HomeMy WebLinkAboutChapter 5 - Fire Department and Fire PreventionCity of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
CHAPTER 5-100 - FIRE PREVENTION
Section
Purpose……………………………………………………………………………………….5-101
Establishment and Duties of the Fire Prevention Division……………………………….......5-102
Duties and Responsibilities of the Fire Chief………………………………………………...5-103
Definitions……………………………………………………………………………………5-104
Right of Inspection…………………………………………………………………………...5-105
Inspector's Duties…………………………………………………………………………….5-106
Duty to Correct Hazardous Conditions………………………………………………………5-107
Service of Inspector's Order……………………………………………………………….…5-108
Notice of Hazardous Condition Posted on Buildings………………………………………...5-109
Hotel Fire Life Safety Inspections……………………………………………………………5-110
Fire Prevention Codes, Standards, and Procedures……………………………………….….5-200
Fire Prevention Policy Statement………………………………………………….…………5-201
Adoption Of Codes and Standards…………………………………………………………...5-202
MSFC on File, Definitions, Amendments, and Minimum Standards………………………..5-203
Fire Prevention Code Modifications…………………………………………………………5-204
Fire Regulations……………………………………………………………………………...5-300
Purpose and Intent of Fire Regulations………………………………………………………5-301
Fire Alarm Systems and Smoke Detectors…………………………………………………...5-302
Tampering With Fire Alarm System and Issuing False Alarms………………………………5-303
Fire Alarm System Monitoring……………………………………………………………….5-304
Fire Alarm Panel Requirements for Combination Panels…………………………………….5-305
Malfunctioning Alarm Panels………………………………………………………...………5-306
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
Fire Sprinkler and/or Extinguishing Systems Required……………………………………...5-307
Malfunctioning Elevators…………………………………………………………………….5-308
Obstruction of Fire Hydrants…………………………………………………………………5-309
Orders Establishing Fire Lanes……………………………………………………………….5-310
Prohibited Vehicles……………………………………………………………………...……5-311
Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations……………………………………………………..5-312
Fires and Barbecue Grills on Balconies or Patios……………………………………………5-313
Open Burning………………………………………………………………………………...5-314
Portable Outdoor Fireplaces………………………………………………………………….5-315
Mobile Food Preparation Vehicles (Food Trucks)……………………………………………5-316
Gated Access; Emergency Response Requirements………………………………………….5-317
Incident Control Costs…………………………………………………………………...…...5-318
Enforcement; Penalties……………………………………………………………………….5-319
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
CHAPTER 5-100 - FIRE PREVENTION
Section 5-101. PURPOSE. The purpose of this ordinance is to establish and maintain a Fire
Prevention Division within the Fire Department of the City of Brooklyn Center, as authorized by
the City Council, to enforce fire codes and promote public safety through fire prevention and
inspections and education.
Section 5-102. ESTABLISHMENT AND DUTIES OF THE FIRE PREVENTION DIVISION.
The Fire Prevention Code shall be enforced by the Fire Prevention Division in the Fire
Department of the City of Brooklyn Center, which is hereby established, and which shall be
operated under the supervision of the Fire Chief or designee.
Section 5-103. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE FIRE CHIEF. The Fire Chief shall
be appointed by the City Manager and shall be responsible to the City Manager for the
enforcement of the Fire Code, the provision of emergency services, including prevention and
suppression of fires, the protection of life and property against fire, natural disasters, and other
events. The Fire Chief shall be responsible for the supervision of subordinate officers and
personnel as determined by the City Manager and the City Council. The Fire Chief or such
designee shall be the Emergency Manager for the City of Brooklyn Center.
Section 5-104. DEFINITIONS
Alarm Device means any fire alarm system component including but not limited to, pull stations,
horn strobes notifiers, smoke alarm, or heat detector.
Fire Alarm System means the entire fire alarm system or a portion thereof, encompassing
component parts including fire detectors, sprinkler systems and monitoring functions to alert and
detect the status of fire alarm or signal to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
Inspector means an individual charged with the responsibility of conducting inspections with the
purpose of enforcing the Fire Code.
Owner means a person, agent, firm, or corporation having a legal or equitable interest in the
property. In any corporation or partnership, the term owner includes partners and corporate
officers.
Smoke Alarm means a standalone or multi-station alarm responsive to smoke or fire.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
Tenant means any adult person granted temporary use of a rental dwelling unit pursuant to a
lease with an owner of a property.
Section 5-105. RIGHT OF INSPECTION. The Fire Chief or any member of the
Brooklyn Center fire department as designated by the Fire Chief may, at reasonable hours, enter
any building or premises for the purpose of making any inspection which the Fire Chief deems
necessary to be made.
Section 5-106. INSPECTOR'S DUTIES. When any Fire Department Inspector finds in any
building or upon any premises or other place:
A. Combustible or explosive matter or dangerous accumulation of rubbish or unnecessary
accumulation of wastepaper, boxes, shavings or any highly flammable materials, and so
situated as to endanger property; or
B. Obstructions from any source whatsoever, including materials, articles or merchandise, to
or on fire escapes, stairs, corridors, doors, liable to interfere with the operation of the fire
department, or egress of occupants, in case of fire; or
C. Any condition on said premises which is so likely to cause fire as thereby to seriously
endanger property or human life; or
D. At any premises, a violation of any City ordinance, MN State Fire Code or law of the
State of Minnesota the continuing violation of which creates a fire hazard, then the Fire
Chief or designee, shall order the same to be removed or the condition remedied.
Section 5-107. DUTY TO CORRECT HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. Such order shall
forthwith be complied with by the owner or occupant of such premises or buildings, subject to
appeal within twenty-four hours to the Fire Chief (or the City Manager if the Fire Chief issues
the order) who shall within 10 days review such order and file its decision 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 comply with such order within 10 days after said
appeal shall have been determined, or if no appeal is taken, then within 10 days after the service
of the said order, shall be subject to a penalty as hereinafter provided.
Section 5-108. SERVICE OF INSPECTOR'S ORDER. The service of any such order shall be
made upon the occupant of the premises to whom it is directed by either delivering a true copy of
same to such occupant personally, by email or by delivering the same to and leaving it 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 a conspicuous place on the door to the entrance of the said premises.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
Whenever it may be necessary to serve such an order upon the owner of the premises, such order
may be served either by delivering to and leaving with the said person a true copy of said order,
or, if such owner is absent from the jurisdiction of the officer making the order, by mailing such
copy to the owner's last known post office address or by last known email address
Section 5-109. NOTICE OF HAZARDOUS CONDITION POSTED ON BUILDINGS.
Whenever any building of a public nature, or which is used for commercial purposes, or for any
other purpose other than a private or two-family dwelling, is found to be unsafe for any reason
set out in Section 5-104, and the hazard thereof is so imminent as to place human life in
immediate jeopardy, the inspecting officer shall post or place at the principal entrance of such
structure a notice stating that it is in a dangerous condition; and it shall be unlawful for any
person to remove such notice without his or her written permission.
If the owner or person in charge of such building or structure, when notified, shall fail to place
the same in a safe condition or to adopt such emergency measures as shall have been directed
within the time specified, it shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to occupy or
use said building or structure until it has been rendered safe. Ongoing failure to correct the
hazardous conditions or ongoing failure to adopt emergency measures as directed, constitutes a
violation of this ordinance, and is subject to penalties outlined in this Chapter.
Section 5-110. HOTEL FIRE LIFE SAFETY INSPECTIONS. Hotels shall have a common area
fire inspection done on an annual basis in addition to the tri-annual fire inspection conducted by
the state Fire Marshal.
Section 5-200. FIRE PREVENTION CODES, STANDARDS, AND PROCEDURES.
Section 5-201. FIRE PREVENTION POLICY STATEMENT. It is declared to be the policy of
the City of Brooklyn Center to vigorously promote the safety and welfare of its citizens. In this
context, the traditional approach to fire service—suppressing fires once ignited, rescuing
survivors, and too frequently exposing firefighters to physical danger and death, all at a
disproportionately high community investment of resources in manpower and equipment—is
declared unacceptable for Brooklyn Center. Rather, it is the fire safety policy of the City of
Brooklyn Center to efficiently utilize its resources and maximize life, safety, and citizen welfare
by requiring that fire prevention and extinguishing systems be built into certain new structures.
Thus, the effectiveness of the Brooklyn Center fire department is enhanced and extended at a
lower cost to the citizenry, life safety is allocated a priority at least as great as property
protection, and the owner cost of built-in fire protection is partially or wholly repaid in savings
on initial construction costs and annual fire insurance premiums.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
Section 5-202. ADOPTION OF CODES AND STANDARDS. The City hereby adopts and
incorporates the most current Minnesota State Fire Code (MSFC), the most current International
Fire Code (IFC) including Minnesota adoptions and all appendices shall be used, and previously
adopted versions of the MSFC and the IFC shall be used with existing buildings as applicable,
provided no substantial alterations or changes in use have occurred that would require
compliance with current code. The City also hereby adopts the current version of the
International Property and Maintenance Code (IPMC) and all relevant attachments and
appendices.
Section 5-203. MSFC ON FILE, DEFINITIONS, AMENDMENTS, and MINIMUM
STANDARDS. The Fire Chief shall keep on file one (1) copy of the Minnesota State Fire Code
(MSFC) in his or her office for public inspection.
A. Definitions:
1. Whenever the word “jurisdiction” is used in the MSFC it shall mean the City of Brooklyn
Center.
2. Whenever the term "Corporate Counsel" is used in the MSFC, it shall mean the City
Attorney of Brooklyn Center.
3. Whenever the term "Chief" or “State Fire Marshall” is used in the MSFC, it shall mean
the Chief of the Brooklyn Center Fire Department or designee for purposes of
interpreting this ordinance.
B. Amendments to the Minnesota State Fire Code: If doors in fire corridors, separation
walls, fire doors, or smoke barrier doors need to be kept open, they shall be held open by
electric magnetic door holders that are controlled and released by the trip of a smoke
detector or sprinkler head that covers the entire building. The approval of the Fire Chief
or designee is needed for this modification to the building.
C. Minimum Standards. Whenever the MSFC fails to be specific about a device or
appliance, it shall have a minimum standard of being Underwriter Laboratory (UL)
approved.
Section 5-204. FIRE PREVENTION CODE MODIFICATIONS. The Fire Chief or designee
shall have power to modify any of the provisions of the fire prevention code upon application in
writing by the owner or lessee, or his or her duly authorized agent, when there are practical
difficulties in way of carrying out the strict letter of the code, provided that the spirit of the code
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
shall be observed, public safety secured, and substantial justice done. The particulars of such
modification when granted or allowed and the decision of the Fire Chief or designee thereon
shall be entered upon the records of the department, and a signed copy shall be furnished by the
applicant.
Section 5-300. FIRE REGULATIONS.
Section 5-301. PURPOSE AND INTENT OF FIRE REGULATIONS.
It is the purpose and intent of the fire regulations to promote high standards of quality in the
construction and maintenance of buildings, to improve the tax base with well-constructed and
well-maintained buildings, and to enhance the value and condition of property within the City of
Brooklyn Center. It is not the intent of these fire regulations to provide compensation to victims
of fire, to guarantee absolute compliance with all fire regulations, or to indemnify owners of
private property against loss occasioned by their failure to comply with fire regulations.
Section 5-302. FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS AND SMOKE DETECTORS:
A. Installation, inspection and maintenance of the fire alarm system or alarm device shall
comply with standards in Minnesota State Fire and Building Codes, NFPA 72 and
manufacturer specifications.
B. Whoever shall render a smoke alarm or fire alarm system inoperable by removing the
battery, disconnecting, dismantling, or damaging the smoke alarm or fire alarm system in
any residential rental, commercial or business unit is guilty of a misdemeanor.
C. No fire alarm system shall be permanently taken out of service without authorization by
the Fire Chief or designee, including fire alarms at vacant properties.
D. Special provisions for rental properties. Where battery-operated smoke alarms are
allowed by code, they shall meet the following conditions:
1. Installation. Smoke alarms shall be properly installed and maintained in compliance with
Minnesota State Fire and Building Codes, and manufacturer specifications.
2. Maintenance. Smoke alarms shall be maintained in an operable and good condition.
3. Testing and Record. Smoke alarms shall be tested in accordance with manufacturer
recommendations and no less than once a month. The owner and/or owner’s agent of a
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
rental property is responsible for keeping records indicating compliance with testing and
applicable codes. These records must be made available to the code official upon
request.
4. Owner Responsibility. Property owners or their owner’s agent must advise tenants to
notify the owner/agent about faulty, defective or inoperable smoke alarms.
5. Tenant Responsibility. Tenants of each rental unit must give notice to the owner or their
agent within twenty-four (24) hours of finding any non-functional smoke alarm. The
owner or owner’s agent must make any correction(s) necessary to maintain a smoke
alarm(s) in compliance with applicable codes.
Section 5-303. TAMPERING WITH FIRE ALARM SYSTEM AND ISSUING FALSE
ALARMS. It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with or in any way interfere with any
element of any fire alarm system within the city. It shall be likewise unlawful for any person to
issue, or cause to be issued, an alarm of fire or other emergency condition when no fire or
emergency condition exists. When applicable, the property owner will be charged for any
nuisance or malicious alarms in accordance with the city false alarm fee schedule.
Section 5-304. FIRE ALARM SYSTEM MONITORING. All newly installed and existing fire
alarm and detection systems, where required, must be monitored by an Underwriters
Laboratories (UL) central monitoring station, approved in accordance with the National Fire
Protection Association (NFPA) 72 National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code. Central station
monitoring (in full compliance with the latest NFPA 72 standards) must be maintained at the
property if a fire alarm system is required, including vacant premises.
A. New Systems. For all newly installed fire alarm systems in commercial and residential
occupancies (excluding single-family homes), an Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Certificate must be issued by a UL Listed contractor, in compliance with the most current
edition of NFPA 72. This requirement applies to all fire alarm systems installed under a
permit in commercial, residential (excluding single family homes) and all other
occupancies within Brooklyn Center.
B. Existing Systems. Any existing fire alarm system in a commercial or residential
(excluding single family homes) or other occupancy building where the fire alarm control
panel or system components are being replaced shall be considered newly installed for
the purposes of this section. Any modification, repair, or replacement of a fire alarm
panel or its components will require the issuance of a UL Certificate, if one is not already
in place.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
C. False Alarms. If any existing fire alarm system has four (4) or more false alarms in a one-
month period, and those alarms are caused by a malfunction (not by environmental
factors), the system must be inspected, tested and certified as if it were a new or
replacement system. If the system has three (3) or more false alarms in a month due to
malfunction (not by environmental factors), administrative fines will be issued pursuant
to the City's current fee schedule.
D. Exceptions.
1. Existing sprinkler systems with less than 100 sprinkler-heads need not be monitored
for water flow; and
2. Existing Fire Alarm Systems that have not yet reached the end of functional life.
Upon repair or replacement, the Fire Alarm systems must be in compliance with
paragraphs A or B.
Section 5-305. FIRE ALARM PANEL REQUIREMENTS FOR COMBINATION PANELS.
A. Newly Installed Panels. Any newly installed or replacement fire alarm control panel shall
be dedicated solely to the fire protection system. The use of combination fire and security
alarm panels is prohibited for new installations or replacements.
B. Existing Combination Panels. Existing combination fire/security panels may remain in
service only while they are in proper working condition. If a combination panel becomes
non-operational or requires replacement for any reason, it must be replaced with a
dedicated fire alarm control panel designed exclusively for fire protection purposes.
Section 5-306. MALFUNCTIONING ALARM PANELS. All fire alarm control panels in
commercial and residential (excluding single family homes) occupancies, including but not
limited to businesses, schools, and institutions, shall be maintained in operable condition and
display a “NORMAL” status. Compliance (MSFC), and NFPA 72 are always required.
A. Upon observation or notification of a malfunctioning alarm panel by the Fire Department,
the owner or responsible party shall place a service call within two (2) hours and have up
to ten (10) days to service and restore the panel to full, operable “NORMAL” status.
B. Failure to call for service within two (2) hours or failure to repair the malfunctioning
alarm panel within the ten (10) day period, or within an alternate time frame prescribed
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
by the Fire Chief or designee based on life safety risk, shall result in administrative fines
in accordance with the city’s fee schedule.
C. If the alarm panel is deemed non-repairable, the owner shall be required to replace the
panel and any associated system components that are incompatible with the replacement
panel. The replacement system shall be compliant with the current MSFC and include
monitoring and a UL Certificate issued by a UL-listed contractor.
D. Fines shall continue to accrue every ten (10) days until the panel is repaired or replaced.
The Fire Chief or designee may suspend further fines upon receipt of written
documentation from a licensed alarm contractor confirming the date of repair or
replacement.
E. If no repair or replacement is completed within thirty (30) days, the city may continue to
impose fines until the panel is repaired or replaced, and/or, order a temporary shutdown
of the occupancy in whole or in part, until compliance is achieved. In cases where an
immediate threat to life safety exists, the Fire Chief or designee may shorten the
compliance period accordingly.
Section 5-307. FIRE SPRINKLER AND/OR EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS REQUIRED. In
accordance with the Minnesota State Building Code and Minnesota Administrative Rules 1306,
Subpart 2, automatic fire sprinkler systems are required in:
A. All new buildings
B. Additions to existing buildings (including the existing building if it is not already
sprinklered) unless the building meets exemption criteria
C. Buildings undergoing a change in occupancy or use classification
D. Sprinkler systems must be installed in accordance with NFPA 13 and maintained in an
operational condition throughout the structure.
E. Exceptions may be considered on a case-by-case basis and require approval from both the
Fire Chief (or designee) and the Building Official.
F. No fire protection sprinkler system shall be permanently placed out of service without the
authorization of the Fire Chief or designee. This is to include vacant premises.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
G. Failure to comply with this section may result in penalties pursuant to this Chapter or
State law.
Section 5-308. MALFUNCTIONING ELEVATORS. Buildings with elevators must have at least
one- half of the required number of elevators operational at all times. Buildings with elevators
that have become disabled, thereby leaving the building without operational elevators, must have
repair orders submitted for repair within twenty-four (24) hours of notification of elevator
malfunction.
A. Any elevator that becomes inoperable for any reason causing (3) three emergency calls
for service within a thirty-day (30) period, shall be subject to administrative penalties and
shall be required to have an elevator company inspect and service the elevator. Failure to
initiate timely repairs or repeated elevator outages may result in additional enforcement
actions, including administrative fines, orders to correct, or other remedies under city
ordinance, or state law.
Section 5-309. OBSTRUCTION OF FIRE HYDRANTS. No person shall park any vehicle in
such a way as to obstruct a fire hydrant. The stopping or parking of a vehicle within 20 feet of a
fire hydrant shall be deemed an unlawful obstruction of such hydrant and subject to a citation.
Section 5-310. ORDERS ESTABLISHING FIRE LANES. The Fire Prevention Division may
order the establishment of fire lanes on public or private property as may be necessary in order
that the travel of fire equipment may not be interfered with, and that access to fire hydrants or
buildings may not be blocked. When a fire lane has been ordered to be established, it shall be
marked by a sign bearing the words "No Parking—Fire Lane" or a similar message. When the
fire lane is on a public property or a public right-of-way, the sign or signs shall be erected by the
City, and when on private property, they shall be erected by the owner at his or her own expense
within 30 days after he or she has been notified of the order. Thereafter, no person shall leave a
vehicle unattended or otherwise occupy or obstruct the fire lane. Vehicles parked or standing in
fire lanes are subject to citations and/or towing at owner’s expense.
Section 5-311 . PROHIBITED VEHICLES. It shall be illegal to park, store, or leave any vehicle
unattended on any street, highway, avenue, alley or parking lot within the limits of the City of
Brooklyn Center, carrying flammable or combustible liquids, or containing explosives or blasting
agents, or containing hazardous material or poisonous gases. This shall not prevent a driver from
transferring the product to or from the vehicle or a necessary absence from the vehicle in
connection with the driver's normal duties, nor shall it prevent stopping for meals. Vehicles that
have become disabled due to mechanical failure must be removed within three hours, except
food trucks meeting the MN State Fire Code of < 200 gallons of liquid propane gas (LPG).
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
Section 5-312. ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV) CHARGING STATIONS. Prior to installation of
any new EV charging stations/port in commercial buildings or multifamily dwellings, whether
new or existing, a city permit shall be obtained, and the location of such installation shall be
approved by the Fire Chief or designee and Building Official. All new charging stations/port
shall be equipped with a secondary shut-off in an approved location. All shut off devices shall,
new and existing shall be labeled. No EV charging stations/ports, new or existing, shall be
installed in close proximity to natural gas lines
Section 5-313. FIRES AND BARBECUE GRILLS ON BALCONIES OR PATIOS. In any
multi- family structure containing three or more dwelling units, no person shall kindle, maintain,
store inside, or cause any fire or open flame on any balcony above ground level, or on any
ground floor patio within fifteen (15) feet of the structure.
A. Fuel Storage Prohibited: No person shall store or use any fuel, liquid or compressed gas,
barbecue, torch, or other similar heating or lighting chemical or device in the locations
designated in Section 5-313.
B. Exception: Listed electric or gas-fired barbecue grills that are permanently mounted,
wired, or plumbed to the building's gas supply or electrical system and that maintain a
minimum clearance of 18 inches on all sides, unless listed for lesser clearances, may be
installed on balconies and patios when approved by the Fire Chief.
Section 5-314. OPEN BURNING. Except as authorized in this section, open burning of any
material is prohibited. This prohibition does not apply to burning conducted by governmental
authorities who have secured permission from the Fire Chief or to outdoor cooking using only
propane, charcoal or clean dry wood. Outdoor recreational or cooking fires may be permitted
subject to the following requirements:
A. All fires must be in an approved outdoor fireplace or a pit which is at least one (1) foot
below grade. A pit must be located at least twenty-five (25) feet from buildings, fences,
property lines or flammable materials. Pits may be no more than three (3) feet in
diameter, and the outside edge shall be ringed with brick or rock. Commercially
manufactured outdoor fire pits may be used provided they are not more than three (3) feet
in diameter.
B. Only clean dry wood may be burned. No leaves, trash, treated or painted wood, or any
other materials may be burned. All burning material must be contained in the pit at all
times.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
C. Fires shall be so managed and maintained that fires do not exceed three (3) feet above the
fire pit, and persons are able to stand within four (4) feet of the fire.
D. The fire shall be attended by an adult at all times and must be extinguished when
unattended. An adequate source of water must be available at the pit to extinguish the
fire.
E. Prevailing wind conditions shall be less than 10 miles per hour and shall not direct smoke
toward other nearby residences.
F. Outdoor recreational fires are permitted between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and midnight.
All fires must be completely extinguished by midnight.
G. No recreational fire shall be permitted when the City or Minnesota Department of Natural
Resources has officially declared a “burning ban” due to potential fire conditions, or
when the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has declared an air quality alert.
H. Fire department or police department personnel are authorized to require that recreational
fires be immediately extinguished if it is determined by law enforcement or the fire
department that the fire constitutes a dangerous condition or causes undue hardship on
neighboring residences. Failure to comply with any provision of this Chapter or with an
order of law enforcement or the fire department is a violation of this section and subject
to a fine.
Section 5-315. PORTABLE OUTDOOR FIREPLACES. Portable outdoor fireplaces shall be
used in accordance with the manufacture instructions and shall not be operated within 15 feet of
a structure or combustible material.
Section 5-316. MOBILE FOOD PREPARATION VEHICLES (FOOD TRUCKS). Any food
truck operating within the City of Brooklyn Center must provide documentation of a fire
inspection that complies with the MSFC and has been completed within the past one (1) year.
Inspections conducted by other fire departments will be accepted and fire inspection fees will be
waived, provided the inspection meets applicable state fire code standards.
A. Fire Inspections Required. It is the responsibility of the food truck owner/operator to
contact the appropriate fire department to ensure the inspection is completed at least 48
hours prior to operating at an event within the City of Brooklyn Center. If the food truck
owner/operator does not have a current proof of inspection, the food truck owner/operator
must undergo an inspection prior to operating within the city. Food Truck Fire Inspection
fees are outlined in the City’s Fee Schedule adopted by City Council.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
B. Random Checks: Food trucks operating within the City of Brooklyn Center may be
subject to random checks. If current fire inspection documentation cannot be provided, an
inspection will be required before the food truck may continue operating within the city.
Section 5-317. GATED ACCESS; EMERGENCY RESPONSE REQUIREMENTS. Any
business, commercial, or residential property installing a gate that restricts access for emergency
response shall comply with the MSFC and this ordinance. Prior to installation, an Emergency
Operations Plan must be submitted to and approved by the Fire Chief (or designee) and the City
Building Official.
A. Gate Access Requirements. If the gate is equipped with automatic operation, it shall
include, at a minimum, an approved electric gate switch from the Knox Company. The
preferred method of emergency access is an Opticom or Opticom-compatible system,
which allows gates to be triggered and opened by emergency vehicle warning lights.
Section 5-318. INCIDENT CONTROL COSTS. Every person, firm, or corporation that is not a
resident of the City or the owner of real property in the City subject to real property taxes, shall
be liable for all incidents or preventing the spread, or extinguishing any fire caused by or
resulting from his, her, or its acts, negligence, or omissions. The Fire Chief shall keep a record
of the cost, including work done by firefighters and other City employees and equipment. The
Fire Chief shall then bill the person, firm, or corporation liable for the fire.
Section 5-319. ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES.
A. Enforcement; Criminal Penalty. The City Manager and the Fire Chief, or their designees,
are responsible for the administration and enforcement of this ordinance Any person
violating the provisions of this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine
not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000) or imprisonment not exceeding ninety (90)
days or both, together with the costs of prosecution.
B. Administrative Citations; Administrative Fines. Violations of this ordinance may be
enforced through the Administrative Penalties Program pursuant to Chapter 18 of the
Brooklyn Center
City code. Administrative Fines are outlined in City Code and established by City
Council Resolution. Each day a violation continues constitutes a separate offense for
purposes of calculating the fine.
City of Brooklyn Center City Ordinance
C. In addition to any penalties provided for in this section, if any person, firm, or
corporation fails to comply with any provision of this section, the Council or any city
official designated by Council may institute appropriate proceedings at law or at equity to
restrain, correct, or abate the violation