What You Should Know
Firefighters when not responding to emergencies do their best to assure our neighborhoods are healthy and safe for our residents. They are out in the neighborhoods performing a variety of inspection services. These inspections range from commercial property inspections to rental property inspections to exterior property items which includes zoning and local ordinance enforcement. Some of the issues we find most include;
Firefighters when not responding to emergencies do their best to assure our neighborhoods are healthy and safe for our residents. They are out in the neighborhoods performing a variety of inspection services. These inspections range from commercial property inspections to rental property inspections to exterior property items which includes zoning and local ordinance enforcement. Some of the issues we find most include; PROPERTY MAINTENANCE
Leaves and Sticks - Take leftover leaves to the South County Landfill. The City Street Department also offers a brush chipping program but it is limited to the amount of brush they can take. To get on the list call 683-4700 Ext. 3062 and listen to the message. Remember there is no burning of yard waste allowed in the city.
Trash and Litter - Remember only those things that are being used for their designed purpose can be stored outside. Residents are asked to store items like furniture, tires, scrap lumber, and other misc. items, whether the items has value or not, inside.
Car Parking - Remember that cars must be parked on driveways and cannot be parked in the yard, they shouldn't block sidewalks and they must be operational and plated to be parked outside a garage.
Trash - Trash containers should not be left at the street or in front of the house. Containers should be placed at the curb no sooner that 24 hours prior to pickups and should be returned following pick up.
Finally, don't forget to mow! Any lawn that reaches 10 inches in height will be mowed (without notice) and the property owner will be billed.
Remember the law requires working smoke detectors in all sleeping rooms, outside sleeping rooms, and on each level of your home. They are your best chance of escaping a fire.
COMMERCIAL INSPECTIONS
Restaurants - Hood Inspection (6 months) and Cleaning (as required 3 months - 12 months based on use and style of cooking)not performed at appropriate intervals.
Fire Extinguishers - Not inspected annually with an approved service card.
Exiting - Egress lights out, batteries dead, blocked, etc. It is so important to make sure occupants can escape as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Sprinklers - Fire Sprinklers save lives and property. Assuring the system is tagged annually and inspected and heads are not blocked assures that it will function as designed when its needed.
RENTAL INSPECTIONS
Smoke Detectors - Detectors must be less than 10 years old, with a good power source. They must be located inside each bedroom, audible from outside each bedroom, and on every level. We recommend that you have both ionization and photoelectric to assure quick and appropriate alerting.
Windows - It is unbearable in the summer when you don't have appropriate ventilation in our homes. The code requires screens from early spring to the fall on all open able windows. They're must be open able windows throughout the home and in bedrooms they must stay open under their own weight.
Carbon Monoxide Alarms - They are required in homes with 3 or more units or in homes where renovations take place. It is recommended that they be installed in all homes with gas appliances, fire places, or attached garages.
Please call the Building Safety Division at 269-683-2374 with any questions.
