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(A) The following is a list of jobs/tasks that will need a construction permit for the business to do the job or task. These permits must be issued before work begins:
(1) Automatic fire extinguishing systems and related equipment;
(2) Compressed gases;
(3) Fire alarm and detection systems and related equipment;
(4) Fire pumps and related equipment;
(5) Flammable and combustible liquids;
(6) Hazardous materials;
(7) Industrial ovens;
(8) LP gas;
(9) Private hydrants;
(10) Spraying or dipping;
(11) Standpipe systems and related equipment; and
(12) Temporary membrane structures, tents, and canopies.
(B) The permit fee shall be based upon the county fee schedule.
(C) Construction permits check-off list:
(1) New alarm systems certification test;
(2) New fixed fire suppression system certification test;
(3) New sprinkler systems (20 heads or more);
(4) New standpipe systems;
(5) Renovations of standpipe systems;
(6) Renovations of fixed fire systems;
(7) Renovations of alarm systems;
(8) Renovations of sprinkler systems (20 heads or more);
(9) Storage tanks used for flammable/combustible liquids or hazardous materials (aboveground and underground);
(a) Removal (per tank); and
(b) New installations (per tank).
(10) Inspection of the retrofitting of storage tanks and pipes containing or used for flammable or combustible liquids or hazardous materials;
(11) Preliminary plans review:
(a) Up to 5,000 square feet;
(b) Five thousand one to 10,000 square feet;
(c) Ten thousand one to 25,000 square feet;
(d) Twenty-five thousand one to 100,000 square feet; and
(e) Over 100,000 square feet.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)
FEE ADMINISTRATION
(A) Fees will be according to the current schedule as adopted by the Board of Commissioners.
(B) An individual permit, with appropriate permit fee, shall be charged for each event or project.
(C) Special use permit fees for specific events, projects, or time periods shall be for the amount specified for that particular permit.
(D) Special use permits may not be combined.
(E) For a use permit, an appropriate permit fee shall be charged.
(F) For new fire alarm/sprinkler/standpipe/fire suppression systems, an appropriate permit fee shall be charged.
(G) For renovations to fire alarms/sprinklers/standpipe/fire suppression systems, an appropriate permit fee shall be charged.
(H) For new installations and removals of storage tanks used for flammable/combustible liquids or hazardous materials, an appropriate permit fee shall be charged.
(I) For places of assembly, see the service and permit fee schedule.
(J) Churches, schools, county operations and buildings, city operations and buildings, and emergency service organizations (fire; rescue; EMS; state, county, and city jails, detention centers, correction facilities; and state, county, and city law enforcement agencies) are exempt from operational permit fees. However, depending on the operation, those entities may still be required to obtain necessary permits. Also, tents used at funerals are exempt from all fees under this chapter, and a permit shall not be required for this use.
(K) No one is exempt from any construction permit fees or special use permit fees, except as listed in § 102 of the NCFC.
(L) Permits shall be in accordance with § 105 of the NCFC and this chapter.
(M) Service and permit fee schedule.
(1) Generally. Permits shall be in accordance with § 105 of the NCFC and this chapter.
(2) Permits required. Permits required by this NCFC and this chapter shall be obtained from the Fire Official. Permit fees, if any, shall be paid prior to issuance of the permit. Issued permits shall be kept on the premises designated therein at all times, and shall be readily available for inspection by the Fire Official; and
(3) Types of permits. There shall be three types of permits as follows.
(a) Operational permit. An operational permit allows the applicant to conduct an operation or a business for which a permit is required by § 105.6 of the NCFC and this chapter for either:
1. A prescribed period; or
2. Until renewed or revoked.
(b) Construction permit. A construction permit allows the applicant to install or modify systems and equipment for which a permit is required by § 105.6 of the NCFC and this chapter.
(c) Special use permits. Special use permits are for and/or allow special tests, inspections, certain applications, operations, and assemblies, to maintain, store, or handle certain materials, special events, and services for which a permit is required by § 105.6 of NCFC and this chapter.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)
(A) State-certified fire inspectors of the County Fire Marshal’s office are empowered to issue notices of violation and civil citations when they have reasonable cause to believe that any person or business has violated any provision of the NCFC, as amended, or this chapter. The notice of violation or civil citation may be delivered in person to the violator or, if the violator cannot be readily found, the notice of violation or civil citation may be mailed by certified mail. The notice of violation or civil citation shall specify the penalty to be imposed on the violator, and shall direct the violator to appear to the Fire Marshal’s office within 30 days to pay the penalty or, alternatively, to pay the penalty by mail.
(B) The notice of violation may specify a period (a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of 90 days) during which the violator must correct the violation. If the violation is not corrected within the specific time, the violator shall be guilty of a new and separate offense. Violation(s) consisting of locked and/or blocked exits, impedance of the occupants to quickly evacuate a structure or premise, or conditions posing imminent danger to the occupants on or about the premise, or violation(s) of occupancy limits established pursuant to the State Building Code and/or the fire code must be fixed or corrected during the time of the inspection if at all possible.
(C) If, on a first or second offense, the violator does not pay the penalty within 30 days after issuance of the notice of violation or civil citation, a delinquency charge of $10 will be added to the amount specified in the notice of violation or civil citation, and the notice of the delinquency charge shall be mailed to the violator. A criminal summons or warrant may be issued if the penalty plus delinquency charge are not paid within five days after the date of the delinquency notice. On a third offense of the same code violation during the same calendar year, there is a per-day civil fee until the violation is corrected.
(D) If the penalty and delinquency charge are not paid within the time allowed, the Fire Marshal’s office may have a criminal summons issued against the violator for the violation of the NCFC, as amended, or this chapter. Upon conviction, the violator shall be subject, in addition to any criminal penalty the court may impose pursuant to the provisions contained in the NCFC or this chapter, to the penalty specified in the notice of violation or civil citation and the delinquency charge.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023)
GENERAL REGULATIONS
(A) In accordance with the fire code, the Fire Marshal shall have the authority to designate fire lanes necessary for fire-apparatus accessibility.
(B) All designated fire lanes shall be marked as specified by the Fire Marshal. A “ NO PARKING” sign of the type specified by the Fire Marshal shall be installed adjacent to the fire lane perimeter. Additional signs shall be posted at intervals not exceeding 100 feet.
(C) All fire lanes previously designated and described by the county prior to this amendment shall remain as fire lanes and maintained as such. The parking of motor vehicles or other obstruction of a required fire lane shall be prohibited at all times per the NCFC and this chapter.
(D) Any person who shall park in a fire lane shall be subject to a civil citation, issued either by the Fire Marshal’s office or by a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 95.999
(A) No person shall remove, tamper with, paint (change the color of the hydrant so that it does not meet the NFPA standards for hydrant marking), or render any fire hydrant inoperative or inaccessible, except as may be necessary during emergencies, maintenance, drills, training, prescribed testing, or when permitted by the Fire Official.
(B) No person shall place or keep any fence, growth (trees, flowers, shrubs, plants, and the like), stones, signs, trash, or other material near any fire hydrant that would prevent it from being immediately discernible or in any other manner hinder the Fire Department from gaining immediate access to it. A clear space of not less than three feet shall be provided on all sides of a fire hydrant.
(C) No person shall park a vehicle, boat, trailer, or any other item, or permit it to stand, whether attended or unattended, within 15 feet in either direction of a fire hydrant.
(D) Hydrants to be used as fire protection shall have as a minimum of two two-and-one-half-inch outlets and one five-inch outlet. This would allow the minimum requirements of the Insurance Service Office. Whenever possible, pipe systems should be arranged in loops. The County Public Works Department will be in charge of making the decision on the minimum water supply piping size to ensure the necessary water pressure needed to meet the water flow requirements at the hydrant. The size of the pipe is recommended to be as follows: (1) that no pipe less than six inches in diameter is to be used as a main water supply line; (2) no less than a six-inch pipe is to be used for two-outlet hydrants or to supply the hydrant from the main; (3) eight-inch or larger pipe is to be used if it is a dead-end main or if more than one hydrant is to be supplied; and (4) 11-inch or larger pipe is to be used for the primary main as much as possible. Hydrants should be set plumb, with the centerline of their outlets about 18 inches above the ground. When hydrants are installed before grading is complete, the final grade line and accessibility should be considered.
(E) Although the installation of fire hydrants is usually performed by Public Works Department personnel, the Public Works Department shall confirm with the Fire Marshal’s office the location, spacing, and distribution of fire hydrants. This will ensure that NFPA standards and Insurance Service Office requirements are met. By meeting these two requirements, the county will be providing the most adequate water supply for fire protection for the citizens of the county who live and work in that area. The maximum distance between hydrants shall not exceed 1,000 feet. In closely-built areas, subdivisions, townhouses, commercial/industrial with lot frontage 100 feet or less, 500 feet or less will be the maximum distant between hydrants. Hydrants should be located as close as possible to streets and intersections. Hydrants located in areas subject to heavy traffic need protection against damage from collision. (Hydrants must be inspected and approved prior to final plot approval.)
(F) Due to requirements by the Insurance Rating Services and other requirements by the insurance industry, all hydrants shall be serviced a minimum of once a year; twice a year, if possible, is the recommended service schedule. The Public Works Department, fire departments, and the Fire Marshal’s office will be overseeing this section. The following is a list of guidelines to go by to perform those requirements:
(1) Clean around the hydrant (this would include removing weeds and the like);
(2) Remove small caps and check gaskets in caps (rotate or replace as necessary);
(3) Open the hydrant slowly and flush the hydrant with caps off;
(4) Close the hydrant slowly. (Do not over-tighten the hydrant when closing);
(5) Brush or clean hydrant cap threads as needed and lubricant the cap threads;
(6) Oil the hydrant. (The lubricant used to oil hydrant and cap threads will be a food grade grease);
(7) Replace caps and energize (open slowly) the hydrant. Completely open the hydrant slowly and wait ten to 15 seconds before closing the hydrant;
(8) Check for any leaks;
(9) Close the hydrant slowly;
(10) Fill out proper paperwork (hydrant maintenance sheet). Make any notes of work that needs to be done; and
(11) Proceed to the next hydrant.
(G) Fire flow testing and marking of hydrants (when flow testing is performed, the Public Works Department must be notified). Fire flow tests are conducted on water distribution systems to determine the rate of flow available at various locations for firefighting purposes. An additional benefit derived from fire flow tests is the indication of possible deficiencies (such as tuberculation of piping or closed valves, or both), which can be corrected to ensure adequate fire flows as needed.
(1) Flow tests.
(a) All hydrants in each fire district shall be flow tested.
(b) All equipment used and the testing procedure need shall be done by NFPA standards.
(2) Marking of hydrants. Once all flow tests have been completed and the flows for each hydrant have been determined, then each hydrant will need to be marked according to NFPA standards.
(3) Public hydrants.
(a) All barrels are to be chrome yellow, except in cases where another color has already been adopted (for hydrants maintained by the County Water Department, the barrels will be painted with a reflective-type, bright yellow paint). The tops and nozzle caps should be painted with the following capacity, indicating the color scheme to provide simplicity and consistency with colors used in signal work for safety, danger, and intermediate condition:
Class AA (1,500 gpm or greater) | Light blue |
Class A (1,000 gpm to 1,499 gpm) | Green |
Class B (500 gpm to 999 gpm) | Orange |
Class C (less than 500 gpm) | Red |
(b) For rapid identification at night, the top of the hydrant and the caps shall be marked with a reflective-type material.
(4) Private hydrants. All private hydrants (yard hydrants) within private enclosures shall be painted solid red, with caps colored coded as required. When private hydrants are located on public streets, they shall be painted solid red, with caps colored coded as required to distinguish them from public hydrants. See reference manual for private hydrant-marking procedures.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 95.999
(A) Generally. Hazardous materials disclosure shall be as specified in G.S. §§ 95-173 through 95-218.
(B) Hazard identification signs.
(1) The increasing use of a wide variety of chemicals, many of which introduce problems other than flammability, lead to the need for a simple hazard identification system. The purpose of such a system would be to safeguard the lives of those individuals who may be concerned with fire and spills occurring in these facilities or businesses. This system provides simple, readily recognizable and easily understood markings, which will give, at a glance, a general idea of the inherent hazards of any material and the order of severity of these hazards as they relate to fire prevention, exposure, and control. Its objectives are to provide an appropriate alerting signal and on-the-spot information to safeguard the lives of the Fire Department, rescue squad, EMS members, and law enforcement during emergencies at these facilities. It will also make employees aware of the potential hazards and bring the facility into compliance with the Hazardous Chemicals Right to Know Act.
(2) The 704 symbols are usually seen on the exterior surfaces of buildings and aboveground storage tanks. The 704 symbols shall be required to identify any area that is deemed to be a hazard. This determination is to be made by the Fire Marshal.
(a) Signs required. Per the fire code, hazard and identification signs as outlined in NFPA 704 shall be placed accordingly at all entrances to and in locations where hazardous materials are stored, handled, or used in excess of the exempt amounts.
(b) Size and type of signs. The size and type of signs used to identify hazardous materials shall be of the type and size specified in NFPA standard. A reference guide on the sizes of signs and signals will be made available to the public from the Fire Marshal’s office upon request.
1. The NFPA adopted the 704 system of identifying hazardous materials in 1961.
2. The 704 system provides hazards as they relate to fire prevention, fire exposure, and fire control.
3. The colors, which are diamond shaped, indicate the following type hazards:
a. Blue - Health;
b. Red - Flammability of the products;
c. Yellow - Reactivity of products; and
d. White - Specific information entered here.
4. Numbers range from zero through four and are inserted on the diamond-shaped colors (blue, red, and yellow) to indicate the degree of hazards present, with zero being the least hazardous and four being the most hazardous.
5. Notations are also used in the white diamond to indicate special hazards. Materials demonstrating unusual reactivity with water shall be identified with the letter “W” with a horizontal line through the center of the “W.” Materials possessing oxidizing properties shall be identified by the letters “OXY”. Materials possessing radioactivity hazards shall be identified by the standard radioactivity symbol.
6. Symbols are indicated for the most dangerous hazardous material when more than one type of hazardous material is present.
7. Although 704 symbols are subject to change, depending on changes in the area of storage or use of hazardous materials, they should be removed from an area only when hazardous materials are no longer present.
8. Symbols should be located where they can be readily seen by responding fire departments and other emergency agencies, and as near as is practical to the area of the hazard.
9. The sign must be easily seen from the roadway. The sign must be a minimum of 30 by 30 inches in size (type and size specified in NFPA standard).
10. A current Material Safety Data Sheet for all chemicals stored on the property should be put in a waterproof container located near the entrance to the property.
11. The owners of the business will be given 30 days from date of inspection to comply.
12. Hazardous materials that, when mixed, react violently, or evoke toxic vapors or gases, or that, in combination, become hazardous by reason of toxicity, oxidizing power, flammability
or other properties, shall be separated from each other in storage by distance, partitions or other approved manner so as to preclude accidental contact between them.
13. The Fire Marshal may require warning signs wherever hazardous materials are stored, processed, or handled. The warning signs shall be conspicuously lettered in accordance with NFPA standard.
14. This section shall not apply to hazardous materials in transport, which are placarded in accordance with Department of Transportation regulations, or applicable provisions of other NFPA codes and standards listed in the NFPA manuals.
(C) Warning signs required in coin-operated, dry-cleaning establishments. Each coin-operated, dry-cleaning establishment using the solvent known as “perchloroe-thylene” shall display, prominently upon or near each dry-cleaning machine, a sign warning the public of the danger of excessive solvent vapor inhalation, or that prolonged or repeated contact of skin or eyes can be harmful.
(Ord. passed - -; Ord. passed 11-6-2023) Penalty, see § 95.999
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