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BillENACTED

Bill 120278

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.

Introduced Apr 12, 2012Committee on Licenses and InspectionsOfficial record: City of Philadelphia via Legistar

Introduced by

Councilmember JonesCouncilmember HenonCouncilmember GreenleeCouncilmember KenneyCouncilmember JohnsonCouncilmember BassCouncilmember Reynolds Brown

From the floor

Passages in the official transcripts that cite this file number. Every quote links to its exact place in the record.

  1. “Bill No. 120278, entitled "An ordinance amending Title 4 of The Philadelphia Code by amending Subcode 'F' ('The Philadelphia Fire Code'), by modifying a subsection allowing smoke alarms in existing oneand two-family dwellings to be solely battery powered."”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 21, 2012 · Jun 21, 2012 · official transcript, this passage

  2. “The Committee on Licenses and Inspections, to which was referred Bill No. 120278, entitled "An 4 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled 'The Philadelphia Building Construction and Occupancy Code,' by modifying a subsection allowing smoke alarms in existing one- and two-family dwellings to be solely battery powered," respectfully reports it has considered the same and returns the attached bill to Council with a favorable…”

    Chief Clerk · Stated Meeting, June 14, 2012 · Jun 14, 2012 · official transcript, this passage

  3. “I move that the rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading this day of Bill No. 120278. (Duly seconded.)”

    Councilwoman Sanchez · Stated Meeting, June 14, 2012 · Jun 14, 2012 · official transcript, this passage

Status timeline

  1. Apr 12, 2012Introduced and Referred · CITY COUNCIL
  2. Jun 11, 2012HEARING NOTICES SENT · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  3. Jun 11, 2012HEARING HELD · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  4. Jun 11, 2012REPORTED FAVORABLY, RULE SUSPENSION REQUESTED · Committee on Licenses and Inspections
  5. Jun 14, 2012SUSPEND THE RULES OF THE COUNCIL · CITY COUNCIL
  6. Jun 14, 2012ORDERED PLACED ON THIS DAY`S FIRST READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  7. Jun 14, 2012ORDERED PLACED ON NEXT WEEK`S SECOND READING CALENDAR · CITY COUNCIL
  8. Jun 21, 2012READ AND PASSED · CITY COUNCIL
  9. Aug 27, 2012SIGNED · MAYOR

Official documents

Documents open on the City of Philadelphia’s legislative site.

Full text

Read the full text as published

..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 * * * CHAPTER 4-200. TEXT OF SUBCODES * * * SUBCODE "F" (THE PHILADELPHIA FIRE CODE) * * * CHAPTER 46. CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS * * * SECTION F-4603 FIRE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXISTING BUILDINGS * * * 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-removable (sealed) batteries in existing areas of one- and two-family buildings built prior to January 1, 1988, undergoing alterations or repairs that do not result in the removal of interior walls or ceiling finishes exposing the structure, unless there is an attic, crawl space or basement available which could provide access for building wiring without the removal of interior finishes. * * * SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall become effective three months after enactment. Explanations: Strikethrough indicate matter deleted. Italics indicate new matter added. ..End 2