(A) The town hereby directs and authorizes the Fire Chief or his appointee to review any submissions or applications to the town concerning new and proposed developments and construction in the town limits or in the one-mile extraterritorial jurisdiction area, for the purpose insuring that any proposed developments comply with the provisions of this section as listed herein. The Fire Chief or his appointee are further instructed to hold periodic inspections during construction of any developments, to insure compliance with this section and other ordinances as adopted by the town.
(B) It is hereby required that the Fire Chief or his appointee approve any development plans and to withhold approval if necessary until the provisions of this section and other applicable ordinances are met. Contractors and developers are to refrain from starting construction until the approval of plans has been received.
(1) Fire lanes and hydrant access will be provided as directed by the Fire Chief. Existing structures are to provide unrestricted access to buildings and hydrants as directed by the Fire Chief or his appointee. Inspections are to be held periodically to insure this provision is met.
(2) New and existing commercial structures are required to comply with all federal and state laws concerning the use and storage of hazardous materials. Inspections will be held by the Fire Chief or his appointee, and may be unannounced.
(3) New and existing structures will be required to install and protect fuel storage facilities as directed by state and federal laws. Propane and liquid fuel storage cannot be installed closer than required by the NC Fire Prevention Code. Exception to this will be considered by the Fire Chief or his appointee where lot size or other structures prevent the required clearance. Propane storage on commercial property will be protected by a minimum of eight-inch steel post filled with concrete and anchored in concrete, located on all four sides of the storage unit(s).
(4) It shall be the developer’s responsibility to provide hydrants that meet the distance requirements of the NC Fire Prevention Code. Cut offs for each hydrant will be provided by the developer. Cut offs will be installed in the street where water mains are under the street and within six feet of the hydrant where mains are not under the street. In addition, a master cut off will be installed at the entrance to each street in a manner allowing shutdown of only one street if needed. All water mains, hydrants and placement of these will be inspected by the Fire Chief or his appointee, for compliance with this section, and state and federal laws and material standards, before mains, valves and hydrants can be covered.
(5) All hydrants and valves are to be of a type consistent with those in use in the town. Exceptions are subject to approval of the Fire Chief or his appointee. All fire hydrants shall be engineered fire hydrants approved by the State of North Carolina.
(6) It shall be the developer’s responsibility to notify the Fire Department through the Town Manager, as soon as the water and hydrant system is serviceable, so that a test of the system can be conducted by the Fire Department. Water pressure must be consistent with the main tied to and water volume must not be restricted by design or construction, below that of the main prior to the connection. Fire flows must be consistent with the NC Fire Prevention Code.
(7) The provisions of this section do not preclude or eliminate any required inspections or requirements of other agencies, local, county, state or federal.
(8) This section deals with fire protection aspects of development, and does not preclude or direct any change in other aspects of construction or development covered by existing laws or ordinances.
(C) Violations of this section are subject to citations by the Fire Chief or his appointee and fines may be levied for delay or refusal to correct violations.
(Ord. passed - -; Am. Ord. 2012-017, passed 12-18-12) Penalty, see § 91.99