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.