(a) Any responsible person, as defined in subsection (d) below, who has been notified by the Fire Department or a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector that a building or structure shall be made safe or secure under Ohio Fire Code Section 110, upon receipt of said notice shall:
(1) Remove all hazardous materials, as defined in the Ohio Fire Code, from the building until such time as the building is secured or reoccupied, unless storage is permitted in writing by a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector and the
building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system which is maintained and fully functional; and
(2) Remove all combustible materials, including fixtures which are not permanently attached, unless the building is equipped with an automatic sprinkler system which is maintained and fully functional; and
(3) Remove all materials determined by the Chief of the Fire Department or a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector to be hazardous in case of fire; and
(4) Secure all floors accessible from grade or by a permanent staircase or other permanent components of the building utilizing one of the following methods so long as such method is approved by the Chief of the Fire Department in writing:
A. Secure all window and door openings continuously until such time as the building is reoccupied; or
B. Provide continuous (twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week) watchman services until such time as the building is lawfully reoccupied; or
C. Provide a continuously-monitored intruder alarm system at the perimeter of all floors accessible from grade, until such time as the building is lawfully reoccupied.
(b) The terms “secure” and “secured” as used in this section shall mean, at a minimum, that a solid covering shall be placed over all doors and windows which are within fifteen (15) feet of the exterior grade, consisting of one-half (½) inch thick plywood attached to the framing of all such doors and windows by wood screws of a minimum length of one and one-half (1½) inches placed not more than twenty-four (24) inches on center. Such plywood shall be painted with a minimum of two coats of exterior paint of a color similar to the building.
(c) If deemed necessary by the Chief of the Fire Department, or a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector may enter and inspect any building secured prior to the adoption of this section to monitor for compliance with this section. In the event that the Fire Department or a Municipal Fire Safety Inspector determines that the previously secured building does not comply with the provisions of this chapter, the Chief of the Fire Department or Municipal Fire Safety Inspector may issue an order to the building owner to comply with this section within a reasonable period of time.
(d) No responsible person shall knowingly fail to comply with this section. For purposes of this section, “responsible person” shall include, but not necessarily be limited to, an owner of the real property in question; a tenant in occupancy under an oral or written lease; or any other person, lessee; agent; operator or entity that has a right of control over the interior and exterior of the building structure, or vehicle involved. Responsible persons can include individuals, heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, business associations, partnerships or corporations, its or their successors or assigns or the agent of any of the aforesaid.
(Ord. 2023-91. Passed 6-20-23.)