Chapter 50:
FIRE PREVENTION
General Provisions
50.01 State Standards of Safety adopted
50.02 Compliance with regulations required
50.03 Application of chapter
50.04 Effect on existing structures
Open Burning
50.20 Permit required for open fire
50.21 Permit required for burning on construction or demolition sites
50.22 Location and containment of open fires
50.23 Constant attention to open fires required
50.24 Garden hose or fire extinguishment devices required
50.25 Authority to prohibit open fires
Dangerous Materials
50.40 Blasting permit
50.41 Storage of flammables and other matter
50.99 Penalty
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 50.01 STATE STANDARDS OF SAFETY ADOPTED.
(A) The most current edition of the State Standards of Safety, and all codes a part thereof, as promulgated by the office of the State Fire Marshal of the Department of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is hereby adopted in full as an ordinance of the city, as if set out at length herein; a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer/Tax Collector.
(B) The City Clerk-Treasurer/Tax Collector shall at all times keep in his possession for reference a copy of the most current edition of the Standards of Safety.
(C) An attested copy of this section shall be transmitted to the office of State Fire Marshal and the rates section of the Department of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
§ 50.02 COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS REQUIRED.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter; to permit or maintain any violation; to refuse to obey any provision thereof; or to fail or refuse to comply with any provision or regulation, except that variations may be allowed by the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department in writing and signed by him. Proof of any unlawful act or failure to act shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the act is that of the owner and of the occupant. Prosecution or lack thereof against either the owner or the occupant shall not be deemed to relieve the other from responsibility or from prosecution for the violation of this chapter. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.03 APPLICATION OF CHAPTER.
This chapter shall apply to both public and privately-owned property; and to all new structures, their owners and occupants, including buildings, structures, and equipment; and, except as otherwise specified, to existing structures and their occupants, including buildings, structures, and equipment which constitute a clear and present hazard to life or to property.
§ 50.04 EFFECT ON EXISTING STRUCTURES.
Existing structures, facilities, and installations as may be covered by regulations promulgated under the authority of this chapter in service or under construction as of the effective date of this chapter and which are not in strict compliance with the terms of this chapter, may be continued or placed in use, provided these do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or adjoining property. When the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department deems that the continued use will constitute a distinct hazard to life or adjoining property, he shall notify the owner or operator and specify his reason in writing.
OPEN BURNING
§ 50.20 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR OPEN FIRE.
No person, firm, corporation, or agent thereof may kindle or maintain any open fire, except an outdoor cooking fire of appropriate size, or authorize any fire to be kindled or maintained without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief or his designee. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.21 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR BURNING ON CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION SITES.
During the construction or demolition of buildings or other structures, no waste materials or rubbish shall be disposed of burning on the premises or in the immediate vicinity without a permit or other proper authorization. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.22 LOCATION AND CONTAINMENT OF OPEN FIRES.
No person, firm, corporation, or agent thereof may kindle or maintain any open fire or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained unless the location is not less than 50 feet form any structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading closer than 50 feet to any structure; or the fire is contained in an adequate and approved waste burner located safely not less than 25 feet from any structure.
Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.23 CONSTANT ATTENTION TO OPEN FIRES REQUIRED.
Open fires shall be constantly attended by a competent person not less than 18 years of age. Penalty, see 50.99
§ 50.24 GARDEN HOSE OR FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT DEVICES REQUIRED.
A garden hose connected to a water supply or other fire extinguishment equipment must be readily available for use within ten feet of any open fires.
Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.25 AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT OPEN FIRES.
The Fire Chief or his designee may prohibit any or all open fires when natural conditions, the materials being burned, or local circumstances make these fires potentially hazardous or harmful.
DANGEROUS MATERIALS
§ 50.40 BLASTING PERMIT
No person shall cause a blast to occur within the city without making application in writing beforehand, setting forth the exact nature of the intended operation, and receiving a permit to blast from the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police, before granting such permit may require the applicant to provide a bond to indemnify the city and all other persons against injury or damages which might result from the proposed blasting. Penalty, see 50.99
§ 50.41 STORAGE OF FLAMMABLES AND OTHER MATTER.
(A) All flammable or combustible materials shall be arranged and stored in a manner which affords reasonable safety against the danger of fire.
(B) Waste paper, ashes, oil rags, waste rags, excelsior, or any material of a similar hazardous nature shall not be accumulated in any cellar or any other portion of any building of any kind. Proper fireproof receptacles shall be provided for such hazardous materials.
(C) No matter shall be stored or arranged in a manner which impedes or prevents access to or exit form any premises in case of fire. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.99 PENALTY
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined not more than $500.
50.01 State Standards of Safety adopted
50.02 Compliance with regulations required
50.03 Application of chapter
50.04 Effect on existing structures
Open Burning
50.20 Permit required for open fire
50.21 Permit required for burning on construction or demolition sites
50.22 Location and containment of open fires
50.23 Constant attention to open fires required
50.24 Garden hose or fire extinguishment devices required
50.25 Authority to prohibit open fires
Dangerous Materials
50.40 Blasting permit
50.41 Storage of flammables and other matter
50.99 Penalty
GENERAL PROVISIONS
§ 50.01 STATE STANDARDS OF SAFETY ADOPTED.
(A) The most current edition of the State Standards of Safety, and all codes a part thereof, as promulgated by the office of the State Fire Marshal of the Department of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is hereby adopted in full as an ordinance of the city, as if set out at length herein; a copy of which is on file in the office of the City Clerk-Treasurer/Tax Collector.
(B) The City Clerk-Treasurer/Tax Collector shall at all times keep in his possession for reference a copy of the most current edition of the Standards of Safety.
(C) An attested copy of this section shall be transmitted to the office of State Fire Marshal and the rates section of the Department of Insurance of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
§ 50.02 COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS REQUIRED.
It shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions of this chapter; to permit or maintain any violation; to refuse to obey any provision thereof; or to fail or refuse to comply with any provision or regulation, except that variations may be allowed by the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department in writing and signed by him. Proof of any unlawful act or failure to act shall be deemed prima facie evidence that the act is that of the owner and of the occupant. Prosecution or lack thereof against either the owner or the occupant shall not be deemed to relieve the other from responsibility or from prosecution for the violation of this chapter. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.03 APPLICATION OF CHAPTER.
This chapter shall apply to both public and privately-owned property; and to all new structures, their owners and occupants, including buildings, structures, and equipment; and, except as otherwise specified, to existing structures and their occupants, including buildings, structures, and equipment which constitute a clear and present hazard to life or to property.
§ 50.04 EFFECT ON EXISTING STRUCTURES.
Existing structures, facilities, and installations as may be covered by regulations promulgated under the authority of this chapter in service or under construction as of the effective date of this chapter and which are not in strict compliance with the terms of this chapter, may be continued or placed in use, provided these do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or adjoining property. When the Chief of the Volunteer Fire Department deems that the continued use will constitute a distinct hazard to life or adjoining property, he shall notify the owner or operator and specify his reason in writing.
OPEN BURNING
§ 50.20 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR OPEN FIRE.
No person, firm, corporation, or agent thereof may kindle or maintain any open fire, except an outdoor cooking fire of appropriate size, or authorize any fire to be kindled or maintained without first obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief or his designee. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.21 PERMIT REQUIRED FOR BURNING ON CONSTRUCTION OR DEMOLITION SITES.
During the construction or demolition of buildings or other structures, no waste materials or rubbish shall be disposed of burning on the premises or in the immediate vicinity without a permit or other proper authorization. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.22 LOCATION AND CONTAINMENT OF OPEN FIRES.
No person, firm, corporation, or agent thereof may kindle or maintain any open fire or authorize any such fire to be kindled or maintained unless the location is not less than 50 feet form any structure and adequate provision is made to prevent fire from spreading closer than 50 feet to any structure; or the fire is contained in an adequate and approved waste burner located safely not less than 25 feet from any structure.
Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.23 CONSTANT ATTENTION TO OPEN FIRES REQUIRED.
Open fires shall be constantly attended by a competent person not less than 18 years of age. Penalty, see 50.99
§ 50.24 GARDEN HOSE OR FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT DEVICES REQUIRED.
A garden hose connected to a water supply or other fire extinguishment equipment must be readily available for use within ten feet of any open fires.
Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.25 AUTHORITY TO PROHIBIT OPEN FIRES.
The Fire Chief or his designee may prohibit any or all open fires when natural conditions, the materials being burned, or local circumstances make these fires potentially hazardous or harmful.
DANGEROUS MATERIALS
§ 50.40 BLASTING PERMIT
No person shall cause a blast to occur within the city without making application in writing beforehand, setting forth the exact nature of the intended operation, and receiving a permit to blast from the Chief of Police. The Chief of Police, before granting such permit may require the applicant to provide a bond to indemnify the city and all other persons against injury or damages which might result from the proposed blasting. Penalty, see 50.99
§ 50.41 STORAGE OF FLAMMABLES AND OTHER MATTER.
(A) All flammable or combustible materials shall be arranged and stored in a manner which affords reasonable safety against the danger of fire.
(B) Waste paper, ashes, oil rags, waste rags, excelsior, or any material of a similar hazardous nature shall not be accumulated in any cellar or any other portion of any building of any kind. Proper fireproof receptacles shall be provided for such hazardous materials.
(C) No matter shall be stored or arranged in a manner which impedes or prevents access to or exit form any premises in case of fire. Penalty, see § 50.99
§ 50.99 PENALTY
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall be fined not more than $500.
