The fire commissioner is hereby empowered, consistent with the requirements of due process of law, to enter at a reasonable time or in case of emergency any building, structure or premises, whether completed or in the course of construction, for the purpose of determining whether such buildings, structures or premises have been or are being constructed and maintained in accordance with the fire regulations of this Code. In such case, it shall be unlawful for any person to exclude any member of the uniformed service designated for such purpose from any such building, structure or premises.
The fire commissioner shall make, or cause to be made, regular inspections, with sufficient frequency to secure efficient supervision, of: (1) all buildings, structures or places that are used for manufacturing or commercial purposes or that are occupied or frequented by large numbers of people; and (2) all school buildings, public halls, churches, institutional buildings, theaters and multiple dwellings; and (3) all places of amusement, recreation or employment, in order to:
(a) determine the safety of the occupants of such buildings, structures or places in the event of fire, panic or accident;
(b) examine (i) the working order and repair of all doors, fire escapes, and firefighting appliances; (ii) the condition and maintenance of exits, corridors, stairways, and fire escapes and their approaches, with regard to obstructions; (iii) the disposition, quantity, arrangement and protection of stock, combustible material and rubbish, heating devices and ovens, flammable liquids and explosives, with regard to safety from fire; and (iv) the protection of hazardous machinery, appliances and apparatus, with regard to safety from fire; and
(c) ascertain whether the fire regulations of this Code are being enforced.
(Added Coun. J. 5-18-16, p. 24131, § 2)