the Association of Building and Zoning Code Enforcement Officers in and near Chautauqua County, New York
To all Code Enforcement Personnel
We are now in the final stretch for the year 2011. Our 2nd Annual Educational Conference was a great success with sixty-two (62) Code officials in attendance. A Live Burn was the centerpiece of this conference with a demonstration on the use and importance of a sprinkler system in residences. The demonstration had two (2) rooms, side-by-side, with each room equipped with the same furnitutre and contents. Each room was then set on fire, however, the room not protected with the sprinkler system went to full burn within four (4) minutes. The second room, protected by a sprinkler head which activated after reaching a temperature of 180 Degrees. Damage to the room not protected was substantially more than the room protected with the sprinkler head. A few points we learned from last year’s reporting cycle…. · EACH MUNICIPALITY MUST REPORT SEPARATELY! This means if you are a CEO serving both a Town and Village you will be filing Two (2) reports even if you combine records! If you serve several municipalities you must file for each and every entity. · ELECTRONIC REPORTING IS PREFERRED! However, as in everyday life “things happen” – keep a hard · WATCH the WEBSITE – http://www.dos.state.ny.us/code/ls-codes.html for announcements and changes! This is also where you will find the link to the reporting form and any associated instructions! Remember… we are here to assist you Debra Babbitt Serving: Chautauqua and
Andrew Hvisdak, P.E. Regional Engineer Serving: Chautauqua and
Our next Conference is scheduled for September 10 - 12, 2012 at the Chautauqua Suites in Mayville, NY an a tentative schedule with be forth coming along with the application for the conference.
Projects are starting to wind down and wrap up, and building departments may be gearing up for the end of year reports most municipalities request. With that in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to suggest that while compiling your end of year reports you bear in mind that your January 2011 1203 ANNUAL Report will be due and that you keep your figures handy and look ahead to any additional reporting requirements. A reminder to you all that these reports are MANDATORY for each and every municipality!!
Direct Enforcement
List from Andy on common Fire Code violations -- for discussion by WSTBO:
Exits shall be maintained to provide free and unobstructed egress.
No harrier, lock or fastening device shall be installed on an exit.
Materials shall not be placed or kept in stairways or corridors.
No aisle or passageway shall be obstructed so as to reduce its required width as an exit.
Exit access and exit discharge shall not be impeded.
Aisles shall be maintained in open floor areas where exits are not immediately accessible.
Fire exit, stair and smoke-stop doors shall be kept closed at all times.
Use of door stops, wedges. or other non-automatic hold-open devices is prohibited.
Electrical wiring shall he firmly secured.
Grounding of electrical wiring and equipment shall be maintained.
Nonmetallic extension cords shall not be used in place of permanent fixed wiring.
Flexible cords arid cables shall not be run through holes in walls, ceilings, floors, etc.
Portable fire extinguishers shall be based on the hazard involved.
Portable tire extinguishers shall be appropriate, visible and conspicuously identified.
Operation & maintenance of labs using chemicals shall he in conformance with reference standards.
Flammable or combustible liquids shall not be stored in means of egress.
Incompatible chemicals shall he adequately separated.
Chemicals shall be properly stored.
Compressed gas cylinders shall be properly secured.
Combustible waste shall properly disposed to prevent unsafe accumulations.
Combustible material shall not be permitted within 10 feet of any liquefied petroleum gas container.
Over-current protection devices shall be maintained in safe operating condition.
Exposed wiring shall be protected against physical damage.
Portable fire extinguishers shall he properly installed and maintained.
Portable tire extinguishers shall he maintained in proper operating condition.
Fire alarm boxes shall not he obstructed.
Cylinders shall be protected against vehicle damage.