Upper St. Clair Township, PA

Do I need a fire extinguisher at my business?
Yes. Virtually all commercial business spaces are required by code to have accessible, fully charged fire extinguishers.
Can I keep an extinguisher in a closet or under a counter?
No. Fire codes strictly require fire extinguishers to be clearly visible, unobstructed, and mounted on walls or placed in designated cabinets—never left on the floor or hidden out of sight.
How often do fire protection systems need to be inspected?
Fire alarms and water-based sprinkler systems typically require a comprehensive professional inspection at least once a year. Additionally, standard business fire extinguishers must undergo professional annual maintenance.
What happens if a Fire Inspector finds a violation?
You will be issued a formal violation notice detailing the hazard. For non-life-threatening routine violations, business owners are generally granted a correction window—often around 30 business days—before a mandatory re-inspection occurs. Failing to correct a violation can lead to fines, legal penalties, or closure.

Am I allowed to use a grill on my apartment balcony?
Generally, no. Most fire codes strictly prohibit using or storing open-flame cooking devices (like charcoal or propane grills) on combustible balconies, decks, or within 15 feet of an apartment building structure.
Who is responsible for fire code compliance in rental properties?
Property owners and landlords bear the ultimate legal responsibility for making sure building-wide fire alarms, exit lighting, and sprinkler systems comply with local codes. However, tenants can face heavy fines for tampering with or disabling smoke alarms inside their individual units.
What are the requirements for Exit Lighting? Fire Code requirements for exit lighting mandate that emergency lights must remain illuminated for a minimum of 90 minutes during a power failure.
What are the fire code requirements for exit pathways? Fire code requirements for exit pathways-technically termed the "means of egress"-mandate a continuous, completely unobstructed path of travel from any point inside a building to a safe public outdoor space.

Does the official fire code apply to single-family homes
No. In most jurisdictions, the International Fire Code does not govern existing single-family homes. Instead, home safety design falls under local residential building codes during initial construction or major renovations.
How many smoke alarms should a home have?
For baseline safety, fire safety authorities recommend placing a minimum of one smoke alarm on every level of the home, including inside every bedroom, right outside sleeping areas, and at the top of all stairways.

Code FAQs