Pennsylvania repealed the statewide mandate for sprinklers in new one- and two-family dwellings effective retroactively to January 1, 2011 (Act 1 of 2011). Reading does not impose a local residential sprinkler mandate. New townhouses, commercial buildings, and existing buildings undergoing significant renovation are still subject to the sprinkler triggers in the IBC and IFC adopted at Reading Chapter 180 Parts 11 and 14, including the IFC Section 903 thresholds.
Pennsylvania's residential sprinkler history is important context for Reading homeowners. The 2009 International Residential Code (IRC) Section R313, which would have required sprinklers in all newly constructed one- and two-family dwellings effective January 1, 2011, was repealed retroactively by Pennsylvania Act 1 of 2011 (House Bill 377), signed by Governor Corbett on April 25, 2011. Pennsylvania's Uniform Construction Code at 34 Pa. Code Chapter 403 currently does not require sprinklers in new detached one- and two-family homes. New townhouses (three or more attached single-family dwellings) are still required to be sprinklered under IRC Section R313.2. Reading has not adopted a local residential sprinkler mandate at Section 180-1407, so the state default applies. Commercial and multifamily sprinklers are governed by IBC Chapter 9 and IFC Section 903 as adopted in Reading Chapter 180 Parts 11 and 14. IFC 903.2 typically requires automatic sprinkler systems in Group R occupancies (apartments) and in Group A, B, M, S, and F buildings above certain size or occupant-load thresholds. Reading Section 180-1407 adds Section 907.2.26: in all buildings provided with approved automatic sprinkler systems, a complete manual fire alarm system and automatic detection system must also be provided in all means of egress and mechanical rooms. The Reading Building and Trades Codes Enforcement office (610-655-6284) reviews sprinkler plans through the Pennsylvania UCC permit process, which requires sprinkler drawings stamped by a Pennsylvania-registered professional engineer or NICET Level III/IV designer.
Installing or modifying a sprinkler system without a UCC permit is a violation of 34 Pa. Code Section 403.42 and Reading Chapter 180. Penalties under the UCC are up to $1,000 per day under 35 P.S. Section 7210.903. Operating a building required to be sprinklered without functional sprinklers is an IFC 109 violation; the Fire Marshal may issue a Notice of Violation and, for life-safety risks, an order to vacate. Disabling or tampering with a required sprinkler system is also a criminal offense under 18 Pa. C.S.A. Section 3304 (Criminal mischief).
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See how Reading's fire sprinkler requirements rules stack up against other locations.
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