Rob Jenkins
New member
Read the following Email sent to me... Is this guy trying to tell me I dont need to Hard wire Smokes?? I had previously told him that for new construction Smokes had to be AFCI in bedrooms, on a lighting circut bla bla bla...and this is what he sent back. Thank you in advance for any feedback...
"Under PA law, and it's quite clear on this matter (hard wired smokes) If the city, town, or municipality, DID NOT HAVE AN ORDINANCE in place before electing to be under the Pennsylvania Board of Labor and Industry, PA 2003 UCC code, then that municipality CANNOT force you to install hard wired by the code, unless that Municipality applied to the the PA State Labor and Industry to allow them to have an exception to the State 2003 UCC code.
If a town, Borough, Township, City, etc... is making you do something, for "well that's code around here". Check to see if in fact that actually can make you do it at all. THEY CANNOT USURP the PA State UCC. PERIOD. END OF STORY. If they do they will be reprimanded. How do I know? I have done it with 4 municipalities this year alone.
If they want to go above the State UCC codes that they need to apply to the State, get approval, have a public ordinance meeting, advertise it, wait 45 days, and then see if the State approves their request. They cannot hold their monthly meetings and pass rogue ordinances that make them feel good. Most ordinances that are/have been passed aren't worth the paper their written on, since they never applied to or received approval from the STATE OF PA TO ENACT A PARTICULAR ORDINANCE.
We have a State UCC just for this reason. It is called Uniform Construction Code, because yes LOL it's "uniform", everyone has to wear the "uniform"
The burden of proof is squarely on a municipality to prove why they need to have an ordinance that is more stringent that what the UCC of the State of PA says it is. If you are running into rogue city code officials as we have in DELCO. There is a complaint form to fill out, and send into the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry. We have had code officials "spanked" by the Sate, and possibly even relieved of their jobs, because their way of running code as a "wild west" doesn't cut it anymore.
This is what the whole Sharon Hill Sprinkler issue is about. If you want to see how this actually happens, the State is coming to Sharon Hill at 10:00 A.M. December 18, 2006, 250 Sharon Ave, Sharon Hill PA 19078, for the formal hearing. At this meeting Sharon Hill needs to prove why they feel they need to go above the Sate UCC for fire protection (sprinklers). Come out, it will be interesting.
JULY 16, 2004
Act 92 Changes to Uniform Construction Code
Yesterday, July 15, the Governor signed into law SB 1139 (Act 92) that makes a number of changes to the Uniform Construction Code and takes effect immediately.
Here is a summary of these changes:
Battery-operated smoke detectors only will be required when alterations, repairs or additions to residential dwellings are made.
JULY 21, 2004
Further Clarification on the Act 92 of 2004 Amendments
There are two provisions in this Act that cannot be altered by municipalities which have opted to administer and enforce the UCC:
The recreational cabin exclusion.
The revised requirement for battery operated smoke detectors (only) in one- or two-family dwellings when alterations, repairs or additions are made."
"Under PA law, and it's quite clear on this matter (hard wired smokes) If the city, town, or municipality, DID NOT HAVE AN ORDINANCE in place before electing to be under the Pennsylvania Board of Labor and Industry, PA 2003 UCC code, then that municipality CANNOT force you to install hard wired by the code, unless that Municipality applied to the the PA State Labor and Industry to allow them to have an exception to the State 2003 UCC code.
If a town, Borough, Township, City, etc... is making you do something, for "well that's code around here". Check to see if in fact that actually can make you do it at all. THEY CANNOT USURP the PA State UCC. PERIOD. END OF STORY. If they do they will be reprimanded. How do I know? I have done it with 4 municipalities this year alone.
If they want to go above the State UCC codes that they need to apply to the State, get approval, have a public ordinance meeting, advertise it, wait 45 days, and then see if the State approves their request. They cannot hold their monthly meetings and pass rogue ordinances that make them feel good. Most ordinances that are/have been passed aren't worth the paper their written on, since they never applied to or received approval from the STATE OF PA TO ENACT A PARTICULAR ORDINANCE.
We have a State UCC just for this reason. It is called Uniform Construction Code, because yes LOL it's "uniform", everyone has to wear the "uniform"
The burden of proof is squarely on a municipality to prove why they need to have an ordinance that is more stringent that what the UCC of the State of PA says it is. If you are running into rogue city code officials as we have in DELCO. There is a complaint form to fill out, and send into the PA Dept. of Labor and Industry. We have had code officials "spanked" by the Sate, and possibly even relieved of their jobs, because their way of running code as a "wild west" doesn't cut it anymore.
This is what the whole Sharon Hill Sprinkler issue is about. If you want to see how this actually happens, the State is coming to Sharon Hill at 10:00 A.M. December 18, 2006, 250 Sharon Ave, Sharon Hill PA 19078, for the formal hearing. At this meeting Sharon Hill needs to prove why they feel they need to go above the Sate UCC for fire protection (sprinklers). Come out, it will be interesting.
JULY 16, 2004
Act 92 Changes to Uniform Construction Code
Yesterday, July 15, the Governor signed into law SB 1139 (Act 92) that makes a number of changes to the Uniform Construction Code and takes effect immediately.
Here is a summary of these changes:
Battery-operated smoke detectors only will be required when alterations, repairs or additions to residential dwellings are made.
JULY 21, 2004
Further Clarification on the Act 92 of 2004 Amendments
There are two provisions in this Act that cannot be altered by municipalities which have opted to administer and enforce the UCC:
The recreational cabin exclusion.
The revised requirement for battery operated smoke detectors (only) in one- or two-family dwellings when alterations, repairs or additions are made."
