[Adopted 11-12-2013 by Ord. No. 409 (Ch. 7, Part 5, of the 2010 Code of Ordinances)]
A program of firesafety and emergency equipment inspections is authorized for the following facilities located in the Borough of Chalfont: multifamily residential facilities, industrial facilities, commercial facilities, retail businesses, banks, and all other retail and wholesale facilities, educational and day-care facilities and places of worship.
The program will be a cooperative endeavor between the Borough and the community under the jurisdiction of the Fire Marshal for the Borough of Chalfont.
A. 
The firesafety and emergency equipment inspections shall be performed every two years in odd-numbered years, except in cases of new ownership/tenant, which will require a firesafety inspection along with the use and occupancy permit, and more frequently if, at the discretion of the Fire Marshal, such more-frequent inspection of a property or properties subject to this Article III is required. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to have said inspection performed.
B. 
The facilities will be evaluated in accordance with the 2009 International Fire Code, and/or any amendment or update thereof, during the inspections. Criteria for the inspections shall include, but need not be limited to:
(1) 
Fire-suppression and alarm systems.
(2) 
Means of egress.
(3) 
Fire Department access.
(4) 
Electric service and panels.
(5) 
Utility and storage areas.
(6) 
Room occupancy loads.
(7) 
Construction requirements for existing buildings in accordance with Chapter 46.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See Ch. 46, Construction Requirements for Existing Buildings, of the International Fire Code, 2009 Edition.
The fee for the firesafety and emergency equipment inspections shall be established and set forth in the Borough of Chalfont Fee Schedule for the year in which the inspection is occurring.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: The current Fee Schedule is on file in the Borough offices.
A Board of Appeals shall be established by resolution of the Borough Council in conformity with the requirements of the relevant provisions of the International Fire Code and for purposes set forth therein.
A. 
The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Borough of Chalfont Fire Marshal. 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 attorney's 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 section of this article that is violated shall 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 Bucks County.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
B. 
The imposition of any one penalty for any violation shall not excuse the violation or permit it to continue, and all persons who violate any of the provisions of this program shall be required to correct or remedy such violation or defect within a reasonable time period. When not otherwise specified, a separate offense shall be deemed committed each day during or on which a violation or noncompliance occurs or continues.
A. 
This firesafety and emergency equipment inspection program shall not be construed to affect the responsibility of any party owning, operating, or installing any equipment for damage to persons or property caused by any defect therein, nor shall the Borough be held as assuming any such liability by reason of an inspection or reinspection authorized herein, by reason of the permit issued as herein provided, or by reason of the approval or disapproval of any equipment authorized herein.
B. 
Nothing in this article shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding now pending in any court or any actions required, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action incurred or existing, under any act or ordinance repealed hereby. No right or remedy of any character shall be lost, impaired or affected by this article.