[HISTORY: Adopted by the Village Board of the Village of Elm Grove 3-22-1955; amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I). Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Emergency management — See Ch. 22.
Fire Department — See Ch. 33.
Alarm systems — See Ch. 91.
Building construction — See Ch. 106.
Open burning — See Ch. 112.
Fireworks — See Ch. 153.
Hazardous materials — See Ch. 164.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 220.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall be the Fire Inspector. Upon the recommendation of the Chief of the Fire Department and the concurrence of the Village Manager, the Village President may appoint from among the officers or members of the Fire Department a person who shall hold the office of Deputy Fire Inspector. Such Deputy Fire Inspector shall perform the same duties and have the same powers as the Fire Inspector. Such appointment shall be subject to confirmation by the Village Board.
A. 
It shall be the duty of the Fire Inspector to inspect at least once in each nonoverlapping six-month period per calendar year all buildings (except the interiors of private dwellings), premises and public thoroughfares within the limits of the Village for the purposes of determining and causing to be eliminated any fire hazard, any condition liable to substantially interfere with the extinguishing or control of fire or public safety and/or violation of any law or ordinance related to fire hazards or the prevention of fires. The Inspector shall also investigate the storage and handling of explosives and inflammable liquids within the Village. "Fire hazard" shall include not only dangerous conditions but also the absence of recognized fire prevention devices, warning systems, proper exits and proper exit lights.
B. 
The Fire Inspector shall make all reports of inspections required by the State of Wisconsin and shall keep a written record card that conforms to the requirements of the state for each property inspected.
C. 
Every owner of a private vehicular bridge within the limits of the Village shall have a duty to have the bridge inspected by a structural engineer at least once in each nonoverlapping two-year period. Every property owner shall comply with the provisions of this subsection for the first time within 12 months of its enactment. The purpose of such inspections shall be to ensure that each private bridge is capable of supporting the imposed loads of fire apparatus during all weather conditions and to determine causes that may require the elimination of any fire hazard, any condition liable to substantially interfere with the extinguishing or control of fire or the prevention of fires, in accordance with § 150-3. Such inspections shall be conducted by a licensed professional structural engineer, qualified to inspect bridges, and shall include a load rating analysis. A written report shall be provided to the Village of Elm Grove Engineer for review and subsequently to the Director of Public Works for approval in accordance with the provisions of Wisconsin Administrative Code §§ Comm 66.225, Trans 214.03(2) and Trans 214.04 to the extent applicable.
[Added 2-26-2002]
[Amended 2-26-2002]
Whenever and wherever any fire inspection reveals a fire hazard, any condition liable to substantially interfere with the extinguishing or control of fire or public safety and/or violation of any law or ordinance related to fire hazards or the prevention of fires, the Fire Inspector shall serve a written notice upon the property owner or occupant giving said owner or occupant a reasonable time under the circumstances in which to remove or correct the same. Conditions that potentially can substantially interfere with the extinguishing or control of fire or public safety also include, but are not limited to, access roadways for fire apparatus over private roads and bridges.
No person shall hinder or obstruct the Fire Inspector in the performance of his/her duty or refuse to observe any lawful direction by the Fire Inspector.
The current edition of the Fire Prevention Code recommended by the National Board of Fire Underwriters adopted under Wisconsin Administrative Code § Comm 30.02(4), as amended from time to time, is made part of this chapter by reference and specifically incorporated herein.
[Amended 7-26-2005]
Any person who shall violate any provision of this chapter or any rule or regulation made under this chapter shall be subject to a penalty as provided in § 1-16 of this Code, except that the forfeiture shall not be less than $100.
[Added 6-23-2009]
The Village shall establish, from time to time by resolution, fees for fire inspection services. Such fees shall be charged and billed on an annual basis to the property owner of record. Any outstanding balance as of November 1 shall be placed on the property tax bill pursuant to § 66.0627, Wis. Stats.