Reports of fires to fire department.
Memphis Code of Ordinances § 9-44-4
in effectSec. 9-44-4. - Reports of fires to fire department.
A. Definition. As used in this section:
Required means fire protection systems, equipment or apparatus that is required by applicable fire and building codes or ordinances.
B. Responsibility for reporting fire.
1. Any person who has knowledge of a fire in progress shall immediately notify the Memphis division of fire services (Memphis fire department).
2. Additionally, whenever any required fire alarm system is activated at any premises of any kind, the owner, manager, occupant, or any person in control of such building or premises, shall immediately notify the Memphis division of fire services (Memphis fire department).
3. Approved central stations, as defined in the National Fire Protection Standard No. 71, "Installation, Maintenance and Use of Central Station Signaling System," 1982 edition, receiving an alarm signal initiated by required manual fire alarm boxes, automatic fire detectors, waterflow from an automatic sprinkler system, or actuation of other fire extinguisher systems or equipment, shall treat such signal as a fire alarm and immediately retransmit the alarm signal to the fire department.
C. Delaying actions. No person shall make, issue, post or maintain any regulation or order, written or verbal, which will delay or require unnecessary action prior to the reporting of a fire or alarm signal to the Memphis fire services division (Memphis fire department).
D. Violation—Penalty. Violation of this section shall be a misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $50.00.
(Code 1967, § 17-14; Code 1985, § 14-4; Ord. No. 3479, § 1, 7-23-1985)
Source: City of Memphis, Code of Ordinances and Charter and Related Laws (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/tn/memphis/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT9HESA_CH9-44MIFIPRRE_S9-44-4REFIFIDEFetched: 10/28/2026