(1) Section 101.1. Title be amended to read as follows:
These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of York, Pennsylvania, hereinafter referred to as this “Code”.
(2) Section 102.8. Matters not provided. Delete and substitute the following: Any requirements that are essential to safeguard life, property or public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of substances, materials or devices and from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the occupancy of structures or premises which are not specifically provided for by this Code, shall be determined by the Fire Code Official.
(3) Section 102.8.1. Other regulations is hereby added to read as follows: When the provisions of this Code for health, safety and welfare are more restrictive than other regulations, this Code shall control; but in any case, the most rigid requirements of either this Code or other regulations, except as provided for in 102.6, shall apply whenever they conflict.
(4) Section 102.9. Conflicting provisions. Delete and substitute the following: When any provision of this Code is found to be in conflict with any other provision of this Code, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the promotion and protection of the safety and welfare of the public shall prevail.
(5) Section 105. Add the following to the end of the section: Permits shall be required for each condition as set forth in sections 105.6 and 105.7.
(6) Section 105.1. Permits required. Delete and substitute the following: Permits required by this code shall be obtained from the fire code official. Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the fire code official. A fee for each permit shall be paid in accordance with the fee schedule as is set forth from time to time by resolution of Council of the City of York, Pennsylvania.
(7) Section 106.2. Inspection. Delete the first sentence and substitute the following: The Fire Code Official shall inspect all structures and premises for the purposes of ascertaining, and causing to be corrected, any conditions liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with firefighting operations, or endanger life or any violations of the provisions or intent of this Code or any other ordinance affecting fire safety.
(8) Section 401.3. Emergency forces notification. Delete the first sentence and insert the following before the remaining text:
A. Whenever a fire occurs in any building of any occupancy, including a private dwelling, it shall be the duty of the owner, occupant, manager or person in control of such building, upon discovery of a fire or evidence of there having been a fire, to immediately notify the Department of Fire/Rescue Services of the existence of such fire, its circumstances and location. This notification is required even if the fire has apparently been extinguished. The requirement for notification of the Department of Fire/Rescue Services does not prohibit the owner, occupant, manager, or person in control of building from using all reasonable and due diligence necessary to extinguish such fire prior to the arrival of the Department of Fire/Rescue Services.
B. Whenever a fire occurs in a building, the building shall be immediately evacuated and not reoccupied without the permission of the officer in charge of the Department of Fire/Rescue Services. Exception: Buildings designed to protect the occupants in place, subject to the approval of the Chief of the Department of Fire/Rescue Services.
C. Whenever a fire alarm system has been activated in an alarm condition, it shall not be restored to normal operation (reset) until directed by the Department of Fire/Rescue Services. This shall not prohibit the silencing of an audible alarm signal, when such action is appropriate.
(9) Section 109.3. Penalty for violations is hereby amended by deleting the existing text and adding the following to read:
Any person who shall violate a provision of this Code or fail to comply with any order issued pursuant to any section thereof, shall be guilty of a summary offense, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and the costs of prosecution, and in default of payment thereof, shall be imprisoned for not more than ninety days.
Each day a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate violation.
(10) Former subsection (10) hereof was repealed by Ordinance 26-2015.
(11) Section 503.4.1. Enforcement is hereby added to read:
The Police Officers and Parking Enforcement Officers of the City of York, and other officers as designated by this Code are authorized to enforce the provisions of Section 503.4.
(12) Section 907.2.10.1.2 Groups R-2, R-3, R-4, R-5 and I-1. Insert “R-5” into the third line after “R-4”.
(13) Section 907.2.10.1.2.1. Single and Multiple Station Smoke Alarms is hereby added to read as follows:
A. All single and multiple station smoke alarm devices shall be tested in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, not less than once a month for devices with the primary power supplied by the house electrical service and not less than once a week for devices with the primary power supplied by a monitored battery. All testing shall be conducted by the owner, except as provided for in this section.
B. In the case of tenant occupied properties, every owner shall, at the beginning of the leasehold of a one and two family dwelling, multifamily dwelling, or manufactured home, inspect and test each single and multiple station smoke alarm device to insure that each required device is present and in proper working order.
C. In the case of tenant occupied properties, the owner may require the occupant to conduct the weekly/monthly testing as set forth in paragraph (a) above. The owner must then provide the occupant with clear and concise written instructions regarding the weekly/monthly testing and the occupant must be able to perform such testing. The owner must also demonstrate to the occupant the proper testing procedures at the beginning of the leasehold.
D. The occupant shall have the duty and responsibility to notify the owner of any defect(s).
E. The owner shall have the duty and responsibility of remedying any defect after receiving notice of the defect.
F. All single and multiple station smoke alarm devices shall be kept in proper working condition at all times and shall be replaced after being in service for a period of ten years or becoming defective/inoperable, whichever comes first.
(14) Section 907.3.2.3. Required Fire Alarm Systems is hereby added to read as follows: All existing fire alarms systems connected to or required to be connected to the Municipal Alarm System of the City of York, shall be maintained in service.
(15) Section 907.3.2.3. Transmission of Fire Alarm Signals is hereby added to read as follows: All required fire alarm systems shall transmit alarm signals by connection to the Municipal Alarm System of the City of York.
Exception #1: Where connection to the Municipal Alarm System of the City of York is not available, the fire alarm system shall be connected to a central station approved by the Chief of the Department of Fire/Rescue Services.
Exception #4: Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with 903.3, monitored by an approved central station monitoring company in accordance with 907.14 and containing less than five guest sleeping rooms.
(16) Section 506.0. Delete and substitute as follows: A key box, approved by the Chief of Fire/Rescue Services, shall be provided on all existing buildings, except R-5 single family dwellings, which are equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system and/or fire alarm system. Such key box shall be installed in a location approved by the Chief of the Department of Fire/Rescue Services or designee and shall contain all keys and/or access codes as may be required.
(17) Section 3304.1. Storage is hereby amended by deleting the existing text and adding the following to read: The storage of explosive materials is prohibited within the corporate limits of the City of York, Pennsylvania.
Exception #1: Temporary storage utilized in connection with approved blasting operations.
Exception #2: Wholesale and retail stocks of small arms ammunition, explosive bolts, explosive rivets, or cartridges for explosive activated power tools in quantities involving less than 500 pounds of explosive material.
(18) Section 3308.12. Seizure of fireworks is hereby amended to read as follows: The Fire Code Official and Police Officers of the City of York shall seize, take, remove or cause to be removed at the expense of the owner all fireworks offered or exposed for display or sale, stored or possessed in violation of this chapter.
(Ord. 54-2008. Passed 12-16-08.)