[Adopted 12-9-1957 by Ord. No. 356 (Ch. 1, Part 5C, of the 2006 Code
of Ordinances)]
No person, firm or corporation in possession of, or having control
of any building or premises in the Borough of Folcroft, shall permit
or allow therein or thereon any fire hazard or any installation, construction,
equipment, matter or thing which by reason of not being installed,
constructed or maintained according to recognized standards and practices
for the prevention of fire creates or produces a danger to persons
or property from fire.
[Amended 5-15-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04]
There is hereby created the office of Fire Marshal, whose duty
shall be to enforce this article and the performance of duties hereinafter
more fully set forth. It shall be the duty of the council of Folcroft
to designate a person to fill the said office. The Council shall designate
two persons as Assistant Fire Marshals to assist the Fire Marshal
in the performance of his duties and constitute, along with the Fire
Marshal, the Fire Prevention Board of the Borough of Folcroft.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original § 1-523, Authorized
Assistants, as amended, which immediately followed this section, was
repealed 5-15-2012 by Ord. No. 2012-04.
It shall be the duty of the Fire Marshal of the Borough of Folcroft
to enforce all laws and ordinances relating to the prevention of fires,
the storage and use of explosives and flammables; the installation
and maintenance of private fire alarm systems and fire-extinguishing
equipment; the maintenance and regulation of fire escapes; the means
and, adequacy of exit in case of fire from all buildings covered by
this article and other places in which persons work, or congregate
for any purpose; and to investigate the cause, origin and circumstances
of fires.
The Fire Marshal or his authorized representative shall not
less than twice yearly inspect all hazardous manufacturing processes,
storages or installation of gases, explosives and flammable materials,
all interior fire alarms and automatic sprinkler systems, and such
other hazards or appliances, as the Fire Marshal shall deem advisable
in the prevention of fire, and he shall make such orders as may be
necessary to make the aforesaid things or any of them comply with
recognized standards and practices for the prevention of fire.
Whenever said Fire Marshal, or his authorized representative,
shall find that in any building or upon any premises covered by this article,
combustible or explosive matter or dangerous accumulations of rubbish
or unnecessary accumulation of wastepaper, boxes, shavings, or any
highly flammable materials, and which is so situated as to endanger
property; or shall find obstructions to or on fire escapes, stairs,
passageways, doors or windows, liable to interfere with the operation
of the Fire Department or, egress of occupants in case of fire, he
shall order the same to be removed or remedied.
Whenever said Fire Marshal, or his authorized representative,
shall find any building or other structure covered by this article
which for want of repairs, lack of sufficient fire escapes, automatic
or other fire alarm apparatus or fire-extinguishing equipment, or
by reason of age, or dilapidated condition, or from any other cause,
is especially liable to fire, and which is so situated as to endanger
other property or the occupants thereof, and whenever such officer,
or his authorized representative shall find in any building covered
by this article combustible or explosive matter, or flammable conditions
dangerous to the safety of such building or the occupants thereof,
he shall order such dangerous conditions or material to be removed
or to be remedied in accordance with recognized standards and practices
for the prevention of fire.
The Fire Marshal shall keep a record of fires and of all facts
concerning the same, including statistics as to the extent of such
fires, time, damage caused thereby. All such records shall be public.
[Amended 11-21-2006 by Ord. No. 990]
Permits and/or licenses shall be required from the Fire Marshal
pursuant to this article to have, keep, store, use, manufacture, sell
and handle flammable material; and rubbish and to construct, operate
or maintain establishments hereinafter specified.
A.
A permit shall constitute permission to establish, maintain, store
or handle materials or conduct processes which produce conditions
hazardous to life or property. It shall be specific as to location,
conditions and materials covered. It shall not be transferable, and
any change in use or occupancy of premises shall require a new permit.
It shall be issued for an indefinite period with power to revoke it
at any time for failure to comply with regulations.
B.
A license shall be the authority issued by the Fire Marshal independently
or jointly with any other municipal authority for the conducting of
a business, trade occupation or calling for a definite period:
(1)
Transportation, storage or use of explosives.
(2)
Blasting.
(3)
Pyrotechnic displays.
(4)
Handling, storage, use or display of nitrocellulose film.
(5)
Storing and handling of pyroxylin plastic over 100 pounds.
(6)
Incinerators.
(7)
Any establishment or dwelling covered by the Pennsylvania fire and
panic laws.
(8)
Dwellings converted to apartments.
(9)
Apartments.
(10)
Storage or handling of calcium carbide exceeding 100 pounds.
(11)
Storage or handling of compressed and liquefied gases.
(12)
Garages.
(13)
Retailer dealer in flammable liquids.
(14)
Jobber in flammable liquids.
(15)
Use of flammable liquids.
(16)
Dry cleaning.
(17)
Storage of hazardous chemicals.
(18)
Refrigeration in excess of 20 pounds of refrigerant.
(19)
Storage and use of matches in excess of 60 matchman's gross.
(20)
Public garage.
(21)
Automobile tire rebuilding plants.
(22)
Storage of packing cases.
(23)
Bonfires.
(24)
Any other instance regulated by the International Fire Code
that requires a license and/or inspection.
[Amended by Ord. No. 544; by Ord. No. 648; 11-14-1994 by Ord. No. 873; 11-20-2001 by Ord. No. 945; 11-21-2006 by Ord. No. 990]
All permits and licenses required herein and by the provisions
hereof shall be obtained upon written application on a form to be
obtained from the Fire Marshal to be accompanied by a permit or license
fee in an amount as established from time to time by resolution of
Borough Council. A record of all applications and permits issued shall
be kept by the Fire Marshal and filed with the Borough Secretary immediately
upon completion of the inspection.
[Amended 11-21-2006 by Ord. No. 990]
The Fire Marshal shall receive compensation as established by
resolution of the Folcroft Borough Council.
[Amended 11-21-2006 by Ord. No. 990]
The "recognized standards and practices for the prevention of
fire" shall be held to mean the standard practices and requirements
set forth by the National Board of Fire Underwriters and the International
Fire Code; and as from time to time adopted by said Board.
The owner, occupant or person in charge of or managing any building
or premises covered by this article, shall forthwith after notice
from the Fire Marshal so to do, correct any condition in such building
or premises, so that the premises, building, processes or materials
shall be in such condition as to comply with the recognized standards
and practices for the prevention of fire.
The Fire Marshal or his authorized representative, shall not
solicit sales of any fire protective appliances in conjunction with
the enforcement of this article.
[Amended 11-21-2006 by Ord. No. 990]
The failure or neglect of any person responsible who does not
complete the annual inspection and/or pay the inspection fee, shall
be subject to such penalties as outlined from time to time by the
fee schedule resolution adopted by Borough Council.
