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(A) Acceptance test. Prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for a newly-constructed, renovated, or remodeled Class 1 structure, the Town Fire Department is required to witness a successful acceptance or performance test in accordance with the appropriate installation standard or manufacturer’s specifications for the following systems (if applicable):
(1) Fire alarm system;
(2) Sprinkler system;
(3) Special hazard fire suppression system; and
(4) Type I hood exhaust system.
(B) Written verification. Prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for a newly- constructed, renovated or remodeled Class 1 structure, the Town Fire Department requires written verification that each fire protection and life-safety system has been installed in complete agreement with the terms of the listing, manufacturer’s instructions, and the applicable installation standard.
(C) Installation documentation. Prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy for a newly- constructed, renovated or remodeled Class 1 structure, the Town Fire Department requires the following documentation (if applicable):
(1) Record of completion for fire alarm systems, as required by NFPA 72;
(2) Contractor’s material and test certificate for aboveground piping for sprinkler and standpipe systems, as required by NFPA;
(3) Contractor’s material and test certificate for underground piping for private fire service mains, fire hydrants and piping, as required by NFPA 13 and 24;
(4) Certificate of completion/installation for all special hazard fire suppression systems; and
(5) Air balance test report (Type I and II exhaust hoods).
(Ord. 2010-16, passed 12-6-2010)
(A) Any person aggrieved by an order issued under this chapter shall have the right to petition for review of any order of the Fire Chief, the Fire Marshal and/or his or her designee(s). Such a person may file a petition using either, or all, of the following procedures:
(B) A property owner or lessee with consent of the owner requesting a variance from the rules of the FPBSC shall apply for such to the FPBSC.
(C) A property owner or lessee with consent of the owner requesting a variance from the provisions of this chapter that are not part of rules of the FPBSC shall apply in writing to the Town Safety Board. The granting of a variance shall be considered only upon the written application of the owner of the property, stating that:
(1) Practical difficulties have been encountered in the implementation of specific requirements of this chapter;
(2) Compliance with specific requirements of this chapter will cause unnecessary hardship to the owner; and
(3) The owner desires to take advantage of new methods or equipment, which are recognized as adequate for the purpose for which they are to be substituted; but shall be approved by the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal.
(D) A variance may be granted only if the Town Safety Board determines in writing that:
(1) The requested use or modification will conform to fundamental requirements for safety; and
(2) The granting of the variance does not increase the risk of fire or danger to the public, firefighters or intended occupants. A copy of any variance granted shall be retained by the Division.
(E) Until a formal variance is granted by the Town Safety Board, the original violation cited, that is under appeal, shall remain in effect.
(F) Whenever the town learns that a property owner or lessee is in violation of the terms of a variance issued pursuant to this chapter, the town may employ legal action as set forth in this chapter.
(G) The Town Safety Board shall retain the ability to table the variance request for one 30-day period to research the request if needed.
(Ord. 2010-16, passed 12-6-2010)
(A) General. The Fire Marshal or his or her designee shall conduct the following inspections on all new and existing Class 1 structures located within the town and areas protected under contract by the Town Fire Department.
(B) New construction.
(1) Required inspections completed by the Fire Marshal and/or his or her designee shall include, but not be limited to:
(a) Site;
(b) Pre-drywall (rough-in);
(c) Above ceiling;
(d) Pre-final;
(e) Final certificate of occupancy;
(f) Sprinkler system rough-in;
(g) Sprinkler system final;
(h) Fire alarm rough-in; and
(i) Fire alarm final.
(2) These required inspections may run concurrent.
(C) Existing Class 1 structures. The inspection is completed by a state-certified Fire Inspector. At the time the inspection occurs, the Inspector will evaluate the premises for violations of the applicable rules of FPBSC, this chapter and other documents as adopted by the FPBSC. At the completion of the inspection, the Inspector will review the results with the occupant and leave a copy of the inspection report with the occupant. At the end of the correction period, a re-inspection will occur in approximately 30 to 45 days to determine if the violations have been corrected. If the previously cited violations are found to be corrected, no other action shall be needed. If violations are found to still exist after this first re-inspection, then a copy of the inspection form will be left with the occupant and the results reviewed with the occupant, the occupant shall then forward to the owner. A second re-inspection will occur in approximately 15 days and a fee as per this chapter, shall be assessed. If the previous cited violations are corrected at this re-inspection, then no further action shall be required. If previously cited violations are found, a fee shall be assessed and a third re-inspection will occur in approximately five days. If those violations are not corrected, a fee shall be assessed for each re-inspection and those re-inspections will occur every five days until the violations are corrected. If at anytime an Inspector completes an inspection and finds an immediate fire or life safety hazard, the violation shall be corrected immediately. In the event the violation can not be corrected immediately, a fire/life safety order will be issued and the violation must be corrected by the date on the order. Failure to correct the violation by the date on the order will result in a fee and may cause further legal action to be taken against the violator. Please note that the fees/fines of this chapter are in addition to those fines/fees that may be levied by the state or town.
(D) Limits. The inspection or permitting of any building, system or plan by the Fire Department, under the requirements of this chapter and the applicable rules of the FPBSC, shall not be construed as a warranty of the physical condition of such building, system or plan or the adequacy thereof, nor as an approval thereof. Neither the Town Fire Department nor any of its agents, shall be liable in tort for damages for any defect or hazardous or illegal condition or inadequacy in such building, system or plan, nor for any failure of any component of such, which may occur subsequent to such inspection or permitting.
(Ord. 2010-16, passed 12-6-2010)
(A) The serving Fire Department shall investigate the origin, cause, and circumstances of all fires as pursuant to I.C. 36-8-17-7, under the supervision of the Fire Chief and/or his or her designee(s) all fires occurring in its District that meet any of the following criteria shall be investigated:
(1) Any fire of a suspicious nature;
(2) Any fire involving loss of life or injury to persons;
(3) When notified by any Fire Department;
(4) When circumstances warrant; and
(5) When otherwise deemed necessary.
(B) Such investigation will commence immediately upon the occurrence of such a fire and, if it appears that such fire is of suspicious origin, the Fire Chief and/or his or her designee(s) shall immediately be notified and coordinate investigation activities with the Fire Department having jurisdiction. Any information obtained pursuant to any such investigation shall be confidential as authorized and required by law. The local law enforcement agency, upon request of the Fire Chief and/or his or her designee(s), may render such assistance as necessary in the investigation of any fire. If a fire involves the loss of life to any person(s), the State Fire Marshal’s office shall be immediately notified. The Fire Chief and/or his or her designee(s) may utilize all available resources including, but not limited to:
(1) State Fire Marshal’s office;
(2) Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF);
(3) County Sheriff’s Department;
(4) Town Police Department; and
(5) Other fire investigators as deemed necessary.
(Ord. 2010-16, passed 12-6-2010)
(A) Inspection fees - existing structures. Exceptions may be given by the Fire Chief or Fire Marshal depending on the violation cited.
Annual inspection | $0 |
First re-inspection (approximately 30 days) | $0 |
Second re-inspection (approximately 15 days) | $100 |
Third and all subsequent (approximately 5 days) | $250 |
(B) Inspection/permit fees - new construction.
Initial site and construction inspections | $0 |
All subsequent acceptance tests (all types) | $75 |
Fire alarm/sprinkler system - initial acceptance test | $0 |
Fire Department occupancy permit | $25 |
Hood suppression system - initial acceptance test | $0 |
(C) Plan review fees.
Construction/building plan review | $0.10 per sq. ft./$75 minimum |
(D) Fire protection permit fees.
Automatic sprinkler system per NFPA 13 | Number of risers or systems x $100 |
Fire alarm system per NFPA 72 | Number of fire alarm annunciation zones per NFPA 72 x $100 |
Modification to an existing system | Item being modified (i.e., riser) x $75 |
Special hazard system (i.e., hood suppression system) | Number of systems x $100 |
(E) General fees/fines.
Construction or installation without a fire protection permit | Stop work order, plus 5x normal permit fee |
Failure to implement a required fire watch | $350 per day/per person - IDHS notified |
False/faulty alarms (alarms 4 - 6 in a calendar year) | $75 each occurrence |
False/faulty alarms (alarms 7 - 10 in a calendar year) | $150 each occurrence |
False/faulty alarms (alarms 11 and beyond in a calendar year) | $250 each occurrence |
Occupancy without occupancy permit | $250 per day |
Tampering with a life safety system | $500 each occurrence - IDHS and ZPD notified |
(Ord. 2010-16, passed 12-6-2010; amended 6-29-2015)