§ 212-113. Fire prevention, fire protection and medical transportation.

Equipment/Service
SCBA	$50 each
Hose (per 50')	$25
Gas/Co Detector/Heat Gun	$50 per use
Deodorizer	$25 per use
Extinguisher (any class)	$50 per use
Fire Police Services	$100 per hour
Hand Tools	$15 each
Hydraulic Rescue Tools	$200 each
Scene Lighting	$75 per hour
Oil booms	$20 each
Oil Absorbent Sheets	$10 each
Oil Dry	$35 per bucket
Portable Pumps	$30 per hour
Power Tools	$50 each
Road Closing/Traffic Control	$100 per hour
Salvage Covers	$35 each
Debris Cleanup/Removal	$250
Flares	$8 each
Ventilation Fans	$50 each
IR Camera	$100 each
Foam	$60 per gallon
Cribbing:
-Passenger	$100 each
-Class B	$200 each
-Trucks-Class A	$500 each
Stabilization Struts	$50 per use
Latex Gloves	$2 per pair
Ladders	$35 per use
Medical Extrication (w/Hydraulics)	$1,500 per patient
Generator	$50 per hour
Hand lights	$5 per use
Portable Pond	$150 per use
Wetting Agent	$25 per unit
Fire Line Tape	$.25 per foot
Manpower	$25 per man per hour
Investigations	$100 per hour

B. Costs for nonemergency services provided by the City of Reading, PA - Department of Fire and Services.

Section	Description of Fee	Fee
F-101	Administrative fee for retrieval of fire report	$50
F-102	Engine for standpipe testing Engine - $100/hour Two firefighters - $80/hour (minimum 2 hours)	$360
		$360
	Each additional standpipe	$100
	Processing of detail	$75
F-103	Water removal
	Two firefighters (minimum 2 hours)	$80/hour
	Engine (minimum 2 hours)	$100/hour
	Processing of detail	$75
F-104	Lock-out/accessing a property	$60
F-105	Consultation fees Testimony in any litigation	$60/hour
	At scene/office discussion pertaining to fire investigations and/or litigation	$75/hour
F-106	Lock-outs/entry into premises	$50
F-107	Consultation fees (per hour)
	In office discussion with insurance fire investigation, adjusters, attorneys, etc. regarding civil litigation	$50/hour
	At scene discussion with insurance fire investigations, adjusters, attorneys, etc. regarding civil litigation	$75/hour
F-108	Application for alternative design method	$50 (flat fee)
F-110	Service calls (not defined by other category)	$100
	Firefighters charge (minimum 2 hours)	$80/hour
	Fire engine charge (minimum 2 hours)	$100/hour
	Fire ladder truck charge (minimum 2 hours)	$160/hour
	Processing of detail	$75
F-111	Fire investigation
	Copies	$1/page
	Photographs on medium	$50
	Fee for reviewing files	$25
F-112	Firewatch
	Two firefighters required (minimum 2 hours)	$80/hour
	Fire engine charge (minimum 2 hours)	$100/hour
	Fire ladder truck (minimum 2 hours)	$160/hour
	Other/miscellaneous as determined	$50/hour
F-113	Health and safety inspection	$75/hour
F-114	Failure to request cancellation in writing no less than 24 hours prior to start of scheduled inspection	$75
F-115	Re-inspection fee (failure to correct violations following 1st re-inspection)	$75
F-116	Late payment of inspection permit fee prior to 60 days (applicable to pre and post collections process)	$25
F-117	After hours inspections/tests normal work hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.	$50/hour

C. Other matters involving fee schedule.

(1) Appeals. Unless otherwise provided by law, to appeal a bill for a service provided under the above fee schedule you must request a hearing thereof by submitting a written request therefore within three business days of receipt of the original bill for the service. Said request must set forth the information on the bill and is to be addressed to the Fire Marshal for the City of Reading, Room 1-41 City Hall, 815 Washington Street, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601. The Fire Chief and / or Fire Prevention Lt. may address the appeal in the absence of the Fire Marshal.

(2) Collections. All bills for services provided and billed under the above fee schedule and as set forth herein which are not paid in full within 60 days of the original date of billing shall be turned over to a collections agency for receipt. This provision shall not apply to situations where arrangements have been made and confirmed in writing prior to the expiration of the aforesaid 60 days for payments to be made on such debt.

(3) Restitution. In addition to the fees set forth above, the City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services reserves the right to charge and issue bills to recover costs and fees beyond that set forth herein when required to mitigate, abate, render safe or respond to any situation, emergency or nonemergency, which is result of clear negligence or failure to comply with and follow code requirements and verbal instructions of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

D. Unnecessary/needless fire alarm responses.

(1) The City of Reading adopted Ordinance 40-2010 amending the City of Reading codified ordinances Chapter 5 Code Enforcement, Part 3 International Fire Code, Section 5-308 fees, Part F111, by increasing the false alarm fees, as required by the Act 47 Recovery Plan (FD06) adopted June 11, 2010. Per the Ordinance including this adoption was a fee change with the unnecessary calls/false alarms. (See fee schedule)

(2) Needless alarms/false alarms. The City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services shall charge for responding to calls resulting from the repeated activation of fire alarm systems due to causes other than smoke or fire. Such causes shall include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) Alarm activation for no apparent reason.

(b) Alarms resulting from failure to properly maintain or repair a fire alarm system.

(d) Failure to use proper exhaust or ventilation equipment to prevent activation of detection devices by cooking smoke, steam, fumes, etc.

(e) Intentional activation of alarm when no emergency exists.

(3) Unnecessary calls/false alarm fee schedule.

Alarm in Calendar Year	Fee
1	Free (no charge)
2	$60
3	$60
4	$110
5	$110
6	$160
7	$160
8	$160
9	$160
10	$260
11	$260
12	$260
13	$510
For each alarm 14 and greater (over 13) in a calendar year	$510 per alarm

E. Other matters involving fee schedule with the City of Reading through ordinance bill.

(1) Appeals.

(a) Unless otherwise provided by law, to appeal a bill for a service provided under the above fee schedule you must request a hearing thereof by submitting a written request therefore within three business days of receipt of the original bill for the service. Said request must set forth the information on the bill and shall be addressed to:

Department of Fire and Rescue Services

c/o Fire Marshal, Suite 1-41

815 Washington Street

Reading, Pennsylvania 19601

(b) The Fire Chief and/ or Fire Prevention Lt. may address the appeal in the absence of the Fire Marshal.

(2) Collections. All bills for services provided and billed under the above fee schedule and as set forth herein which are not paid in full within 60 days of the original date of billing shall be turned over to a collection agency for receipt. This provision shall not apply to situations where arrangements have been made and confirmed in writing prior to the expiration of the aforesaid 60 days for payments to be made on such debt.

(3) Restitution. In addition to the fees set forth above, the City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue services reserves the right to charge and issue bills to recover costs and fees beyond that set forth herein when required to mitigate, abate, render safe or respond to any situation, emergency or non-emergency, which is result of clear negligence or failure to comply with and follow code requirements and verbal instructions of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

F. Fire Code inspection fees. Annual fee for Fire Code inspection of use/occupancy.

Section	Description of Permit Inspection	Fee
PI-101	Assembly occupancies
	Class A - Occupant levels exceeding 1,000	$150
	Unless building is 30,000 square feet or greater	$250
	Class B - Occupant levels 301 - 1,000	$125
	Class C - Occupant levels 50 - 300	$100
PI-102	Apartment buildings
	Class A - Exceeding 26 units per building	$320
	Class B -11 to 25 units per building	$175
	Class C - 5 to 10 units per building	$100
PI-103	Business - Office/college per building
	Class A - Exceeding 30,000 square feet per building	$250
	Class B - 10,001 to 30,000 square feet per building	$150
	Class C - Less than 10,000 square feet per building	$100
PI-104	Day care facilities per building
	Class A daycare center (13 or more persons receiving care)	$150
	Class B group daycare (6 - 12 persons receiving care)	$100
	Class C home daycare (1-5 persons receiving care)	$65
PI-105	Educational	$100
	Unless 30,000 square feet or greater	$250
PI-106	Industrial/factory per building
	Class A - Exceeding 30,000 square feet per building	$250
	Class B - 10,001 to 30,000 square feet per building	$150
	Class C - Less than 10,000 square feet per building	$100
PI-107	Health care facilities - 24 hour basis per building
	Class A - Occupant levels exceeding 401 per building	$250
	Class B - Occupant levels 201- 400 per building	$210
	Class C - Occupant levels less than 200 per building	$210
PI-108	Hotels/ motels
	Class A - Exceeding 51 rooms per building	$320
	Class B - 26 - 50 rooms per building	$175
	Class C - 5 to 10 rooms per building	$135
PI-109	Lodging/ rooming house
	Class A - Exceeding 26 units per building	$250
	Class B - 11 to 25 units per building	$150
	Class C - 5 to 10 units per building	$100
PI-110	Mercantile
	Class A - Exceeding 30,000 square feet or 3 floors per building	$250
	Class B - 5,000 to 30,000 square feet per building	$150
	Class C - Less than 5,000 square feet per building	$100
PI-111	Storage, warehouse, parking garage, freight terminal
	Class A - exceeding 30,000 square feet per building	$250
	Class B - 10,001 to 30,000 square feet per building	$150
	Class C - less than 10,000 square feet per building	$100
PI-112	Other/miscellaneous as determined (per hour)	$40
PI-113	Pre-sales inspection (per hour)	$40
PI-114	Failure to request cancellation of inspection in writing within 24 hours of scheduled start time of inspection	$50
PI-115	Re-inspection fee (failure to correct violations noted after 1st re-inspection and subsequent inspections)	$50
PI-116	Late payment of inspection permit fee prior to 60 days (applicable to pre and post collections process)	$25
PI-117	After hours inspections/tests (per hour) (minimum 2 hours)	$40
PI-118	Chronic violations (in addition to each respective legal action initiated):
	3rd violation	$50
	4th violation	$75
	5th violation	$100
	Increase per additional occurrences in calendar year for ex. 6th call $125, 7th call $150, 8th call $175, etc.	$25

G. Definitions of above terms (if not defined, see IFC 2009 Edition). As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

AFTER-HOURS INSPECTIONS/TESTS - Inspections performed and tests witnessed after normal working hours.

ASSEMBLY OCCUPANCIES - Buildings in which people gather for such purposes as civic, social, religious functions, entertainment, dining, amusements or awaiting transportation.

CHRONIC VIOLATION - Including but limited to a problem that continues to exist over an extended period of time without mitigation, failure to correct, failure to cease action.

EDUCATIONAL - Schools, academics, kindergarten and nursery.

HEALTH CARE FACILITIES - Hospitals, nursing homes, medical institutions.

LODGING/ROOMING HOUSE - Guesthouse, bed-and-breakfast, and foster homes.

PRE-SALES INSPECTION - Inspection includes written verification of all fire protection systems.

REINSPECTION FEE - For each inspection that is required as a result of the need to reschedule a scheduled inspection for one or more of the following reasons:

(1) Work not constructed/completed in accordance with applicable code(s)/standard(s)/approved construction document(s).

(2) Work incomplete at time of requested inspection.

(3) Access to work requiring inspection not provided.

(4) Failure to correct noted violations upon second and future reinspection(s).

H. Operational permits fees. Permits required to perform the operations set forth herein as defined in the International Fire Code/City of Reading Fire Prevention Code (2009 Edition):

Section	Operation	Fee
105.6.1	Aerosol products	$150
105.6.2	Amusement buildings	$150
105.6.3	Aviation facilities	$150
105.6.4	Carnivals and fairs	$150
105.6.5	Cellulose nitrate film	$150
105.6.6	Combustible dust-producing operations	$150
105.6.7	Combustible fibers	$150
105.6.8	Compressed gases	$150
105.6.9	Covered mall buildings	$150
105.6.10	Cryogenic fluids	$150
105.6.11	Cutting and welding	$150
105.6.12	Dry-cleaning plans	$150
105.6.13	Exhibits and trade shows	$150
105.6.14	Explosives	$150
105.6.15	Fire hydrants and valves	$150
105.6.16	Flammable combustible liquids	$150
105.6.17	Floor finishing	$150
105.6.18	Fruit and crop ripening	$150
105.6.19	Fumigation and thermal insecticidal fogging	$150
105.6.20	Hazardous materials	$150
105.6.21	HPM facilities	$150
105.6.22	High-piled storage	$150
105.6.23	Hot work operations	$150
105.6.24	Industrial ovens	$150
105.6.25	Lumberyards and woodworking plans	$150
105.6.26	Liquid- or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings	$150
105.6.27	LP gas	$150
105.6.28	Magnesium	$150
105.6.29	Miscellaneous combustible storage	$150
105.6.30	Open burning	$150
105.6.31	Open flames and torches	$150
105.6.32	Open flames and candles	$150
105.6.33	Organic coatings	$150
105.6.34	Places of assembly	$150
105.6.35	Private fire hydrants	$150
105.6.36	Pyrotechnic special effects (includes plan review fee and inspection)	$300
105.6.37	Pyroxylin plastics	$150
105.6.38	Refrigeration equipment	$150
105.6.39	Repair garages and motor fuel-dispensing facilities	$150
105.6.40	Rooftop heliports	$150
105.6.41	Spaying and dipping	$150
105.6.42	Storage of scrap tires and tire by-products	$150
105.6.43	Temporary membrane structures, tents and canopies	$150
105.6.44	Tire-rebuilding plants	$150
105.6.45	Waste handling	$150
105.6.46	Wood products	$150
105.6.47	Fireworks (includes plan review fee and inspection)	$300
105.6.48	Storage of pesticides and herbicides	$150
105.6.49	Tar kettles	$150

I. Other matters involving permits/inspection fees.

(1) Appeals. Unless otherwise provided by law, to appeal a bill for a service provided under the above fee schedule you must request a hearing thereof by subnrutting a written request therefore within three business days of receipt of the original bill for the service. Said request must set forth the information on the bill and is to be addressed to the Fire Marshal for the City of Reading, Room 1-41 City Hall, 815 Washington Street, Reading, Pennsylvania 19601. The Fire Chief and / or Fire Prevention Lt. may address the appeal in the absence of the Fire Marshal.

(3) Penalties. Commencement of use or occupancy of a premise and any system installation which require an inspection and permit prior thereto will result in preclusion of use or occupancy of such premise or building until an inspection has been performed and a permit issued. Additionally, such use or occupancy may subject the violator to prosecution as authorized by law and/or doubling of the permit fee.

(4) Refunds. The City of Reading will not issue refunds for fees / monies paid following submission for review of a construction permit or plan review whether or not the plan or project is built / completed.

(5) To acquire an operational permit an applicant must submit, in addition to the appropriate fee, the documentation and information for such a permit per the regulations established by the Fire Marshal for the Department of Fire and Rescue Services. A permit will not be issued nor a plan therefore reviewed until compliance with the established regulations occurs and the appropriate fee received.

(6) Penalties. Performance of the aforesaid operation without a permit or operation performed in excess of a permit will result in a charge of 100% of usual permit fee in addition to normal fee (or doubling of the cost of the permit fee.) Additionally, such performance of operation may subject the violator to prosecution as authorized by law.

(7) Refunds. The City of Reading will not issue refunds for fees / monies paid following submission for review of the requirements for an operational permit or plan review whether or not the plan or project is built / completed.

(8) Restitution. In addition to the fees set forth above, the City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services reserves the right to charge and issue bills to recover costs and fees beyond that set forth herein when required to mitigate, abate, render safe or respond to any situation, emergency or nonemergency, which is result of clear negligence or failure to comply with and follow code requirements and verbal instructions of the Department of Fire and Rescue Services.

J. Certificate of fitness.

(1) No person shall engage in the following activities without a certificate of fitness issued by the Fire Official (City of Reading, PA - Department of Fire & Rescue Services - Office of the Fire Marshal).

(2) A certificate of fitness shall be obtained by all applicants/ vendors (companies or person(s)) for the purposes of conducting any operation or performing an act for which a certificate of fitness is required as set forth below:

(a) Application. Applicant shall meet the standards and regulations established by the Fire Marshal, including possession of a certificate of insurance covering the work requested, workmen's compensation for employees as required by federal, state or local mandated regulations, laws, and statutes. Additionally, an exhibition of appropriate levels of education, training, certification, and experience shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal for review and certificate of fitness issuance prior to any work commencing. The applicant and all employees engaging in the specified work shall have a strong familiarity and understanding of fire protection systems/fire code application for which a certificate of fitness is requested. An application on a form prescribed by the Fire Marshal and a fee ($125 per system applied for) as established by resolution of City Council of the City of Reading per system, shall be submitted to the Department of Fire and Rescue Services -Fire Marshal's Office for review and approval for each system described herein for which an applicant seeks to obtain a certificate of fitness.

(b) Certificates of fitness shall be valid for one year, January 1 through December 31 of each calendar year. Certificate holders must reapply each calendar year, and provide the fee as established by City Council per system for which they seek approval and listing. Performance of work on a system described below in the City of Reading, PA Without a certificate of fitness, shall cause the violator to be precluded from applying for a certificate of fitness for a period of one calendar year, and subject the violator to fines, double fee costs, citations, and additional costs as provided for herein.

(3) Additional categories. The Fire Official may require a certificate of fitness for certain processes which pose an unusual risk to the public safety or in cases or as part of the code modification process.

(4) Certificate of fitness.

Certificate of fitness fee: $125 per system per calendar year
CF -101	Automatic fire alarm systems (NRTL listed)	Installation/service/inspection
CF -102	Fire sprinkler/standpipe	Installation/service/inspection
CF -103	Hood and duct systems	Installation/service/inspection
CF -104	Alternative fire extinguishing systems	Installation/service/inspection
CF -105	Central stations (NRTL listed)	Retransmission/record keeping/ reporting/runner's service(all elements per NFPA 72)
CF -106	Fire extinguishers	Installation/ service/inspection
CF-107	Fireworks/pyrotechnics	Displays/demonstrations/ performance
CF -108	Blasting/demolition	Use/storage/transportation
CF -109	Other	As defined by Fire Code Official

K. Fire protection systems - construction permits and plans examination review fee.

(1) Permits shall be required from the City of Reading, PA - Department of Fire and Rescue Services for and prior to construction, installation, etc for the following work as defined in the IFC 2009 Edition as adopted by the City of Reading:

105.7.1- Automatic Fire-Extinguishing Systems

105.7.1.1 - Automatic Sprinkler Systems

105.7.2- Battery Systems

105.7.3- Compressed Gases

105.7.4 - Fire Alarm and Detection Systems and Related Equipment

105.7.5- Fire Pumps and Related Equipment

105.7.6- Flammable and Combustible Liquids

105.7.8- Industrial Ovens

105.7.9-LP-Gas

105.7.10- Private Fire Hydrants

105.7.11 - Spraying or Dipping

105.7.12- Standpipe Systems

105.7.13- Temporary Membrane Structures, Tents and Canopies

105.7.14- Hood and Duct Systems

(2) The cost of a permit shall include plan review and inspection, issuance of the permit as well as contact during plan review. The fee for a plan review and issuance of a permit for construction as described herein shall be the greater of 1.5% of final job costs or $75 (minimum).

(3) To acquire a construction permit a person /developer must submit an application on the form prescribed by the Department of Fire and Rescue Services and comply with the requirements set forth on the application and packet in which it is encompassed including but not limited to submission of all necessary plans, documents, etc. A plan will not be reviewed nor a permit issued without a completed application and receipt of all requisite documentation and fee.

(4) As built. Should it be determined that the job costs greatly differentiate from the as built costs to save monies on the fee for the permit and plan review at the discretion of the Fire Marshal the City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services reserves the right to undertake any and all appropriate and applicable methods including but not limited to commencement of legal action to obtain the difference of the fee submitted for a permit and estimated job costs and the as built costs.

(5) Consultation fee. In addition to the fee for a permit as set forth herein, a fee of $ 50 per hour shall be charged for consultation either in person or via telephone with the Fire Marshal or his/her designee for consultation prior to submission of plans for review and subsequent to approval of plans and issuance of permit beyond one hour total time.

(6) Penalties. Commencement of a systems construction project prior to plan review or working without a permit or work performed in excess of a permit shall result in a fee in the amount of 100% of the usual the permit fee being accessed in addition to the usual fee (the fee will doubled).

(7) Refunds. The City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services will not issue refunds for fees/monies paid for review of a plan for a systems construction permit following payment of the fee and submission of a plan regardless if the system is built.

(8) Revised plans. Should a person/developer elect not to proceed with construction of a project following submission and review of plan and/or receipt of approval/permit therefore but rather redesign the plan on their own, they shall be required to recommence the process of obtaining a permit and review including but not limited to payment of the fee in full.

L. Plans examination fee for architectural construction review.

(1) Review of architectural plans to ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, statutes and ordinance enforced and overseen by the Department of Fire and Rescue Services for the City of Reading per the International Fire Code (2009 Edition) as adopted by the City.

105.7.16- Architectural Construction Plan Review:

The cost of a permit shall include plan review and inspection, issuance of the permit as well as consultation during plan review. The fee for a plan review and issuance of a permit for construction shall be based on the value of the project as described herein:

Value of the Project	Fee
$ 0 - $500,000	$250
$500,001 - $1,000,000	$500

Fees for review of projects valued in excess of $1,000,000 shall be $250 for each additional $500,000 or part thereof of the value of the project.

To acquire a construction permit a person/developer must submit an application on the form prescribed by the Department of Fire and Rescue Services and comply with the requirements set forth on the application and packet in which it is encompassed including but not limited to submission of all necessary plans, documents, etc. A plan will not be reviewed nor a permit issued without a completed application and receipt of all requisite documentation and fee.

(2) As built. Should it be determined that the job costs greatly differentiate from the as built costs to save monies on the fee for the permit and plan review at the discretion of the Fire Marshal the City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services reserves the right to undertake any and all appropriate and applicable methods including but not limited to commencement of legal action to obtain the difference of the fee submitted for a permit and estimated job costs and the as built costs.

(3) Consultation fee. In addition to the fee for a permit as set forth herein, a fee of $50 per hour shall be charged for consultation either in person or via telephone with the Fire Marshal or his/her designee for consultation prior to submission of plans for review and subsequent to approval of plans and issuance of permit beyond one hour total time.

(4) Penalties. A fee in the amount of 100% of the usual permit fee will be accessed in addition to the usual fee (the fee will doubled) for performance of work or construction without permit fee, or in excess of a permit.

(5) Refunds. The City of Reading Department of Fire and Rescue Services will not issue refunds for fees/ monies paid for review of a plan for an architectural review permit following payment of the fee and submission of a plan regardless if the system is built.

(6) Revised plans. Should a person/developer elect not to proceed with construction of a project following submission and review of plan and/or receipt of approval/permit therefore but rather redesign the plan on their own, they shall be required to recommence the process of obtaining a permit and review including but not limited to payment of the fee in full.

M. City of Reading annual EMS membership plan.

(1) Single person: $45.

(2) Family plan: $70.

Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing Corporation provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken. For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588.

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