City of Philadelphia - File #: 120278

• File #: 120278
• Version: 0
• Type: Bill
• Status: ENACTED
• File created: 4/12/2012
• In control: Committee on Licenses and Inspections
• Final action: 6/21/2012
• Title: Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "F" ("The Philadelphia Fire Code"), by modifying a subsection allowing smoke alarms in existing one- and two-family dwellings to be solely battery powered, all under certain terms and conditions.
• Sponsors: Councilmember Jones, Councilmember Henon, Councilmember Greenlee, Councilmember Kenney, Councilmember Johnson, Councilmember Bass, Councilmember Reynolds Brown
• Indexes: BUILDING CODE
• Code sections: Title 4 - THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CONSTRUCTION AND OCCUPANCY CODE

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result	Tally
8/27/2012	0	MAYOR	SIGNED
6/21/2012	0	CITY COUNCIL	READ AND PASSED	Pass	17:0
6/14/2012	0	CITY COUNCIL	SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL	Pass
6/14/2012	0	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR
6/14/2012	0	CITY COUNCIL	ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK`S SECOND READING CALENDAR
6/11/2012	0	Committee on Licenses and Inspections	HEARING NOTICES SENT
6/11/2012	0	Committee on Licenses and Inspections	HEARING HELD
6/11/2012	0	Committee on Licenses and Inspections	REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED
4/12/2012	0	CITY COUNCIL	Introduced and Referred	Pass

Title
Amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," by amending Subcode "F" ("The Philadelphia Fire Code"), by modifying a subsection allowing smoke alarms in existing one- and two-family dwellings to be solely battery powered, all under certain terms and conditions.

Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:

SECTION 1. Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled "The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code," is hereby amended to read as follows:

TITLE 4. THE PHILADELPHIA BUILDING CONSTRUCTION
AND OCCUPANCY CODE

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CHAPTER 4-200. TEXT OF SUBCODES

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SUBCODE "F" (THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE CODE)

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CHAPTER 46. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

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SECTION F-4603 FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS

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F-4603.7.3 Power source. Single-station smoke alarms shall receive their primary power from the building wiring provided that such wiring is served from a commercial source and shall be equipped with a battery backup. Smoke alarms with integral strobes that are not equipped with battery backup shall be connected to an emergency electrical system. Smoke alarms shall emit a signal when the batteries are low. Wiring shall be permanent and without a disconnecting switch other than as required for overcurrent protection.

Exceptions:

1. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated powered with 10-year non-removable (sealed) batteries in existing one- and two-family buildings built prior to January 1, 1988, where no construction is taking place.

2. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated powered with 10-year non-removable (sealed) batteries in one- and two-family buildings that are not served from a commercial power source.

3. Smoke alarms are permitted to be solely battery operated powered with 10-year non-removab...