White River Township Fire Prevention and Protection Ordinance
 
ARTICLE IV
 
Automatic Fire Protection Systems
 

SECTION 1.  General

For the purpose of this Article, the following definitions apply to the intent and meaning of the requirements of this Section:

A.      BUILDING – All Class 1and Class 2 structures as defined in IC-22-12-1.
 

SECTION 2.  Hood Suppression Systems

A.         A Type I hood shall be installed at or above all commercial food heat-processing appliances that produce grease vapors or smoke as required in the Indiana Mechanical Code, (675 IAC 18). Domestic cooking appliances utilized for commercial cooking operations shall be provided with Type I or II hoods as required for the type of appliances and processes in accordance with the IMC.  

B          Systems shall be inspected and tested for proper operation at 6-month intervals. Tests shall include a check of the detection system, alarms and releasing devices, including manual stations and other associated equipment. Extinguishing system units shall be weighed and the required amount of agent verified. Stored pressure-type units shall be checked for the required pressure. The cartridge of cartridge-operated units shall be weighed and replaced at intervals indicated by the manufacturer. A copy of test record shall be submitted to the serving Fire Marshal for review.
 

SECTION 3. Fire Protection Systems Installation and Testing

 A.        Installation of Fire Protection systems shall be in accordance with the applicable rules of the FPBSC.

B.         Fire detection and alarm systems, fire-extinguishing systems, fire hydrant systems, fire standpipe systems, fire pump systems, private fire service main and all other fire protection systems and appurtenances thereto shall be subject to acceptance tests as contained in the installation standards and of the rules of the FPBSC. The serving Fire Marshal shall be notified at least 24 hours prior to any required acceptance testing.

C.         Fire protection systems shall be maintained in accordance with the original installation standards for that system and the rules of the FPBSC. Required fire protection systems shall be extended, altered, or augmented as necessary to maintain and continue protection whenever the building is altered, remodeled or added to.

Alterations to fire protection systems shall be done in accordance with the rules of the FPBSC.

D.         A copy of the Annual and Bi-annual Fire Protection Systems tests shall be provided to the serving Fire Marshal at the completion of the tests.

E.         Where a required fire protection system is out of service, the serving Fire Marshal shall be notified immediately and, the building shall either be evacuated or an approved Fire Watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shut down until the fire protection system has been returned to service.

F.         When utilized, Fire Watches shall be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch for fires. Personnel used for fire watch shall be certified as a State of Indiana Firefighter and shall be approved by the serving Fire Marshal.
 

SECTION 4.  Tampering

            Any person who shall tamper with, damage, destroy, or temporarily remove from its storage place without authority or in the absence of an emergency, any fire extinguisher, fire extinguishing tools, equipment, chemicals or devices, fire sprinkler systems, smoke alarms, early fire warning devices, fire alarm box, wires or other apparatus in connection with any fire protection or safety devices whatsoever shall have violated this section and shall be subject to a fine as set forth in Article XVIII of this Ordinance. 
 

SECTION 5. Fire Appliance Obstruction

A.         Fire Doors, Fire Walls, Fire Suppression Systems, Fire Alarm Components, Fire Hydrants, Fire Lanes, Fire Detection Devices, or any other device used to detect, suppress, contain, or protect the structure or its occupants from fire or smoke travel shall not be obstructed or otherwise rendered inoperative.

B.         Posts, fences, vehicles, growth, trash, storage and other materials or objects shall not be placed or kept near fire hydrants, fire department inlet connections or fire protection system control valves in a manner that would prevent such equipment or fire hydrants from being immediately discernible. The fire department shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to fire protection equipment or fire hydrants.

C.         A 3-foot (914 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants except as otherwise required or approved.
   

SECTION 6.  False or Faulty Alarms

A.         It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly give, or cause to be given, any false alarm of fire, or to tamper with or set off any fire alarm or signal box with like intent; or tamper, meddle or interfere with any such fire alarm box; or intentionally cut, break, deface or remove any such box or any of the wires or supports thereof connected with the fire alarm system. 

B.         The premises owner or the occupant of the premises shall not conduct a fire drill or test a monitored fire alarm system without first notifying the fire department and the fire dispatch Center.  A false alarm fee shall be imposed after the third false alarm is received in a twelve (12) month period. That fee is set forth in Article XVII of this Ordinance, however additional fees may be assessed to the suspect and the owner if the activation is determined to be a malicious act.   

C.         A person who gives a false alarm of fire to the fire department of a governmental entity, knowing the alarm to be false commits false informing, a Class B misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if it substantially hinders any law enforcement process or if it results in harm to an innocent person.

D.         Where a required fire protection system is out of service, the fire department shall be notified immediately and the building shall either be evacuated or an approved fire watch shall be provided for all occupants left unprotected by the shut down until the fire protection system has been returned to service.

E.        Where utilized, fire watches shall be provided with at least one approved means for notification of the fire department and their only duty shall be to perform constant patrols of the protected premises and keep watch for fires.