Village of Sauk City, WI Fire Safety and Inspections

[1]

Editor's Note: The title of Art. V was changed from "Emergency Key Box and Hazardous Materials Information" to "Fire Safety and Inspections" by Ord. No. 2022-1, adopted 2-8-2022.

Intent and purpose. It is hereby declared the intent of the Village Board, through the enactment of this section, to establish requirements for the installation of a Fire Department emergency key box and/or an accessible on-site inventory of hazardous materials at properties within the Village limits for purposes of rapid entry for fire-fighting or rescue activities when life or property is threatened. The purpose of the emergency key box is to allow Fire Department personnel to gain access to specified buildings at times when the buildings are not occupied or when an occupant is unable to provide ingress. The purpose of the hazardous materials inventory (HMI) is to provide accurate reference materials for rescue and fire-fighting personnel prior to the entry of a structure so as to prepare themselves for entry into potentially hazardous environments during emergency responses. The KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System is designated as the type of lock box system to be implemented within the Village of Sauk City.

Fire Department emergency key box required.

[Amended 3-12-2019 by Ord. No. 2019-2]

(1)

Applicability. With the exception of one- and two-family dwellings, the following properties shall be required to install a Fire Department emergency key box:

(a)

Any businesses, public or commercial buildings in excess of 5,000 square feet;

(b)

Any multiple-family dwelling where access to interior units is through a common secured entrance;

(c)

Any industrial facilities;

(d)

Any residential care facilities;

(e)

Any building or structure within the Fire Department's jurisdiction protected by an automatic fire alarm or fire sprinkler/suppression system;

(f)

Any building where the Fire Chief or his/her designee determines that the lack of access may result in loss of life or extensive property damage, based on factors, including, but not limited to, fire load, occupant load, exposures, building construction, age of building, or storage of hazardous materials;

(g)

Condominium complexes where the Fire Chief or his/her designee determines that the lack of access may result in loss of life or extensive property damage, based on factors, including, but not limited to, fire load, occupant load, exposures, or building construction; or

(h)

All properties having security gates or devises which limit access to the building or property.

(2)

Installation and maintenance. The KNOX-BOX^® Rapid Entry System box (access box) installation shall be in accordance with the following criteria:

(a)

The access box shall be at or near the main entrance or such other location as approved by the Fire Chief or his or her designee prior to installation.

(b)

The access box shall be located at a height of not less than four feet and not more than six feet above final grade.

(c)

The owner(s) of the property shall keep keys, key cards, or codes in the access box that will allow access to the building and all locked or secured areas within the building.

(d)

All newly constructed or remodeled structures subject to this subsection shall have the access box installed and operational prior to the issuance of the occupancy permit by the building inspector.

(e)

It is up to the property owner(s) of the building to notify the Fire Department of updated or added keys for the facility. It is the responsibility of the building owner(s) to keep the area around the access box clear of obstructions, including, but not limited to, vegetation, paint, or clutter.

Hazardous materials inventory list.

(1)

Applicability. With the exception of one- and two-family dwellings, the following properties shall be required to maintain a hazardous materials inventory:

(a)

All buildings required to have and maintain one or more material safety data sheets (MSDS) by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200; or

(b)

Any building as directed by the Fire Chief.

(2)

Contents and location. The hazardous materials inventory shall include an alphabetical list of hazardous materials, their location, and the approximate quantity on site. The owner of any building required to have a HMI shall maintain one in a location and cabinet approved by the Fire Chief or his/her representative. The cabinet shall also include material safety data sheets (MSDS) of all chemicals located on the premises, in alphabetical order.

Compliance. Owners of all existing buildings to which this section applies shall comply with the requirements of this section within 36 months of the effective date. All newly constructed buildings or buildings under construction shall comply immediately.

Penalties. Any building owner violating any provision of this section after receiving a notice of noncompliance from the Fire Chief shall be subject to a fine as stated in the schedule of fees each day of noncompliance.