Louisville Fire Dept Issues Press Release on Commercial Fire Inspections

Press Release: During the past year your Fire Department has begun to conduct Fire & Life Safety Inspections on commercial businesses to ensure the safety of the public as we go about our daily lives, shopping, dining, and conducting general business in our community.
As we conduct these Fire & Life Safety Inspections we have noticed a few minor issues that need to be addressed. These are the basic issues that occur during inspections of commercial occupancies in our community.
Our Goal is to engage the community with helping prevent incidents of fire and risks to life safety by prevention of manageable risks before they become an issue.
In an effort to assist our local businesses in meeting the Fire & Life Safety Codes we have comprised a list of issues for our business owners to consider meeting the approved codes for the City of Louisville.
1. Fire Extinguishers:
a. Ensure that Fire Extinguishers are serviced annually, and meet the current National Fire Protection Association Standard and our current Fire Codes
b. Placement of the Fire Extinguisher is in a visible location that allows the occupant to escape if a fire occurs
c. The appropriate fire extinguisher for the business or location that it is protecting
2. Exit Signs:
a. Ensure all public exits are clearly marked with the appropriate exit sign and that all occupants can see the sign from a minimum of 50ft (depending on the size of the occupancy)
b. Ensure the exit sign is either a laminated sign with battery backup or of the nightglow type

3. Emergency Lighting:
a. Ensure that the path to an exit has lighting to ensure safe egress of the occupancy
b. Ensure the emergency light has a battery backup in the event of electricity loss (usually standard with a majority of emergency lights)
4. Extension Cords:
a. Extension cords cannot be used as permanent wiring for any full use appliance or office machine
5. Electrical Panels:
a. No storage of any type within 36” of any electrical distribution panel
6. Proper Display of Permits
a. All permits and licenses must be displayed in a publically visual space, that are applicable to the business, examples:
i. City of Louisville Privilege License
1. Any Special Use Permits
ii. Health Department Grade Certificate
iii. Any State License required
1. Alcohol
2. Explosive
3. Weapons
4. Special Use Permits
The City of Louisville Ordinance 345 that approved the use of fire codes for the City of Louisville follows:


ORDINANCE NUMBER 345 APPROVED: May 4, 2010
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 1 OF THE “ORDINANCE FOR THE ADPTITION OF INTERNATIONAL CODES” ORDINANCE NUMBER 345
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN ON THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI:
That Section I of the “ORDINANCE FOR THE ADOPTION OF INTERNATIONAL CODES”, be amend to read as follows:
Section I:
WHEREAS, it is the desire the Mayor and Board of Aldermen of the City of Louisville, Mississippi, to adopt, in all respects , the various International Code Council relating to building, fire prevention, gas, housing, mechanical, plumbing, residential construction, property maintenance, and electrical installation, and
WHEREAS, WHEREAS, the adoption of these codes is done to facilitate proper inspection activities by the City of Louisville, Mississippi, relating to construction and to maintenance of buildings within the corporate limits of said city and relating to public safety, health and general welfare;
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI THAT THE FOLLOWING CODE IS HEREBY ADOPTED AND ADDED TO THE CURRENT ACTIVE ORDINANCE NUMBEER 345, BY REFERENCE AD THOUGH THEY WERE COPIED HEREIN FULLY:
1. 2006 INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL FIRE CODE
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI THAT THE CITY FIRE CHIEF SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING COMPLIANCE TO THE INTERNATIONAL CODE COUNCIL FIRE CODE AS ADOPTED BY THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO ENSURE THE FIRE CODE IS ADHERED TO BY ALL NON-RESIDENTIAL AND INDUSTIAL STRUCTURES WITHIN THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE SAID CITY OF LOUISVILLE, MISSISSIPPI AND HAS THE AUTHORITY TO INSTITUTE WITH APPROVAL OF THE MAYOR AND BOARD OF ALDERMEN A FEE SCHEDULE FOR INSPECTIONS TO RECOVER COST OF REINSPECTIONS OF OCCUPANCIESAND IS HEREBY ADOPTED AND ADDED TO THE CURRENT ACTIVE ORDINANCE NUMBEER 345, BY REFERENCE AD THOUGH THEY WERE COPIED HEREIN FULLY

If you have a question or need assistance in understanding the International Code Council’s 2006 Fire & Life Safety Code, please Contact Shift Leader/Fire Inspector Brian Collier or Fire Chief Terry Johnson at 662-773-9402.