(A) This chapter, and all other provisions supplemental or amendatory hereto, shall be known as the "Fire Prevention Code of the City of Union City, Indiana," may be cited as such and will be referred to herein as "this code" or "the code".
(B) The purpose and intent of this code is to prescribe reasonable regulations consistent with the Indiana Fire Safety Laws which provide minimum requirements and controls to safeguard life, property and public welfare from the hazards of fire and explosion arising from the storage, handling or use of substances, materials or devices and from conditions hazardous to life, property or public welfare in the use or occupancy of buildings, structures, sheds, tents, lots or premises.
(C) The following fire safety rules are hereby incorporated into this code by reference and shall include any amendments to the articles or statutes referred to below as the same are published in the Indiana Register or the Indiana Administrative Code:
(1) Fire Prevention Codes, 675 I.A.C. 22-1 and 2.
(2) Administrative Section of the Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission, 675 I.A.C. 12.
(3) Building Code, 675 I.A.C. 13-2.1.
(4) Amusement Device Code, 675 I.A.C. 23.
(D) The City Clerk and the Fire Chief shall maintain not less than two copies of the rules and provisions incorporated into this code as set out above along with any amendments thereto.
(E) The provisions of this code shall apply equally to new and existing buildings, premises and conditions.
(F) Nothing in this code shall be construed, interpreted or applied to abrogate, nullify or abolish any law or ordinance of the city, governing the construction, alteration, addition, repair, removal, demolition, use, location, occupancy or maintenance of buildings specifically provided herein. When any provision of this code is found to be in conflict with any building, zoning, safety, health or applicable law, ordinance or code of the city presently in effect or hereafter adopted, the provision which establishes the higher standard for the protection and promotion of the safety and welfare of the public shall prevail.
(G) The planning, design and construction of new buildings and structures regarding the provisions of ingress and egress, fire protection and built-in fire protection equipment shall be controlled by the building codes of the Indiana Fire Prevention and Building Safety Commission and any alterations, additions or changes in buildings required by the provisions of this code which are within the scope of said building codes shall be made in accordance therewith.
(H) The Fire Chief shall have the authority to make a reasonable inspection of any operation carried out within the city limits which creates an increased probability of fire or explosion and shall, when he or his designee deems appropriate, require the installation of fire safety devices or systems such as fire extinguishers, fire alarms, fire detectors or other similar devices or systems when necessary to provide safety to life and property. In circumstances in which the Fire Chief or his designee deems appropriate he may, in lieu of or in addition to requiring the installation of safety devices or systems, prescribe limitations on the handling and storage of materials or substances or upon the operations which create the increased probability of fire or explosions or contribute to the spread of fire, or otherwise endanger life and property.
(Ord 92-1, passed 2-24-92)