[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Butler 4-18-2022 by Ord. No. 918.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 176, Fire Prevention, adopted 1-21-2019 by Ord. No. 908.
A certain document, one copy of which is on file in the Emergency Services Office and one copy of which is on file in the Zoning Office of Butler Township, being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, 2018 edition, as well as Appendix Chapters A through M of said code, as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of the Township of Butler in the State of Pennsylvania regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefor; and each and all of the regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of said Fire Code on file in the office of the Township of Butler are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in the legislation, with additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 176-2 of this chapter.
A. 
Insertions. The following sections are hereby inserted as follows:
(1) 
Section 101.1: Insert "Township of Butler."
(2) 
Section 109.4: Insert "summary offense, $1,000, 30 days."
(3) 
Section 111.4: Insert "shall be liable for a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000."
A. 
The following use groups as defined by the International Building Code shall be subject to annual fire prevention and life safety premises inspection:
(1) 
Use Group A — Assembly.
(2) 
Use Group B — Business.
(3) 
Use Group E — Education (applies to day cares only).
(4) 
Use Group M — Mercantile.
(5) 
Use Group R — Residential (R-1 and R-2, inspection applies only to common entrances/exits, common lobbies and open areas).
(6) 
Tents and temporary structures 400 square feet or greater, erected for assembly and other nonresidential events.
B. 
The property owner shall receive notification no less than 20 days prior to the scheduled inspection date
C. 
Fees for annual fire prevention and life safety premises inspections shall be contained in the Township Fee Resolution.
D. 
A duly authorized agent appointed by the Township shall conduct fire prevention and life safety premises inspections. The inspection shall consist of testing existing life safety appliances, verifying that routes to emergency exits are obstacle-free, and ensuring that general fire prevention practices are being observed.
E. 
If the Township's agent observes a nonfunctional appliance or condition requiring correction, the property owner shall receive a written notice indicating the findings of the inspection, including a statement advising of the nonfunctional appliance or dangerous condition. A duplicate copy shall be provided to the Township. A reinspection shall be scheduled 10 business days from the date of the written notice to verify that corrections have been completed as required. A reinspection fee shall apply.
F. 
Upon successful completion of the fire prevention and life safety premises inspection, the property owner shall receive a certificate of approval signed by the duly authorized agent that performed the inspection. The certificate of approval shall be kept on premises until replaced by the following year's certificate.
A. 
Savings clause. Nothing in this chapter or in the Fire Code herein adopted shall be construed to affect any suit or proceeding now pending in any court, or any rights required, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of action accrued or existing, under any act or ordinance repealed hereby. No right or remedy of any character shall be lost, impaired or affected by this chapter.
B. 
Short title. This chapter, together with the Fire Code adopted herein, shall be known and may be cited as the "Fire Code of the Municipality."
C. 
Enforcement. The code shall be enforced by the Director of Emergency Services or his/her authorized representative or entity, or such other persons as the Township Manager may designate.
Ordinance No. 908, adopted by the Board of Commissioners on January 21, 2019, is hereby repealed.
This chapter and the rules, regulations, provisions, requirements, orders and matters established and adopted hereby shall take effect and be in full force and effect from and after the date of its final passage and adoption.