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
Marshal or a designate of the Township of Muhlenberg 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 Township of Muhlenberg and shall contain keys to gain
necessary access as required by the Fire Departments. Location of
the key safe shall be approved by the Fire Marshal.
The key safe shall contain, but not be limited
to, the following items:
A. Keys to locked
points of ingress or 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; and
F. Keys to other
areas as so directed by the Fire Marshal or a designated alternate.
This article shall apply to:
A. A structure,
regardless of use or occupancy, containing six or more occupancies
within the same structure which use a common external exit access;
and
B. All occupancies
having or required to have a fire alarm or fire sprinkler fire-suppression
system.
This article shall not apply to any single or
duplex residential units; 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 within 12 months of this article's effective date. All
newly constructed structures covered by this article and not yet occupied
or structures currently under construction shall comply immediately.
Any person or firm violating any provision of
this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced to pay a
fine of not more than $1,000 and costs of prosecution and, in default
of payment of such fine and costs, to imprisonment for not more than
30 days. Each day that a violation continues after due notice has
been served shall be deemed a separate offense.