[Added 1-23-2023 by Ord. No. 23-332]
A certain document, copies of which are on file in the office of the Fire Marshal of Montgomery Township, being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, 2018 Edition, including Appendix 1 and Chapters B, C, D, E, F (these are already adopted under the UCC adoption), as published by the International Code Council, be and is hereby adopted as the Fire Code of Montgomery Township, in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosion hazards arising from the 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 Fire Marshal are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if fully set out in this legislation, with the additions, insertions, deletions and changes, if any, prescribed in § 69-9.3 of this article.
A. 
This article shall not apply to new construction that is otherwise regulated or under construction through permits issues under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and the International Codes which are mandatorily adopted by the Township of Montgomery thereunder (collectively the "UCC").
B. 
To limit the extent of any conflicts between the provisions of the UCC (including, without limitation, the International Fire Code to the extent that the International Fire Code is referenced by the International Building Code), the provisions of the UCC shall apply.
The following sections are hereby revised:
A. 
Section 101.1. Insert: Montgomery Township, Montgomery County.
B. 
Section 103.1, General, shall be modified and read as follows:
Add: The Department of Fire Services (Prevention) is established within the jurisdiction and under the direction of the Fire Marshal/Fire Chief. The Fire Marshal/Fire Chief shall be in charge of the operation of this Department and its function shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of this code.
C. 
Section 103.2, Appointment, shall be deleted and the following language substituted:
Add: The Fire Marshal/Fire Chief position shall be filled as prescribed in the Code of the Township of Montgomery. The Fire Marshal/Fire Chief shall be appointed by the Montgomery Township Board of Supervisors, and the Fire Marshal/Fire Chief shall not be removed from office except for cause and after full opportunity to be heard on specific and relevant charges by and before the appointing authority. The Fire Marshal/Fire Chief will be the Township's Fire Code Official.
D. 
Sections 105, Permits, shall read as follows:
Add: The Fire Chief is authorized to issue operational permits subsequent to Life Safety and Fire Inspections.
E. 
Section 107, Inspections.
Add: The Fire Chief is authorized to appoint Fire Inspectors to conduct Life Safety and Fire Inspections in Montgomery Township. Appointed Fire Inspectors will meet the following minimum qualifications:
1.
Employee of Montgomery Township and the Montgomery Township Department of Fire Services.
2.
Possession of a valid Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry Uniform Construction Code Certification Card as a Fire Inspector.
3.
Nationally Certified Fire Inspector 1 NFPA 1031.
Add: The Fire Chief and appointed Fire Inspectors shall conduct Life Safety and Fire Inspections not less the one year since the occupancies last inspection. Additional inspections may be required based upon further investigation and/or information received.
Add: The Fire Chief is authorized to conduct Re-Tenant Inspections of new Tenant spaces of commercial occupancies when there is a change of ownership and/or tenant.
Add: Businesses are required to send their annual sprinkler, fire alarm and NFPA inspections report to the Fire Chief.
F. 
Section 110.4. Insert: Summary, not to exceed $1,000, 30 days.
Add: The Fire Chief and authorized Fire Inspectors may file Non-Traffic Summary Citations with the District Magistrate's Office for violations of a provision of this code.
G. 
Section 202 shall have the following definitions added:
FIRE MARSHAL
The Fire Marshal of Montgomery Township, who shall also be the Fire Chief and Fire Official as referred to in this code.
H. 
Section 307, Recreational fires.
Add: Homeowners shall have an annual site inspection completed by the Fire Code Official or Fire Inspector. The Fire Chief will issue a Recreational Fire Permission Letter that expires 12 months after date that letter is issued. Homeowner must comply with the requirements on the letter as well as this code.
I. 
Section 506, Lock Boxes.
Add: The key box shall be a Knox-Box®. The Knox-Box® will be installed at a location that is that is approved by the Fire Chief.