title
An Ordinance to provide for the safe placement of heating and water heating devices in newly constructed residences.
body
WHEREAS, in many homes, the heating and water heating systems are the most vulnerable to flood damage, insofar as these devices are typically located in basements, often below ground level; and
WHEREAS, the increase in frequency and severity of flooding events in the County has occasioned significant losses of heating and water heating systems by the County's residents; and
WHEREAS, the use of water damaged heating or water heating systems presents a danger to life and property, while repeated replacement of these systems by the County's residents has created a significant financial burden for the County and its taxpayers;
The Council of the County of Allegheny hereby enacts as follows:
SECTION 1.
The Allegheny County Code of Ordinances, Division 8, entitled "Health Department Regulations," Chapter 835, entitled "Houses and Rooming Houses," sections 629 and 631 are hereby amended as follows:
629. UTILITIES AND FIXTURES: HEATING.
A. Every dwelling occupied during the heating season shall have heating facilities which are properly installed, maintained in a safe and good working condition, and capable of safely and adequately heating all habitable rooms, rooms containing a toilet, bathtub or shower, communicating corridors within dwelling units, and community corridors within rooming houses from rooming units to rooms containing a toilet, bathtub or shower.
B. A temperature of at least sixty-eight (68) degrees Fahrenheit shall be provided in all dwelling units regardless of thermostat location when the outside temperature is ten (10) degrees Fahrenheit or above during the heating seasons.
C. At no time shall the temperature in the areas specified in Section 629A be less than sixty-one (61) degrees Fahrenheit when the outside temperature is below ten (10) degrees Fahrenheit.
D. Responsibility for com...
Click here for full text