[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Oconomowoc 11-6-1995 (Ch. 5 of
the 1986 Town Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Building construction — See Ch. 108.
The purpose of this chapter is to promote the health, safety
and welfare of the public by establishing performance minimums for
design, construction, alteration, use and occupancy of buildings and
parts thereof within the Town. Standards of the American Insurance
Association or the National Fire Protection Association shall be used
as guidelines in any area not covered in this chapter.
A.
New buildings and additions. This chapter shall apply to all new
buildings and structures and to additions to existing buildings and
structures.
B.
Alterations. This chapter shall apply to all alterations in any building
or structure which affects the structural strength, fire hazards,
exits or lighting of any new or existing building or structure. This
chapter shall not apply to ordinary nonstructural changes or minor
repairs necessary for the maintenance of any building or structure.
[Added 6-1-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-6]
The intent of this section is to allow fire and emergency medical
service personnel to gain immediate entry to certain properties to
allow the fire and/or emergency medical service personnel to perform
their duties.
A.
Required. All new multifamily structures of three or more units and
commercial or manufacturing structures shall provide a public safety
Knox-Box® system for fire department use. The Knox-Box® shall
contain keys for elevator return, door openings, elevator rooms, fire
alarm boxes, fire alarm box room, electric/utility rooms and any other
key necessary for access to the structure for emergency fire and rescue
purposes. This requirement for a Knox-Box® shall apply to all
structures existing on the effective date of this section if there
is change in its alarm or suppression system or if there is a change
of ownership, change of occupancy, or upon structural modification
to the structure sufficient to warrant the addition of a Knox-Box®
system.
B.
Installation. Knox-Box® systems may be surface-mounted or flush-mounted
in an easily accessible location determined by the Fire Chiefs of
the fire departments. The Knox-Box® shall be located not less
than four feet nor more than six feet above grade. In the event that
locks are changed in any of the above-mentioned rooms, the fire department
shall be notified immediately. The cost of the Knox-Box® system
and installation is the responsibility of the property owner. The
Knox-Box® and installation location shall be approved by the Fire
Chiefs.
A.
Fire Chiefs to be Fire Inspectors. The Fire Chiefs of the various
fire departments contracting with the Town of Oconomowoc for fire
protection services shall be Fire Inspectors and may appoint one or
more Deputy Fire Inspectors, who shall perform the same duties and
have the same powers as the Fire Inspector. The duties of the Fire
Inspectors shall follow the requirements of Ch. SPS 314, Wis. Adm.
Code, a copy of which is available for inspection at the Town Clerk's
office.
[Amended 6-1-2015 by Ord.
No. 2015-6]
B.
Duty of inspection.
(1)
Inspections required. Each Fire Inspector shall inspect semiannually
all buildings, premises and public thoroughfares within that portion
of the Town lying in the fire protection service area of the respective
departments, to note and cause to be corrected any conditions liable
to cause fires. Repairs or alterations necessary to remove a hazardous
condition shall be made within a reasonable time at the owner's
expense. The Inspector shall also investigate the storage and handling
of explosives and flammable liquids within his respective fire service
area.
(2)
Special inspection warrant. If consent to entry to properties which
are not public buildings, or to portions of public buildings which
are not open to the public, has been denied, the Fire Inspector shall
obtain a special inspection warrant under § 66.0119, Wis.
Stats.
(3)
Records and reports of inspections. Fire Inspectors shall keep a
written record card of each property inspected, which shall conform
to the requirements of the State Department of Safety and Professional
Services, and shall make the semiannual report of inspections required
by such department.
(4)
Correction of fire hazards. When any inspection by a Fire Inspector
or his deputy reveals a fire hazard, the Inspector or his deputy may
serve a notice in writing upon the owner of the property, giving such
owner a reasonable time in which to remove the hazard. Failure of
the owner to comply with said notice is a violation of this chapter.
If the fire hazard is not removed within the time allowed, it shall
be deemed a nuisance; and the Fire Inspector or his deputy may have
the same removed by the Town, and the cost of such removal shall be
recovered in an action by the Town against the owner of the property
and may also be entered on the tax roll as a special charge against
the property.
(5)
Compliance with Fire Inspector. No person shall deny the Fire Inspector
or his deputy free access to any property within the Town at any reasonable
time to make fire inspections. No person shall hinder or obstruct
the Fire Inspector in the performance of his duty or refuse to observe
any lawful direction given by him.
A.
State Fire Prevention Manual adopted. The Wisconsin Fire Prevention
Manual, detailing provisions for the prevention of fire, is adopted
and by reference made a part of this chapter as if fully set forth
herein.
B.
State and federal codes adopted. The following provisions of OSHA,
the Wisconsin Administrative Code and regulations of the State Department
of Safety and Professional Services relating to fire prevention are
made a part of this chapter by reference.
(1)
The following chapters of the Wisconsin Administrative Code relating
to fire protection and prevention are adopted and by reference made
a part of this chapter as if fully set forth herein. Any act required
to be performed or prohibited by any chapter of the Wisconsin Administrative
Code incorporated herein by reference is required or prohibited by
this section.
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Comm 7
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Explosives and Fireworks
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Comm 10
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Flammable, Combustible and Hazardous Liquids
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Comm 14
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Fire Prevention
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Comm 32
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Public Employee Safety and Health
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Comm 40
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Gas Systems
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Comm 60 through 64
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Commercial Building Code
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In case of a conflict between the provisions of this chapter
or between this chapter and existing Town ordinances, the strictest
provision shall apply.
Any act required to be performed or prohibited by the State
Fire Prevention Manual, OSHA requirements, the Wisconsin Administrative
Code or regulations of the State Department of Safety and Professional
Services are required or prohibited by this code.
The Fire Inspectors shall enforce the regulations of this chapter
and all other laws, lawful orders and ordinances relating to fire
prevention. Enforcement shall be in cooperation with the Building
Inspector, who may also enforce this chapter of the Code of Ordinances
if in violation of any building code of the Town of Oconomowoc.
