Whenever the Fire Chief, by and through persons working under his or her direction, determines based upon the Fire Prevention Code and/or on the experience and knowledge applied in the operation of his or her office,
(a) That any building or structure has been constructed, altered, or repaired in a manner violating the Fire Prevention Code as promulgated prior to the commencement of the construction, alterations, or repairs, or
(b) That any building or structure is being maintained or used in such a way as to endanger life or property from the hazards of fire or explosion, or
(c) That any building or other structure or property of any kind, which, for want of repairs, or by reason of its age, dilapidated, or abandoned condition or for any other reason constitutes a fire hazards and is located or constructed so as to constitute a danger to other buildings, property, persons, life, or limb, or
(d) That in any building or upon any premises there is located any combustible, flammable, or explosive substance or material or other condition dangerous to the safety of persons occupying the building or premises and adjacent premises and property,
the Fire Chief shall order the condition or thing to be corrected, or combustible, flammable or explosive, items to be removed, or the building or buildings to be repaired, closed to occupants, or removed, as required by the circumstances. The order shall be promptly complied with by the owner, agent, occupant, and lessee of the premises, place, property, or thing. Any order may be expressed in the alternative, e.g. allowing repair but on the failure to repair requiring demolition. Any order by the Fire Chief which concludes that a fire hazard exists, shall state what repairs and/or demolition must be accomplished, and that compliance must be completed within thirty (30) days of issuance. In the event of noncompliance, the Fire Chief is authorized by ordinance to enter into and upon the premises affected by the order and cause the building, structure, premises, or thing to be repaired, or torn down, materials removed, and all dangerous conditions remedied (as the case may be) at the expense of the owner, and shall advise that the order can be contested by entering an appeal to the City Council.
(Ord. 215. Passed 10-19-10.)