§ 22-2. Fire safety inspector; enforcement of fire safety regulations.

There is hereby created the office of town fire safety inspector pursuant to the following regulations:

(1)

Appointment of fire safety inspector. Fire safety inspectors, qualified in accordance with the provisions of F.S. ch. 633 and appointed by the mayor or the mayor's designee, shall be responsible for the enforcement of the state fire prevention codes.

(2)

Duties of fire safety inspector.

a.

A fire safety inspector shall be an ex officio agent of the state fire marshal (hereinafter marshal), upon designation thereby, and shall have all the powers and duties of such agent as set forth in F.S. ch. 633. In addition, a fire safety inspector shall enforce the state fire prevention code and all laws and ordinances embracing the following:

1.

Inspection of potential hazards;

2.

Abatement of existing fire hazards;

3.

Control and use of explosives and flammables;

4.

Regulation of the maintenance of fire escapes;

5.

Regulation of the maintenance of automatic and other private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment;

6.

Control of the means and adequacy of exits in case of fire, from factories, schools, hotels and lodginghouses; hospitals and churches, halls, theaters and other places in which numbers of persons work, meet, live or congregate and conduct exit drills as established by management;

7.

Inspection and enforcement of the installation and maintenance of emergency water supply systems and sprinkler systems;

8.

Enforcement of all provisions of the state building code relating to fire prevention;

9.

Educational fire prevention programs; and

10.

Establish motor vehicle routes and fire lanes in the manner provided by the code adopted by this section. Such routes and fire lanes shall be approved by the county commission prior to becoming effective.

b.

In carrying out his responsibilities, a fire safety inspector may request the assistance of all agencies and departments and divisions of the town government.

(3)

Right of entry for inspection.

a.

A fire safety inspector shall have the right and authority to enter any building, structure or premises within the incorporated area of the town for the purpose of making inspections or investigations at all reasonable hours; provided that, except in cases of emergency, the right and authority conferred by this section shall not apply to the entry of a private residence unless written notice is served upon the occupant thereof. Such written notice shall contain a statement of the time an inspection shall be made, and shall also contain a statement of the purposes of such inspection or investigation, which purpose shall be within the scope of this article.

b.

The inspection and examination authorized by this article shall be done in cooperation with the building inspector for the purpose of reporting and correcting the following fire hazards or fire conditions pertaining to buildings and their occupants:

1.

Disrepair;

2.

Age and dilapidated condition;

3.

Faulty or unapproved construction;

4.

Inadequate fire escapes or lack of means of egress;

5.

Inadequate fire alarm protection;

6.

Inadequate fire extinguishing equipment;

7.

Materials in buildings especially suitable to fire;

8.

Conditions endangering other property or occupants;

9.

Inadequate emergency water supply or inadequate sprinkler system; or

10.

Any other fire hazards dangerous to life or property.

(Code 1982, § 6-23; Ord. No. 90-1, § 3A—C, 6-11-1990)