[Adopted 4-11-1988 by Ord. No. 336]
When used in this article, the following words
and phrases shall, for the purpose of this article, have the meanings
given them by this section:
A device capable of sensing visible and invisible particles
or products of combustion and which, when activated thereby, provides
an audible alarm suitable to warn occupants, which device shall be
approved by the Underwriters Laboratory, Inc., or other comparable
testing agency.
Includes all buildings used for sleeping or lodging purposes,
including but not limited to single-family residences, multiple-family
dwellings, hotels, motels, mobile homes, rooming houses, apartment
houses, condominiums, townhouses, hospitals, institutional homes,
nursing homes, convalescent homes, halfway houses and rest homes.
A.
The installation of a minimum of one smoke detector
on each level of each dwelling unit is hereby required for all new
residential structures constructed subsequent to the effective date
of this article, including single-family detached dwellings and two-family
semidetached dwellings.
B.
Within six months of the effective date of this article or at the time of any change in ownership, whichever shall first occur, there shall be installed in all existing residential structures, as defined in § 83-9 above, a minimum of one smoke detector on each level of each dwelling unit.
C.
The manner of installation and the location of smoke
detectors shall be in accordance with the minimum standards of the
applicable provision of the National Fire Protection Association Standards,
as amended, or a plan approved by the Township Fire Marshal. For the
purposes of this section, a monitored battery supply unit is acceptable.
In each structure where a common hallway or passageway is used, smoke
detectors shall be installed therein, spaced not more than 50 feet
apart.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner
of each residential structure, condominium council or association,
where applicable, to maintain all smoke detectors in good working
order.
The Code Enforcement Officers and Fire Marshal
of Lower Providence Township may inspect all residential structures
required to install smoke detectors and may issue such orders as may
be required to ensure compliance with this article.
The removal or destruction of any smoke detector
equipment by the occupant of any dwelling unit of a residential structure
is a summary offense punishable by fine or imprisonment as provided
herein.
Any person, firm or corporation violating any
provision of this article shall be subject to a fine of not more than
$300 and imprisonment for not more than 30 days. Where the offense
charged is failure or refusal to install smoke detectors or failure
or refusal to maintain smoke detectors, each day of violation shall
be a separate offense punishable by fine or imprisonment as provided
herein.
