[Adopted 1-9-2007]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
A temporary measure intended to assure continuous and systematic
surveillance of a building or portion thereof by one or more qualified
individuals for the purpose of identifying and controlling fire hazards,
detecting early signs of unwanted fire, raising the alarm of fire
and notifying the Fire Department. A fire watch is not limited to
watching for fire, but also to prevent fires by identifying and controlling
fire hazards. A fire watch is an option available to the Fire Official,
to be used in his sound discretion, as an alternative to closing and/or
vacating a building.
A.
A fire watch may be initiated by the Fire Official
when certain events by their nature constitute imminent hazards to
health, safety or welfare of the occupants of a building, structure
or premises, firefighters or the general public.
B.
The Fire Official may initiate a closure of a building
and/or permit a fire watch when the following factors exist:
(1)
Unsafe structural conditions.
(2)
Locking or blocking of any means of egress.
(3)
Presence of explosives, explosive or flammable fumes
or vapors.
(4)
Presence of toxic fumes, gases or material.
(5)
Presence of flammable or combustible liquids.
(6)
Inadequate or malfunctioning fire protection equipment
or systems.
(7)
Any other hazards identified by the Fire Official
which create a danger.
C.
All property owners or occupiers must, at their own
cost, provide the necessary personnel to carry out the fire watch,
when a fire watch is deemed necessary, and shall comply with orders
of the Fire Official concerning same.
A.
The owner or occupant shall assign, hire or employ
the necessary qualified personnel to initiate and carry out the instructions
concerning the fire watch.
B.
For the purposes of this section, a qualified individual
must be able to do the following:
(1)
Detect early signs of an unwanted fire.
(2)
Immediately communicate with emergency personnel.
(3)
While acting as fire watch, have no other duties,
except that an individual who is also providing security services
is permitted to act as fire watch and continue to provide security
services so long as the security duties do not interfere with performing
as fire watch.
(4)
Maintain a roving patrol in the vicinity of the hazard
or dedicate his time to the location of the hazard as dictated by
the circumstances.
A.
The Fire Official shall have the power to order a
building closed and vacated and shall have the discretion to permit
a fire watch and to determine the adequacy of the fire watch.
B.
Only the Fire Official may make the determination
as to when a fire watch, once initiated, shall cease.
C.
The Fire Official's determination as to adequacy,
need or permission for a fire watch and the qualification of the person
assigned to a fire watch are final and binding.
D.
The determination for need and permission to initiate
a fire watch must be based upon sound fire protection bases.
E.
A fire watch may be initiated orally by the Fire Official,
whereafter the Fire Official must provide the reason for the need
and permission for a fire watch in writing to the property owner and
occupants within 24 hours of initiating same.
F.
Nothing in this section shall limit the Fire Official
from ordering a building closed and vacated due to fire safety concerns
without permitting a fire watch.
G.
Nothing in this section shall limit any Township official
from issuing a summons for violation of applicable health, safety,
building or fire codes.
