The Code of Ordinances of Newtown Borough, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, is amended by adoption of the 2021 International Fire Code, including all referenced standards, subject to the amendments which follow herein, to be known as the "Fire Code of Newtown Borough."
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Newtown as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-17-2025 by Ord. No. 808[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Art. I, Adoption of Standards; Inspections, adopted 10-10-2023 by Ord. No. 794.
A.
This chapter shall not apply to new construction that is otherwise regulated or under construction through permits issued under the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code and the International Codes which are mandatorily adopted by the Newtown Borough thereunder (collectively the "UCC").
B.
To the extent of any conflict between the provisions of the UCC (including, without limitation, the International Fire Code to the extent the International Fire Code is referenced by the International Building Code), the provisions of the UCC shall apply.
A.
Section 101.1. Insert: "Newtown Borough, Bucks County."
B.
The provisions of Section 103.2 shall be amended so as to read as follows:
"The fire code official shall be appointed by the fire chief; and the fire code official 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."
C.
Permits. The provisions of Section 105 are herein amended so that the provisions of Subsection 105.1.2 shall read as follows:
Types of permits. There shall be four types of permits as follows:
1. | Operational permit. An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required by Section 105.6 for either: | |
1.1. | A prescribed period. | |
1.2.1.2. | Until renewed or revoked. | |
2. | Construction permit. A construction permit allows the applicant to install or modify systems and equipment for which a permit is required by Section 105.7. | |
3. | Annual fire safety inspection permit. An annual fire safety inspection permit will be required on all properties that are referred to in the Fire Code. The annual fire safety inspection will ensure that the buildings that receive a fire safety inspection are in compliance with the Fire Code. | |
4. | Use and occupancy permit. A use and occupancy permit would be under the Fire Code when no other building permit would be required for the business to commence operations. This would ensure the business would be in compliance with all fire safety issues. | |
D.
Board of Appeals. The provisions of Section 109 shall be amended to read as follows:
109.1. Board of Appeals established. Any appeals of orders, decisions or determinations made by the Fire Code Official relative to the application and interpretation of this code shall be heard by the Board of Appeals established by the Borough through the Borough Code of Ordinances, at Chapter 260, Construction Codes, Uniform. The fire code official shall be an ex officio member of said Board but shall not have a vote on any matter before the Board. The rules of procedure shall be those rules adopted by the Board of Appeals, and the Board of Appeals shall render all decisions and findings in writing to the appellant with a duplicate copy to the Fire Code Official. |
109.2. Limitations on authority. An application for appeal shall be based on a claim that the intent of this code or the rules legally adopted hereunder have been incorrectly interpreted, the provisions of this code do not fully apply, or an equivalent method of protection or safety is proposed. The Board shall not have authority to waive requirements of this code. |
109.3. Qualifications. The Board of Appeals shall consist of the members of the existing Board of Appeals, created through Borough Code of Ordinances, Chapter 260, Construction Codes, Uniform, and the Fire Code Official as an ex officio member. |
E.
Section 112.4. - Insert: "Summary", "not to exceed $1,000" and "30 days".
F.
A new Section 503.7 is added as follows:
Enforcement authority. The Borough Fire Official, Borough firefighters, and the Borough Police Department have the authority to enforce and issue citations for violations of the "no parking, stopping, or standing" provisions of this section."
G.
The provisions of Section 507.5.1 shall be amended so as to read as follows:
Where required. Fire hydrants shall be provided in sufficient number and be located in a manner that will enable the required fire flow to be delivered through hose lines to any important structure. Fire hydrant locations shall be determined by the fire code official, but in no case shall a hydrant be located in excess of 500 feet from an important structure on a street or road, or 300 feet from any portion of the exterior of a building, or greater than 100 feet from a Fire Department connection. All exceptions noted in this section are deleted.
H.
Section 1103.5.3. - Insert: "by January 1st, 2026".
I.
Explosives and fireworks. The provisions of Chapter 56, Subsection 5601.2.4, Financial responsibility, shall be amended so as to read as follows:
"Before a permit is issued, as required by Section 5601.2, the applicant shall file with the Borough a corporate surety bond in the principal sum of $2,000,000, or a public liability insurance policy for the same amount in favor of the Borough, as it relates to blasting, and a specific second certificate of insurance naming the as an additional insured, with a specific reference to the blasting activities, for the purpose of the payment of damages to persons or property that arise from or caused by the conduct of any act authorized by the permit upon which any judicial judgment results. The fire code official is authorized to specify a greater or lesser amount when, in his or her opinion, conditions at the location of use indicate a greater or lesser amount is required. Government entities shall be exempt from this bond requirement."
J.
Notification. The provisions of Section 5601.6 shall be amended as follows:
Section 5601.6 Notification. Whenever a new explosive material storage or manufacturing site is established, including a temporary job site, the local law enforcement agency, fire department, and local emergency planning committee shall be notified 48 hours in advance, not including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, of the type, quantity, and location of explosive materials at the site. Prior to the issuance of the blasting permit, the applicant shall notify all property owners within 500 feet of the blast-affected area, this notification shall be done five working days prior to the blasting activities by certified mail, return receipt requested. Issuance of the blasting permit may be withheld by the Emergency Services Department if the applicant fails to provide evidence of compliance with this code.
K.
Section 5704.2.9.6.1. Insert: "by January 1st, 2026".
L.
All geographic limits referred to in certain sections of the 2021 International Fire Code are to comply with the Newtown Borough Zoning Code.