Chico Municipal Code Ch. 16.50 Fire Regulations - Inspections

All substances, materials, devices, equipment, premises or conditions governed by the fire regulations adopted by this title and as adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code shall be subject to the inspection and/or tests hereinafter provided for by this chapter.

(Ord. 1752 §3 (part), Ord. 2491 §15 (part))

Where an application is filed for a permit required by Chapter 16.48 of this title pursuant to CFC Section 105, as adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, the fire marshal, prior to issuing such permit, shall inspect and/or test any substance, material, device, equipment, or premises to be used or otherwise involved in an activity or operation authorized by such permit whenever the fire marshal determines that an inspection is necessary in order to ascertain whether such activity or operation can be conducted in a manner which complies with the fire regulation standards adopted by Chapter 16.46 of this title and Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code and in a manner which will not cause a fire or contribute to its spread.

(Ord. 1752 §3 (part), Ord. 2491 §15 (part))

When a permit is issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 16.48 of this title pursuant to CFC Section 105, as adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, which authorizes an activity or operation on the condition that a particular substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises used or otherwise involved in such activity or operation be inspected by the fire marshal on a specific date or at a particular stage of the activity or operation, the fire marshal shall conduct such inspection on such date or at such stage and shall either approve such substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises as complying with the fire regulation standards adopted by Chapter 16.46 of this title and as adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, or shall notify the permit holder or an authorized agent as to the reason why such substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises fails to comply with same. Provided that when a permit requires the inspection of a particular substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises at a particular stage of the activity or operation authorized by such permit, it shall be the responsibility of the permit holder or an authorized agent to request the fire marshal, either orally or in writing, to make such inspection no less than 24 hours prior to the time the inspection is desired, unless the fire marshal waives the time in which the request is to be made for good cause shown. Moreover, when a permit requires a particular substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises to be inspected either on a specific date or at a particular stage of the activity or operation authorized by the permit, such activity or operation shall be suspended and not resumed until the inspection has been made and the substance, material, device, piece of equipment or premises approved as complying with the fire regulation standards adopted by Chapter 16.46 of this title, including those adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code.

(Ord 1752 §3 (part), Ord. 2268, Ord. 2491 §15 (part))

When the fire marshal has reasonable cause to believe that any substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises are being used or maintained in a manner which violates the fire regulations adopted by this title, including but not limited to the fire regulation standards adopted by Chapter 16.46 of this title, including those adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, or that such substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises are being maintained or used in a manner which could cause a fire or contribute to its spread, the fire marshal is authorized to make any inspection of such substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or premises necessary to ascertain whether such violation has occurred or such fire hazard exists.

(Ord. 1752 §3 (part), Ord. 2491 §15 (part))

When an inspection is required prior to or as a condition of the issuance of a permit required by Chapter 16.48 of this title pursuant to CFC Section 105, as adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, it shall be the responsibility of the permit holder and any authorized agent of the permit holder to provide the fire marshal with safe and convenient access to the place or thing to be inspected as well as all facilities and assistance necessary for the fire marshal to make such inspection. Moreover, when such an inspection will entail the removal or replacement of any substance, material, device, piece of equipment, or any portion of a building or structure located on the premises to be inspected, such removal or replacement shall be carried out by the permit holder or an authorized agent and all costs of such removal or replacement shall be borne by the permit holder.

(Ord. 1752 §3 (part), Ord. 2268, Ord. 2491 §15 (part))

When required by the fire regulation standards adopted by Chapter 16.46 of this title, including those adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, or whenever determined necessary to verify compliance with such standards, the fire marshal may require a permit applicant, any person requesting approval of a variance or alternative material, operation, or method of work, or any person in control of a condition suspected by the fire marshal to constitute a fire hazard, to perform special inspections and/or tests which are conducted by an agency, association, or individual having particular qualifications or technical expertise to carry out such inspections or make such tests. Such special inspections and/or tests shall be made at the sole cost and expense of the permit applicant or other person required to make the inspections or tests, shall be undertaken by an agency, association, or individual whose qualifications and technical expertise have been approved by the fire marshal, and shall be conducted in accordance with the inspection or test protocols established by the fire regulation standards adopted by Chapter 16.46 of this title, including those adopted by Chapter 16R.42 of Title 16R of this code, or by other recognized inspection or test methods.

(Ord. 1752 §3 (part), Ord. 2491 §15 (part))