AN ORDINANCE SETTING FORTH RULES AND REGULATIONS TO IMPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY BY PROMOTING THE CONTROL OF FIRE HAZARDS; REGULATING THE INSTALLATION, USE AND MAINTENANCE OF EQUIPMENT; REGULATING THE USE OF STRUCTURES, PREMISES AND OPEN AREAS IN THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA; PROVIDING FOR THE ABATEMENT OF FIRE HAZARDS; ESTABLISHING THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND PROCEDURES FOR ENFORCEMENT; SETTING FORTH STANDARDS FOR COMPLIANCE; PROVIDING FOR ISSUANCE OF PERMITS AND COLLECTION OF FEES THEREOF; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR THE VIOLATION THEREOF; REPEALING ALL ORDINANCES OR PARTS OF ORDINANCES IN CONFLICT HEREWITH; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.

 BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT LAVACA, TEXAS:

SECTION 1. In order to establish uniform rules and regulations for improving public safety by promoting the control of fire hazards through the regulation of the installation, use and maintenance of equipment; through the regulation of the use of structures, premises and open spaces and providing for the abatement of such hazards, there is hereby adopted by the City of Port Lavaca that certain fire code known as the "STANDARD FIRE PREVENTION CODE", specifically the 1999 Edition thereof with revisions as approved and recommended by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., save and except the following deletions, changes, amendments, or additions:

CHAPTER 1 - ADMINISTRATION

101.4 FIRE PREVENTION DEPARTMENT

ADD: The Fire Chief is designated as the Fire Official.

105 BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS

DELETE in its entirety and substitute the following:

A board called the "Building Trades Board of Adjustments and Appeals" is established in the City Ordinance called "The Building Trades Board of Adjustments and Appeals" and is herein referenced and made a part of this ordinance.

 CHAPTER 3 - RECOGNIZED STANDARDS AND PUBLICATIONS

ADD: Where reference is made to any Standard and/or publication, it shall be understood to reference the latest edition of such, regardless of the dates cited herein.

CHAPTER 4 - PERMITS AND CERTIFICATES

401.3 Applying for a Permit.

ADD: A $20.00 application for permit fee will be charged to each application filed. When application for permits is not made in accordance with the provisions of this ordinance, the fee shall be double.

CHAPTER 5 - GENERAL PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FIRE

501.3 Incinerator Construction.

DELETE in its entirety and substitute the following:

No incinerators shall be permitted and no existing incinerators shall be replaced except when required by the Texas Department of Health at hospitals.

501.4 DELETE

503.2.2 ADD:

Reference is made of Texas State Statute concerning false alarms (42.06 P.C. - Class A misdemeanor).

503.2.3 ADD:

Reference is made of Texas State Statute concerning tampering with fire alarm equipment (28.03 P.C.).

A 101.2.2 Inspector Qualifications.

DELETE in its entirety and substitute the following:

The inspector(s) qualifications shall be as required by the Texas Commission on Fire Protection Personnel Standards and Education.

A 104 Board of Adjustments and Appeals.

DELETE in its entirety and substitute the following:

The City of Port Lavaca Ordinance entitled "The Building Trades Board of Adjustments and Appeals" is herein referenced and made a part of this ordinance.

SECTION 2. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed, particularly Ordinance G-12-95 passed and approved on December 11, 1995 adopting the fire code known as the "Standard Fire Prevention Code", 1994 edition with 1995 revisions approved and recommended by the Southern Building Code Congress International, Inc., as the same appears of record in City Council Minutes, Volume PP, page 384A.

SECTION 3. Any person, firm or association of persons or a manager of any corporation, or the foreman in charge of a construction who shall violate any of the terms and provisions of this ordinance or of the Standard Fire Prevention Code, shall upon conviction, be fined in any sum not to exceed TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS ($200.00). Each day a violation is continued shall constitute a separate and punishable offense.

SECTION 4. If any provision of this ordinance, or the application thereto to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the ordinance and the application of such provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected thereby.

SECTION 5. This ordinance shall become effective upon final approval and adoption by the City Council of the City of Port Lavaca.

PASSED AND APPROVED this 12th day of July, 1999.