§ 54-32. Powers and duties.

(a)

The director shall take that action necessary to ensure that the powers and duties of an ex officio agent of the state fire marshal as set forth in F.S. ch. 633 are satisfied.

(b)

The division is authorized to utilize certified fire safety inspectors or equivalent to enforce the codes and ordinances adopted by the county council, as well as for:

(1)

Inspection of potential hazards.

(2)

Abatement of existing fire hazards.

(3)

Investigation of the cause, origin and circumstances of fires.

(4)

Control and use of explosives and flammables.

(5)

Regulation of the maintenance of fire escapes.

(6)

Regulation of the maintenance of automatic and other private fire alarm systems and fire extinguishing equipment.

(7)

Control of the means and adequacy of exits in case of fire, from factories, schools, hotels and lodginghouses, hospitals and churches, halls, theaters and other places in which numbers of persons work, meet, live or congregate.

(8)

Inspection and enforcement of the installation and maintenance of emergency water supply systems and sprinkler systems.

(9)

Enforcement of all provisions of the Standard Fire Prevention Code and Life Safety Code relating to fire prevention.

(10)

Education fire prevention programs.

(11)

Establishment of motor vehicle routes and fire lanes in the manner provided by the codes adopted by this chapter.

(c)

The division shall provide fire suppression, fire prevention and emergency rescue services and perform other duties assigned by the county manager within the unincorporated areas of the county, except as otherwise provided by law, and may, upon request of any municipality, exercise the duties set forth in this article within such municipality.

(d)

Right of entry for inspection shall be as follows:

(1)

Fire safety inspectors or equivalent shall have the right and authority to enter any building, structure or premises within the unincorporated areas of the county for the purpose of making inspections or investigations at all reasonable hours; provided that, except in cases of emergency, the right and authority conferred by this section shall not apply to the entry of a private residence unless written notice is served upon the occupant thereof. Such written notice shall contain a statement of the time an inspection shall be made and shall also contain a statement of the purposes of such inspection or investigation, which purpose shall be within the scope of this article.

(2)

The inspection and examination authorized by this article shall be for the purpose of reporting and correcting the following fire hazards or fire conditions pertaining to buildings and their occupants:

a.

Disrepair.

b.

Age and dilapidated condition.

c.

Faulty or unapproved construction.

d.

Inadequate fire escapes or lack of means of egress.

e.

Inadequate fire alarm protection.

f.

Inadequate fire extinguishing equipment.

g.

Materials in buildings especially suitable to fire.

h.

Conditions endangering other property or occupants.

i.

Inadequate emergency water supply or inadequate sprinkler system where required.

j.

Any other fire hazards dangerous to life or property.

k.

Investigation and inspection of fires and fire damage to determine the cause of such fires and recommend prevention of additional fires.

(Ord. No. 88-11, § IV, 4-21-88; Ord. No. 2011-18, § IV, 6-2-11)