The new fire inspection program in Salisbury Township is being fine-tuned in advance of its expected rollout.

In separate 4-0 votes, with one commissioner absent, the township board approved an ordinance to amend the Fire Prevention Ordinance and a resolution for a Fire Prevention Fee Schedule.

The revisions, which clarify the ordinance, were made following input from those involved in developing and administering the program, including Eastern and Western Salisbury fire departments. The changes are included in the six-page fire prevention ordinance, which commissioners voted to adopt Dec. 19, 2013.

"The intent was to not exclude anyone from the development of the rules," Township Manager Randy Soriano said.

"They're starting to develop lists of businesses," Salisbury Township Police Chief Allen W. Stiles said of the township's four inspector staff.

"We want to be responsive to business owners and give them time to make the changes and be up to compliance," Stiles said. "We don't have to be adversarial."

"This is for the safety of the property in the township. I hope everyone works toward that end," Soriano said.

Salisbury Township Police Sergeant Donald Sabo, Jr. said during the week of Aug. 4, nine phone messages concerning questions about the program were handled.

"The word's out there," Sabo said. "We're getting calls on a daily basis."

"It's a good program. You're going to be proud of it," Stiles said, who distributed a fire inspection report as of Aug. 1 to commissioners.

The ordinance mandates an annual inspection of commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-family residential buildings for possible violations of fire, safety and health code requirements of Chapter 7 of the International Property Maintenance Code.

The township ordinance does not apply to single-family residences.

The ordinance covers, among other matters: building egress, fire alarms, portable fire extinguishers, fire-resistance ratings, fire-protection systems, fire-extinguishing systems, chemical-extinguishing systems, flammable and combustible liquids, motor fuel dispensing facilities and repair garages, ventilation control and commercial cooking operations.

The amended portions of the ordinance approved by commissioners at the Aug.14 township meeting mostly have to do with wording. For example, the word "official" replaced the word "officer" and the word "inspectors" replaced the word "officers."

There were also a few additions.

Under authorized inspections, it was added: "The designated official, Fire Safety Inspector, will be the authority having jurisdiction pertaining to the violations and repairs of properties within the scope of the fire safety inspection program."

Also added: "Initial Fire Inspections shall be based on the same requirements as annual fire inspections. Initial fire inspections will be conducted when a change in business owner, business name, or occupancy change within commercial, industrial and multi-family dwellings or buildings. A business or owner must contact the Salisbury Township Fire Inspector for notification and scheduling of an initial fire inspection before an occupancy shall be allowed to open and operate."

It was also added "inspections shall be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of the National Fire Protection Association standards," which the ordinance lists.

Also, the ordinance now stipulates inspections "include vacant-not in use commercial, industrial, institutional and multi-residential properties."

Another change is fees will be collected "after completion of" an inspection. The ordinance originally stated fees would be collected prior to an inspection.

The fire safety inspection fee schedule ranges from $60 for up to a 2,999-square-foot to $600 for a 500,000-square-foot or more commercial-multi-residential building.

The fee is $75 for up to a 500,000-square-foot and $125 for more than a 500,000-square-foot educational-assembly property.

A certificate of operation is $50. Failure to comply is $50.

"Are these fees in line with other municipalities?" Commissioner Joanne Ackerman asked.

"They're lower than bordering municipalities," Lead Salisbury Township Fire Inspector Dustin Grow said.

The other township fire inspectors are Dev Kannan, Western Salisbury Fire Company assistant fire chief; Kyle Mertl, Eastern Salisbury Fire Company assistant fire chief, and Dave Tomcics, Eastern Salisbury Fire Company assistant fire chief and president.

Soriano said while the fire inspection program is to be revenue-neutral, it may lose money in the first year.

"We have a lot of start-up costs," Stiles said.

"I'd just like to thank all those involved. It was a lot of hard work," Commissioner President James A Brown said.