Fire Codes: What They Are And Why We Have Them
Saginaw Township, by ordinance, has adopted the 2003 International Fire Code with amendments. These guidelines assist STFD in the protection of property and life in the community by helping reduce the conditions in which many fires start. The fire code, in conjunction with the State of Michigan, provides the fire department authority to conduct fire investigations, fire inspections, site planning for new development, plan review of fire systems and new construction and maintenance of fire alarm and fire protection systems.
Know Your Fire Ordinances!
In addition to the fire code, Saginaw Township has adopted specific ordinances to assure the safety and well-being of the citizens of the community. You should know these basic provisions in the Saginaw Charter Townships Code of Ordinances:
CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE V: Establishes fire lanes around perimeters of public shopping centers for the operation of fire extinguishing activities and equipment.
CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE IV: Requires smoke detectors and fire alarm systems in existing hotels, motels, apartment buildings, and multi-family structures of more than three stories in height, including condominium living units.
CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VII: Authorizes fire inspectors to issue and serve appearance tickets for violation of any and all Township Ordinances and Code provisions.
CHAPTER 22, ARTICLE IV: Regulates those engaged in the business of installing and maintaining any alarm system and/or combined monitoring-sales facilities to be licensed by the State of Michigan. Requires permits of those owning or occupying any premise equipped with any alarm system and provides for the assessment of specific fees and/or fines for response to false alarms.
CHAPTER 22, ARTICLE III: Also entitled the "hazardous material incident cost recovery ordinance." Establishes cost recovery for salaries and wages of Township personnel responding to a hazardous material release or threatened release, recovery of salary and wages of Township personnel engaged in investigation, supervision and report preparation and all costs connected with any prosecution of the person responsible for such incident. The ordinance further allows for collection of cost for disposal materials and supplies used during the incident, rental or leasing of equipment used for the response and replacement of equipment that may be contaminated beyond reuse or repair.
CHAPTER 62, ARTICLE II: Amends the Subdivision Control Act of the Township Code of Ordinances, requiring looped water mains, easements for subdivision waterlines, mandates the minimum size of water mains and establishes spacing of fire hydrants in residential, commercial and industrial areas.
CHAPTER 30, ARTICLE III: Saginaw Charter Township has for many years tightly regulated open burning in our community. Due to the extensive development of our retail, commercial and residential neighborhoods, open burning has been prohibited except under prescribed conditions and pursuant to a permit issued by the Fire Department prior to burning. The purpose of the limitations is designed to promote the general peace, health, safety and welfare of Township residents.
A permit is required to conduct open burning, excluding cooking fires contained in a barbecue pit, fireplace, barbecue grill, smoker or other receptacle specifically designed for cooking food over an open fire or for small recreational or camp fires contained within a pit or approved burning container or receptacle. Approved containers and pits must be at least 15 feet from structures and property lines. The pile size for recreational burning is limited to three feet in diameter and two feet in height.
Permits for open burning are obtained from the Fire Department Headquarters office located at 4930 Shattuck Road, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Permits are issued for up to a four day duration and are renewable. Burning of leaves, yard waste, ditch banks, household rubbish, tires, building materials, paper products or any product other than clean wood is prohibited. Open burning for clearing land is also prohibited.
Open burning, bonfires and recreational fires shall be extinguished by 11:00 p.m. A responsible adult, at least 18 years of age, shall be present at all times until extinguished ashes are cold. A garden hose connected to a water supply or other extinguishing equipment shall be readily available for use at all open burning sites.
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