The chief of the bureau of fire prevention shall have power to modify any of the provisions of the NFPA Fire Prevention Code (NFPA 1) upon application in writing by the owner or lessee, or his duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code, provided that the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the chief bureau of fire prevention thereon shall be entered upon the records of the department and signed copies shall be furnished the applicant.
(Code 1977, § 70.260)