New Hope Borough
Office of the Fire Marshal

41 North Main Street
New Hope, PA 18938

Voicemail and Fax: (267) 224-4488
General Inquiries: info@newhopeofm.org

 

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Fire Safety Permits

Fees and Procedures

 

New Hope Borough Resolution 2004-2 adopting to administer and enforce the Pennsylvania Construction Code Act 45 of 1999, 35 P.S. §§7210.101-7210.1103 authorizes and charges the New Hope Borough Office of the Fire Marshall to administer the issuance of several types of operational and construction permits relating to the fire safety of such operations.

 

 

General guidelines and applicant responsibilities for all permits:

 

A permit shall constitute permission to maintain, store or handle materials; or to conduct processes which produce conditions hazardous to life or property; or to install equipment utilized in connection with such activities; or to install or modify any fire protection system or equipment or any other construction, equipment installation or modification in accordance with the provisions of this code where a permit is required. Such permission shall not be construed as authority to violate, cancel or set aside any of the provisions of the International Fire Code or other applicable regulations or laws of New Hope Borough. (IFC2003-105.3)

 

Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times and shall be readily available for inspection by the fire code official. (IFC2003-105.3.5)

 

If the applications for a permit describes a use that does not conform to the requirements of the International Fire Code and other pertinent laws and ordinances, the Fire Marshal shall not issue a permit, but shall return the application to the applicant with the refusal to issue such permit. Such refusal shall, when requested, be in writing and shall contain the reasons for refusal. (IFC2003-105.2.1)

 

Before a new operational permit is approved, the Fire Marshal is authorized to inspect the receptacles, vehicles, buildings, devices, premises, storage spaces or areas to be used to determine compliance with this code or any operational constraints required. (IFC2003-105.2.2)

 

An application for a permit for any proposed work or operation shall be deemed to have been abandoned six months after the date of filing, unless such application has been diligently prosecuted or a permit shall have been issued; except that the fire code official is authorized to grant one or more extensions of time for additional periods not exceeding 90 days each if there is reasonable cause. (IFC2003-105.2.3)

 

The Fire Marshal is authorized to revoke a permit issued under the provisions of this code when it is found by inspection or otherwise that there has been a false statement or misrepresentation as to the material facts in the application or construction documents on which the permit or approval was based.  (IFC2003-105.5)

 

Application forms are available at New Hope Borough Hall and online at http://newhopeofm.org.


 

Application for construction permits:

Construction permits are for ALL occupancy types, including residential.  Applications must be submitted 30 days prior to issuance, and all applications must include the permit fees.

 

Most construction permits will require the submission of construction documents.

  • Construction documents shall be submitted in duplicate. The construction documents shall be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County of Bucks, and/or the Borough of New Hope.  (IFC2003-105.4.1)
  • Construction documents shall be drawn to scale upon suitable material.  Electronic media documents are allowed to be submitted when approved by the Fire Marshal.  Construction documents shall be of sufficient clarity to indicate the location, nature and extent of the work proposed and show in detail that it will conform to the provisions of this code and relevant laws, ordinances, rules and regulations as determined by the Fire Marshal. (IFC2003-105.4.2)
  • It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the construction documents include all of the fire protection requirements and the shop drawings are complete and in compliance with the applicable codes and standards.  (IFC2003-105.4.3)
  • Construction documents approved by the Fire Marshal are approved with the intent that such construction documents comply in all respects with this code.  Review and approval by the Fire Marshal official shall not relieve the applicant of the responsibility of compliance with this code. (IFC2003-105.4.4)
  • Where field conditions necessitate any substantial change from the approved construction documents, the fire code official shall have the authority to require the corrected construction documents to be submitted for approval. (IFC2003-105.4.5)
  • One set of construction documents shall be retained by the fire code official until final approval of the work covered therein.  One set of approved construction documents shall be returned to the applicant, and said set shall be kept on the site of the building or work at all times during which the work authorized thereby is in progress. (IFC2003-105.4.6)
  • The issuance of a permit based on construction documents and other data shall not prevent the fire code official from requiring the correction of errors in the construction documents and other data. Any addition to or alteration of approved construction documents shall be approved in advance by the fire code official, as evidenced by the issuance of a new or amended permit. (IFC2003-105.3.6)

 

Permits for emergency repair work must be applied for no later than two days after the start of the repair.

 

CONSTRUCTION PERMITS

TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION

PERMIT FEE

Fire Protection Systems

   Fire alarm/detection systems (IFC2003-105.7.3)

    (new installation or modifications)

 

 

 

 

   Automatic fire extinguishing systems (IFC2003-105.7.1)

   Fire Pumps and  related equipment (IFC2003-105.7.1)

   Standpipe systems (IFC2003-105.7.11)

    (new installation or modifications)

   

   Private Fire Hydrants (IFC2003-105.7.9)

 

Single-Unit Residential: $44.00

All Other Occupancies:
$85.00 per floor/zone
$2.00 per outlet/nozzle/head

(minimum fee $28.00)

 

Sprinklers, Fire Pumps and Standpipes:

See “Sprinkler Plan Review –

Policies/Fees” Document

Hood Systems: $56.00

 

Initial installation/plan review: $85.00

$14.00 per hydrant add/remove/modify

Tents/Canopies:

   Temporary membrane structures, tents and canopies

      (IFC2003-105.7.12)
     Not including tents used for routine camping purposes.

 

$55.00

Compresses Gasses, Hazardous materials

   LP-Gas (IFC2003-105.7.8)

     (Installation or modification)

 

   Compressed gases (IFC2003-105.7.2)

     (install system, remove, modify, repair, place in or out

     of service)

     See “Construction Permits in Detail” for types of

     gases and amounts.

 

   Flammable and combustible liquids (IFC2003-105.7.5)

     (Install, remove, place out of service, repair, abandon,

     dispose of tanks, pipelines, equipment, etc)

     See “Construction Permits in Detail” for details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Hazardous materials (IFC2003-105.7.6)

     (Installation, modification, repair of hazmat facilities)

     See “Construction Permits in Detail” for details.

  

 

$55.00 ($35.00 Residential)

 

 

Plan review and inspection based on

system complexity.

$55.00/hr, minimum 2 hours.

 

 

 

Tanks (above and below-ground):

275 to 1,000 gal $55.00

1,001 to 15,000 gal $85.00

15,000 gal and over $165.00

Tanks (residential above/below/inside):

up to 275 gal $28.00

Over 275 gal $55.00

 

Underground piping $44.00

 

Other install/modifications based on system
and modification complexity.
Plan review and inspection is
$55.00/hr, minimum 2 hours.

 

Plan review and inspection based on

system complexity.

$55.00/hr, minimum 2 hours.

Ovens and Furnaces:

   Industrial Ovens (IFC2003-105.7.7)

 

$28.00

Spraying or dipping (IFC2003-105.7.10)

   Installation of modification of a spray room, dip tank,

   or booth.

$28.00

 

 


 

Application for operational permits:

Operational permits shall be applied for no less than 30 days before the commencement of the operation or activity requested in the permit, and must include all permit fees.  Where such fees are not explicitly specified, the applicant shall contact the Office of the Fire Marshal for a preliminary fee determination.

 

Permits for emergency repair work must be applied for no later than two days after the start of the repair.

 

The building or structure shall not be occupied or use for the operation requested in the permit prior to the fire code official issuing a permit that indicates that applicable provisions of this code have been met. (IFC2003-105.3.3)

 

 

OPERATIONAL PERMITS
Annual, unless otherwise noted

If more than one annual permit is required for a single occupancy, all permits shall be issued

 under a single permit fee in the amount of the highest fee or $150, whichever is greater.

TYPE OF OPERATION

PERMIT FEE

Aerosol products (IFC2003-105.6.1)

  To manufacture, store or handle 500 lbs or more

  of certain types of products

$100.00

Amusement buildings (IFC2003-105.6.2)

  To operate a special amusement building.  Permit is for duration

  Of event or usage, not to exceed 90 days.

$22.00 (90 days)

Renewal: $11.00

Aviation facilities (IFC2003-105.6.3)

  Aircraft servicing, repair, or fueling.  Other permits are required

  as provided for in this code (hot work, etc.)

$45.00

Carnivals and fairs (IFC2003-105.6.4)

   Permit is for length of event, not to exceed 30 days.

$85.00

Battery systems (IFC2003-105.6.5)

   Required for stationary lead-acid battery systems with a liquid

   capacity in excess of 50 gallons.

 

$22.00

Cellulose nitrate film (IFC2003-105.6.6)

   Storage, handling or use in an Assembly type occupancy.

$22.00

Combustible dust-producing operations (IFC2003-105.6.7)

$22.00

Combustible fibers (IFC2003-105.6.8)

   Storage and handling of more than 100 cu. ft.

   Note: no permit required for agricultural use.

100 to 500 cu. ft: $22.00

501 to 15,000 cu. ft.: $55.00

15,001 or more cu. ft.: $120.00

Compressed gases (IFC2003-105.6.9)

   See “Operational Permits in Detail”, IFC2003-105.6.9 for specifics.

$100.00

Covered mall buildings (IFC2003-105.6.10)

   Required for placement of fixtures and displays, highly combustible

   items and similar, liquid of gas fired equipment, use of open flames

   or flame-producing equipment in the mall.

$22.00 per installation, annual

Cryogenic fluids (IFC2003-105.6.11)

   See “Operational Permits in Detail”, IFC2003-105.6.11 for specifics.

$100.00

Cutting and welding (IFC2003-105.6.12)

   Permit required for any cutting or welding.

$10.00 (30 days)

$25.00 (annual)

Dry cleaning plants (IFC2003-105.6.13)

$55.00

Exhibits and trade shows (IFC2003-105.6.14)

$22.00 (30 days)

Renewal: $11.00

Explosives (IFC2003-105.6.15)

   Manufacturing, use, storage, or sale of any quantity.

Manufacture: $600.00 annual

Storage/sale under 50 lbs.: $50.00

Storage/sale over 50 lbs.: $150.00

Fire hydrants and valves (IFC2003-105.6.16)

   For use by anyone other than fire and water department personnel

$22.00 (30 days)

Renewal: $11.00

Flammable and combustible liquids (IFC2003-105.6.17)

   See “Operational Permits in Detail”, IFC2003-105.6.17 for specifics.

$150.00

Floor finishing (IFC2003-105.6.18)

   Exceeding 350 square feet using Class I or II liquids.

$55.00

Permit price varies based on quantity.

Fruit and crop ripening (IFC2003-105.6.19)

$22.00

Fumigation and thermal insecticidal fogging (IFC2003-105.6.20)

$22.00

Hazardous materials (IFC2003-105.6.21)

   Required to store, transport, dispense, use or handle in excess of

   certain amounts.

   See “Operational Permits in Detail”, IFC2003-105.6.21 for specifics.

$200.00

HPM facilities (IFC2003-105.6.22)

  Storage, handling, or use of hazardous production materials.

$150.00

High-piled storage (IFC2003-105.6.23)

   Required of high-piled storage areas in excess of 500 sq. ft.

500 to 1,500 sq. ft: $22.00

1,501 to 5000 sq. ft.: $55.00

5,001 sq. ft. and up: $125.00

Hot work operations (IFC2003-105.6.24)

  Welding, application of roofing materials with heat, etc.

$10.00 (30 days)

$25.00 (annual)

Industrial ovens (IFC2003-105.6.25)

   Required for use of any industrial oven regulated by Chapter 21

   Of the 2003 IFC.

$22.00

Lumber yards and woodworking plants (IFC2003-105.6.26)

   For storage or processing exceeding 100,000 board feet.

$350.00

Liquid- or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment in assembly buildings (IFC2003-105.6.27)

30 Days: $15.00

Annual: $55.00

LP-gas (IFC2003-105.6.28)

   Includes fixed tanks (less than 500 gal in an R3 occupancy is exempt)

   and operation of cargo tankers.

up to 1,000 gal $35.00

1,001 to 15,000 gal $55.00

15,000 gal and over $85.00

Magnesium (IFC2003-105.6.29)

  Required to melt, cast, heat or grind in excess of 10 lbs.

$22.00

Miscellaneous combustible storage (IFC2003-105.6.30)

   Required for areas over 2,500 cu. ft.

500 to 1,500 sq. ft: $22.00

1,501 to 5000 sq. ft.: $55.00

5,001 sq. ft. and up: $125.00

Open burning (IFC2003-105.6.31)

   Required for all open burning.  Permit is for a single event, and

   will include specific conditions and must be adhered to.  Should

   the request be of a scope requiring a fire department standby,

   additional fees may apply.

$22.00

Open flames and torches (IFC2003-105.6.32)

   Required for using a flame or torch in a hazardous fire area.

30 Days: $15.00

Annual: $55.00

Open flames and candles (IFC2003-105.6.33)

   Required for use of candles or open flames in dining areas of

   restaurants, drinking establishments, or other assembly areas.

$22.00

Organic coatings (IFC2003-105.6.34)

   For manufacturing operations exceeding 1 gal. per day.

$150.00

Places of assembly (IFC2003-105.6.35)

   Required to operate any place of assembly.

500 to 1,500 sq. ft: $22.00

1,501 to 5000 sq. ft.: $55.00

5,001 sq. ft. and up: $125.00

Private fire hydrants (IFC2003-105.6.36)

   Required for removal from service, use, or operation.

   Exception: fire department personnel, trained maintenance personnel

30 Days: $15.00

Annual: $55.00

Pyrotechnic special effects material (IFC2003-105.6.37)

$600.00

May require Fire Department standby

Pyroxylin plastics (IFC2003-105.6.38)

   Storage or handling in excess of 25 lbs.

$150.00

Refrigeration equipment (IFC2003-105.6.39)

   Only for equipment containing more than 200 pounds of Group A1

   or 30 pounds of any other group refrigerant.

$22.00

Repair garages and motor fuel-dispensing facilities (IFC2003-105.6.40)

   Required for operation of a repair garage or motor fuel dispensing

   facilities.

$22.00

Rooftop heliports (IFC2003-105.6.41)

$22.00

Spraying or dipping (IFC2003-105.6.42)

   Involving the use of combustible liquids or powders as regulates in

   Chapter 15 of the 2003 IFC.

 

 

$22.00

Storage of scrap tires and tire byproducts (IFC2003-105.6.43)

   For storage exceeding 2,500 cu. ft. or for any indoor storage of tires.

500 to 1,500 sq. ft: $22.00

1,501 to 5000 sq. ft.: $55.00

5,001 sq. ft. and up: $125.00

Temporary membrane structures, tents and canopies (IFC2003-105.6.44)

   Required for operations of tents in excess of 200 sq. ft. or with a

   canopy in excess of 400 sq. ft.

First 30 days covered under
construction permit fees

 

30-day Renewal: $12.00

Tire-rebuilding plants (IFC2003-105.6.45)

$100.00

Waste handling (IFC2003-105.6.46)

   Required for operation of wrecking yards, junkyards, and waste

   material handling facilities.

$400.00

Wood products (IFC2003-105.6.47)

   For storage of wood or wood-materials in excess of 200 cu. ft.

$22.00

 

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