[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Southington
as Ch. 7, Art. I, of the 1989 Code. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 7-23-1979; 1-13-1993]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide unobstructed passage
for fire and other emergency equipment from a public highway onto
and across other public or private property.
B.
FIRE ZONE
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
Designated, unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to
permit free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from a public
highway to all necessary areas or portions of any private or public
property.
C.
Establishment by Fire Marshal. Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine
that the reasonable safety of persons occupying or using any premises,
public or private, having the capacity of at least 25 persons, requires
the establishment of a fire zone for orderly access of fire and other
emergency equipment, he shall establish such fire zone by written
order and cause to be made public announcement of such fire zone by
written order in a newspaper having substantial circulation in the
Town. Any cost for said announcement shall be the responsibility of
the owner or owners of the property on which such fire zone is established.
He shall cause a copy of such order to be delivered, in person or
by registered mail, to the owner or owners, or agents thereof, of
any private land on which such fire zone is established.
D.
Order establishing fire zone; appeal to Town Manager. Whenever the
Fire Marshal establishes a fire zone, he shall file one copy with
the Town Manager and one copy with the Police Department. Any person
aggrieved by such order may file, with the Town Manager within 15
days after the date of such order, written notice of appeal setting
forth therein reasons for aggrievement. After hearing, the Town Manager
may affirm, modify or rescind such order.
E.
Signs delineating fire zone; cost; lien. Upon establishment of a
fire zone, the Police Department shall cause to be erected or installed
adequate signs, parkings and other devices erected or installed on
privately owned premises, which shall be at the cost of the owner,
and may be billed for and collected in the same manner as municipal
taxes.
F.
Parking prohibited; fine for violations. No person shall park or permit to stand a motor vehicle in a fire zone which has been established in accordance with this section, except when actually picking up or discharging passengers. Any person violating this section shall be fined. Fines are listed in the Fine Schedule, § 37-2 of this Code, and posted on the Town of Southington website. The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall be presumed to be the operator of such vehicle.
G.
Towing obstructing vehicles authorized. Any motor vehicle found standing
in a fire zone which has been established in accordance with this
section may be towed, upon the direction of a police officer, to any
public or private parking facility, and all expenses of such towing
and any subsequent storage shall be paid by the registered owner of
such vehicle.
H.
Owner, lessee to maintain zones; signs; penalty for failure to maintain. Upon the establishment of a fire zone and the erection or installation of marking devices as provided in Subsection E, such fire zones shall be maintained by the respective owners or lessees thereof, who shall be responsible for the replacement of missing fire zone parking signs and the remarking of pavement. Any person failing to maintain a fire zone within 30 days of the receipt of written notice from the Fire Marshal shall be fined per day for each violation. Fines are listed in the Fine Schedule, § 37-2 of this Code, and posted on the Town of Southington website.
[Added 8-11-1998]
A.
Purpose. The purpose of this section is to provide prompt entrance
to commercial structures within the Town to fire and emergency personnel
by requiring installation of a rapid entry system in new or renovated
commercial structures.
B.
RAPID ENTRY SYSTEM
RENOVATION
Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
A rapid entry system consists of heavy-duty key vault, the
specifications of which shall be approved by the Fire Marshal.
Updating or repair of an existing commercial building or
conversion of an existing structure to commercial purposes, requiring
issuance of a building permit, and the cost of which work shall exceed
$3,500.
C.
No certificate of occupancy shall henceforth issue for a new or renovated
commercial structure unless there shall be installed thereon a rapid
access system approved by the Fire Marshal as to specifications and
location thereof. Keys to such rapid access system shall be maintained
exclusively by the Fire Marshal's office.
D.
The owner will provide keys to allow Fire Department entry to all
rooms of occupancy required to have a rapid access system. The owner
will notify the Fire Marshal within 24 hours and provide keys for
any lock or cylinders that are changed or new locked areas within
the occupancy.
[Amended 10-9-2012[1]]
