The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Information on the various Titles is as follows:
Title I: Employment – the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
800-669-4000
Title II: Public Services & Transportation – U. S. Dept. of Justice
800-514-0301 – www.ada.gov
Title III: Public Accommodations – to obtain a copy of the final rules
800-514-0301
Questions on the final rules can be directed to: Office of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Civil Rights Division, U. S. Department of Justice – 800-514-0301.
Technical Information on ADA accessibility provisions can be obtained from the
U.S. Architectural & Transportation Barriers Compliance Board – 800-US-ABLE.
Fair Employment Practice Ordinance
Contact for Information:
Fair Employment Practice Ordinance
Rue Landau, Esq., Executive Director, City of Philadelphia, Commission on
Human Relations
The Curtis Center, 601 Walnut Street, Suite 300 South, Philadelphia, PA 19106
215-686-4670
www.phila/humanrelations.org
Federal Family & Medical Leave Act
Contact for Information:
Wage & Hour Division
215-597-4950
ww.dol.gov/esa
federal emergency management agency (fema)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region III
Serving: Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania,
Virginia, West Virginia
615 Chestnut Street
One Independence Mall, Sixth Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19106
Main Number: 215-931-5608
Congressional Inquiries: 215-931-5654
Environment & Historic Preservation Contact:
Steven Hardegen
FEMA, Region II
Serving: New Jersey, New York, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands
26 Federal Plaza, Suite 1337
New York, NY 10278
Environment & Historic Preservation Contact:
Robert Tranter, 212-680-3628
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Flood Hazard Mapping Contact:
Paul Weberg, 212-680-3638
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Center City District
The Center City District (CCD) is a private sector sponsored municipal authority which was established in 1990. The CCD supplements municipal services by providing maintenance, capital improvements, public safety and crime prevention, hospitality, promotional programs, and physical improvement programs.
The CCD is authorized to operate through 2025 as a result of the issuance and subsequent refinance of a bond issue to support streetscape improvements throughout the District. Its boundaries encompass more than 110 blocks in the downtown business district, which is roughly bordered by Sixth & Twenty-First Streets, Vine to Spruce Streets.
CCD services are funded by charges assessed to more than 4,500 property owners within the CCD’s boundaries. It has its own billing and collection system independent of the City of Philadelphia. Individual charges are computed by the total taxable assessed value of the CCD, and multiplying that proportion by the amount of the program’s annual project cost, which is in the excess of $17 million. The Board of Revision of Taxes provides assessed value on all properties within the CCD. Annual bills are due by March 31.
The CCD is managed by a 23-member Board of Directors, including many major downtown property owners. The President is Paul R. Levy.
The offices are located in the Public Ledger Building, 660 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Telephone: 215-440-5500, fax 215-922-7672; email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.centercityphila.org
University City District
University City District (UCD) was established in 1997 to improve the quality of life of this 2.2 square mile area of West Philadelphia. Located just west of Philadelphia’s Central Business District, UCD’s boundaries run from the Schuylkill River to 50th Street and from Spring Garden Street to Woodland Avenue. An independent, not-for-profit organization, UCD builds effective partnerships to maintain a clean and safe environment and to promote, plan, and advocate for University City’s diverse, urban community.
Its fulltime administrative staff manages programs and services that enhance public space, increase public safety, assist homeowners, commercial and rental property owners, and promote University City attractions.
UCD is managed by a 25-member Board of Directors. Funding for UCD’s programs and services comes exclusively from voluntary contributions from University City businesses, institutions, and residents.
For more information contact UCD at 215-243-0555. They are located at 3940 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or www.ucityphila.org
What is the Green Business Program?
www.phillygreenbiz.com
It is a public promise/commitment made by companies across the greater Philadelphia area to change their daily business practices to reduce impacts on the environment. The commitment focuses on a checklist of green operational practices designed for office users. Once a key leader in your firm has signed the commitment, the firm will be ranked as Basic, Silver, Gold or Platinum based on the number of green practices it has adopted.
Why do it?
Green business practices save money and give you a competitive advantage in a tough business environment — all the while, benefiting our community and our environment. These practices reduce energy consumption, water use, waste generation, and greenhouse gas emissions. And by joining the Green Business Program, your company becomes part of a metropolitan Philadelphia — and global — movement, and will be recognized for its leadership. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to network with the leaders of other like-minded companies. There’s a lot to do, and many lessons and leading edge business practices to be shared!
Whose is it?
The Program was created for businesses by area business leaders, and will expand through their leadership. The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the PenJerDel Council endorse it, and will provide logistical support. The Green Business Program and website are maintained by the Pennsylvania Environmental Council.
How is compliance with the program achieved?
The Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program is a voluntary program
in which companies complete the checklist themselves and are therefore self-
certified. This relies on the companies’ transparency and disclosure to ensure compliance. There is no third party verification.
For more information, please contact: Patrick Starr at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (215) 592-7020, ext. 108 or visit their website at www.phillygreenbiz.com
CFC’s
The Clean Air Act of 1990 restricts the use and handling of Chlorofloro-carbons (CFC). CFC’s are a class of compounds with many uses including their use in buildings as refrigerants in chillers and cooling systems and as fire suppression agents.
In order to reduce the effect on the upper atmosphere, the Clean Air Act of 1990 contains the following restrictions:
1. Deliberate venting of CFC’s into the atmosphere is prohibited.
2. CFC’s will no longer be produced in the United States after
December 31, 1995.
The regulations also impose certification requirements for all technicians who work with chillers and refrigerants. All building owners should know their options and plan to take action.
Three sources are recommended for additional information.
• BOMA publishes “The Refrigerant Manual — Managing the Phase Out of CFC’s.” For a copy, call BOMA International at 800-426-6292.
• “Complying with the CFC Prohibitions of the Clean Air Act” is published
by government institutes. A copy can be ordered by calling 301-921-2355.
• Clean Air Act of 1990–1993 amendments can be found at http://www.epa.gov/ozone/title6/608
Permit Information
Building Permit:
A building permit is required for the following activities:
1. Construction or erection of a structure.
2. Construction or addition to a structure.
3. Altering, modifying, or improving a structure.
4. Demolishing or moving a structure.
5. Making a change in occupancy.
6. Installing or altering any equipment which is regulated by the Building Code or Mechanical Code.
Fire Prevention Permit:
A permit is required for those operations, facilities, or trades as specified in the Fire Prevention Code.
Electrical Permit:
A permit is required for the installation, alteration, replacement or repair of electrical and communication wiring, or for the repair or replacement of electrical equipment within or on any structure or premise of alteration of any such existing installation.
Plumbing Permit:
A plumbing permit is required for the installation, alteration, renewal, replacement or repair of plumbing fixtures and piping other than minor repairs. A Registered Master Plumber and/or his/her representative must complete all work. Philadelphia utilizes its own plumbing code as well as the National Codes such as BOCA.
Contact the Electrical and Plumbing Unit of the Department of Licenses & Inspections at 215-686-2451 — John McFarlane, Jr., Codes Specialist, Plumbing.
Due to the nature of permit issuance and the requirements for each city, township, and municipality where work is to be performed as it relates to code enforcement, inspections, and what permits may or may not be required and/or what other requirements are mandated, it is suggested that you contact the department or office responsible for issuing permits and mandating codes and their enforcement in your community and secure a copy of the Administrative Code and requirements for that community. For the City of Philadelphia, contact the Administrative Dept of L & I, Municipal Services Building, Suite 1180, Philadelphia, PA 19102.
For more detailed information regarding permit information, visit the City of Philadelphia Website at www.phila.gov
Zoning
For answers to Zoning questions contact:
Zoning Department, City of Philadelphia, Zoning Examiner – 215-686-2564 — Evelyn Langston
Certification Statement
The Certification Statement is a document required by Pennsylvania state law — www.state.pa.us. It says that for the sale of any property in a city of the first class, at a time no later than settlement, the seller of the property must give to the buyer a document from the municipality stating whether there are or are not any outstanding code violations and if the use of the property (except in the case of single family dwellings) is legal along with the zoning class of the area. To order a certification statement you must submit an application along with a check or money order in the appropriate amount to the Certification Unit for processing ($100.00 for accelerated processing & $50.00 for regular processing). The turn-around time varies depending primarily on work load. However, we ask that you allow 20 business days for accelerated and 30-35 business days for regular.
For further information contact — This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Codes
Information pertaining to Licenses, Permits and Certifications required in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania can be obtained at the following Websites:
Delaware: www.state.de.us
New Jersey: www.state.nj.us
Pennsylvania www.state.pa.us
http://www.generalcode.com — Construction Codes for various townships — click on left icon for “e-code online library.”
Elevator Law
Information, including a copy of the Elevator Regulation Law, on Elevator Law in the State of Pennsylvania can be found at www.dli.state.pa.us – click on Laws & Regulations (side bar) for copy of the Elevator Regulation Law. Note the quarterly state inspections have been changed to semi-annually (two per year).
Inquiries into the past business practices of an elevator company should be directed to the Bureau of Consumer Protection, Office of the Attorney General, 301 Chestnut Street, Suite 105, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Telephone: 717-787-7109 or fax 717-772-3560; your local Better Business Bureau or the Corporation Bureau 717-787-1057 or fax 717-783-2244.
Further information can be obtained from:
State of Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Elevator Division
7th & Forster Streets
Harrisburg, PA 17120
717-787-3806
BOCA National Building Code
For information on BOCA National Building Codes visit www.phila.gov. Also available are city department links, Licenses & Inspections link, Codes & Regulations link, and the Philadelphia Building Code with Regulations.
Philadelphia Fire Prevention Code
The Philadelphia Fire Code was a joint effort of the Philadelphia Fire Department and the Dept. of Licenses & Inspections. Effective date was 1-1-95. The City of Philadelphia edition of the BOCA National Codes was published by arrangement with BOCA International, Inc. Copies of the Code cost $70.00 and are available at the Municipal Services Building, Dept of L & I, 1401 JFK Boulevard, Philadelphia. Telephone: 215-686-2412.
Questions regarding the Fire Code should be directed to:
Lt. Cliff Gilliam
Philadelphia Fire Department
240 Spring Garden Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123
Telephone: 215-686-1356
Fax: 215-686-1167
Fire Prevention Seminars:
Kathy Whitehead
215-686-1382 or 1383
Pennsylvania’s Recycling Act — Act 101
Act 101, the “Municipal Waste Planning, Recycling and Reduction Act of Pennsylvania,” went into effect on 9-26-88. It mandates that commercial and institutional establishments located in Philadelphia implement their own recycling programs by 10-15-94.
Commercial establishments are those engaged in non-manufacturing or non-processing business (includes office buildings), as well as manufacturers, processors and industries that produce solid waste. Institutional establishments are those engaged in services such as hospitals, schools, universities, and other similar organizations.
Commercial and institutional establishments are required to recycle at a minimum aluminum beverage cans, corrugated cardboard, high grade office paper and leaf waste. This can be accomplished by source separation, or by otherwise providing for the recycling of these materials. High grade office paper includes: any bond, copier, letterhead or mimeograph paper and computer paper.
In Act 101, leaf waste includes: leaves, garden residues, shrubbery and tree trimmings, but does not include grass clippings. The list of recyclable materials goes further, including glass containers (clear and colored), newsprint, plastics and steel and bi-metallic cans. Communities are required to demonstrate the actions they are taking to meet the 25% recycle goal. Communities requesting this information of waste haulers and buildings owners may be asked by their waste hauling vendors for quantities of reportable recycled materials.
The Streets and Walkways Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) are the education and enforcement section of the Streets Department. Judges hearing SWEEP cases can impose penalties up to $300 on violators of the Commercial Regulations. The judge can count each day of non-compliance as a separate $300 violation.
The Commercial regulations require all businesses in Philadelphia to:
• Prepare and submit a recycling plan
• Distribute the plan to all employees and/or tenants
• Publicly post the plan
• Separate recyclables up-front
• Provide recycling container (can be obtained by calling 215-685-7329)
• Create an education program to communicate expectations, changes, impacts, etc.
• Use a hauler or recycling company that is licensed by the City of Philadelphia.
• Set trash and recyclables out at the proper time to ensure proper sanitation.
• File an exemption request if your hauler intends to recover recyclables from mixed trash.
For direct contact with a SWEEP or a Streets Department representative call:
Philadelphia Recycling Hotline 215-685-7329
(ask for commercial operator)
Visit the City’s Website at www.recyclingpays.phila.gov/commercial.htm for further information on Commercial Regulations and recycling in general.
Sidewalk Behavior Ordinance
& Homeless Outreach Services
City of Philadelphia
Important Facts:
1. Provisions of the Sidewalk Behavior Ordinance (#970817) affecting people who are homeless went into effect on 1-19-99.
2. Under the Ordinance, the following activities are now illegal and punishable by arrest and fine:
• Sitting on the sidewalk for more than one hour within a two hour
time period ($20 fine);
• Lying on the sidewalk ($20 fine); or
• Soliciting money within an 8 foot radius of any building entrance or
vending cart, or within a 20 foot radius of a bank entrance, or in an
“aggressive” manner (up to $100 fine).
3. Police officers may only issue citations after first issuing an oral warning, followed by a written warning and then calling for an Outreach Team. Citations will only be issued after all outreach efforts have been made.
If you are concerned about a person who is mentally or physically impaired and wants to seek help on his/her own, call the Outreach Team at 215-232-1984. Outreach will come to the scene, evaluate the person’s needs, and offer transportation to a shelter and social services. They will provide follow-up care to help people continue on the path to a healthier, more stable life.
If a person is unable to seek help on their own:
Women and families should go to the Office of Emergency Shelter and Services at 141 N. Juniper Street, Philadelphia (7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.) or after hours to Eliza Shirley at 1320 Arch Street. Men should go to the Ridge Center at 1360 Ridge Avenue any time.
Outreach Coordination Center — 215-232-1984 — is a partnership initiative between the City of Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health and Project H.O.M.E.
OSHA Hazard Communication Standard and
Pennsylvania Right to Know Act
The OSHA Hazard Communication Standard (20CFR1910.1200) was promulgated in 1985. The standard requires private employers to inform their employees and contractors of all potential hazards associated with any hazardous chemicals. It is important to point out that this is a performance oriented standard and as such requires ongoing compliance activities specific to employers’ needs.
The Pennsylvania Worker & Community Right-to-Know Act was signed into law on 10-5-84. It requires employers to provide employees and community residents access to information on hazardous materials present in the workplace.
Under the OSHA standard, private employers must:
- Conduct an inventory of all products used in a building.
- Develop and implement a written program.
- Obtain MSDS’s for all products from the manufacturer or distributor.
- Develop an inventory list of hazardous products based on the manufacturer’s information.
- Develop a training program.
- Post the Hazardous Products Inventory.
- Label containers.
- Train employees on the requirements of the standards and the specific hazards in the workplace.
- Training needs to be done only once, unless:
— New hazardous products are introduced into the workplace;
— An employee’s responsibilities change resulting in different exposure;
— The process is changed. - Update written program, training and inventory as needed.
- Audit effectiveness of program implementation.
- Inform contractors.
For complete information on the exact requirements of the standard contact: Occupational Safety & Health Administration (Philadelphia office – 215- 597-4955)
Additional requirements for PA include:
• Complete and submit to the Dept of Labor & Industry (if requested)
a Hazardous Substance Survey Form (HSSF) by April 1.
• Product labels must list the product’s five main ingredients (by concentration).
For more information contact: Bureau of Worker & Community Right-to-Know,
Dept. of Labor & Industry, Seventh Avenue & Forster Sts., Room 1503, Harrisburg, PA 17120.
GAS (Philadelphia Gas Works/PGW)
www.pgworks.com
Emergency phone number for possible gas leak 215-235-1212
Main information number for meter reading 215-235-1000
(meter readings are taken every month or every other month)
Natural Gas – used for cooking, house heating, water heating, clothes drying, thousands of industrial and commercial uses. Composed of lighter-than-air mixture of combustible hydrocarbons, mostly methane. Recovered from earth by oil and gas wells, non-toxic and odorless. Chemical odor is added for easy detection.
LNG (Liquefied National Gas) is natural gas converted into liquid by refrigeration to -258 degrees F. LNG requires 620 times less storage than natural gas in gaseous form.
SNG (Substitute Natural Gas) is a manufactured gas, completely interchangeable with natural gas.
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is largely propane.
Measurement terms: 1 cubic foot (cf) = 1015 British Thermal Units (BTU). 1000 cubic feet (1Mcf) = 1,015,000 BTU’s. 1 thermo = 100,000 BTU’s. 1 Dekatherm (DKT) = 1,000,000 BTU’s.
British Thermal Unit is the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit or near 39.2 degree F.
