[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of Economy 12-9-1980 as Ord. No. 227. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Alarm systems — See Ch. 43.
Fire prevention — See Ch. 88.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM SIGNAL
An audible signal indicating a fire condition.
MULTIPLE-FAMILY DWELLING
A dwelling designed for or occupied exclusively as a residence for two or more families, with separate housekeeping and cooking facilities for each family.
SEPARATE SLEEPING AREA
Bedrooms or sleeping areas of a dwelling unit separated by use areas other than bedrooms, such as a kitchen or a living room, or bedrooms or sleeping areas located on separate floors in a structure containing two or more stories.
SINGLE-FAMILY DWELLING
A building designed for or occupied exclusively as a residence for only one family.
SMOKE DETECTOR
A device which detects visible or invisible particles of combustion.
A. 
From and after the passage and effective date of this chapter, every owner of a single-family dwelling and every owner of a multiple-family dwelling shall install and maintain such smoke detectors as hereinafter provided.
B. 
From and after the passage and effective date of this chapter, all new single-family dwellings and multiple-family dwellings constructed in the Borough of Economy shall have such smoke detectors installed as herein provided, prior to occupancy. All presently existing multiple-family dwellings situate within the Borough of Economy shall have such smoke detectors installed as herein provided.
[Amended 2-10-1981 by Ord. No. 229]
C. 
From and after the passage and effective date of this chapter, any construction, reconstruction, alteration to living quarters or addition to the living quarters of any single-family or multiple-family dwelling of such scope, magnitude or type so as to require a building permit authorizing such work shall cause the provisions of this chapter to take effect and become applicable.
A. 
Each smoke detector shall be capable of detecting abnormal quantities of smoke that may occur in the dwelling and shall properly operate in the normal environmental conditions of the dwelling.
B. 
No smoke detector shall be installed unless the unit bears the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., or other similarly nationally recognized testing and approval laboratory which maintains a periodic follow-up review of the labeled devices to ensure compliance with the original approval.
C. 
Each detector shall cause the operation of an alarm which shall be clearly audible in all bedroom areas over background noise levels with all intervening doors closed. The audibility level must be met with all usual night-operated household equipment, such as air conditioners and humidifiers, in operation.
A. 
Detector(s) shall be installed to protect each separate sleeping area in any dwelling occupied by a single-family or in any mobile home occupied by a single-family at a location between the bedrooms and other use areas.
B. 
Detector(s) shall be installed to protect inhabitants of each dwelling unit in a multiple-family dwelling at a location between the bedrooms and other use areas in the dwelling unit itself.
C. 
The detector(s) shall be mounted in the ceiling and at the central point between walls of the hallway or stairway, as the case may be.
D. 
A smoke detector installed at the head of stairs shall be located as to ensure that smoke rising in that stairwell cannot be prevented from reaching the detector by an intervening obstruction.
E. 
The Fire Marshal, or other designee of the Fire Marshal, shall be available for advice and to aid the property owners in the proper installation of the above-mentioned detector(s).
A. 
The Fire Marshal shall have the right to inspect the installation of detector(s) required by this chapter in all new construction of single-family dwellings and in all instances of construction, reconstruction, alteration or addition to the living quarters of single-family dwellings of such scope, magnitude or type so as to require a building permit authorizing such work. Prior to any such inspection, at least 24 hours' prior notice, in writing, shall be delivered personally to the property owner and/or tenant advising of the date and time of the proposed inspection.
B. 
The Fire Marshal shall have the right to inspect the installation of detectors required by this chapter in all existing and newly constructed multiple-family dwellings. Prior to any such inspection at least 24 hours' prior notice, in writing, shall be delivered personally to the property owner and/or tenant, advising of the date and time of the proposed inspection.
A. 
If, after such inspection, it is determined that the detectors were not installed according to the terms of this chapter, the owner of a single-family dwelling shall have 30 days from the date of such determination to properly comply with the provisions of this chapter. Failure to so comply after the expiration of 30 days shall be deemed a violation of the chapter.
B. 
In multiple-family dwellings, a determination that the detector(s) were not installed according to the terms of this chapter shall be deemed to be an immediate violation of this chapter.
A. 
Any person,violating the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be guilty of a summary offense and be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment to undergo a term of confinement of not more than 90 days.
[Amended 2-10-1987 by Ord. No. 274]
B. 
Each day's continuing violation shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.