[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of New Hanover 5-9-1978 by Ord. No. 1978-3. Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AIR WITHDRAWAL FAN
A large, permanently installed high-volume fan used to withdraw air from an entire building through pressure and/or mechanically activated louvers in the ceiling of the upper part of a building.
HEAT DETECTOR
An instrument approved by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., for the detection of abnormal rises in temperature.
SMOKE DETECTOR
An instrument approved by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., for the detection of ionized gases or products of combustion produced by burning or smoldering materials.
A. 
Smoke or heat detectors shall be installed in the construction of all new buildings, except detached accessory buildings which are not to be inhabited.
B. 
Smoke or heat detectors shall be installed in a location so as to provide maximum protection to any addition to an existing building, provided that said addition exceeds 100 square feet of living area.
C. 
Smoke or heat detectors shall be installed in any new or existing building in which new central air conditioning or a new forced-air heating system is installed.
D. 
Smoke or heat detectors shall be installed in any new or existing building in which an air withdrawal fan is installed. In addition, the air withdrawal fan shall have installed at the louvers a safety switch of the fusible link type which is sensitive to high temperatures, ionized gases or products or combustion produced by burning or smoldering materials. Said switch shall be electrically connected to the drive motor of the fan so as to disable the fan if abnormally high temperatures due to fire occur. Operation of the thermally sensitive switch shall not impair the closing of the louvers.
A. 
Smoke or heat detectors as described above may be either electrically powered, battery powered or a combination of both. Battery-powered units shall contain audible signals denoting failure of the equipment.
B. 
Upon activation, the smoke or heat detector shall provide an audible alarm which is to be so distributed and of such character so that it can be heard in all rooms of the building with their doors closed. The audible signal shall be distinctive from other audible signaling devices which may be used for other purposes in the building. The smoke or heat detector system shall be designed for and capable of either self-restoration or manual restoration to normal conditions for operation. No provisions shall be made for deactivation of the audible alarm other than by reactivation of the system.
Smoke or heat detectors shall be installed in the ceiling so as to provide detection in at least the following locations in a building:
A. 
The landing area in the head basement staircase, including a basement staircase, in a two- or more story building.
B. 
The hall or passageway between the living quarters and sleeping quarters of a single-story dwelling or in the hallways between sleeping quarters where only the second story of a two-story building is centrally air conditioned.
C. 
A combination of Subsections A and B if sleeping quarters are divided between the first and upper stories.
D. 
In the central return air duct of the central air-conditioning unit and the central air-conditioning unit and the central forced-air heating unit.
A. 
The smoke or heat detector alarm systems, if electrically powered, shall be operated from the buildings' main electrical supply through a branch supply circuit designated and utilized only for the detector alarm system. The smoke or heat detector shall have a light or other signalling device indicating that the unit is in operation.
B. 
In building containing central air conditioners, central forced-air heating systems or air withdrawal fans, the smoke or heat detector located at the highest point in the residence shall be so connected that activation of the detector will deactivate the main power supply for the central air conditioner, forced-air heating system or air withdrawal fan in addition to sounding the alarm.
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the Construction Official until all the above conditions have been satisfied.
[Amended 8-11-1992 by Ord. No. 1992-3]
Any owner or contractor or their agents and any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or fail to comply therewith shall be liable to a fine of not more than $1,000, imprisonment for not more than 90 days or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. Each and every day such violation continues shall be deemed a separate and distinct violation.