1501.05 COPIES.

   Copies of Codes as adopted in this chapter are on file with the Council Clerk for inspection by the public, and also on file in the County Law Library, and the Clerk has copies available for distribution to the public at cost.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)

1501.06 RESPONSIBILITY.

   (a)   Owner. The owner shall be responsible for the safe and proper maintenance of the building, structure, premises or lot at all times. In all new and existing buildings and structures, the fire protection equipment, means of egress, alarms, devices and safeguards required by this Code and other jurisdictional ordinances, shall be maintained in a safe and proper operating condition.

   (b)   Occupant. If an occupant of a building creates conditions in violation of this Code, by virtue of storage, handling and use of substances, materials, devices and appliances, the occupant can be held responsible for the abatement of said hazardous conditions.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)

1501.07 COMPLIANCE.

   (a)    No person shall knowingly violate any provision of the Ohio Fire Code as adopted herein or any order issued pursuant thereto.

   (b)   No person shall fail to comply with the fire prevention measures or fire protection activities as prescribed in the Ohio Fire Code, or fail to obtain a permit or license for the various uses or activities as required by such Code, or fail to comply with the City application and plan submission and processing requirements including payment of the fee designated therefor.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)

1501.08 FIRE PREVENTION AND ARSON BUREAU; ENFORCEMENT.

   (a)    The Codes adopted under this chapter shall be enforced by the Fire Prevention and Arson Bureau, in the Fire Division of the City, which is hereby established. The Bureau shall consist of the Chief of the Fire Division, together with such members of the Fire Division, who are certified fire safety inspectors, and certified fire investigators as may be detailed by the Chief to the Bureau from time to time based upon need. The Fire Chief and members of the Fire Division detailed to the Bureau may hereinafter be referred to as the Fire Code Official or Fire Official.

   (b)    The Fire Code Official may inspect all structures, premises and vehicles pursuant to Section 3737.14 of the Ohio Revised Code as often as may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with firefighting operations, endanger life or any violations of the provisions or intent of this Code or any other ordinance affecting fire safety.

   (c)   The Chief and members of the Fire Division detailed to the Bureau shall investigate all incendiary fires and fires of undetermined origin; investigate all fires that result in injuries or death; investigate all bombs and fire threats; maintain liaison with area fire and police departments; investigate false alarms when a subject has been apprehended and follow through with prosecution; report all multiple alarms of fire when notified; and perform other related duties as determined necessary by the Chief.

   (d)   The Chief and members of the Fire Division detailed to the Bureau shall have the following powers while engaged in their duties of investigating the cause of an alarm or fire: examine witnesses, compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of books and papers, and to do and perform all other acts necessary to the effective discharge of such duties.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)

1501.09 ORDERS TO ELIMINATE DANGEROUS OR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS.

   Whenever the Fire Code Official shall find in any structure or upon any premises dangerous or hazardous conditions or materials as follows, the Fire Code Official shall order such dangerous conditions or materials to be removed or remedied in accordance with the provisions of this Code:

   (a)   Dangerous conditions which are liable to cause or contribute to the spread of fire in or on said premises, building or structure or endanger the occupants thereof.

   (b)   Conditions which would interfere with the efficiency and use of any fire protection equipment.

   (c)   Obstructions to or on fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors or windows, liable to interfere with the egress of occupants or the operation of the fire department in case of fire.

   (d)   Accumulations of dust or waste material in air conditioning or ventilation systems or grease in kitchen or other exhaust ducts.

   (e)   Accumulations of grease in kitchen cooking equipment, or oil, grease or dirt upon, under or around any mechanical equipment.

   (f)   Accumulations of rubbish, waste, paper, boxes, shavings, or other combustible materials, or excessive storage of any combustible material.

   (g)   Hazardous conditions arising from defective or improperly used or installed electrical wiring, equipment or appliances.

   (h)   Hazardous conditions arising from defective or improperly installed equipment for handling or using combustible, explosive or otherwise hazardous materials.

   (i)   Dangerous or unlawful amounts of combustible, explosive or otherwise hazardous materials.

   (j)   All equipment, materials, processes or operations which are in violation of the provisions and intent of this Code.

      (Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)

1501.10 UNSAFE BUILDINGS.

   All buildings and structures that are or shall hereafter become unsafe or deficient in adequate exit facilities or which constitute a fire hazard, or are otherwise dangerous to human life or the public welfare, or by reason of illegal or improper use, occupancy or maintenance or which have sustained structural damage by reason of fire, explosion, or natural disaster shall be deemed unsafe buildings or structures. A vacant building, or portion of a building, unguarded or open at door or window, shall be deemed a fire hazard and unsafe within the meaning of this Code. Unsafe buildings shall be reported to the building official who shall take appropriate action deemed necessary under the provisions of the Building Code to secure abatement by repair and rehabilitation or by demolition.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)

1501.11 EVACUATION.

   When, in the opinion of the Chief of the Division of Fire, there is actual and potential danger to the occupants or those in the proximity of any building, structure or premises because of unsafe structural conditions, or inadequacy of any means of egress, the presence of explosives, explosive fumes or vapors, the presence of toxic fumes, gases or materials, or the impairment of a required fire protection system, the Chief of the Division of Fire may order the immediate evacuation of said building, structure or premises. All of the occupants so notified shall immediately leave the building, structure or premises and persons shall not enter or reenter until authorized to do so by the Chief of the Division of Fire.

(Ord. 21-249. Passed 12-21-21.)