[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Laconia 9-6-1990 by Ord. No.
181-90.7. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Amended 4-14-1997 by Ord. No. 03.97.03; 11-27-2017 by Ord. No. 2017-149-06]
The National Fire Protection Association NFPA-1 Fire Code, edition
currently adopted by the State of New Hampshire; the National Fire
Protection Association NFPA-101 Life Safety Code, edition currently
adopted by the State of New Hampshire; the Laconia Fire Department's
Prevention Regulations; and the State of New Hampshire Saf-C 6000
State Fire Code are hereby incorporated into this chapter and shall
be enforced by the Chief of the Fire Department and his authorized
agents. Adoption of amendments or revisions to these codes shall follow
the requirements of RSA 674:52, as amended. To that extent, the Fire
Prevention Code, the Life Safety Code, or the Fire Alarm System Requirements
are incorporated into this chapter and shall have full force and effect.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department to
maintain on file with the City Clerk's office all codes, rules, regulations,
pamphlets and other related matters adopted by reference by this chapter.
The Chief of the Fire Department, upon written application of
a property owner or lawful occupant and upon the approval of the City
Manager, shall have the power to modify any of the provisions of the
codes, rules and regulations adopted by this chapter with respect
to the applicant's property. The Chief of the Fire Department must
condition any such modification upon his determination that the strict
application of the provision or provisions in question presents practical
difficulties, the modification conforms to the spirit of this chapter,
the public safety is not compromised and substantial justice is done.
The decision to grant any such modification shall be written and signed
by the Chief of the Fire Department, filed in the official records
of the Fire Department and provided to the applicant.
[Amended 2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 244-94.2]
Whenever the Fire Chief shall disapprove an application or refuse
to grant a license or permit applied for or when it is claimed that
the Fire Chief has improperly applied a provision of a code, rule
or regulation adopted under this chapter, the complaining party may
appeal the decision of the Fire Chief to the Building Code Board of
Appeals within 30 days after the date of the decision.
Any person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions
of this chapter or of the codes, rules and regulations adopted by
this chapter; violates or fails to comply with any order made thereunder;
builds in violation of any detailed statement or specifications or
plans submitted and approved thereunder or of any certificate or permit
issued thereunder and from which no appeal has been taken; or fails
to comply with such an order as affirmed or modified by the City Manager
within the time fixed for compliance shall be guilty of a violation
punishable by a fine not exceeding $500 or imprisonment for not more
than 90 days, or both. Each day or any portion of a day of violation
or noncompliance shall constitute a separate offense and shall be
punishable separately.
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Section 8, entitled "Application to
new and existing conditions," which followed this section, was repealed
2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 244-94.2.
The Chief of the Fire Department or his designee may, at all
reasonable hours, enter any building or premises within his jurisdiction,
except the interiors of private dwellings, for the purpose of making
any inspection or investigation which, under the provisions of this
chapter or of the codes, rules and regulations, adopted by this chapter,
the Chief of the Fire Department or his designee may deem necessary.
It shall be the duty of the Chief of the Fire Department or
his designee to inspect or to cause persons under his supervision
to inspect all buildings and premises, except the interiors of private
dwellings unless with permission, as often as may be necessary for
the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any conditions
liable to cause fire or any violations of the provisions or intent
of this chapter or of the codes, rules and regulations adopted by
this chapter and to ensure compliance in all places of assembly with
all laws, regulations and orders dealing with overcrowding, use of
decorative materials, maintenance of exit ways and maintenance of
fire alarm and fire detecting systems and fire extinguishing systems
and appliances.
A.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall issue, in writing, such permits
as are required by the provisions of this chapter or of the codes,
rules and regulations adopted by this chapter. The Chief of the Fire
Department shall determine the time period for which any such permit
shall remain in effect. Such permits shall be displayed on the subject
premises and shall be subject to inspection by any officer of the
Fire Department.
B.
Before permits are issued, the Chief of the Fire Department shall
make or cause to be made such inspections or tests as are necessary
to assure that the provisions of this chapter or of the codes, rules
and regulations adopted by this chapter are met. Permits of assembly
may be issued by floor within a building. One floor may contain more
than one room or area of assembly.
C.
Payment of fees.
[Amended 2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 244-94.2]
(1)
No permit shall issue until the following designated fees have been
paid:
[Amended 4-14-1997 by Ord. No. 03.97.03; 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 01.2006.01; 7-23-2007 by Ord. No.
09.2007.09]
|
Type of Permit
|
Fee
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|---|---|---|---|
|
Assembly permit
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No charge
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|
Certificate of occupancy, per unit, nonresidential
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$40 plus $0.02 per square foot
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Blasting
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First application
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$60
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|
30-day renewal
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$20
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Bulk storage and distribution facility, annual inspection
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$70
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Commercial oil/gas furnace (over 500,000 BTU input)
|
$60
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Day care
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$40
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|
Environmental site assessment
|
$150
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Gas-fired appliance (range, oven, hot water heater), each
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$10
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|
Fire alarms
| |||
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Residential fire alarm system, per unit
|
$25
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|
Plan review, per hour
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$20
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|
Fire alarm master box application
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$50
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|
Hookup to municipal system, per hour of labor, plus materials
|
$150
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|
Fire alarm acceptance inspection test
|
$50
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|
Reinspection test
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$50
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|
False alarms, second
|
$100
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|
False alarms, all others
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$200
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|
Fire suppression systems
| |||
|
Plan review: sprinkler system, per hour
|
$20
| ||
|
Fire water tank, cisterns
|
$160
| ||
|
Commercial kitchen
|
$140
| ||
|
Gasoline service station
|
$140
| ||
|
Standpipe systems, per riser
|
$80
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|
Modification of existing system
|
$40
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|
Pump installation
|
$250
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|
Fuel oil tank (buried or above ground over 660 gallons)
|
$100
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|
Gasoline tank (buried)
|
$100
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|
Gasoline tank (above ground)
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$60
| ||
|
Hazardous operations/welding, cutting, asbestos removal
|
$40
| ||
|
Kerosene unvented space heater
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$40
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|
LP gas tank (above ground)
|
$40
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|
LP gas tank (buried)
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$60
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|
Operational LP cylinder exchange/refilling station
|
$40
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|
Operational fuel dispensing facility/waterfront
|
$40
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|
Plan review: residential
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$15
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|
Residential oil furnace*
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$40
| ||
|
Residential oil hot-water heater*
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$40
| ||
|
Residential gas furnace*
|
$40
| ||
|
Residential fuel oil tank (330-gallon maximum)*
|
$40
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|
Rooming and lodging houses
|
$40
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|
Safety inspection/night club, bar, entertainment, annual
| |||
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More than 50 and fewer than 300
|
$70
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|
More than 300 and fewer than 500
|
$150
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|
Safety inspection/temporary tents/places of assembly
| |||
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More than 300 and fewer than 1,000 people
|
$200
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|
More than 1,000 people
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$300
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|
Sprinkler systems
| |||
|
NFPA 13, per square foot
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$0.03
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NFPA 13R, per dwelling
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$40
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NFPA 13d, multifamily
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$40
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|
Storage of highly toxic gases, liquid or solid (as defined by
Federal Law
|
$200
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|
SARA Title III)
| |||
|
Tank removals, per tank
|
$60
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|
Tar pot (maximum 30 days)
|
$30
| ||
|
NOTE:
| |
|---|---|
|
* A reduction in the forty-dollar fees can be taken if more
than one inspection is scheduled during the same visit. In those cases,
the charge will be $40 for the first item inspected and $10 for each
additional item.
|
(2)
In the event that a reinspection is necessary, for whatever reason,
an additional fee of $50 will be incurred.
The Chief of the Fire Department may require the attendance
of a fire fighter at the location of a public assembly, and the charge
for the attendance of such fire fighter shall be paid by the person
or persons requesting an assembly permit, unless such permit expressly
states that no fire fighter is required. The Chief of the Fire Department
may require a fire watch for other than public assemblies if he or
she determines that it is necessary to minimize a danger to public
safety.
[Amended 2-28-1993 by Ord. No. 230-93.02; 2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 244-94.2]
The City Council considers the establishment and maintenance
of fire alarm monitoring systems vital to the health and safety of
the population and the preservation or property. Therefore, a municipal
fire alarm monitoring system is hereby established. The Fire Chief
shall prepare and submit to the City Council such specifications for
the municipal fire alarm monitoring system as he considers appropriate.
Upon receipt of the Fire Chief's recommendations, the City Council
shall set a date, time and place for a public hearing and publish
notice thereof in a newspaper of general circulation at least seven
days prior to the hearing. The City Council shall thereafter adopt
such specifications for the municipal fire alarm monitoring system
as it considers appropriate.
A.
The municipal fire alarm monitoring system is established pursuant
to the National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code. The
Fire Chief shall have the authority and responsibility to inspect
and approve all parts of the municipal fire alarm monitoring system
or any privately owned fire alarm monitoring system that is external
to any building.
B.
The municipal fire alarm monitoring system shall consist of a city-wide
network of interconnected fire alarm boxes, master boxes, wires, alarms,
switching devices, monitoring devices and such other items or technological
advances as the City Council may prescribe in accordance with this
section. This system shall be available for hookup to serve any building
or structure within the City of Laconia.
C.
Hookup to either the municipal fire alarm monitoring system or a
privately owned fire alarm monitoring system that complies with the
specifications adopted by the City Council shall be mandatory for
those buildings, structures and uses required to be hooked up to by
the National Fire Prevention Association Life Safety Code. All costs
of hookup, whether voluntary or mandatory, shall be at the owner's
expense.
D.
In addition to costs of hookup to the municipal fire alarm monitoring
system, an annual user fee of $200 for residential, $300 for commercial
shall be required. Users newly connected shall pay a pro rata amount
of $16.66 per month for residential, $25 per month for commercial
or a portion of a month until December 31 of the installation year,
after which the annual fee shall take effect on January 1.
[Amended 7-23-2007 by Ord. No. 09.2007.09]
[Amended 2-14-1994 by Ord. No. 244-94.2; 4-25-1994 by Ord. No. 250-94.9; 4-14-1997 by Ord. No.
03.97.03; 11-27-2017 by Ord. No.
2017-149-06]
|
The National Fire Protection Association Life Safety Code 101,
2015 Edition, with amendments, is hereby amended. The following numbered
sections of the Life Safety Code are deleted or superseded by replacement
language as follows:
| |
|
4.5.4
|
All automatic fire detection and/or suppression systems installed
in the City of Laconia shall be required to connect to the City municipal
fire alarm monitoring system or a privately owned fire alarm monitoring
system that complies with the specifications prescribed by the Chief
of the Fire Department.
|
|
30.3.4.1.1
|
General. Apartment buildings with more than two stories or with
more than three living units shall be provided with a fire alarm system
in accordance with NFPA Standard 72, fire alarm systems.
|
In the event of nonpayment of any fee due under this chapter,
the Chief of the Fire Department shall have the right, after sending
notice of nonpayment to the user, to disconnect the user from the
municipal fire alarm monitoring system and seek recovery of any amounts
due from such user by any allowable means, including legal action.
The Fire Department of the City shall take every reasonable
precaution to assure that the alarm signals and alarm messages received
by the Fire Department are given appropriate attention and are acted
upon with dispatch. Nevertheless, neither the Fire Department nor
the City shall be liable for any defects in operation of alarm devices,
nor for the failure or neglect of any person in connection with the
installation and operation of alarm devices or their components, the
transmission of alarm signals and prerecorded alarm messages or the
receipt or relaying of such signals and messages. In the event that
the Fire Department finds it necessary to disconnect an alarm device,
neither the Fire Department nor the City shall incur any liability
for such action.
[Added 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 01.2006.01]
A.
New buildings or additions; automatic sprinkler systems required.
(1)
An automatic fire sprinkler system shall be installed throughout
all levels of all new buildings in the following use groups, assembly,
business, educational, day care, health care, mercantile, storage
and industrial, if more than 8,000 gross square feet in floor area,
or every addition of more than 8,000 gross feet in floor area, and
in all use groups, residential, if more than 3,000 square feet, excluding
the basement, in floor area. The calculated area for all use groups
shall include all usable space, including basements.
[Amended 3-12-2007 by Ord. No. 02.2007.02]
(2)
All P.U.D and cluster developments containing 10 or more residential
units shall install sprinkler systems in all dwelling units, regardless
of size, in compliance with N.F.P.A. Standard No. 13D or 13R. These
developments will not be required to install a central fire alarm
system or central monitoring system, unless required by state statute.
Local smoke detection, in accordance with the State Building Code,
will still be required. The alarm for the sprinkler system will be
an outside, wall-mounted, electric bell that will be activated by
water flow.
[Added 11-27-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-149-06[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the renumbering
of former Subsection A(2) through (7) as Subsection A(3) through (8)
and for the deletion of former Subsection B, regarding exceptions
for P.U.D. and cluster developments.
(3)
Said sprinkler system shall be installed in compliance with
National Fire Protection Association standards and the State Fire
Code; provided, however, that in the case of said addition, such a
system of automatic sprinklers shall be installed in said addition
only.
(4)
Residential Type 3 and 4 buildings that install sprinkler systems
will require local alarm monitoring of said sprinklers in the form
of an internal bell or alarm that can be heard on all levels of the
dwelling, and an external alarm that would alert neighbors of an activation,
and will require a system of local smoke detectors (one-hundred-ten
volt - interconnected) as required by State Fire and Building Codes.
(5)
For purposes of this section, the gross square foot area of
a building or addition shall include the sum total of the floor area
for all the floor levels, including mezzanines, and basements, measured
from outside walls irrespective of the existence of interior fire-resistive
walls, floors, and ceilings.
(6)
For purposes of this section, the applicable provisions of the
National Fire Protection Association shall be as follows:
(a)
NFPA 13, standard for the installation of sprinklers.
(b)
NFPA 13D, standard for the installation of sprinklers in one-
and two-family dwellings.
(c)
NFPA 13R, standard for the installation of sprinklers in residential
occupancies of more than three dwelling units and up to and including
four stories in height.
(7)
Two sets of working sprinkler plans and calculations shall be
submitted to the Fire Department for approval. The plans shall be
prepared and documented by a design professional. One set of plans
is to be retained by the Fire Department; the other set, after approval
is obtained, will be forwarded to the Code Enforcement Officer for
approval.
(8)
No certificate of occupancy shall be issued by the Code Enforcement
Officer until such time as the sprinkler system has been installed
and inspected, and approved by the Fire Department.
[Added 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 01.2006.01]
A.
Fire Department access to certain buildings.
(1)
In order for the Fire Department to conduct operations with
efficiency and to limit damage to property in an emergency, it shall
be required that certain buildings in the City be equipped with a
lock box for storage of keys.
(2)
Lock boxes shall be installed and maintained on:
(a)
Any multifamily residential structure that has restricted access
through locked doors and has a common corridor for access to living
units Exemptions are townhouse style condominium units.
(b)
Any nonresidential building where a fire detection or suppression
system is or has been installed and is monitored by the Fire Department
or a private alarm company, or has an audible exterior alarm.
(c)
Any building or facility containing a quantity of hazardous
materials, which would require compliance with Title III of the Superfund
Authorization and Recovery Act (SARA).
(d)
All new construction shall comply with this section at the time
of construction.
(3)
Keys required to be deposited in the lock box shall include:
keys to locked points of access in the exterior of the building or
facility; locked points of access to common areas, such as hallways,
utility rooms, fire protection control rooms, fire alarm equipment,
mechanical rooms, electrical rooms, and elevator rooms; and any other
areas that may be required by the Fire Chief.
(4)
The Fire Chief shall determine the size of the lock box and
its mounting location(s). Certain buildings, because of their size
in area and configuration, may require additional lock boxes as determined
by the Fire Chief.
B.
Fire Department access to gates and fences.
(1)
Where a property is protected by a locked fence or gate and
where immediate access to the property is necessary for life-saving
and fire-fighting purposes, the Fire Chief may require a security
padlock to be installed at the location. The padlock shall be a type
and size approved by the Fire Chief. The key will be the same as the
key used for the lock box installations. In lieu of installing an
approved padlock, the owner may install a lock box on or near the
gate or fence, as approved by the Fire Chief.
(2)
Where gates are operated by security access codes, the system
must be designed and function so that an access code, as specified
by the Fire Chief, is provided for Fire Department use.
C.
Compliance. All existing buildings covered by this section shall
comply within six months from its effective date, and subsequent notification
by the Fire Department. All new buildings and buildings under construction
shall comply with this requirement prior to the issuance of the certificate
of occupancy. Failure to comply with the section will result in the
withholding of the certificate of occupancy.
D.
Noncompliance. Failure to comply with this section in the specified
timeframe shall result in a fine of $50 per day for each day of noncompliance.
Enforcement shall be through the City Attorney's office.
E.
Definition. The term "building" used herein means any building or
structure located within the City of Laconia, whether privately or
publicly owned.
F.
Exceptions. The requirements of this section shall not apply to one-
and two-family dwellings.
[Added 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 01.2006.01]
A.
Proper maintenance and operation of a fire alarm system is critical
to the safety of the occupants and the protection of the building.
False alarms cause a burden on the Fire Department and subsequently
the taxpayer. Therefore, false alarms, as defined in this section,
will be considered violations of the City of Laconia Ordinances and
will be subject to fines and/or service charges.
B.
Any false alarm within a twelve-month period, due solely to owner
negligence, such as improper installation, failure to properly disconnect
the system, failure to properly maintain system, or negligence by
the user of a fire alarm system will result in the following fines
and/or service charges:
(1)
First offense: no charge; a warning to correct the problem.
(2)
Second offense: fine/service charge of $100.
(3)
Third offense: fine/service charge of $200.
(4)
Any subsequent alarms will result in an additional fine/service
charge of $200 per false alarm and the fines/service charges will
be cumulative.
C.
Said fine/service charge must be paid within 30 days of notification.
Failure to pay this fine/service charge will result in a collection
action as allowed by New Hampshire R.S.A.
D.
Failure to properly maintain a fire alarm system is a violation of
the City of Laconia Fire Prevention Ordinance and the New Hampshire
Fire Prevention and Life Safety Codes and can result in additional
action in the appropriate court of law.
[Added 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 01.2006.01]
A.
An adequate water supply is critical to Fire Department operations.
Therefore, all new subdivisions, in excess of four units, all cluster
developments or P.U.D.s, and all other type buildings being constructed
within the City of Laconia must provide evidence of an adequate water
supply for fire-fighting purposes.
B.
The Fire Chief will make the final determination based on NFPA standards
as to what is required.
C.
For areas that are not served by the Laconia Water Works, the developer
must submit a set of plans indicating how they propose to supply water
for fire-fighting purposes. There are three acceptable methods:
(1)
Install an underground water cistern; minimum tank capacity
of 30,000 gallons, installed in accordance with NFPA and ANSI standards.
(2)
Install a dry hydrant, installed in accordance with national
standards to an acceptable water supply such as a lake, pond, or man-made
pond.
(3)
Install automatic fire sprinklers in all properties in the development.
D.
All proposals are subject to the final approval of the Laconia Fire
Chief. Specifications for dry hydrants and underground tanks are available
from the Laconia Fire Department.
[Added 7-10-2006 by Ord. No. 01.2006.01; amended 3-12-2007 by Ord. No. 02.2007.02]
Any new dead-end roadway, street, or public way that is in excess
of 1,000 feet in length measured to the furthest front lot line will
require special fire protection measures in the form of automatic
sprinkler systems. Any dwelling or building that is built on said
lot located past the one-thousand-foot point that has a drive in excess
of 200 feet will be required to have a complete automatic sprinkler
system installed prior to occupancy. The length of private driveways
shall be calculated by adding the length of the dead-end public road
and the private driveway; if the combined length exceeds 1,000 feet,
then a sprinkler system will be required in the building. For purposes
of this section, connected dead-end streets that are contiguous to
dead-end streets will be measured from the origination from the first
dead-end street.
[Amended 7-14-1997 by Ord. No. 09.97.09; 4-11-2005 by Ord. No. 04.2005.04; 11-22-2021 by Ord. No.
2021-149-14]
Whenever the City of Laconia shall provide emergency medical
treatment or transportation, the person receiving such treatment or
transportation shall pay the fees as established annually by the Laconia
Fire Department and approved by the Laconia City Council.
