(A) Consent to inspect. The receipt and filing of an application for a demolition or salvage permit or the issuance of either permit shall be deemed to provide the necessary consent and authority for any member of the City Fire Department and Inspection Office and other departments or other city personnel, including members of the City Preservation Commission, to inspect any building or structure subject to the demolition/salvage permit prior to or during the demolition or salvage process. In addition to other duties required of them, the City Fire Department and the Inspection Office may inspect the building or structure during the demolition/salvage process to determine compliance with this chapter.
(B) Duty to secure building and site. The contractor, individual or business granted the demolition or salvage permit shall have the duty and responsibility of securing the building and structure at night or at any other times when demolition is not in active progress or when demolition workers are not present on the site or when the workers cannot remain vigilant in safeguarding the building or structure from fire or other hazards. Securing the building or structure and site shall include, but shall not be limited to, covering up holes at the completion of each work day and securing doors, windows and other access points or otherwise preventing access to the building interior and, in addition to the fencing requirements under § 3303 of Chapter 33 of the International Building Code (2000) demolition or salvage site shall be secured by construction of a cyclone-type fence of wood, metal or plastic construction around the perimeter of the demolition site as far back from the demolition site as is practicable, with vertical supports every six to eight feet and horizontal supports adequate to maintain the fence in a rigid, upright fashion. All fencing shall be a minimum height of four feet in height. The duty to secure the structure and site shall exist whether or not a waiver of the requirement of placement of a fire protection guard is granted.
(C) Duty to protect others from injury during the demolition process. During the active demolition or salvage process, appropriate measures shall be taken to prevent danger or injury to human life or to the public welfare. Adequate lighting, guard railings, temporary sidewalks and proper scaffolding and fencing shall be utilized so as to protect others from injury. Rubble causing dust so as to cause a nuisance shall be adequately sprinkled and the general work area shall be maintained and cleaned. Other actions may be required as are appropriate so as to protect the health, safety and welfare of others during the active demolition process. A minimum of two workers shall be on the demolition site when heavy equipment is in use or, is otherwise operating. Heavy equipment at a demolition site shall contain proper back-up lights and signals and other appropriate safety features to protect others from injury.
(D) Posting demolition/salvage site. At least four signs or more based on the size of the structure to be demolished shall be posted on the demolition site at all times. the signs shall be at least 12 inches by 12 inches and state that the area is a demolition site that it is off limits to the general public, that an unsafe condition exists and that no trespassing is permitted.
(E) Use of cutting torches and similar equipment. When cutting torches or similar equipment are used in the demolition process, the contractor, individual or other business provided the demolition or salvage permit and any workers involved in the demolition/salvage process shall appropriately and adequately monitor the area where torches and other similar equipment issued for at least one hour after the usage so as to ensure that no fire exists or will develop in any wall or floor or other associated area. The use of cutting torches or similar equipment shall give rise to a duty to inspect and make safe the area where the equipment is being used.
(F) Placement of on-site fire protection guard. At least one fire protection guard shall be on duty at the end of the demolition workday until work commences the next day. A fire protection guard shall be on site during the weekend, holidays and at any other time where no active work is in progress. Where appropriate, the City Fire Department may order the placement of a fire protection guard regardless of the time or presence of workers on-site should it be necessary under the circumstances to prevent fire or where an immediate threat of arson exists
(G) Starting and completion of the demolition/salvage process. The start of the demolition or salvage process shall begin when permitted operations are initiated, or when all of the utilities are disconnected from the building or structure or are otherwise not in service, or a permit has been issued, whichever occurs first. Notwithstanding this provision, the City Fire Department or the Inspection Office may in its discretion notify the demolition contractor, individual or other business that the demolition/salvage process has begun regardless of the removal of utility service. Utility service used to assist in demolition/salvage shall in no way delay the existence of the start of demolition or salvage. The completion of the demolition process shall exist when both the City Fire Department and the Inspection Office sign off, in writing, that the process is completed.
(H) Stop order and revocation of demolition permit. The Inspection Office or the City Fire Department may order the demolition or salvage of a building or structure to be delayed or stopped if any unsafe or health hazard condition exists or develops during the approved process or where any ordinance of the city is deemed to have been violated. A demolition or salvage permit may be revoked for failure to comply with any ordinances or any other applicable state or federal statutes or regulations. In addition to any other remedies provided, where a stop order is issued or where a demolition permit is revoked, a new permit will be required containing appropriate terms and conditions and an additional fee as prescribed in § 162.210(B) of this code will be required for the additional demolition or salvage permit.
(I) Extermination. Demolitions/salvages may be preceded by an inspection of the premises by the Building Inspector to determine whether extermination procedures are necessary. If the premises are found to be infested by mice, rats or other vermin, appropriate extermination measures to prevent the spread of infestation to adjoining or other areas shall be carried out before, during and after demolition or salvage. Regardless of this inspection, it shall be required that appropriate removal procedures be implemented prior to the start of work to rid the building or structure of any infestation or vermin, including rats or mice, or other animals or insects of whatever type or kind.
(J) Completion of demolition projects. All demolition projects shall be completed within 30 days from the issuance of a demolition permit. At the time of issuance of a demolition permit, the Inspection Office may extend this time as is appropriate without an additional fee for major demolition projects which by their nature can not be completed within 30 days. For all other projects, the Inspection Office may grant an extension for completion of a demolition project based on good cause and the paying of a permit extension fee in the amount of $100.
(K) Completion of salvage projects. All salvage projects shall be completed within 90 days from the issuance of a salvage permit. The Inspection Office may grant an extension for completion of a demolition project based on good cause and the paying of a permit extension fee of $300 for each additional 30-day extension.
(L) Duty to complete demolition or salvage site. The job site is to be left at grade level, free and clear of any debris or building materials. The foundation shall be removed to six inches below grade level. Materials which are not salvageable shall be disposed of in an approved, licensed landfill. If the property is to be used for a parking lot, it shall be paved with a hard surface such as oil and chip, asphalt or concrete within one year of demolition completion. If the property is not to be used for a parking lot, it shall be graded and sowed with grass seed.
(M) Incorporation of IBC. Any supplemental provisions of the International Building Code, or any applicable ordinances as amended and adopted for the city are hereby incorporated in this chapter and shall be observed during the demolition process.
(1980 Code, § 23.303) (Ord. 8926, passed 11-13-2001) Penalty, see § 152.99