Haverford, PA Building Safety: Fire Sprinkler Requirements (2026)

Section 86-6 of the Haverford Township Code is the Township's own sprinkler mandate. Approved automatic sprinkler systems must be installed throughout all newly erected institutional buildings, throughout new additions to institutional buildings, and throughout existing buildings converted to institutional use after the effective date of the article. The section was added 9-9-1974 by Ord. No. 1577 and amended in 1988 and 2012. This page covers what § 86-6 itself requires. Section 86-1 separately adopts the Uniform Construction Code as the municipal building code of Haverford Township, including the Fire Code, and that adopted code is a different instrument from this section.

The section also controls how the system hooks up for the fire service. Under subsection A, all sprinkler system connections, new and old, must be five-inch Storz female couplings, caps and chains, or another type of cap approved by the Department of Codes Enforcement. Under subsection B, the number and location of connections are set as directed by the Department, with one fixed floor: buildings that face on two streets need a minimum of two connections interconnected with the sprinkler system. The connections are located approximately two feet above ground level unless the Department directs otherwise.

Sprinklers also change what else a building must carry. Section 86-5(B)(1) requires commercial buildings to have a listed and labeled smoke or heat detection system with interconnected detectors sounding an alarm of at least 85 dBA throughout the premises, including an outside alarm, but states that this subsection does not apply to structures protected by a sprinkler system approved by the Fire Code Official. Section 86-5(G) separately fines a contractor $200 for a first false alarm, $400 for a second and $600 for each later one when a fire alarm system is not disabled before work. The Fire Prevention Code is enforced by the Department of Codes Enforcement under § 86-2, and appeals of a code official's decision go to the Board of Appeals of Delaware County under § 86-8.