§ 102-7. Revisions to the International Fire Code 2009.

The following sections or parts of sections of the International Fire Code 2009 are amended, revised, deleted or supplemented as follows:

(a)

Section 101.1 is deleted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

101.1 Title. These regulations shall be known as the Bensalem Township Fire Prevention Code of 2009, hereinafter referred to as "this Code."

(b)

Section 103.2 is hereby deleted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

103.2 Appointment. The Code Official shall be the Director of Building and Planning who shall be appointed by the Mayor with advice and consent of Council, and who may be removed from office at the sole discretion of the Mayor with or without cause.

(c)

Section 404.2 shall be amended at paragraph (10) to read as follows:

High rise buildings and mid-rise buildings. Mid-rise buildings shall be defined as moderately tall building used for human occupancy and located at more than 55 feet (16.76 meters) but less than or equal to 75 feet (22.86 meters) above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.

Section 404.2 shall be further amended to add paragraph (15), which shall read as follows: "Senior Housing Apartments, as that term is defined in Chapter 232 of the Bensalem Township Code."

(d)

Sections Section 503.3 is hereby deleted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices or markings that include the words NO PARKING-FIRE LANE shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. The means by which fire lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. All markings shall comply with the Specification Sheet as prepared by Bensalem Fire Rescue, as modified from time to time.

(e)

Section 505 is hereby deleted in its entirety and amended to read as follows:

505 Premises Identification.

505.1 Address identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. These numbers shall contrast with their background. Address numbers shall be Arabic numbers or alphabetical letters. Numbers shall be a minimum of 4 inches (101.6mm) high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch (12.7 mm). Where access is by means of a private road and the building cannot be viewed from the public way, a monument, pole or other sign or means shall be used to identify the structure. Such monument, pole or other sign shall be placed at a height not less than five feet or more than 12 feet above the ground level. The address shall be identified in numerical form, be a minimum of four (4) inches in height with a minimum stroke width of one-half inch and posted in a way that it is clearly visible and legible from the street and/or roadway.

505.1.1 The address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification shall be placed at a height not less than five feet or more than 12 feet above the ground level immediately below the street number posted. Where required by the fire code official, the address and/or building numbers shall be posted in additional approved locations to facilitate emergency response.

505.1.2 In addition to the requirements of 505.1 and 505.1.1 above, the owner of all properties on which more than one building or structure is located, including but not limited to apartment buildings, multiple dwelling buildings, and buildings located within business and professional parks, shall further be required to separately and uniformly mark or otherwise identify each building or structure located on that property. Such markings shall be illuminated during all hours of darkness so that they are readily visible and legible to the operators of fire equipment from the roadway or driveway immediately adjacent to each such building/structure

505.2 Street or road signs. Streets and roads shall be identified with approved signs. Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles. Signs shall be of an approved size, weather resistant and be maintained until replaced by permanent signs."

(f)

Section 605.11 is hereby added to this code as follows:

605.11 Solar Photovoltaic power systems. Solar photovoltaic power systems shall be installed in accordance with Sections 605.11.1 through 605.11.4 of the International Building Code and NFPA 70.

605.11.1 Markings. Marking is required on interior and exterior direct-current (DC) conduit, enclosures. raceways, cable assemblies, junction boxes, combiner boxes and disconnects.

605.11.1.1 Materials. The materials used for marking shall be reflective, weather resistant and suitable for the environment. Marking as required in Sections 605.11.1.2 through 605.11.1.4 shall have all letters capitalized with a minimum height of 3/8 inch (9.5 mm) white on red background.

605.11.1.2 Marking content. The marking shall contain the words "WARNING: PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER SOURCE."

605.11.1.3 Main service disconnect. The marking shall be placed adjacent to the main service disconnect in a location clearly visible from the location where the disconnect is operated.

605.11.1.4 Location of marking. Marking shall be placed on interior and exterior DC conduit, raceways, enclosures and cable assemblies every 10 feet (3.048 mm), within 1 foot (305 mm) of turns or bends and within 1 foot (305 mm) above and below penetrations of roof/ceiling assemblies, walls or barriers.

605.11.2 Locations of DC conductors. Conduit, wiring systems, and raceways for photovoltaic circuits shall be located as close as possible to an outside wall to reduce trip hazards and maximize ventilation opportunities. Conduit runs between sub arrays and to DC combiner boxes shall be installed in a manner that minimizes the total amount of conduit on the roof by taking the shortest path from the array to the DC combiner box. The DC combiner boxes shall be located such that conduit runs are minimized in the pathways between arrays, DC wiring shall be installed in metallic conduit or raceways when located within enclosed spaces in a building. Conduit shall run along the bottom of load bearing members.

605.11.3 Access and pathways. Roof access, pathways, and spacing requirements shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.3.1 through 605.11.3.3.3

Exceptions:

1.

Residential structures shall be designed so that each photovoltaic array is not greater than 150 feet (45.720 mm) by 150 feet (45.720 mm) in either axis.

2.

Panels/modules shall be permitted to be located up to the roof ridge where an alternative ventilation method approved by the Director of Building and Planning has been provided or where the Director of Building and Planning has determined vertical ventilation techniques will not be employed.

605.11.3.1 Roof access points. Roof access points shall be located in areas that do not require the placement of ground ladders over openings such as windows or doors, and located at strong points of building construction in locations where the access point does not conflict with overhead obstructions such as tree limbs, wires, or signs.

605.11.3.2 Residential systems for one- and two-family dwellings. Access to residential systems for one- and two-family dwellings shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.3.2.1 through 605.11.3.2.4.

605.11.3.2.1 Residential buildings with hip roof layouts. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings with hip roof layouts shall be located in a manner that provides a 3-foot-wide (914 mm) clear access pathway from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels/modules are located. The access pathway shall be located at a structurally strong location on the building capable of supporting the live load of fire fighters accessing the roof.

Exception: These requirements shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.

605.11.3.2.2 Residential buildings with a single ridge. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings with a single ridge shall be located in a manner that provides two, 3-foot-wide (914 mm) access pathways from the eave to the ridge on each roof slope where panels/modules are located.

Exception: This requirement shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.

605.11.3.2.3 Residential buildings with roof hips and valleys. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings with roof hips and valleys shall be located no closer than 18 inches (457 mm) to a hip or a valley where panels/modules are to be placed on both sides of a hip or valley. Where panels are to be located on only one side of a hip or valley that is of equal length, the panels shall be permitted to be placed directly adjacent to the hip or valley.

Exception: These requirements shall not apply to roofs with slopes of two units vertical in 12 units horizontal (2:12) or less.

605.11.3.2.4 Residential building smoke ventilation. Panels/modules installed on residential buildings shall be located no higher than 3 feet (914 mm) below the ridge in order to allow for fire department smoke ventilation operations.

605.11.3.3 Other than residential buildings. Access to systems for occupancies other than one-and two-family dwellings shall be provided in accordance with Sections 605.11.3.3.1 through 605.11.3.3.3.

Exception: Where it is determined by the fire code official that the roof configuration is similar to that of a one-or two-family dwelling, the residential access and ventilation requirements in Sections 605.11.3.2.1 through 605.11.3.2.4 shall be permitted to be used.

605.11.3.3.1 Access. There shall be a minimum 6-foot-wide (1.829 mm) clear perimeter around the edges of the roof.

Exception: Where either axis of the building is 250 feet (76.200 mm) or less, there shall be a minimum 4-foot-wide (1.290 mm) clear perimeter around the edges of the roof.

605.11.3.3.2 Pathways. The solar installation shall be designed to provide designated pathways. The pathways shall meet the following requirements:

1.

The pathway shall be over areas capable of supporting the live load of fire fighters accessing the roof.

2.

The centerline axis pathways shall be provided in both axes of the roof. Centerline axis pathways shall run where the roof structure is capable of supporting the live load of fire fighters accessing the roof.

3.

There shall be a straight line not less than 4 feet (1.290 mm) clear to skylights or ventilation hatches.

4.

There shall be a straight line not less than 4 feet (1.290 mm) clear to roof standpipes.

5.

There shall provide not less than 4 feet (1.290 mm) clear around roof access hatch with at least one not less than 4 feet (1.290 mm) clear pathway to parapet or roof edge.

605.11.3.3.3 Smoke ventilation. The solar installation shall be designed to meet the following requirements:

1.

Arrays shall be no greater than 150 feet (45.720 mm) by 150 feet (45.720 mm) in distance in either axis in order to create opportunities for fire department smoke ventilation operations.

2.

Smoke ventilation options between array sections shall be one of the following:

2.1

A pathway 8 feet (2.438 mm) or greater in width.

2.2

A 4-foot (1.290 mm) or greater in width pathway and bordering roof skylights or smoke and heat vents.

2.3

A 4-foot (1.290 mm) or greater in width pathway and bordering 4-foot by 8-foot (1.290 mm by 2.438 mm) "venting cutouts" every 20 feet (6.096 mm) on alternating sides of the pathway.

605.11.4 Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays. Ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays shall comply with Sections 605.11 through 605.11.2 and this section. A clear, brush-free area of 10 feet (3.048 mm) shall be required for ground-mounted photovoltaic arrays.

(g)

Section 3301.2.4 is hereby deleted in its entirety and is amended to read as follows:

3301.2.4 Insurance. The Permittee shall furnish to the Township proof of a liability insurance policy issued by an insurance company authorized to do business in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and acceptable to the Township at is sole discretion. Said policy of insurance shall name the Permittee and Bensalem Township as insureds under said policy. Said policy of insurance shall be in an amount of not less than Five Million ($5,000,000) Dollars for personal injury liability (including death) of any one or more persons arising out of an accident or occurrence and caused by reason of the Permittee's display of use of fireworks or fireworks apparatus or arising from any acts with regard to the use or display of fireworks by the Permittee, Bensalem Township or their officers, agents, servants, workmen, employees or subcontractors, or the agents, servants, workmen, or employees of any subcontractors of the Permittee or of Bensalem Township.

Sections 3301.2.4.1 and 3301.2.4.2 shall remain in full force and effect

(h)

Section 3308.2.3 is hereby added to this code as follows:

3308.2.3 Notice to Bensalem Fire Rescue. At least ten (10) days in advance of the date of the display or discharge of fireworks, the Permittee shall notify, in writing, Bensalem Fire Rescue, and shall arrange with Bensalem Fire Rescue for emergency fire protection and apparatus to be at the site of said display or discharge during all times of said display or discharge of fireworks."

(Ord. No. 01-08, Art. II, 2-14-01; Ord. No. 2012-04, § 1(Exh. A), 7-28-14)