§ 38-44. Fire inspectors.

(a)

Fire chief to be fire inspector. The fire chief shall hold the office of fire inspector with power to appoint one or more deputy fire inspectors, who shall perform the same duties and have the same powers as the fire inspector.

(b)

Duty of inspection. Fire inspectors shall inspect quarterly all buildings, premises and thoroughfares within the fire limits and inspect semiannually all buildings, premises and public thoroughfares within the village limits for the purpose of noting and causing to be corrected any conditions liable to cause fires. Repairs or alterations necessary to remove the hazardous condition shall be made within a reasonable time at the expense of the owner. The inspector shall also investigate the storage and handling of explosives and inflammable liquids within the village.

(c)

Written record of inspections. The chief shall keep a written record card of each property inspected, which shall conform to the requirements of the state department of industry, labor and human relations, and shall make the quarterly report of inspections required by the department.

(d)

Correction of fire hazards. When any inspection by the fire chief or his deputies reveals a fire hazard, the chief or his deputies may serve a notice in writing upon the owner of the property, giving the owner a reasonable time in which to remove the hazard. If the fire hazard is not removed within the time allowed, it shall be deemed a nuisance and the fire chief or his deputy may have the same removed by the village, and the cost of such removal shall be recovered in an action by the village against the owner of the property and may also be entered in the tax roll as a special charge against the property.

(e)

Entering on premises. No person shall deny the chief or his deputies free access to any property within the village at any reasonable time for the purpose of making 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.

(Code 1983, § 5.09)