Equipment, systems, devices and safeguards required by this Code or a previous regulation or Code under which the structure or premises was constructed, altered or repaired shall be maintained in good working order. No owner, operator or occupant shall cause any service, facility, equipment or utility which is required under this section to be removed from or shut off from or discontinued for any occupied dwelling, except for such temporary interruption as necessary while repairs or alterations are in progress. The requirements of this Code are not intended to provide the basis for removal or abrogation of fire protection and safety systems and devices in existing structures. Except as otherwise specified herein, the owner or the owner’s designated agent shall be responsible for the maintenance of buildings, structures and premises.
(2009 Code, § 29-1-6)
Editor’s note:
This section contains general maintenance requirements. The Code specifically prohibits the disconnection of any required utilities for an occupied dwelling. This helps to safeguard persons who have a physical condition and are dependent on these systems. Some examples of this include:
a person who has to have electricity to power a kidney dialysis machine; a patient who is on an oxygen system full time; or someone with particularly bad allergies who needs to have an air conditioning system to help filter the air. Any safety system that exists in a building must be maintained. A fire protection or safety system is not to be removed from a building if it is required by the Code or a previous regulation or code that was in effect when the building was built. This section also specifies that the owner or the owner’s agent is responsible for maintenance, not the tenants of rental property.