's sole cost and expense in an accessible location on the structure. The key safe or safes shall be of a type approved by the Fire Company and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the Fire Company. The location of the key safe system shall be approved by the Fire Chief.
The key safe shall contained, but not be limited to, the following items:
A. 
Keys to locked points of ingress and egress whether on the interior or exterior of the structure;
B. 
Keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms;
C. 
Keys to locked electrical rooms;
D. 
Keys to elevator controls;
E. 
Keys to fire alarm panels, devices and systems;
F. 
Keys to other areas as so directed by the Fire Chief or his designated agent.
This article shall apply to:
A. 
Structures, regardless of the use or occupancy, containing six or more occupancies within the same structure which uses a common external exit access; and
B. 
All occupancies having or required to have a fire alarm or fire sprinkler suppression system.
This article shall not apply to any single or duplex residential unit; however, it does not prohibit installation of a key safe if the owner or occupant so desires to provide a key safe for the respective residence.
All existing structures covered by this article shall comply with the terms and conditions contained herein within 12 months of the effective date of this article. All newly constructed structures covered by this article, not yet occupied, or structures currently under construction shall comply immediately.
[Amended 3-20-2018 by Ord. No. 1080]
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus court costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by summary conviction, or by proceedings by summons on default of the payment of the fine or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and committed to the Borough correctional facility for a period not exceeding 10 days or to the county correctional facility for a period not exceeding 30 days. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement under this section, the Borough may enforce this article in equity in the Court of Common Pleas of Berks County.