[Adopted 9-20-1983 by Ord. No. 1570]
Whenever the following words are used in this article, they shall have the respective meanings as follows:
COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID
A liquid with a flash point at or above 100° F. to include Class II and Class III liquids such as but not limited to heating fuel and kerosene.
FLAMMABLE GAS
A gas which is customarily used for burning with air to produce heat, including but not limited to liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, propane and butane.
FLAMMABLE LIQUID
A liquid with a flash point below 100° F. to include Class I liquids such as but not limited to gasoline, alcohol and turpentine.
FLASH POINT OF A LIQUID
The temperature at which the liquid gives off vapor sufficient to form an ignitible mixture with the air.
A. 
The use of portable, unvented, heating devices which incorporate the use of an open flame and flammable gas is prohibited in all dwellings and buildings.
B. 
The use of portable, unvented, heating devices which incorporate the use of an open flame and are fueled by Class I, II or III flammable or combustible liquid is prohibited in all buildings with the following occupancy classifications:
(1) 
Assembly where the primary and intended use of any building or structure is for the purpose of assembly of persons for association, amusement, entertainment, education, instruction, worship, recreation, sports, transportation, military drilling, dining or similar purposes with admission either public or restricted.
(2) 
Educational where the primary and intended use of any building or structure or any part thereof is for the purpose of education, instruction or recreation, including auditoriums and gymnasiums.
(3) 
Group habitation in the following two classes:
(a) 
Buildings or structures where the occupants are under restraint or are physically or mentally handicapped or are partially or completely disabled; hospitals, sanatoriums, nursing, convalescent or rest homes, boarding homes for the aged, orphanages, jails, reformatories and houses of correction shall be included in this classification.
(b) 
The following buildings or structures where the occupants are not under restraint or limitation: hotels, apartments, apartment hotels, multiple dwellings [three or more families], dormitories, convents, monasteries, lodging houses, group homes and all habitable buildings, the construction and use of which is regulated by the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry.
(4) 
Working stage shall be a permanent stage, in connection with any occupancy, and which is used for theatrical, musical and like performances.
The use of portable heating devices which are unvented and incorporate the use of an open flame and are fueled by a Class I, II or III flammable or combustible liquid is permitted in buildings or structures where the primary use and intended use is for commercial, industrial, office or storage, provided that the protection required by this article is complied with as follows:
A. 
The heating unit shall meet all of the applicable standards promulgated by the National Fire Protection Association and must also be approved by and bear the label of Underwriters' Laboratories.
B. 
The unit may be used only when the area of use is occupied by a person capable of properly operating said unit under normal and emergency conditions.
C. 
The unit shall be surrounded by a one-half-inch square wire mesh frame so as to prevent persons from coming into contact with it, to include top and sides.
D. 
The unit shall have a minimum six-inch clearance between it and the wire mesh protection screen.
E. 
A minimum clearance of 36 inches shall be maintained from all flammable or combustible materials.
F. 
The unit may not be used in areas or structures where hazardous or highly flammable materials are manufactured or stored.
G. 
Proper ventilation must be provided.
H. 
The unit must be refueled outside of the building or structure.
I. 
The unit must be equipped with an automatic shutoff device.
J. 
The unit must be equipped with a self-contained integral ignition device.
K. 
The unit must be constructed with a low center of gravity and minimum tipping angle of 33° from the vertical with an empty reservoir.
L. 
The unit is to be used only for the purpose designed for and so stated by the manufacturer.
M. 
The unit shall not limit or restrict any exit.
N. 
All containers used for indoor storage of fuel shall be of metal construction with a positive screw-type spout, shall be an approved safety can under UL regulations or Commonwealth of Pennsylvania State Fire Marshal Regulations, with a maximum size of five gallons (United States). The container shall be labeled as to its contents with two-inch-high letters. A maximum of five gallons may be stored within a building subject to the regulations contained herein. Storage of fuel must be at least 10 feet distant from any permanent heating unit, boiler, furnace or wood stove or the portable heating unit. The storage container must be deemed not to be a hazard by the Cheltenham Township Fire Marshal. Under no circumstances may fuel be stored in a hallway or means of ingress or egress or a room without adequate ventilation.
O. 
Storage of fuel outside of the building or structure shall be limited to 10 gallons (United States) when properly vented, secure from tampering, at least 10 feet from any source of ignition and not in conflict with any other provision of this article or section of Article III, Fire Prevention Code.
P. 
Use of said units will not be permitted in a building or structure where any other adjoining part of said building or structure prohibits its use under this article.
[Amended 11-21-1995 by Ord. No. 1846-95]
Any person, partnership or corporation who or which shall violate the provisions of this article shall be, upon conviction thereof in a summary proceeding, sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, such fine to be collected in the manner prescribed by law.