Township of Cheltenham, PA Fire Prevention Code

Automatic sprinkler systems:

Shall be installed and maintained in all new buildings, except single-family detached dwellings and multiple-family dwellings having three or fewer living units, to include all combustible concealed spaces and attached garages.

Shall not be installed or maintained in the following occupancies:

[1]

Rooms or structures used for the manufacture, sale, storage or processing of aluminum powder, calcium carbide, calcium phosphide, metallic sodium, potassium quicklime, magnesium powder or chips, sodium peroxide or like substances to which the application of water will cause or increase the fire hazard; or

[2]

Any other location where the installation of sprinkler equipment may, in the opinion of an approved rating bureau and/or the Fire Marshal, increase the hazard to life or property.

(c)

Shall be installed and maintained where presently installed in any currently existing building other than single-family detached dwellings.

(d)

Shall be installed and maintained in all existing buildings, except single-family detached dwellings and multiple-family dwellings, when substantially damaged and reconstructed or to which a substantial addition or alteration is made.

(e)

Shall be installed and maintained in all existing buildings where there is a change in occupancy classification and use except to single-family dwelling.

All buildings with automatic sprinkler systems, except single-family dwellings, shall be inspected and certified as to proper working condition annually by a certified sprinkler company and the written report of said certification forwarded to the Township Fire Marshal within 30 days of the inspection.

Fire protection systems shall be installed and maintained in the following occupancies where the installation of sprinkler equipment may, in the opinion of an approved rating bureau and/or the Fire Marshal, increase the hazard to life or property, to include but not limited to:

Any other location where the installation of sprinkler equipment may, in the opinion of an approved rating bureau and/or the Fire Marshal, increase the hazard to life or property.

AC-powered smoke detectors.

AC-powered smoke detectors shall be installed or maintained in the following occupancies:

All newly constructed single-family dwellings.

All newly constructed multiple-dwelling buildings, health care institutions or buildings used for group habitation.

(c)

Any existing single-family dwelling when it is substantially altered.

(d)

Common areas of all buildings used in part or whole as multiple dwellings.

(e)

All areas of all existing buildings, single- and multiple-family homes, used in part or whole as group habitation, health care and family day-care homes.

Dormitory sleeping rooms may be a single station installation.

Automatic fire alarm systems shall be installed and maintained, complete with a standby power system, in all new and existing buildings used in whole or in part for group habitation and/or multiple-dwelling purposes and health care facilities.

Battery-powered single station smoke detectors.

Battery-powered single station smoke detectors shall be installed or maintained in all existing structures used as single-family dwellings when the dwelling is sold. The seller of the property shall be required to execute an affidavit stating that the property has been brought into compliance with this section and shall present this affidavit to the township when the seller completes the application for zoning and use certification required when property within the township is sold.

Smoke detectors shall be of a type which is approved, listed and labeled by a nationally recognized agency, installed and maintained in accordance with the provisions of NFPA 70, 72E and 74.

All property owners and associations of property owners shall comply with the provisions of this article for all single-family detached dwellings sold after December 31, 1987.

In all existing multiple-family dwellings where a multiple-family dwelling unit is held in the condominium form of ownership, it shall be the responsibility of the condominium owner to install and maintain the smoke detector(s), and when the property is sold, the seller of the condominium shall be required to execute an affidavit stating that the property has been brought into compliance with this section and shall present this affidavit to the township when the seller completes the application for zoning and use certification required when property within the township is sold.

Battery-powered single station smoke detectors shall be installed or maintained in any dwelling unit used in combination with a commercial occupancy whereby the common areas are protected by an AC-powered smoke detector system.

Heat detectors.

A minimum of one heat detector, interconnected to the building automatic fire alarm system, shall be installed in every dwelling unit of all multiple-dwelling buildings.

In dormitories, a heat detector shall be installed in each sleeping area and interconnected to the building automatic fire alarm system.

General regulations.

Mixed occupancy. Structures with more than one occupancy class shall be considered mixed occupancy and must comply with the most restrictive occupancy requirements.

Compliance requirements. Compliance with these regulations as they affect existing structures is required prior to May 19, 1989, with the exception of the requirement for heat detectors in multiple-family dwelling buildings, compliance with which is required prior to May 19, 1991. Compliance with the requirement for the supervision of manual and automatic fire alarms is required prior to October 1, 2005.

[Amended 6-21-2005 by Ord. No. 2090-05]

Location. Smoke detectors must be located in each sleeping area, except in apartments or condominium units, where they may be located in close proximity thereto.

(4)

Supervision. All sprinkler, AC-powered smoke detectors, fire protection systems, manual and automatic fire alarm systems shall be supervised. In buildings which are used in whole or in part for group habitation, health care or multiple-family occupancy, public, private and parochial schools, supervision shall be by means of an approved central station or municipal alarm center and automatically notify the Fire Department of a fire alarm.

[Amended 6-21-2005 by Ord. No. 2090-05]

(5)

Emergency exit signs. Wherever applicable codes require exit signs above exit doors on all new construction, this requirement shall include placement of approved signs six to eight inches from floor level to the left and right of the exit.

(6)

Recall elevators. All elevators in newly constructed buildings shall be equipped with recall and/or capture provisions and fire service and shall be connected to the building fire protection systems.

(7)

Door locks. Exit doors on fire towers, including doors at roof level, may be locked from the stairway side of the door if the following conditions are met:

The door is held in the locked position by an electrically energized fail-safe latch.

The electrically energized latch shall be interconnected with the building fire alarm system and/or automatic sprinkler system which, when activated, shall automatically release the power from the latches, thereby unlocking all doors.

(c)

Electrical power to energize fail-safe latches shall be supplied by a separate circuit without interconnection with exit signs or any other devices. The emergency electrical power in the building shall not be supplied to fail-safe latches.

(d)

A safety shall be provided in a location designated by the Fire Marshal which shall cut the power to the fail-safe latches when manually operated.

(8)

Elevator lobbies.

Each floor of an elevator-equipped building shall display a sign, at least four by four inches in size, above the call buttons, which shall read as follows: "In the event of a fire, do not use the elevators. Use closest stairway."

Each lobby area shall display a drawing or diagram indicating the lobby location together with the means and location of fire exits approved by the Fire Marshal.

(9)

Approved plans. Prior to installation, revision, addition or alteration of an approved automatic fire alarm system, automatic sprinkler system or fire protection system, the owner shall submit detailed plans to the Township Fire Marshal for review and to the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry when required by state statute prior to issuance of a permit.

(10)

Interior finish requirements. Interior finish requirements for buildings may be reduced by one class when the building is totally protected by an automatic sprinkler system.

(11)

Condominiums. If dwelling units are held by the condominium form of ownership, each unit owner shall be responsible for the installation of smoke detectors in his or her unit. The condominium unit owners' association shall be responsible for installation and maintenance of required automatic fire alarms in common areas.

(12)

Equivalent equipment shall be permitted with the approval of the Fire Marshal, State and Rating Bureau.

(13)

Interconnection. All sprinkler and automatic fire alarm systems shall be interconnected to all elevators, automatic door locks and protective signaling equipment.

(14)

Marking of fire towers. All fire towers shall be permanently marked with numbers or letters not less than six inches tall and a stroke of not less than 3/4 inch on the fire tower door as to the floor and, when applicable, ground level exit.

(15)

Building identification. All commercial and multiple-family occupancy buildings are required to display the numeric street address and English name of the establishment in numbers of not less than six inches tall with a stroke of not less than 3/4 inch, at both the front and rear of the building. In buildings with internal service corridors, all doors in the corridor shall be marked with the store name or description of the use of the area serviced by the door.

§ 151-19 Self-service station.

[Added 1-19-1988 by Ord. No. 1666]

Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

SELF-SERVICE STATION

That portion of a property and/or place of business where flammable or combustible liquids used as motor fuels are stored and subsequently dispensed from fixed equipment into the fuel tanks of motor vehicles by persons other than the service station attendant.

Dispensing devices.

Only approved special dispensing devices such as, but not limited to, coin-operated, card-operated and remote present types are permitted at service stations. Said devices must be designed for self-service use or have been modified in an approved manner for self-service use and are remotely controlled by equipment specifically approved for use with such special dispensing devices.

The use of control or dispensing equipment comprised of an assemblage of components which, as a complete unit, has not been approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory for the use intended is prohibited.

A control shall be provided that will permit the pump to operate only when a dispensing nozzle is removed from its bracket on the dispensing unit and manually actuated and that will stop the pump when returned to its bracket.

(4)

All devices will be conspicuously labeled as to the product to be dispensed.

Delivery nozzles. Hose nozzle valves of the automatic-closing type for dispensing flammable or combustible liquids into a fuel tank or into an approved container shall be provided and be of an approved type which is manually held open during the dispensing operation. The use of nozzles with hold-open latches is prohibited.

Supervision of dispensing.

There shall be at least one attendant or supervisor on duty while the station is open to the public. The primary function of the attendant or supervisor shall be to supervise, observe and control the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids. At all times during the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids, the attendant shall remain at the principle control location, that is, within arm's length of the remote control facilities. There shall be no dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids at any time when the attendant is outside the control booth or room. Where, in addition to the self-service operation, food is sold (other than vending machines), an additional attendant is required from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The dispensing operations shall, at all times, be in clear view of the attendant. Placing or permitting any obstacle between the dispensing operation and the attendant, so as to obstruct the view of the attendant, is prohibited.

The attendant shall prevent the dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids into portable containers which are not approved. The attendant shall control sources of ignition and immediately handle accidental spills and use fire extinguishers, if needed. The attendant shall notify the appropriate emergency agency in case of a fire, spill or other emergency. The attendant or supervisor on duty shall be mentally and physically capable of performing the functions and assuming the responsibility prescribed in this section.

Emergency controls.

Emergency controls, including the main power shutoff switch or switches, are required and shall be independent of the approved special dispensing devices and control equipment. Such controls and switches shall be installed at an accessible location not more than 15 feet from the principle control location of the attendant and not more than 100 feet from the furthest self-service dispensing device. Use of the emergency controls, including the main power shutoff switch or switches, to control the dispensing devices, in other than an emergency situation, is prohibited.

A list of emergency procedures and instructions shall be conspicuously posted in the immediate vicinity of the attendant's principle control location and include Fire Department notification procedures.

Communication system. A two-way voice communication system is required at each dispensing device island. Such communication system shall provide the person dispensing flammable or combustible liquids with hands-off direct voice communications with the attendant. The system must operate over a constantly operational open channel or circuit of adequate volume and clarity and also provide talk and listen capabilities for both the attendant and the person dispensing the flammable or combustible liquid.

Electrical requirements. Electrical equipment used in connection with Class I or Class II liquids shall conform to and be installed in accordance with applicable provisions of the National Electrical Code.

Warning signs. On each dispenser island there shall be conspicuously posted, in letters of at least one inch in height, the following warnings:

"Warning - it is unlawful to dispense gasoline into any portable container, unless the container is constructed of metal or approved by the Fire Marshal."

"No smoking."