Chapter 1503: Local Provisions

Sections

Cross references

  • Power to regulate against fires - see Ohio R.C. 737.21, 737.37
  • Investigation of fires - see Ohio R.C. 737.27, 3737.08
  • Tampering with water hydrants - see Ohio R.C. 4933.22
  • Accumulations of fire hazards - see GEN. OFF. 521.13
  • Adoption of Model Codes - see FIRE PREV. Ch. 1501

1503.01   Outdoor fires

  1. (a) No person shall knowingly, intentionally or negligently start, set, kindle or maintain, or cause or order to start, set, kindle or maintain, or assist in any way in the starting, setting, kindling or maintaining, or furnish any material for, any fire in the open air upon any property within the Municipality of such proportions as to create a hazard or endanger life or property or which might be injurious to the health or comfort of any person, or within 150 feet of any building, structure or article or thing of a combustible nature, or being the owner, lessee, proprietor, occupant or person in control of such property, permit any such fire to be started, set, kindled or maintained thereon, without first making or causing to be made, application in writing therefor to the Fire Chief and securing a permit in writing to do so.

  2. (b) No such permit, as referred to herein, shall be granted by the Chief unless the fire or burning proposed to be permitted thereunder can be done without danger of injury or damage to persons or property. The Chief is hereby authorized to prescribe, as a condition of the issuance of such permit, such regulations, conditions and safeguards as may in his judgment, be necessary to provide adequately for the proper protection of persons and property. No such permit shall be granted unless and until the applicant therefor has signed an agreement to be responsible for and to reimburse the Municipality for any expense by way of charges for services of fire equipment and otherwise may be incurred by reason of such fire. A permit may be granted to the owner or occupant of property for the burning thereon of the ordinary accumulation of such personal rubbish or waste paper or other burnable material when the same is proposed to be burned in a proper and suitable incinerator provided for the purpose which incinerator has first been approved by the Fire Chief.
    (Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)

1503.02   Fire lanes

  1. (a) The Fire Chief is hereby authorized to establish fire lanes on either public or private property within the Municipality upon finding that the following conditions exist:

    1. (1) That such fire lane is necessary for safeguarding life and property from the hazards of fire and explosions and for the use and occupancy of buildings and structures and adjacent property.

    2. (2) That the fire lane is incident to a retail, commercial or manufacturing use or other use where it can be reasonably expected that the public will assemble in sufficient number so that the presence of the public and the motor vehicles, if not controlled, will interfere with the operation of fire fighting equipment and personnel and the egress of occupants in the case of fire.

  2. (b) Fire lanes shall be of such width as is reasonably determined by the Chief to be necessary to permit access of occupants. Fire lanes shall be suitably marked by appropriate markings on the ground or by displaying signs or both. The markings shall be placed and maintained by the owner within ten days of written notice or the Municipality shall place and install such sign and charge the cost thereof to the owner.

  3. (c) No person shall obstruct a fire lane by parking or leaving standing a motor vehicle, whether such a vehicle is attended or unattended; by constructing a fence or barricade; or in any manner whatsoever. A barricade or fence which is readily removable or through which access may be gained by fire fighting equipment and personnel without delay shall not be prohibited by the terms of this section. Any such permitted barricade or fence may not be locked in any manner.

  4. (d) Attended motor vehicles found standing or parked in a fire lane shall be immediately moved upon direction of any member of the Department of Public Safety and Service. Any unattended motor vehicles found standing or parked in a fire lane may be impounded in a manner and subject to the penalties and charges set forth in Section 303.08 of the Traffic Code.

  5. (e) Obstructions, other than motor vehicles, found in fire lanes shall be removed by the owner, occupant, or other person in charge of the premises immediately after written notice of removal. Upon failure to comply with such notice the Municipality may cause the obstruction to be removed and the owner, occupant or other person in charge of the premises shall pay the cost of such removal.

  6. (f) Whenever the Fire Chief designates a fire lane, written notice thereof shall be given to the owner, occupant or person in charge of the premises. Such designation may be appealed within ten days by filing a written objection to it with the Fire Chief. The appeal shall be heard by Council, a majority of whom may affirm, disaffirm or modify the designation. Their decision shall be final.
    (Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)

1503.03   Fire inspections: compliance required

The Fire Chief of the Fire Department, the Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, or members of the Bureau of Fire Prevention may inspect or cause to be inspected the various buildings or premises for the purpose of ascertaining whether proper precautions are taken for the prevention of fire. If he finds that conditions are caused or permitted to exist which are dangerous and in his opinion likely to cause a fire in any such buildings or premises so inspected, he shall order the owner to correct such conditions within a time stated in such order and such person shall comply with such order without delay.
(Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)

1503.04   Fire hydrants

No person, except in case of fire or unless duly authorized to do so by proper public authority, shall open, tamper with or use water from any fire hydrant. No person shall place or cause to be placed any building or other material or obstruction of any kind within seven feet of any fire hydrant.
(Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)

1503.05   No smoking - engine turned off while gasoline being dispensed

  1. (a) There shall be no smoking nor open flames in areas used for fueling, serving fuel systems for internal combustion engines, receiving or dispensing of flammable or combustible liquids due to the fire hazards involved.

  2. (b) In such areas as described in subsection (a) the motors of all equipment or vehicles being serviced shall be shut off during the fueling operation.

  3. (c) Conspicuous and legible signs shall be posted by the owner, agent or operator of any establishment dispensing or serving fuel systems prohibiting smoking in these areas, and also providing for the shutting off of motors of all equipment during the fueling operation.
    (Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)

1503.06   Fire-damaged structures; removal or repair securing fund

The Municipality hereby authorizes the procedure described in Ohio R.C. 3929.86(C) and (D) to be implemented whereby no insurance company doing business in the State shall pay a claim of a named insured for fire damage to a structure located within the this Municipality unless the applicable provisions of Ohio R.C. 3929.86 are fully complied with. The Fire Chief is hereby designated as the officer authorized to carry out the duties of Ohio R.C. 3929.86. The Clerk of Council shall file a certified copy of this section with the State Superintendent of Insurance.
(Ord. 1983-52. Passed 1-9-84.)

1503.07   Ul 217 approved smoke alarms; installation required

  1. (a) Owners of each new and existing One-, Two- and Three-family Dwelling, as defined by the Residential Code of the Village of Chagrin Falls for One-, Two-and Three-family Dwellings, shall install UL 217 approved smoke alarms whenever any one or more of the following circumstances occur, except as provided in Section R313.1.1 of the Residential Building Code of Ohio for One-, Two-and Three-family Dwellings, which is incorporated herein by reference:

    1. (1) A new dwelling or dwelling unit is constructed;

    2. (2) Interior alterations, repairs or additions requiring a permit are undertaken; and/or

    3. (3) When one or more sleeping rooms are added to or created in an existing dwelling. The smoke alarms shall be located as required by the Residential Code of the Village of Chagrin Falls for One-, Two- and Three- family Dwellings and the Village Fire Code. All new smoke alarms shall be continuously powered using 110 volts AC or power provided from an UL approved alarm panel specifically intended to power and monitor smoke alarms. All smoke alarms shall be provided with battery backup in case of the loss of primary AC power to the building and shall be interconnected so as to emit an alarm signal at all smoke alarm locations within the dwelling unit upon activation of any single smoke alarm. All smoke alarms shall be UL Listed and installed in accordance with the household fire warning provisions of NFPA 72 and the manufacturer’s instructions. No occupancy permit shall be granted until compliance with this section is determined by the Fire Chief of the Fire Department, the Officer in Charge of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, any member of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, the Building Inspector or the Assistant Building Inspector.

  2. (b) Smoke alarms shall be installed in the following locations:

    1. (1) In each sleeping room.

    2. (2) Outside each separate sleeping area.

    3. (3) On each additional story of the dwelling, including basements but not including crawl spaces and uninhabitable attics. In dwellings or dwelling units with split levels and without an intervening door between the adjacent levels, a smoke alarm installed on the upper level shall suffice for the adjacent lower level provided that the lower level is less than one full story below the upper level.

  3. (c) Whoever violates any provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree and shall be fined not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00), or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. On a second or subsequent offense, such person is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree and shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisoned not more than six months, or both. Each day of a continuing violation shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
    (Ord. 2011-06. Passed 1-24-11; Ord. 2019-64. Passed 11-11-19.)

1503.071   Central Station Monitored Fire Alarm System Requirement.

  1. (a) Definitions. For purposes of this Section 1503.071, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

    1. (1) “Central Station Monitored Fire Alarm System” means an NFPA 72 complaint system which, when activated by smoke, fire or other emergency requiring a Fire Department response, transmits a signal to a private alarm company, who will then alert the Village that a fire or other emergency exists or that the services of the fire or other public safety forces are needed.

    2. (2) “Commercial building” means any structure other than a one-, two-, or three-family dwelling that is issued a certificate of occupancy.

  2. (b) Central Station Monitored Fire Alarm System Requirement/Application for a Building Permit. The owner of any commercial building or their representative, including a tenant, who is required to apply for a building permit shall install and maintain a central station fire alarm system.
    (Ord. 2024-08. Passed 3-11-24.)

  3. (c) Central Station Monitored Fire Alarm System Requirement/New Construction. The owner of any commercial building that is constructed on or after March 1, 2014, shall install and maintain a central station monitored fire alarm system.
    (Ord. 2019-30. Passed 3-25-19.)

1503.08   Fire alarm systems

All inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems must be witnessed by a certified fire safety inspector of the Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention, unless waived by Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention personnel. Notice of inspection, testing and maintenance of fire alarm systems shall be given a representative of the Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention not less than two (2) business days prior to the scheduled inspection. All fire alarm inspection, testing and maintenance companies shall register with the Village of Chagrin Falls and must be certified to perform inspections, testing and maintenance pursuant to State law. Failure to comply with this section shall result in the refusal of acceptance of the inspection, testing or maintenance of the fire alarm system and it shall be deemed noncompliant.
(Ord. 2008-05. Passed 2-11-08.)

1503.09   Water-based fire protection systems

All inspection, testing and maintenance of water-based fire protection systems must be witnessed by a certified fire safety inspector of the Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention, unless waived by Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention personnel. Notice of inspection, testing and maintenance of water- based fire protection systems shall be given a representative of the Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention not less than two (2) business days prior to the scheduled inspection. All water-based fire protection system inspection, testing and maintenance companies shall register with the Village of Chagrin Falls and must be certified to perform such inspections, testing and maintenance pursuant to State law. Failure to comply with this section shall result in the refusal of acceptance of the inspection, testing or maintenance of the water-based fire protection system and it shall be deemed noncompliant.
(Ord. 2008-05. Passed 2-11-08.)

1503.10   Standpipes and fire department connections

All standpipes and fire department connections shall be painted red.
(Ord. 2008-05. Passed 2-11-08.)

1503.11   Key boxes

Key boxes shall be installed on all commercial and educational occupancies, as well as multi-family dwellings which are designed for occupancy by more than two families. The location of the key boxes must be approved by the Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention prior to installation.
(Ord. 2008-05. Passed 2-11-08.)

1503.12   Inspection required prior to occupancy

In accordance with the Planning and Zoning Code of the Codified Ordinances of Chagrin Falls all commercial occupancies shall have a fire safety inspection by a representative of the Chagrin Falls Bureau of Fire Prevention in order to obtain an occupancy permit.
(Ord. 2008-05. Passed 2-11-08.)

1503.99   Penalty

(Editor’s note: See Section 1501.99 for general Code penalty if no specific penalty is provided.)
(Ord. 1975-970. Passed 4-15-75.)