[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 1]
New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania hereby elects
to administrator and enforce 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.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 2]
The Uniform Construction Code, contained within Title 34, Pa.
Code, Chapters 401-405, as amended from time to time, is hereby adopted
and incorporated herein by reference as the municipal building code
for New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 3]
Administration and enforcement of the Code within New Britain
Township shall be undertaken, as determined by the Board of Supervisors
for New Britain Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, in accordance
with the regulations of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 4]
1.
Creation of Appeals Board. A Building Code Board of Appeals (hereinafter
"Appeals Board") is hereby established in conformity with the requirements
of the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S.
§§ 7210.101 — 7210.1103, § 501(c) and
Title 34 Pa. Code, § 403.121. The Appeals Board shall hear
and rule on appeals, requests for variances and requests for extensions
of time.
2.
Appointment of Members. The Appeals Board shall consist of three
members appointed by the Board of Supervisors as follows: one member
shall serve a three-year term, one member shall serve a two-year term
and one member shall serve a one-year term. After the initial appointments,
each new member shall serve for three years or until a successor has
been appointed.
3.
Qualifications of Members. The members of the Appeals Board shall,
in the discretion of the Board of Supervisors, be qualified by training
and experience to pass on matters pertaining to building construction.
Training and experience may consist of licensure as an architect or
engineer, experience in the construction industry, or training or
experience as an inspector or plan reviewer. No member of the Board
of Supervisors or any code inspector employed by the Township may
serve on the Appeals Board. If the Board of Supervisors is unable
to find a sufficient number of qualified individuals who reside within
the Township, it may appoint a qualified person who resides outside
of the Township to fill a position.
4.
Alternate Members. The Board of Supervisors shall appoint two alternate
members who shall be called by the Appeals Board Chairperson to hear
appeals in the event of the absence or disqualification of a member.
Alternate members shall possess the qualifications required for Board
membership and shall be appointed for five years or until a successor
has been appointed.
5.
Intergovernmental Cooperation. The Board of Supervisors is hereby
authorized to enter into an intergovernmental cooperation agreement
with one or more municipalities to create an Appeals Board.
6.
Chairperson and Secretary. The Appeals Board shall annually elect
one of its members to serve as Chairperson and Secretary. The Secretary
shall file a detailed record of all proceedings in the office of the
Township Manager.
7.
Disqualification of Member. A member of the Appeals Board shall not
hear an appeal in which that member has any personal, professional
or financial interest.
8.
Operation of Board of Appeals. The procedure for conduct of hearing
and notices of hearings shall be established by resolution of the
Board of Supervisors and shall be consistent with Pennsylvania law
and regulations of the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 5]
1.
All ordinances and/or resolutions, or parts thereof, which have previously
been adopted by New Britain Township on or before July 1, 1999, and
which are equal to or exceed the requirements of the Code shall remain
in full force and effect until such time as the provisions of these
ordinances fail to equal or exceed the minimum requirements of the
Code, as amended from time to time. These ordinance provisions, which
are here saved from repeal, include but are not limited to, Ordinance
99-06-01, adopted June 28, 1999, adopting the BOCA National Building
Code. Specific provisions of the BOCA National Building Code and of
Ordinance 99-06-01 which are stricter than those set forth in the
Uniform Construction Act, and which are saved from repeal include,
but are not limited to:
A.
1999 BOCA National Building Code § 107.6, Site Plan Requirements
which include the following regulations:
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Plot Plan. A plot plan drawn in an accurate scale of not less
than 30 feet to the inch and a plan size not less than 11 inches by
17 inches with all elevations established by the builder or owner's
engineer or land surveyor shall be submitted with every application
for a new residential dwelling building permit. The plan shall show
the size and location of all new construction and all existing structures
on the site, providing distances to lot lines and being drawn in accordance
with an accurate boundary line survey. The owner or builder, in filing
application for the new residential dwelling, shall submit to the
Township Engineer three copies of a plot plan, prepared by a registered
engineer or land surveyor with date and/or revision dates. In addition
to the data noted above, the plan shall show the following:
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(1)
The name of the person for whom the plan is being prepared,
together with lot number, tax parcel number and address, and reference
to an approved subdivision plan, if applicable.
(2)
Dimensions and bearings of lot, graphic scale and a North arrow.
(3)
An indication whether property corners are, or will be, marked
by stakes, monuments, etc.
(4)
Lot area in square feet and acreage.
(5)
Model name, building footprint, building area and impervious
surface area in square feet.
(6)
All easements, restrictions and surrounding properties and streets
shall be identified.
(7)
Type of zoning and applicable zoning criteria, including zoning
restriction lines indicating front yard(s), side yards and rear yard
and other applicable data.
(8)
Street cart way and rights-of-way, etc., shall be properly marked
with dimensions and related information.
(9)
Any encroachment into a required setback area or violations
of a zoning criteria.
(10)
Topographical site information indicating existing and proposed
contours at a contour interval of no less than two feet, based upon
a vertical datum to match approved subdivision plans.
(11)
Proposed basement, garage and first floor elevations.
(12)
The proposed method for collecting, storing and conveying stormwater
on and from the premises, including flow arrows and slopes, roof runoff
and sump pump discharge, etc.
(13)
Floodplain information.
(14)
Utilities within the lot and along the frontage of the lot,
including storm sewer, sanitary sewer and water mains, with all related
lot services.
(15)
Driveway slope and setback from property line.
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Confirmation Plan. After the building permit is issued, a confirmation
plan shall be filed immediately following the building foundation
construction to confirm the plot plan, or amend the plan, to the actual
basement, top of foundation walls, garage and first floor elevations.
The plan shall include locations, elevation, reference points or benchmarks
and dates signed and sealed by the registered engineer or land surveyor.
No framing shall be permitted until approval is granted.
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As-Constructed Plan. Prior to the issuance of a Certificate
of Occupancy, and as a condition for all new construction, an as-constructed
survey, with all details established in the plot plan shall be filed
with the Township Engineer, or designated official. The plan shall
indicate information based upon completed construction conditions.
Proposed conditions shall be modified to reflect as-constructed conditions.
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B.
1999 BOCA National Building Code § 904.1 BOCA which will
now replace § F903.2 of the International Building Code
and § 903.2 of the International Fire Code and reads as
follows:
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An automatic fire suppression system shall be installed in all
newly or reconstructed buildings and structures or additions to existing
buildings and structures in all of the following Building Use Groups:
A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, B, E, F-1, F-2, I-1, I-2, I-3, I-4, M, R-1, R-2,
R-3, R-4, S-1, S-2. Use Group H shall meet § 904.5 of this
Code and as per table § 904.12. All buildings and structures
shall be 100% covered and designed to meet NFPA 13, 1996 edition,
or as amended. Existing non-sprinklered buildings and structures shall
meet §§ 904.2 through 904.12, as amended, when their
BOCA Use Group changes.
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C.
1999 BOCA National Building Code §§ 904.5 and 904.12
2003 which will replace § 903.2.4 and Table 903.2.4.2 of
the International Building Code and § 903.2.4 and Table
903.2.4.2 of the International Fire Code.
D.
1999 BOCA National Building Code §§ 904.2 and 904.12
2003, which will now replace §§ F903.2.1 through F903.2.13
of the International Building Code and §§ F903.2.1
through F903.2.13 of the International Fire Code.
E.
1999 BOCA National Building Code § 904.4 which will now
replace § F903.2.2 of the International Building Code and
§ 903.2.2 of the International Fire Code. This section reads
as follows:
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Use Group E: An automatic fire suppression system shall be provided
throughout all buildings.
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F.
1999 BOCA National Building Code § 915.2.1 which will now
replace § F905.3.1 of the International Building Code and
§ 905.3.1 of the International Fire Code and shall change
"30 feet" to "eight feet" in both references of this section.
G.
1999 BOCA National Building Code § 3001.0 (General Code
Requirement) which shall add an additional section to the UCC which
reads as follows:
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§ 3001.4 - Size of Elevator Car. In all buildings
with elevators, size of car will be sufficient to handle one standard
ambulance litter as per § 403.8 of the 1999 BOCA National
Building Code.
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H.
1999 BOCA Fire Protection Code § F403.5 which will now
replace § F307.3 of the International Fire Code and will
read as follows:
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The location for any open burning shall not be less than 100
feet from any structure, and not less than 25 feet from any property
line or public right-of-way. All other outdoor burning shall require
the prior written approval of the Fire Marshal or designate.
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I.
1999 BOCA Fire Protection Code § F503.0 which will now
replace § 907.3.3 of the International Fire Code and add
a new section.
J.
1999 BOCA Fire Prevention Code § F503.1.1 which will now
appear as § 907.3.3 to the International Fire Code and read
as follows:
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Existing Buildings. An automatic fire detection system shall
be required in all occupancies in Use Groups A, B, E, F, H, I, M,
S, R-1 and R-2. Smoke detectors are required in all egress, access
corridors, hallway, stairways, lobbies, vestibules and telephone rooms.
All other areas of the building, including attic areas shall be equipped
with rate of rise heat detectors. All detectors in the system are
to be interlocked and coupled to a means of producing a visual and
audible alarm as per § 918.8.2 of the Building Code listed
in Chapter 44 of this Code. All fire alarm systems shall be installed
per NFPA 72, 1996 edition, or as amended, as listed in Chapter 44
of this Code. All fire alarm systems shall be monitored as per § 924.2
of the Building Code as listed in Chapter 44 of this Code.
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Exceptions:
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(1)
Sprinklered Buildings. This exception does not apply to Use
Groups I-2 and I-3, to High Hazard Use Groups in accordance with § 417.5.3
of the Building Code listed in Chapter 44, to special amusement buildings
in accordance with § 413.0 or to single-station smoke detectors
as required in § F503.4.
(2)
Existing Non-Sprinklered Buildings Under 5,000 Square Feet of
Total Floor Area. This exception shall include all floors and basement
areas within the building or structure. Buildings under 5,000 square
feet shall have 110 volt interconnected smoke alarms or heat detectors
spaced no more than 30 feet on center and at least one in each room.
All detectors will have battery backup. An exterior horn/strobe shall
be connected to the smoke detectors.
(3)
Existing Buildings With a Fire Alarm System and Sprinkler System. Existing building with fire alarms and sprinklers may meet exception of Subsection (1) above, only after the fire alarm system has been installed for at least five years.
(4)
Existing Non-Sprinklered R-1 and R-2. An automatic fire detection
system is not required in buildings that do not have interior corridors
serving guest rooms and apartments as their means of egress. These
building use groups will be required to met § F503.4 below:
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1999 BOCA Fire Protection Code § 918.8.2 which will
now appear as § 907.10 of the International Fire Code.
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NFPA 72, 1996 now NFPA 72 2002.
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Section 924.2 now § 907.15 of the International Fire
Code.
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K.
1999 BOCA Fire Protection Code § F506.1 which will now
change § 901.6 of the International Fire Code to add the
following sentence to the end:
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All fire suppression systems installed per NFPA 13-D, 1996 edition,
or as amended, shall be required to submit an inspection report to
the Township every two years so as to verify that the system is in
working order.
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L.
1999 BOCA Fire Protection Code § F701.3 which will now
change § 401.6 of the International Fire Code to read as
follows:
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§ F701.3, Street Numbers. The Township
shall have final authority as to the assignment of a street number,
or address for each structure. Each structure to which a street number
has been assigned by the Township shall have the appropriate number
displayed in a location and size as to be readily observed and readable
from the closet public right-of-way. All street numbers shall be in
Arabic characters at a minimum of six inches in height, and 1/2 inch
wide stroke. Structures that are set back more than 50 feet from the
public right-of-way shall have the assigned street numbers attached
to a post or mail box placed at the end of the driveway on the same
side of the road as the structure is located. These numbers shall
be at least four inches in height with 1/2 inch wide strokes, and
shall be placed on both sides of the post or mail box, at a minimum
height of three feet so as numbers can be seen by vehicles traveling
from either direction. All street numbers shall be illuminated when
possible, and shall be colored in contrast with the background upon
which the number is placed. No street numbers may be painted upon
any public curbs, streets, signs, posts or sidewalks, without prior
written approval of the Township. Any resident wishing to display
a street address upon the public curb line, may do so only with the
permission and in accordance with the instructions of the Fire Marshal's
office. All curb painting shall be in addition to the display of numbers
listed above. Any person(s) soliciting for curb painting shall first
obtain a Township soliciting permit, as well as prior approval of
the Fire Marshal. Commercial contractors may be required to produce
evidence of liability and Workers Compensation insurance coverage.
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M.
The 1998 International Mechanical Code § 903.3 which will
now change § 903.4 of the International Mechanical Code
2003 to require that wood chases surrounding factory-built-fireplaces
or chimney flues, shall be protected on the house side of the wood
chase with one hour rated sheet rock assembly, taped and finished,
as approved by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Material) in
order that no wood is exposed. This one-hour rating shall extend four
feet to each side of the wood chase.
N.
The 1998 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code § 120.1
which will add a General Requirement to the International Residential
Code 2003 to read as follows:
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Application. All dwellings built under this Code must have a
sprinkler system installed. All systems must meet at a minimum the
NFPA 13-D, 1996 edition, or as amended.
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O.
The 1998 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code § 120.1.1
which will add a General Requirement to the International Residential
Code 2003 to read as follows:
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One- and two-family dwellings that cannot be serviced by a public
water storage system shall install a pump and water storage system
in accordance with NAPA 13-D. If a separate pump and tank system is
required, the water storage tank must hold at least five minutes of
the required water supply. The remainder of the required water supply
may be supplied from the well tank and pump so long as the domestic
water automatically shuts off when the sprinkler system is activated.
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P.
The 1998 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code § 309.2
which will now change § R309.3 of the International Residential
Code 2003, to read as follows:
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The garage shall be separated from the residence, including
all interior and exterior walls and its ceiling or attic area by means
of minimum 5/8-inch type x gypsum board applied to the garage side
and fire taped.
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Q.
The 1998 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code § 316.2
which will now change § R313.1 of the International Residential
Code 2003, to add a new Subsection (4) which reads as follows:
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A heat detector must be installed in all attached garages. All
heat detectors must be interconnected with the 110-volt smoke detectors.
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R.
The 1998 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code § 703.2
which will now amend Table R703.4 of the International Residential
Code 2003, specifically column 4 (sheathing paper required) so that
all lines read "Yes."
S.
The 1998 International One/Two Family Dwelling Code § 1004.2.2
which will now change § 1004.5 of the International Residential
Code 2003, to require that wood chases surrounding factory-built-fireplaces
or chimney flues, shall be protected on the house side of the wood
chase one hour rated sheet rock assembly, taped and finished, as approved
by ASTM (American Society for Testing and Material) in order that
no wood is exposed. This one-hour rating shall extend four feet to
each side of the wood chase.
2.
All ordinances and/or resolutions, or parts thereof, which have previously
been adopted by New Britain Township that are in effect as of the
effective date of this ordinance and whose requirements are less than
the minimum requirements of the Code are hereby amended to conform
with the comparable provisions of the Code.
3.
All other ordinances, resolutions, regulations and policies of New
Britain Township not governed by the Code shall remain in full force
and effect.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 6]
1.
In accordance with the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act, Act 45
of 1999, 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101 — 7210.1103, § 503,
the following changes are made in the Uniform Construction Code:
B.
International Residential Code 2003:
(1)
Section R101.1 insert: "New Britain Township."
(2)
Section R301.2 insert:
(a)
Roof snow load: 30 pounds per square foot.
(b)
Wind speed: 80 miles per hour.
(c)
Seismic zone: 2a.
(d)
Weathering: severe.
(e)
Frost line depth: three-foot.
(f)
Termite: moderate to heavy.
(g)
Decay: slight to moderate.
(h)
Winter design temperature: 14.
(i)
Ice shield underlayment: yes.
(j)
Flood hazards: June 28, 1999.
(k)
Air freezing index: 640.
(l)
Mean annual temperature: 53.
(3)
Section P2603.6.1 insert: "36 inches" in two locations.
(4)
Section P3103.1 insert: "12 inches" in two locations.
2.
This Code may be further changed and/or modified, by the Board of
Supervisors of New Britain Township, in accordance with the Pennsylvania
Construction Code Act, Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101
— 7210.1103, § 530.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 7]
A Fee Schedule assessable by New Britain Township for the administration
and enforcement undertaken pursuant to the Part and the Code shall
be established by the Board of Supervisors of New Britain Township
by resolution, from time to time.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 8]
1.
In accordance with § 403.102(1) of Title 34, Pa. Code Part
XIV, Chapters 401-405, the following regulations set forth in the
Pennsylvania Code are amended as set forth below:
A.
34 Pa. Code § 403.82 is hereby amended to read as follows:
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A building code official shall follow the following procedures
if an inspection of an occupied building reveals a violation of the
Uniform Construction Code:
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(1)
A construction code official shall discuss the inspection results
with the permit holder at the completion of the inspection.
(2)
The building code official may issue a written notice of violations
to the permit holder. The notice is to contain a description of the
violations and an order requiring correction of the violations within
a reasonable period determined by the building code official. When
a violation relates to an unsafe building, structure or equipment,
a building code official shall act in accordance with § 403.84
(relating to unsafe building, structure or equipment).
(3)
After the compliance date contained in the order, the building
code official shall inspect the building, structure or equipment to
determine whether the violation was corrected. The building code official
shall close the order if the violation was corrected. The building
code official may issue an order to show cause under § 403.83
(relating to order to show cause/order to vacate) to the owner for
a violation that was not corrected.
B.
Section 403.43(g): delete the words "five years" and replace with
the words "three years."
C.
Section 403.43(h): The permit holder shall keep a copy of the permit
on the work site until the completion of the construction or the issuance
of a Use and Occupancy Permit, whichever comes later.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 9]
All other ordinances and/or resolutions or parts thereof which
are in conflict with this Part are hereby repealed.
[Ord. 04-06-01, 6/14/2004, § 10]
Nothing in this Part or in the Code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights acquired, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action acquired or existing, under any act or ordinance hereby repealed as cited in § 5-108 of this Part; nor shall any just or legal right of remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by this Part.
[Added by Ord. 2004-11-01, 11/8/2004]
1.
Pursuant to the requirements of this Part, which at § 5-105 saved from repeal, to the extent legally permissible, all provisions of the previous New Britain Township Building Codes, the following construction activities require building permits and compliance with Building Codes of New Britain Township as set forth in this Part:
A.
Construction of all attached carports and any residential accessory
buildings greater than or equal to 250 square feet;
B.
All basement alterations and renovations; and
C.
All residential roof repairs requiring structural changes. For the
purposes of this section, structural changes include all roof repairs
which require replacement of plywood. Replacement of only shingles
and roofing paper does not constitute a structural change.
