§ 18-6. Fire hazards.

(a)

Inspection.

(1)

It shall be the duty of the fire chief to inspect or cause to be inspected, as often as necessary, but not less than one time per year, all specially hazardous manufacturing processes, storage or installations of acetylene or other gases, chemicals, oils, explosives and flammable materials, all interior fire alarms and automatic sprinkler systems, and such other hazards or appliances as may be necessary for the enforcement of the applicable provisions of this Code, state law and ordinances governing the same and for the safeguarding of life and property from fire. It shall also be the duty of the chief to inspect or cause to be inspected as often as may be necessary, but not less than one time a year, in outlying districts and two times a year in closely built portions of the city, all buildings and premises except the interior of private dwellings, for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions liable to cause fire or any violation of the provisions or intent of this Code, state law or ordinances of the city concerning fire hazards.

(2)

Whenever any person shall make written complaint to the fire chief that any business or premises constitutes a fire hazard, it shall be the duty of the fire chief to have the same inspected immediately.

(b)

Issuance of order to remedy. Whenever the fire chief shall find that any building or any premises constitutes a fire hazard for any reason, he shall serve or cause to be served upon the owner and/or the occupant of such building a written notice specifying the condition complained of, ordering the same to be remedied promptly and indication what is considered a reasonable time for compliance with such order.

(c)

Service of remedy order. The service of any order to remedy a fire hazard may be made upon the occupant of the premises to whom it is directed, either by delivering a copy of the same to such occupant personally or by delivering the same to and leaving it with any person in charge of such premises or in case that no such person is found upon such premises, by affixing a copy thereof in a conspicuous place on the door to the entrance of such premises. In case the owner of such premises is some person other than the occupant thereof, service may be made by delivering a copy of such notice to such owner personally or by mailing such copy to his last known address. If the occupant or owner is a partnership, service upon any partner shall be sufficient; and if a corporation, upon any officer or any local agent thereof.

(d)

Compliance with order. It shall be unlawful for any occupant or any owner of any building or premises declared to be a fire hazard to fail to comply with the requirements of such order within a reasonable time after the service of any order to remedy the same.

(Ord. No. 3-2004, 2-16-2004)

State law reference

Authority to inspect, G.S. 58-79-20.