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AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 11.28, FIRE PREVENTION CODE OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS, FOR THE PRACTICAL SAFEGUARDING OF PERSONS, BUILDINGS AND THEIR CONTENTS FROM THE DANGERS AND HAZARDS ARISING FROM FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY EMERGENCIES.
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WHEREAS; There is a recognized need to update the existing Fire Prevention Code of Ordinances of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas for the welfare and life safety of its citizens.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF JONESBORO, ARKANSAS THAT:
SECTION ONE: Chapter 11.28, Fire Prevention Code of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Jonesboro is hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following sections:
11.28.01 Purpose of this chapter
11.28.02 Adopted
11.28.03 Definition
11.28.04 Department of Fire Prevention
11.28.05 Flammable Liquids Storage
11.28.06 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Storage
11.28.07 Plans Reviews
11.28.08 Permits
11.28.09 Appeals
11.28.10 Licensing of Sprinkler, Fire Extinguisher, Hood Suppression, and Fire Alarm System Contractors.
11.28.11 Acceptance Tests
11.28.12 Inspections
11.28.13 Correction of Deficiencies
11.28.14 Penalties
11.28.01 Purpose of this chapter The purpose of this chapter is the practical safeguarding of persons, buildings and their contents from the dangers and hazards arising from fire and life safety emergencies.
The requirements of this chapter constitute a minimum standard only. The provisions of this chapter shall not be regarded as a design specification or as an instruction manual.
This Fire Prevention Code is not to affect the Jonesboro Fire Department Standard Operating Guidelines.
11.28.02 Adopted There is hereby adopted by the City Council of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas, for the purpose of prescribing regulations governing conditions hazardous to life and property from fire or explosion, that certain codes known as the 2007 Arkansas Fire Prevention Code, Volumes I & II, including any and all future editions, The National Fire Codes including any and all future editions thereof and the whole thereof, save and except such portions as are hereinafter deleted, modified or amended, and the same are hereby adopted and incorporated as fully as if set out at length herein and from the date on which this section shall take effect, the provisions thereof shall be controlling within the municipal boundaries of the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas.
11.28.03 Definition Wherever the word Municipality is used in the Arkansas Fire Prevention Code and the National Fire Codes, it shall be held to mean the City of Jonesboro, Arkansas. Wherever the words Authority Having Jurisdiction are used, it shall be held to mean The Jonesboro Fire Department, Office of the Fire Marshal.
11.28.04 Department of Fire Prevention The Department of fire prevention shall be established as the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office and shall be under the direct supervision of the Jonesboro Fire Chief. The function of the Fire Marshals’ Office shall be the implementation, administration, and enforcement of the provisions of the Jonesboro Fire Prevention Code. Other duties to be performed by the Fire Marshals’ Office shall be established by the Fire Chief. These duties shall include, but are not limited to, public education, fire investigation, fire suppression, and training.
11.28.05 Flammable and Combustible Liquids The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids and the installation and maintenance of related equipment shall comply with all current applicable NFPA and National Fire Prevention Code requirements, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code requirements and be subject to the approval of the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office. Construction documents for new installations shall be submitted to the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office for review.
11.28.06 Liquefied Petroleum Gases The storage and handling of LP-gas and the installation and maintenance of related equipment shall comply with all current applicable NFPA and National Fire Prevention Code requirements, Arkansas Fire Prevention Code requirements, and be subject to the approval of the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office. Construction documents for new installations shall be submitted to the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office for review.
11.28.07 Plans Reviews All plans, drawings, construction documents, and proposals pertaining to public buildings submitted to the City of Jonesboro for review shall be reviewed by the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office. The Fire Marshals’ Office shall review all documents submitted to ensure compliance with the Jonesboro Fire Prevention Code. All plans, drawings, construction documents, and proposals submitted to the Fire Marshals’ Office shall meet the requirements set forth by the City of Jonesboro and the Fire Marshals’ Office.
11.28.08 Permits Any person desiring to install fire sprinkler systems, hood suppression systems, fire alarm systems and any life safety and or fire suppression systems that require a licensed contractor by the State of Arkansas shall, before commencing any work, apply for a permit from the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office. The person applying for a permit from the Fire Marshals’ Office must submit all information required by the Fire Marshals’ Office for the type of work to be performed. All such applications shall be reviewed by the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office. Only after a review by the Fire Marshals’ Office can an applicant receive a permit. Permit fees will be as follows:
Fire Sprinkler Systems $40.00
Hood Suppression System $20.00
Fixed Fire Suppression System $20.00
Fire Alarm System $20.00
It shall be unlawful to commence work until the Fire Marshals’ Office has issued a permit for such work.
Before beginning any work, the person responsible for such work shall make application for a permit and shall pay all fees for such work. A double fee shall be assessed to any person commencing work prior to issuance of a permit, and for non-payment of the fee for said permit.
11.28.09 Appeals Whenever the Fire Marshals’ Office shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a license or permit applied for or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal the decision of the Fire Marshals’ Office to the City Council within twenty (20) days.
11.28.10 Licensing of Fire Sprinkler, Fire Extinguisher, Hood Suppression, and Fire Alarm System Contractors All persons performing work that requires a license through the State of Arkansas shall maintain a current license for the type of work being performed. This work includes fire sprinkler systems, fire extinguishers, hood suppression systems, and fire alarm systems.
Only individuals holding a current State of Arkansas license in the respective discipline will be permitted to obtain a permit to do work in the jurisdiction of the City of Jonesboro. No contractor shall allow any person or employee to work under his permit without that individual also having a current State of Arkansas license for the type of work being performed.
11.28.11 Acceptance Test All work for which permits are required by this code shall have an acceptance test performed to verify proper operation. This test must be witnessed by a Jonesboro Fire Marshal. The equipment being tested must meet all requirements set forth by the Fire Marshals’ Office before it may be accepted by the owner and put into operation or use. The person to whom any such permit is issued shall notify the Fire Marshals’ Office and set an appointment for testing when the equipment is ready.
11.28.12 Inspections All public buildings within the City of Jonesboro shall be inspected by the Jonesboro Fire Department to verify life safety through code compliance. The frequency of inspections will be determined by the Fire Chief. The inspections shall be conducted by individual fire companies on shift or by the Fire Marshals’ Office. Where it is necessary to make an inspection to enforce the provisions of this code, or where the Fire Marshals’ Office has reasonable cause to believe that there exists in a structure or upon a premises a condition which is contrary to or in violation of this code which makes the structure or premises unsafe, dangerous or hazardous, individual fire companies or the Fire Marshals’ Office is authorized to enter the structure or premises at reasonable times to inspect or to perform duties imposed by this code, provided that if such structure or premises be occupied that credentials be presented to the occupant and entry requested. If such structure or premises is unoccupied, fire companies or the Fire Marshals’ Office shall first make a reasonable effort to locate the owner or other person having charge or control to the structure or premises and request entry. If entry is refused, the Fire Marshals’ Office shall have recourse to the remedies provided by law to secure entry.
11.28.13 Correction of Deficiencies If code violations are found, a form stating the violations shall be issued. If the violation warrants, immediate compliance may be enforced. (Example: Locked or blocked exit doors.) The Fire Marshals’ Office shall conduct a follow-up inspection to verify compliance. If compliance is not achieved in a timely manner a warning notice can be issued by the Fire Marshals’ Office stating the number of days allowed for compliance. If compliance is not achieved in the time set forth on the warning notice, a citation to court can be issued by the Fire Marshals’ Office. If necessary the Fire Marshals’ Office may issue multiple citations. If a building is found to have a condition that is immediately dangerous to life and health, the Fire Marshals’ Office may require all occupants to evacuate the property until the situation can be remedied.
11.28.14 Penalties Any person, firm or corporation issued a citation by the Jonesboro Fire Marshals’ Office shall appear in court. Penalties for a Fire Code Violation shall be as follows:
First Offense: not less than $100.00 or more than $250.00
Second Offense: not less than $250.00 or more than $500.00
Third or Subsequent Offenses: not less than $500.00 or more than $1000.00
Each day that a violation of the Fire Code occurs shall be a separate offense. If the violation is continuous in respect to time the fine shall not exceed $250.00 for each successive day.
SECTION TWO: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with this ordinance are repealed to the extent of such conflict.
PASSED AND APPROVED this 3rd day of June, 2008.