Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-11-14


of Maine exercise that power?
inspection of Premises by Fire Depart
ments.
"There is a growing demand for the
of premises by fire depart
ments all over the country. The prop
osition has been faithfully tried in sew
eral of the Middle Western states and
their experience is so satisfactory that
fire prevention associations of many
states have already approved the idea.
As the result of considerable thought
being given to the subject by the Ma
tional Board of Fire Underwriters and
the National Fire Protection Associa-
ton. an ordinance has been adopted
and recommended by them.
The insurance department of Maine
has stated in several previous bulle-
tins that we believe the adoption of an
ordinance along the above mentioned
lines is not only advisable but neces-
sary if Maine is to take its place with
other States in doing something
to diminish our tremendous an
nual economic loss by fire. We here
with submit for the consider
alton of the citizens of these mu-
inequalities where such an ordinance
may be wisely adopted, copy of an
ordinance providing for the care and
inspection of promises by the fire de-
partments to safeguard the public and
property against fire. AS previously
set forth in other bulletins, Chief Fla
herty of Portland, on his own initiative
has been working along these lines for
he n nrfpr ~
dinance may be as effective as posi-
BILE, blank inspection report, to be
filled in by the party making the in
speetion. is provided. This report will
cover practically all conditions that
might arise. and a copy of same will
be gladly furnished by the department
on application.
BE it ordained by e.............,...
of the city of ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
Section |. 1t shall be the duty of the
Chief of the Fire Department to inspect
or cause to be inspected by fire Depart
ment officers or members, as often as
may be necessary but not less than -
a year in outlying districts and
times a wear IN the Glossy miiit portions
of the city, ala buildings, premises aud
public thoroughfares except the IL
teriors of private dwellings, for the pur-
pose of ascertatning and causing to be
corrected, any conditions liable TO cause
fire, or any violations of the provisions
or intent of any ordinance of the city
affecting the fire hazard.
Whenever the Chief of the Fire De
partment or any officer or member
thereof shall find any building or other
structure which for want of repairs, or
by reason of age or dilapidated condi-
ton or for any other cause, is espec-
tally liable to fire. and which is so sit
and whenever any officer or member
shally find in any building or upon any
premises or other place, combustible or
explosive matter or dangerous accumula-
tions of rubbish or of unnecessary accu-
mutations of waste paper, boxes, shay
ings or any other highly inflammable
materials, especially liable TO fire, and
which is so situated as to endangeF
property, or shall find Instructions to
or on fire escapes. stairs, pasageways,
doors, windows, etc, liable to interfere
with the operations of the fire depart
ment, or egress of occupants, in case Of
fire he or they shall order the same to
be removed or remedied and such order
shall forthwith be complied with by tne
owner or occupant of such premises or
buildings subject to appeal within u
hours to the mayor, who shall within ID
days review such order and file his de-
cision thereon and unless the order IS
revoked or modified it shall remain in
full force and be obeyed by such owner
or occupant
Any owner or occupant failing to com
ply with such order within 10 days after
said appeal shall have been determined.
or, il no appeal is taken, then within
10 days after the service of the said or
der shall be liable to penalty as here
matter stated.
The service of any such order shall be
made upon the occupant of the premises
to whom it is directed by either deliver
ing a true copy of same To such occu-
pant personally or by delivering the
same to and leaving ii with any person
in charge of the. premises, or in case no
such person is found upon the premises
by affixing a copy thereof in conspicu-
Gus place on the door to the entrance
of the said premises; whenever il may
be necessary To serve such an order up
on the owner of premises, such order
may be served either by delivering to
and leaving with the said person a true
copy of the said order. or. If such owner
is absent from the jurisdiction of the
officer making the order, by mailing
such copy to the owners last known
Section >. Any person. firm or cor
poration desiring to manufacture, trans
port, sell use, care for, keep or give
away high explosives, or infiammables
any materials, compounds, combinations
or things whatsoever which may tend
to increase fire hazard. or to conduct
any hazardous business or operation, or
to perform any service of like dang rous
character. within the limits of this city,
shall make application in writing to the
Chief of the Fire Department, and 1T VIII
be illegal to proceed with such manu-
facture, transportation, sale or use Of
such high explosives, etc, until IL
cense or permit shall have been issued
by the Chief of the Fire Department
Section 3. No person shall kiudie,
maintain or assist in maintaining any
bonfire or other exposed fire within the
city, excepting under written permit from
the chief of fire department, when such
burning shall--lBe- done in metallic re-
eeptacles approved by him end under
such proper safeguards as he may direct
as to time and weather conditions, and
on condition that such permit carries
an obligation on the part of the grantee
to keep a sufficient safe control OF SAID
fire, and 10 be responsible for all dam
ages therefrom, and that all resultant
embers shall be eXtinguished and the hot
ashes removed or wet down at close OF
said fire.
Section T. ANY person or persons firm
or corporation violating amy of the pro-
visions of this ordinance or any of its
sections or the provisions of any permit
issued in conformity herewith, shall, up-
on conviction, forfeit and pay fine of
not more than So for each offense, and
not more than $50 for every day there
after so long as the said violation exists,
and fine of not more than 500 FOR sub
Sequent violations,
Section s. All ordinances or parts OF
ordinances inconsistent herewith are
hereby repealed.
Section &. This ordinance snail take
effect imediateiy.'
r. r, Comrs. Order Hearings.