Sec. 4-20. - Fire safety permits.

(a)

General requirements.

(1)

Any person, including any partnership, corporation or association, undertaking the erection, extension, alteration or repair or moving of a structure; or undertaking any structural alteration, electrical wiring or installation of plumbing or mechanical equipment in an existing structure; or undertaking any changes that may affect the fire safety of a building or any portion thereof; shall first make application for an inspection and for a plan review in the city fire prevention office. Said application shall be made at least 21 calendar days prior to the start of any construction or work accompanied by the proper fee or fees described in this section. No construction or work shall be started until the required application has been approved by the fire prevention office.

(2)

In addition to the general provisions above, this article also includes special categories for which inspections and/or plan review fees are required. No construction or work shall be started until the required application has been approved by the fire prevention office.

(3)

In all matters relating to the execution of this article, the fire prevention officer's interpretations and decisions shall be binding, appealable to the chief of the department. If the applicant is not in agreement with the decision of the fire chief, the applicant may appeal within ten calendar days to the city council. The city council's decision shall be binding and final.

(4)

Any and all construction or work to be permitted shall be in complete compliance with the state fire safety codes in effect at the time of said construction, i.e., Life Safety Code NFPA 101, Uniform Code NFPA 1, R.I. Fire Safety Code, and East Providence Fire Prevention Code.

(5)

All fees as determined by this article, where based on construction costs, shall be based on full valuation of current construction costs. Construction costs (per square foot) shall be determined by the building official.

(6)

Fee rates shall be reviewed annually by the fire prevention officer and the chief of the department to determine if new and/or amended fee rates are appropriate. If so, they shall be submitted to the town council for consideration.

(7)

There shall be no remuneration to any person for any inspection and/or plan review as required by this article.

(8)

All fees shall be made payable to the City of East Providence. Payment shall be made to the city fire prevention office which shall make a record of such payment and then remit the same to the city treasurer.

(9)

No fees shall be paid for any building owned by the city, the state or the United States Government.

(10)

No fees shall be paid for a fire safety inspection as required for a license renewal.

(b)

Life safety plan review. Every request to the city fire marshal's office for a life safety plan review shall be accompanied by the fee as prescribed as follows:

New buildings, additions, alterations, structures, etc. (based on cost of construction less cost of site and utility work, plumbing, mechanical and electrical):

(1)

$500.00 or less .....$25.00

(2)

Over $500.00 but not over $1,000.00 .....$35.00

(3)

Over $1,000.00 but not over $2,000.00 .....$45.00

(4)

Over $2,000.00 but not over $500,000.00 (Plus $6.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof over $2,000.00) .....$45.00+

(5)

Over $500,000.00 (plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof over $500,000.00) .....$3,033.00+

Single Family Dwelling .....$ 75.00

Two Family Dwelling .....$125.00

Three Family Dwelling .....$125.00

(c)

Fire alarm installation plan review and inspection permit. Every request to the city fire marshal's office for a fire alarm installation plan review and inspection permit shall be accompanied by the fee as prescribed as follows:

New buildings, additions, alterations, structures, etc. (based on cost of construction):

(1)

$500.00 or less .....$25.00

(2)

Over $500.00 but not over $1,000.00 .....$35.00

(3)

Over $1,000.00 but not over $2,000.00 .....$45.00

(4)

Over $2,000.00 but not over $500,000.00 (plus $6.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof over $2,000.00) .....$45.00+

(5)

Over $500,000.00 (plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof over $500,000.00) .....$3,033.00+

(d)

Heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) installation plan review and inspection permit. Every request to the city fire marshal's office for HVAC requiring a fire alarm system connection for fan shut-down shall be accompanied by the fee as prescribed as follows:

New buildings, additions, alterations, structures, etc. (based on installation cost):

(1)

$500.00 or less .....$25.00

(2)

Over $500.00 but not over $1,000.00 .....$35.00

(3)

Over $1,000.00 but not over $2,000.00 .....$45.00

(4)

Over $2,000.00 but not over $500,000.00 (plus $6.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof over $2,000.00) .....$45.00+

(5)

Over $500,000.00 (plus $4.00 per $1,000.00 or fraction thereof over $500,000.00) .....$3,033.00+

(Ch. 293, § I, 12-2-03; Ch. 445, § I, 1-15-08; Ch. 645, §§ I, II, 4-5-16)