(A) Mandatory inspections. The Fire Marshal or that individual’s written designee ("inspector") shall have authority to immediately and without advance notice enter upon and inspect or reinspect any and all structures or premises and the contents thereof, to the extent that some portions or all of such structures or premises are either open to the public or are reasonably thought by the inspector to present a serious and potentially imminent and material danger to persons or property related to fire safety and/or significant violations of the provisions of the then applicable Indiana Fire Prevention Code. Such inspection shall be made with minimal disruption and reasonable efforts to accommodate and provide for the identified legitimate interests of the owner/occupant of the structures or premises.
(B) Permissive inspections. The inspector may request permission to enter upon and inspect any and all other premises or facilities within the city for purposes reasonably related to fire safety.
(C) Owner/occupant participation. Where circumstances permit, the inspector shall ask that an appropriate responsible representative of the property owner/occupant accompany the inspector during the inspection.
(D) Inspection results. The inspector may discuss the inspection with the property owner/occupant representative during and following the inspection. However, the official record of the inspection shall be limited to that written and filed by the inspector. That official record shall be a public record and a copy shall be made available to the owner/occupant of the inspected premises.
(E) It is the intent of this section to achieve compliance by traditional means of inspection, notification, granting of reasonable time to comply and reinspection. The assessment of penalties shall be used only after reasonable efforts to gain compliance have failed.
(F) Any actions to enforce compliance with this shall be governed by I.C. 36-8-17 or its successor provision as it then exists.
(Ord. 12-C-00, passed 8-29-00)