[Added 8-26-2015 by L.L. No. 4-2015]
A.
Intent. This chapter provides for the administration and enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (the Uniform Code) and the State Energy Conservation Construction Code (the Energy Code) in the Village of Clyde. This chapter is adopted pursuant to § 10 of the Municipal Home Rule Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Uniform Code, other state law, or other section of this chapter, all buildings, structures, and premises, regardless of use or occupancy, are subject to the provisions of this chapter. Unless otherwise specified, the technical requirements of this chapter shall be retroactive, but shall be permitted to be modified if their application clearly would be impractical in the judgment of the Fire Prevention Bureau, and only where it is clearly evident that a reasonable degree of safety is provided.
B.
Creation of enforcement agency. The Department of Fire Prevention and Building Safety (Code Enforcement Office) is hereby established in the jurisdiction, which shall be under the administrative and operational control of the Code Enforcement Officer.
C.
Zoning restrictions. The provisions of this chapter with respect to the location of trades and industries, the use and occupancy of buildings and the areas of yards and other open spaces, etc., shall not be deemed to repeal, modify or constitute an alternative to any lawful zoning regulation which is more restrictive than this chapter.
D. EXPOSURE HAZARD FIREBREAK FRAME BUILDING (FRAME OR WOOD FRAME CONSTRUCTION) IMMEDIATE LANDSCAPED AREA ROOF COVERING SPARK ARRESTER
Special definitions. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Property that may be endangered by radiant heat from a fire in another structure or an outside fire. A structure within 30 feet of another building and 100 square feet or larger in area shall be deemed an exposure hazard.
An area where the native vegetation has been permanently modified or replaced so that fires burning into it can be more easily controlled. Firebreaks divide fire-prone areas into smaller areas for easier fire control and to provide access for firefighting.
A building in which the structural parts and materials are principally of wood, or other combustible materials, or are dependent upon a wood frame for support, including construction having a noncombustible veneer or a noncombustible covering.
The area of improved property extending at least 30 feet from the foundation of the structure, including the footprint of decks and all extensions, and the area in which vegetation has been modified for reduced flammability or aesthetic purposes, such as lawns and gardens.
Class A, B, or C roof coverings are those which are capable of resisting severe, moderate or light fire exposure, respectively, and which do not give off flying brands. Nonclassified roof coverings are those not listed as Class A, B, or C roof coverings and are likely to give off flying brands. Exceptions: Class A roof coverings include coverings of brick, masonry and exposed concrete roof decks, ferrous or copper shingles or sheets, metal sheets and shingles, clay or concrete roof tile, or slate installed on noncombustible decks; and minimum 16 oz/ft2 copper sheets installed over combustible decks.
Screening material or a screening device attached to a chimney termination to prevent the passage of sparks and brands to the outside atmosphere.
E.
Fire limits. Whenever reference is made in the Uniform Code to any fire zone, fire limits, fire district, hazardous or highly congested area, it means the fire limits described below of the most appropriate number as delineated by this section. [NOTE: Such limits may include the parking of tank vehicles and LP-gas tank vehicles, the use of open-flame devices, and the controlled use of smoking materials as provided for in the Uniform Code.] Fire limits shall be designated as follows:
(1)
(2)
Outside the fire limits. All those areas not included in Fire Limits A or Fire Limits B shall be designated herein as outside the fire limits.
(3)
Location within fire limits. A structure shall be deemed to be within the fire limits if more than 1/3 of the area of such structure is located therein. A building or structure which is located partly in one fire zone and partly in another shall be considered to be in the more highly restrictive fire zone, when more than 1/3 of its total floor area is located in such zone.
(4)
Restrictions on existing buildings. Existing buildings or structures in fire limits that do not comply with the requirements for a new building erected therein shall not hereafter be enlarged, altered, remodeled, repaired, replaced or moved except as permitted by the Uniform Code or the Zoning Law[2] as applicable.
F.
Establishment of fire limits. The area limits referred to in certain sections of the Uniform Code are hereby established as follows:
(1)
(Geographic limits in which the storage of flammable cryogenic fluids in stationary containers is prohibited): Fire Limits A.
(2)
(Geographic limits in which the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks outside of buildings is prohibited): Fire Limits B, except where specialized fire protection is provided per § 67-29 herein.
(3)
(Geographic limits in which the storage of Class I and Class II liquids in aboveground tanks is prohibited): Fire Limits A.
(4)
(Geographic limits in which the storage of liquefied petroleum gas is restricted for the protection of heavily populated or congested areas): Fire Limits A.
(5)
(Geographic limits in which storage of combustible fibers is restricted): Fire Limits A.
(6)
(Geographic limits in which the use of Class A, B or C roof coverings is required): Fire Limits A, and where otherwise required by Appendix B of the Zoning Law (C-2 Zoning Incentives).[3] Where existing roofs have to be repaired, roofs may be replaced with the same type of roofing material provided the area does not exceed 25% of the total roof area.
(7)
Within fire limits, chimneys which may emit sparks (including but not limited to fireplaces, woodstoves, barbecues, incinerators or decorative heating appliances) shall be provided with approved spark arresters. Vegetation shall not be allowed within 10 feet of a chimney outlet.
(a)
Exception: Spark arresters shall not be required where the roof covering of the structure is Class A, B or C, and there is no exposure hazard.
G.
Fire Zone Map. The location and boundaries of fire zones are hereby established as shown on the Fire Zone Map, which is attached hereto and hereby made a part of this chapter.[4] Said map or maps and all notations, references and designations shown thereon shall be, as such, a part of these rules and regulations as if the same were all fully described and set forth herein.
[4]
Editor's Note: The Fire Zone Map is available in the Village office.
H.
Frame buildings.
(1)
No frame building or structure shall be erected, enlarged, increased in height, moved within or from without to within Fire Limits A or Fire Limits B, regardless of size or occupancy, without a building permit having first been obtained from the Code Enforcement Officer.
(2)
Unless governed by other regulations, any frame building within Fire Limits A or Fire Limits B that constitutes an exposure hazard shall be separated from another building by at least 30 feet and shall be set back at least 30 feet from any lot line that can be built upon.
(3)
Within Fire Limits A and Fire Limits B, the removal of wooden porches, balconies or additions, or their replacement with noncombustible construction shall be accomplished as may be required by Appendix B of the Zoning Law (C-2 Zoning Incentives).[5]
(4)
Buildings of frame construction shall conform to all requirements of the Uniform Code, and as follows:
(a)
Multiple dwellings shall comply with applicable provisions of the Multiple Residence Law.
(b)
Assembly occupancies shall comply with applicable provisions of the State Standard Building Code for Places of Public Assembly. [NOTE: "Place of public assembly" shall include: 1) a theatre; 2) moving picture house; 3) assembly halls maintained or leased for pecuniary gain where 100 or more persons may assemble for amusement or recreation, except: a) halls owned by churches, religious organizations, granges, and public association and free libraries as defined by § 253 of the Education Law; and b) hotels having 50 or more rooms.]
I.
Explosives and blasting agents. The manufacture, possession, storage, sale, transportation, and use of explosives and blasting agents shall be prohibited within fire limits.
(1)
Exception: The possession, storage, sale, transportation, and use within fire limits of small arms ammunition and primers, smokeless propellants, black powder propellants; fireworks and pyrotechnic materials; and vehicles transporting explosive materials, shall be allowed when in substantial compliance with nationally accepted firesafety practice, such as but not limited to NFPA 495 (Explosive Materials Code), and NFPA 1124 (Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, Storage, and Retail Sale of Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Articles).
J.
Open fires.
(1)
Within Fire Limits A, open fires shall be limited to cooking devices, approved live fire training, and disposal of explosives or contraband.
(2)
Within Fire Limits B, open fires shall be limited to recreational campfires, approved bonfires attended by the Fire Department, approved live fire training, approved agricultural fires, and the disposal of explosives or contraband.
K.
Fences.
(1)
Within fire limits, the construction of fences shall require a building permit.
(2)
Within fire limits, any portion of a fence over six feet in height and within five feet of a building shall be constructed of noncombustible material or approved exterior fire-retardant wood or material that meets the same fire-resistive standards for exterior walls per the Building Code.
L.
Hazardous occupancies. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, no Group H (hazardous) occupancy shall be permitted within Fire Limits A.
M.
Firebreaks. Within fire limits, firebreaks shall be maintained as provided in this section.
(1)
On vacant lots that are 1.25 acres in size or smaller, a firebreak shall be required over the entire area of the parcel.
(2)
On vacant lots that are more than 1.25 acres in size but less than two acres in size, a firebreak shall be required adjacent to and along all parcel lines for a width of 30 feet.
(3)
Within campgrounds, manufactured home parks, and developments, firebreaks shall be provided to limit areas of brush, tall grass and highly combustible vegetation to a maximum of 10 acres.
(4)
Where constructed, firebreaks shall be not less than 10 feet in width.
(5)
All required firebreaks shall be created and maintained by mowing all weeds, grass, rank growths, shrubs, trees, and trimmings therein to a maximum height of 10 inches, or by disking or removing all weeds, grass, rank growths, shrubs, trees, and trimmings from the firebreak.
(6)
Trees may be retained within firebreaks provided that they are kept free of dead wood and litter and trimmed 10 feet from the ground or 1/3 their height and crowns are not interlaced.
(7)
Shrubs may be retained within firebreaks provided all specimens are kept free of dead wood and litter and they are spaced at a distance equal to not less than three times their widest diameter, and are not less than 10 feet from other specimens or buildings.
(8)
Unless otherwise required by this chapter or the Uniform Code, firebreaks may include fire-resistive vegetation such as green lawns and other plants designated by the Code Enforcement Officer as being fire resistive.
(9)
Storage yards for tires, lumber, or other combustible or hazardous materials of any kind shall be maintained free from combustible ground vegetation; and shall be provided with suitable firebreaks from the stored product to brush or forested areas.
N.
Waiver. The provisions of this chapter are waived when the Code Enforcement Officer determines that such enforcement is preempted by other codes, statutes or ordinances. The details of any action granting such a waiver shall be recorded and entered in the files of the Department of Fire Prevention and Building Safety.
O.
Modifications.
(1)
The Fire Prevention Bureau is authorized to modify any of the technical requirements of this chapter, upon application in writing by the owner, a lessee, or a duly authorized representative where there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the technical requirements of this chapter, provided that the intent of this chapter shall be complied with, public safety secured, and substantial justice done.
(2)
Each application for a modification shall be filed with the Fire Prevention Bureau and shall be accompanied by such evidence, letters, statements, results of tests, or other supporting information as required to justify the request. The Fire Prevention Bureau shall keep a record of actions on such applications, and a signed copy of the Bureau's decision shall be provided for the applicant.
(3)
All requests for modifications shall be handled as an appeal item which includes payment of the fee specified in local law.
