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FIRE PREVENTION CODE

Oxford Code of Ordinances ch. 38, art. II, div. 2
in effect

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-52 Adoption; certification and filing; penalty for violation.

Sec. 38-52. - Adoption; certification and filing; penalty for violation. (a) Code adopted. As authorized by MCA 1972, § 21-19-25, the International Fire Code, 2024 edition, and all appendices thereto, is hereby adopted as the official fire prevention code of the city, excluding the portion of the code pertaining to the requirement of sprinkler systems in residential townhomes. (b) A copy of such code shall be certified by the mayor and city clerk and filed as a permanent record in the office of the city clerk. Current amendments shall be maintained in the office of the city clerk. (c) Unless otherwise provided herein, any person, firm, partnership, corporation or association violating any of the provisions of such code shall be fined not more than $1,000.00 or sentenced to not more than six months in jail, or both. Each day a violation continues shall be deemed a separate offense. (Code 1968, § 10-12; Ord. of 5-23-1967, §§ 1, 4; Ord. of 6-4-1968, § 1; Ord. No. 1971-13, § 1, 9-7-1971; Ord. No. 1974-5, §§ 1, 2, 8-6-1974; Ord. No. 1976-5, §§ 1, 2, 5-4-1976; Ord. No. 1980-9, §§ 1, 2, 8-19-1980; Ord. No. 1984-13, §§ 1, 2, 10-2-1984; Ord. No. 1985-8, §§ 1, 2, 7-16-1985; Ord. No. 1992-13, §§ 1, 2, 11-3-1992; Ord. No. 1995-2, § 1, 1-3-1995; Ord. No. 1998-28, § 1, 11-17-1998; Ord. No. 2013-4, 2-19-2013; Ord. No. 2014-5, § I, 3-4-2014; Ord. No. 2018-24, 12-18-2018; Ord. No. 2025-11, § I, 9-2-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-53 Enforcement of code.

Sec. 38-53. - Enforcement of code. The fire prevention code shall be enforced by the chief of the Oxford Fire Department or his designee or appointee. Such designation or appointment shall be made in writing and a record of such current designee(s) or appointee(s) shall be maintained by the Oxford Fire Department. (Code 1968, § 10-13; Ord. No. 2013-4, 2-19-2013; Ord. No. 2014-5, § I, 3-4-2014; Ord. No. 2018-24, 12-18-2018)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-54 Definitions.

Sec. 38-54. - Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this division, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning: Chief of the bureau of fire prevention or bureau of fire prevention means the chief of the fire department. Corporation counsel means the city attorney. Pyrotechnic composition means a chemical mixture that produces visible light displays or sounds through a self-propagating, heat-releasing chemical reaction which is initiated by ignition. Pyrotechnic special-effect material means a chemical mixture used in the entertainment industry to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration or detonation. Such chemical mixture predominantly consists of solids capable of producing a controlled, self-sustaining and self-contained exothermic chemical reaction that results in heat, gas, sound, light or a combination of these effects. The chemical reaction functions without external oxygen. (Code 1968, § 10-14; Ord. No. 2013-4, 2-19-2013)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-55 Modifications.

Sec. 38-55. - Modifications. The chief of the fire department shall have the power to modify any provision of the code hereby adopted upon application in writing by the owner, the lessee or the duly authorized agent of either, when there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying out the strict letter of the code, provided the spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars of such modifications when granted or allowed and the decision of the chief of the fire department thereon shall be entered upon the records of the department and copies of said particulars and decision shall be signed by the chief of the fire department and furnished to the applicant and to the mayor and board of aldermen. (Code 1968, § 10-15; Ord. No. 2013-4, 2-19-2013)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-56 Appeals.

Sec. 38-56. - Appeals. Whenever the chief of the fire department shall disapprove an application or refuse to grant a permit applied for, or when it is claimed that the provisions of the code do not apply or that the true intent and meaning of the code have been misconstrued or wrongly interpreted, the applicant may appeal from the decision of the chief of the fire department to the mayor and board of aldermen within 30 days from the date of the decision which is appealed from. (Code 1968, § 10-16; Ord. No. 2013-4, 2-19-2013)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-57 Time to cure violation.

Sec. 38-57. - Time to cure violation. Unless otherwise provided, any person, firm, partnership, corporation or association violating any provisions of said code, other than provisions included in section 38-58, shall be given 30 days to correct said code violation. If violation continues after this period, written notification shall be given of the continuing violation, and an additional 14 days to correct shall be granted. (Ord. No. 2014-5, § I, 3-4-2014)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-58 Specified penalties certain hazards.

Sec. 38-58. - Specified penalties certain hazards. Notwithstanding the provisions of section 38-57, the penalty for violating the following provisions of International Fire Code, as adopted herein, shall be as follows, and immediate citations may be issued, in the discretion of the fire chief and his certified code and/or law enforcement officer designee(s): I.F.C. 2024, 505.1 Street Address Not Posted or Not Visible .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 703.1 Breach in Fire Wall/Fire Stops .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1010.1.3 and 1010.2 Fire/Exit Door Inoperative .....$200.00 I.F.C. 2024, 901.6 and 110.2 Sprinkler/Standpipe/Alarm System Needs Testing .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 901.7 and 110.5 Sprinkler/Standpipe or Fire Alarm Inoperable .....$200.00 I.F.C. 2024, 901.7.6 and 901.9 Notification of Service Termination or Restoration .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 901.8 and 110.5 Removal of or Tampering with Equipment .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 903.3 and 315.3.1 Sprinkler Heads Blocked/Covered .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 901.6 and 110.2 Portable Fire Extinguishers Not Inspected .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 110.6 Overcrowding .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 901.8 Disabled Fire Alarm/Fire Protection System .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1004.9 Maximum Occupancy Load Certification Not Visibly Posted .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 315.3.2, 1003.6, and 1032.2.2.1 Storage In or On Fire Escape .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 315.3.2, 1003.6, 1009.3.2, and 1010.1.1. Blocked Stairwells or Stairways .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1003.6 Blocked Means of Egress .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1009.10 No Required Exit Directional Signs .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1008.2.3 and 1013.3 Exit Illumination and Warning Inoperable .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1010.2 Locked Exit Door .....$500.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1010.2 and 1010.2.2 Exit or Egress Door Needs Repair .....$50.00 I.F.C. 2024, 1003.6 and 1018.1 Fire Exit or Aisle Blocked .....$500.00 Application; non-waiver. Penalties for each violation may apply to and be assessed against any individual, corporation, association, partnership, trustee, lessee, lessor, agent or assignee found guilty of any such violation. Nothing in section shall in any way limit any remedy, punishment or requirements which may be contained in the International Fire Code or International Building Code or any version of either such code currently adopted by the city. Each day that a violation continues after due notice/citation has been served may be deemed a separate offense. (Ord. No. 2014-5, § I, 3-4-2014; Ord. No. 2025-11, § I, 9-2-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-59 Specified penalties for immediate life safety hazards.

Sec. 38-59. - Specified penalties for immediate life safety hazards. Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 38-57, the penalty for violating the following provisions of International Fire Code, as adopted herein, considered life safety hazards, shall be as follows: Three violations of any combination of the following provisions of the IFC within any 12-month period shall result in a fine of $1,000.00 and imprisonment up to 6 months. I.F.C. 2024, 901.8, 901.7 Disabled Fire Alarm/Fire Protection System/Removal of or Tampering with Equipment I.F.C. 2024, 110.6 Overcrowding I.F.C. 2024, 1010.2 Locked Exit Door I.F.C. 2024, 1003.6 and 1018.1 Fire Exit or Aisle Blocked I.F.C. 2024, 1010.1.3 and 1010.2 Fire/Exit Door Inoperative I.F.C. 2024, 1003.6 Blocked Means of Egress Application; non-waiver. Penalties for each violation may apply to any individual, corporation, association, partnership, trustee, lessee, lessor, agent or assignee found guilty of any such violation. Nothing in this section shall in any way limit any remedy, punishment or requirements which may be contained in the International Fire Code or International Building Code or any version of either such code currently adopted by the city, nor shall it limit in any way prosecution or bringing of suit for the abatement of a nuisance under applicable state statute. (Ord. No. 2014-5, § I, 3-4-2014; Ord. No. 2025-11, § I, 9-2-2025)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-60 Specified fees charged for certain inspections.

Sec. 38-60. - Specified fees charged for certain inspections. Fees for inspections requested of and conducted by the fire department for occupancies which require fire department approval for state licensing requirements shall be as follows: (1) For original inspection of a premises: Day care centers .....$75.00 Adult day care centers .....75.00 Residential board and care homes .....75.00 Day treatment centers .....75.00 Institutional occupancies .....100.00 Alcohol and drug care centers .....75.00 (2) For annual re-inspections of a premises: Day care centers .....$50.00 Adult day care centers .....50.00 Residential board and care homes .....50.00 Day treatment centers .....50.00 Institutional occupancies .....100.00 Alcohol and drug care centers .....50.00 (3) When new installations or alterations are complete, requests for inspections shall be made 48 hours in advance and a fee of $50.00 shall be paid to the building department. If the work is not approved, there will be an additional $100.00 fee for a reinspection. This fee will double for each failure going forward. • Hood suppression system: $100.00. This fee doubles for each failure going forward. • Fire alarm system: $100.00. This fee doubles for each failure going forward. • Fire sprinkler system: $100.00. This fee doubles for each failure going forward. • Elevator inspection: $100.00. This fee doubles for each failure going forward. (Ord. No. 2014-5, § I, 3-4-2014; Ord. No. 2023-4, § I, 3-21-2023)

Oxford Code of Ordinances § 38-61 Amendments.

Sec. 38-61. - Amendments. Section D1 of the 2018 IFC: • If providing a 26 ft. aerial fire apparatus access road is not reasonably practicable for proposed developments in the Historic Urban Center, the Oxford Fire Department, in consultation with other city departments, may approve alternative measures that provide an equal or greater level of fire protection. 503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3. 503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility. Exceptions: 1. The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur: • 1.1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3. • 1.2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided. • 1.3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies. 2. Where approved by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be permitted to be exempted or modified for solar photovoltaic power generation facilities. 3. City of Oxford requires the building be equipped throughout with an approved fire alarm system installed in accordance with section 907.6. NFPA 2022 CH 13 8.4.9.1 Dry Sprinklers - Where dry sprinklers are connected to wet pipe sprinkler systems protecting areas subject to freezing temperatures, the minimum exposed length of the barrel of the dry sprinkler shall be in accordance with Table 8.4.9.1 (a) or with the following alternatives approved by the City of Oxford: 1. A minimum of 12 inches barrel dry sprinkler head. 2. A dry flex sprinkler head. 3. A complete dry system. (Ord. No. 2024-2, § 1, 2-6-2024; Ord. No. 2025-11, § I, 9-2-2025)
Source: City of Oxford, Mississippi, Code of Ordinances (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/ms/oxford/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=COOR_CH38FIPRPR_ARTIITECO_DIV2FIPRCOFetched: 11/1/2026

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