--FROM THE OFFICE OF THE FIRE MARSHALL--
FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES ONLY - HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN ANNUAL FIRE SAFETY INSPECTION

1. All fire extinguishers must be serviced annually or after every use and shall have a current service tag attached.
2. All fire extinguishers shall be visually inspected every 30 days.
3. Maximum travel distance to a fire extinguisher is 75 feet.
4. Fire extinguishers shall be located in conspicuous locations where they will be readily accessible and immediately available for use.
5. Hand-held portable fire extinguishers, not housed in cabinets, shall be installed on hangers or brackets supplied.
6. Portable fire extinguishers having a gross weight not exceeding 40 pounds shall be installed so that the top is not more than 5 feet above the floor. Extinguishers having a gross weight exceeding 40 pounds shall be installed so that the top is not more than 3.5 feet above the floor and the bottom not less than 4 inches above floor.
7. Records of all sprinkler and fire detection system inspections, tests and maintenance shall be maintained on the premises for a minimum of three years.
8. Multi-plug adapters without circuit breakers are prohibited.
9. Cover plates for all electrical panels and outlets must be provided.
10. Exits and pathways must be clear and unobstructed.
11. The means of egress, including the exit discharge, shall be illuminated at all times when the building space is occupied.
12. Exit sign placement shall be such that no point in an exit access corridor is more than 100 feet or the listed viewing distance, whichever is less, from the nearest visible exit sign.
13. Exit signs shall be internally or externally illuminated at all times.
14. Obstruction to exits shall not be placed in the required width and exits shall not be obstructed in any manner.
15. Door swing shall be in the direction of egress travel where serving an occupant load of 50 or more persons.
16. Occupant load shall be posted in all assembly areas.
17. All compressed gas cylinders must be secured with a noncombustible strap, a third of the way down from the top and a third of the way up from the bottom.
18. All regulated hazardous materials storage must be labeled. Examples: Waste oil, Waste antifreeze, Solvents, etc.
19. Materials susceptible to spontaneous ignition, such as oily rags, shall be stored in a listed disposal container with a self-closing lid. Contents shall be removed and disposed of daily.
20. Storage of flammable and combustible liquids in excess of 10 gallons (38 L) used for maintenance purposes and the operation of equipment shall be stored in liquid storage cabinets.
21. Storage is prohibited under exit stairways.
22. All storage must be 2 feet from the ceiling in a non-sprinklered building, 18 inches from sprinkler heads.
23. Building address must be visible, fronting the street or road way and in contrast to its background.
24. A 3-foot clearance in front of electrical panel must be maintained.
25. Mechanical or electrical rooms shall be kept clean and clear of all combustible storage.
26. Doors into electrical panel rooms shall be marked with a plainly visible and legible sign stating “ELECTRICAL ROOM”

If you have any questions, please contact the Township Fire Marshal at 717-766-0756.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke alarms play a vital role in reducing deaths and injuries from fire and have contributed to the almost 50% decrease in fire deaths since the late 1970s. It is estimated that 95% of U.S homes have at least one smoke alarm. Sixty-five percent of reported home fire deaths occurred in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Properly installed and maintained smoke alarms save lives and protect against injury and loss due to fire.

Sensing systems
Most smoke alarms use one of two common sensing systems for detecting a fire.

• Ionization-type smoke alarms have a small amount of radioactive material between two electrically charged plates, which ionizes the air and causes current to flow between the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow of current and activating the alarm.
• Photoelectric-type alarms aim a light source into a sensing chamber at an angle away from the sensor. Smoke enters the chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor; triggering the alarm.

Ionization smoke detection is generally more responsive to flaming fires and photoelectric smoke detection is generally more responsive to smoldering fires. Both types of technologies have improved home fire safety.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends both types of detection be installed in homes.

Installation of smoke alarms

Mount smoke alarms high on walls or ceilings (remember, smoke rises).  Ceiling mounted alarms should be installed at least four inches away from the nearest wall; wall-mounted alarms should be installed four to 12 inches away from the ceiling.  If you have ceilings that are pitched, install the alarm near the ceiling's highest point. Don't install smoke alarms near windows, doors, or ducts where drafts might interfere with their operation.  Never paint smoke alarms.  Paint, stickers, or other decorations could keep the alarms from working.

Required locations for smoke detectors (includes new and existing homes)

1. On the ceiling or wall outside of each separate sleeping area in the immediate vicinity of bedrooms.

2. In each room used for sleeping purposes.

3. In each story within a dwelling unit, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics.  In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.