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Borough of Watsontown, PA
Northumberland County
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Code
New Laws (2) Index
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Scope. The provisions of this Part 7 shall govern the minimum firesafety facilities and equipment to be provided. All structures shall be constructed and maintained to prevent and avoid fire hazards, and in a manner conducive to firesafety. All firesafety facilities and equipment shall comply with the requirements herein prescribed insofar as they are applicable.
2. 
Responsibility. The owner of the structure shall provide and maintain such firesafety facilities and equipment in compliance with these requirements and the Fire Prevention Code. A person shall not occupy as owner occupant or let to another for occupancy or use any premises which does not comply with the following requirements of this Part 7.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
General. A safe, continuous and unobstructed means of egress shall be provided from the interior of a structure to the exterior at a street, or to a yard, court, or passageway leading to a public open area at grade.
2. 
Direct Exit. Every dwelling unit or guest room shall have access directly to the outside or to an exit access corridor that leads directly to the outside.
3. 
Locked Doors. All doors in the required means of egress shall be readily openable from the inner side without the use of keys. Exits from dwelling units, hotel units, lodging houses, and dormitory units shall not lead through other such units, or through toilet rooms or bathrooms.
4. 
Fire Escapes. All required and all existing fire escapes shall be maintained in working condition and structurally sound.
5. 
Exit Signs. All exit signs shall be maintained illuminated and visible.
6. 
Dual Egress. Every residential building exceeding two stories in height above grade, not counting basements, shall be provided with not less than two approved independent exits from each floor above the second floor, fully accessible from each occupancy on the floor. Each residential building shall comply with applicable state firesafety and life safety codes and laws and with the Fire and Panic Act of the Commonwealth.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 1221 et seq.
7. 
Emergency Escape. Every sleeping room located in a basement shall have at least one openable window or exterior door approved for emergency egress or rescue; or shall have access to two approved independent exits.
8. 
Aisles. In all mercantile occupancies, the minimum clear aisle width shall be not less than 44 inches (1,118 mm); except that in occupancies with an occupant load of 50 or less, the clear aisle width shall be not less than 36 inches (914 mm).
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
Accumulations. Waste, refuse, or other materials shall not be allowed to accumulate in stairways, passageways, doors, windows, fire escapes, or other means of egress.
2. 
Flammable Matter. Highly flammable or explosive matter, such as paints, volatile oils and cleaning fluids, or combustible refuse, such as wastepaper, boxes and rags, shall not be accumulated or stored on residential premises except in reasonable quantities consistent with normal usage.
3. 
Residential Unit. A dwelling unit or rooming unit shall not be located within a structure containing an establishment handling dispensing or storing flammable liquids except as provided for by state law and local ordinances.
4. 
Nonresidential Structures. Nonresidential structures shall be permitted to store combustible or flammable materials, provided they are confined to approved storage areas and comply with applicable requirements of the Building and Fire Codes for the appropriate use group classification.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
General. Floors, walls, ceilings, and other elements and components required to develop a fire-resistance rating shall be maintained so that the respective fire-resistance rating of the enclosure, separation, or construction is preserved.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
General. All fire-protection systems and equipment shall be maintained in proper operating condition at all times.
2. 
Fire Alarms. Fire alarms and detecting systems shall be maintained and be suitable for their respective purposes.
3. 
Fire-Suppression System. Fire-suppression systems shall be maintained in good condition, free from mechanical injury. Sprinkler heads shall be maintained clean, free of corrosion and paint, and not bent or damaged.
4. 
Standpipe Systems. Hose stations shall be identified and accessible. The hose shall be in proper position, ready for operation, dry, and free of deterioration.
5. 
Fire Extinguishers. All portable fire extinguishers shall be visible and accessible, and maintained in an efficient and safe operating condition.
[Ord. 1988-1, 8/1/1988]
1. 
General. All required fire-resistance rated doors or smoke barriers shall be maintained in good working order, including all hardware necessary for the proper operation thereof. The use of door stops, wedges and other unapproved hold-open devices is prohibited.