(a) A Bureau of Fire Prevention in the Fire Department is hereby established, which shall be operated under the supervision of the Chief of the Fire Department, under the direction and control of the Mayor. The person in charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be referred to and known as the Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and shall be appointed by the Chief of the Fire Department, on the basis of his qualifications, after approval of the Mayor. The Fire Chief shall designate five other officers or members of that Department based on their qualifications, as fire inspectors for duties incident to the operation of the Bureau.
(b) It shall be the duty of the Bureau of Fire Prevention to enforce all laws and ordinances covering the following:
(1) The prevention of fires;
(2) The storage and use of explosives and flammables;
` (3) The installation and maintenance of automatic and other fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment;
(4) The maintenance and regulations of fire escapes;
(5) The maintenance of protection and elimination of hazards in buildings and structures, including those under construction;
(6) The means and adequacy of exit in case of fire from all places in which persons work, live, or congregate for any purpose from time to time, including but not limited to factories, schools, hotels, lodging houses, asylums, hospitals, churches, halls, theaters and amphitheaters;
(7) The investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fires;
(8) The inspection, enforcement and issuance of operating permits in connection with incinerators as provided in this chapter; and
(9) Educate the populace by fire prevention programs.
The Bureau shall have such other powers and perform such other duties as are set forth in other sections of this Fire Prevention Code and other ordinances as may be conferred and imposed from time to time by law.
This delegation of duty shall not relieve any other department, officer or employee of the Municipality of any power or duty conferred upon it or him by law or ordinances.
(c) The Fire Chief or Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention or Inspector may, at all reasonable hours, enter any building, premises, or vehicle within his jurisdiction for the purposes of examining the same as authorized by State statute.
(d) The Fire Chief or members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention may make or cause to be made an inspection of the contents and the working conditions of any fire extinguisher or fire extinguishing system.
(e) The Bureau shall survey each commercial and industrial establishment, mercantile, educational and institutional occupancy, place of assembly, hotel, apartment and may survey multi-family houses and such other buildings or dwellings within the Municipality, and shall specify suitable fire-detecting devices or extinguishing appliances which shall be provided in or near boiler rooms, kitchens of restaurants, clubs and like establishments, storage rooms involving considerable combustible material, rooms in which hazardous manufacturing processes are involved, repair garages and other places of a generally hazardous nature. Such devices or appliances may consist of automatic fire alarm systems, automatic sprinkler or water spray systems, standpipe and hose, fixed or portable fire extinguishers of a type suitable for probable class of fire, or suitable asbestos or approved fire blankets, manual or automatic covers or other special fire extinguishing systems. In special hazardous processes or storage, appliances of more than one type or special system may be required.
(f) Pursuant to Ohio R.C. 737.27, the Chief of the Fire Department or members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall investigate the cause of all fires, bombings, and explosions, examine witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers and to do and perform all other acts necessary to the effective discharge of such duties.
The Chief or his representative may administer oaths and enter, for the purpose of examination, any building, premises or vehicle which, in their opinion, is in danger from fire and they shall report their proceedings to the Mayor or legislative authority at such times as are required. Failure of any person, firm or corporation to comply with any order of the Chief or his representative, under the provisions of this section shall constitute an unlawful act and subject such person, firm or corporation to penalties provided for in Section 1501.99. Whenever necessary, for the enforcement of any law pertaining to fire inspection or fire enforcement, the Chief or his designated representative shall apply for a search warrant in the form and manner provided by law.
(g) The Chief shall recommend to the Mayor the employment of technical inspectors who, when such authorization is granted by Council, shall be selected through an examination to determine their fitness for the position. The examination shall be open to members and nonmembers of the Fire Department and appointments made after examination shall be for such period as determined by Council.
(h) A report of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be made annually and transmitted to the Mayor. It shall contain all proceedings under the Fire Prevention Code, with such statistics as the Fire Chief may wish to include therein. The Chief shall also recommend any amendments to the Fire Prevention Code which in his judgment shall be desirable.
(Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)