(a) As used in this section, apartment buildings shall be those buildings classified as R-2 by the Ohio Basic Building Code.
(b) Every apartment building in the City shall be equipped with an automatic fire detection system as approved by the Fire Department, within living units as specified in the Ohio Building Code and NFPA 72.
(c) Common areas (i.e. lobbies, hallways, laundry rooms, etc.) shall be provided with approved automatic smoke detection devices or rate of rise detectors as determined by the Fire Prevention Bureau.
(d) Every apartment building, not having direct ground floor egress from each living unit, shall be provided with a manual fire alarm system.
(e) In those apartment buildings required to have a manual fire alarm system, activation of any smoke detection device shall simultaneously initiate the audible warning devices provided with the manual system.
(f) Installation of smoke detection devices shall be in accordance with the Ohio Building Code and NFPA 72.
(g) Installation of manual fire alarm systems shall be in accordance with the Ohio Building Code and NFPA 72.
(h) Complete information regarding the alarm system shall be provided to the Fire Department prior to installation.
(i) Battery-powered smoke detection devices shall not be allowed in lieu of the required system.
(j) Apartment owners and/or management companies shall deliver to each new tenant a "Fire Alarm Explanation and Instructions Sheet", as provided by the Fire Department, and shall post the same in a conspicuous place on each floor of the apartment building.
(k) All detection/alarm systems shall be cleaned, inspected and tested annually in accordance with the Ohio Fire Code. All maintenance records shall be maintained by the building owner and shall be presented to the Fire Department upon request.
(l) If an apartment building has more than three false alarms in a thirty-day period, that are of a repeated or similar nature, the building owner shall service the fire detection system and/or be subject to a two hundred fifty dollar ($250.00) fine for each false alarm until the system is serviced and/or repaired.
(Ord. 10-98. Passed 2-23-98; Ord. 79-04. Passed 12-13-04.)
(m) It is unlawful for ANY person to silence, reset, or otherwise disable or tamper in any way with any fire alarm system within the City of South Euclid without first obtaining permission from the South Euclid Fire Department. This includes fire alarm repair companies contracted by the building owner to effect repairs or service to the fire alarm system. Persons cited and found guilty under this section are subject to a fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00) per day the violation exists and/or up to 30 days in jail.
(Ord. 44-08. Passed 9-8-08; Ord. 26-09. Passed 7-13-09.)