Notice from the Fire Marshal

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This notice is to inform you that the City of Manvel, like many other Cities, has adopted ordinances and codes for the purpose of promoting the health, safety and general welfare of the City and its inhabitants. Such ordinances and codes have been designed to eliminate conditions that tend to reduce the value of private property, that constitute a public nuisance, and that create fire hazards.

There are visible conditions within the City that need to be improved or eliminated in order to comply with the City’s ordinances and codes. If your property is in non-compliance, this notice is to inform you in hopes that you will strive in 2008 to eliminate conditions that are detrimental to the health, safety and welfare of the general public. Continued non-compliance will result with the issuance of citations and possible fines for every day of non-compliance.

The following is a summary of just a few of the adopted ordinances or codes relevant to property. Compliance with these and other adopted ordinances and codes will eliminate conditions that produce urban blight and should make all Manvel citizens proud to live and be a part of this growing community.

BURN LICENSE REQUIRED (NOTICE: ALL burn licenses expire at the end of each year.)

The City of Manvel has adopted an ordinance requiring that a burn license be obtained prior to any outdoor burning. Only natural products grown upon the property or non-treated wood can be burnt as long as the safety precautions are followed properly and the burning does not create a nuisance, cause a hazard, or harm the environment. This burn license expires on December 31st of the year that it is issued.

MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES

All buildings or structures shall be maintained in good repair and in a sanitary condition so as not to reduce property value, cause a public nuisance or be declared a substandard building or structure. Substandard buildings or structures are defined in a number of different ways.
It may be a building or structure that is not in compliance with the applicable fire, electrical, plumbing, property maintenance, residential or building code ordinances to being so deteriorated or damaged that it is in danger of collapse.

Owners of vacant buildings or structures must securely lock all doors, windows and other openings or board and properly block off all unprotected exterior and interior openings to prevent entry by unauthorized individuals and must remove all accumulations of flammable or combustible waste, rubbish or debris and shall maintained the building in good repair and in a structurally sound and sanitary condition.

All substandard buildings or structures that are not in compliance with the applicable ordinances and is unsafe, dilapidated, not structurally sound, unfit for human habitation, or a threat to public health, safety and welfare shall be repaired, removed or demolished.

FIREWORKS

The Fire Marshal’s office would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that fireworks are prohibited within City limits.

It is unlawful for any person to store, manufacture, discharge, have in possession of, or sell fireworks within the City of Manvel or within 2,640 feet (1/2 mile) of the City of Manvel.

There is a good reason for this ban. Fireworks are the cause of thousands of fires and injuries throughout the United States each 4th of July. The good news is that these fires and injuries are preventable when people comply with local laws.

The Code of Ordinances adopted by the City of Manvel prohibits any type of fireworks within the city limits. The only permitted use of fireworks is in connection with an approved public or private display or demonstration. A permit shall be required for any public or private demonstration or display of fireworks conducted within the City.

The Manvel Police Department will be on patrol for fireworks throughout the 4th of July holiday period. Any person caught in possession of fireworks will have the fireworks confiscated and will be subject to a citation. Fireworks obtained in other jurisdictions may not be brought into or used within Manvel City limits or within 2,640 feet (1/2 mile) of the City of Manvel.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SMOKE ALARM

There are smoke alarms available with different features and applications, so choosing the right alarm can be confusing. Some of the features to consider include:

ü Power Source: Smoke alarms can be electrically powered, battery powered, or a combination of both.

ü Technology: most smoke alarms employ either ionization or photo-electric technology.

ü Pause feature: Smoke alarms with a pause button are highly recommended as it permits the alarm to be temporarily silenced without disconnecting the power source.

Install in the proper location - Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when installing smoke alarms.

ü Test smoke alarms monthly

ü Replace older smoke alarms

Handling nuisance alarms

ü Steam from the shower or cooking in the oven, stove or toaster can cause smoke alarms to activate. If these types of nuisance alarms occur, do not remove the battery.

ü Relocate the alarm. Sometimes moving the alarm just a few inches can make the difference.

Plan your escape

ü Make sure that everyone knows the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do if it activates.

ü Create an escape plan with the entire household and practice it. Make sure your plan identifies two ways out of each room.

ü Once outside, stay outside. Never re-enter a burning building. Call the fire department from a neighbor’s home or cell phone.

Contacts
Kristine Schaffner, Fire Marshal	Phone #:	281-489-1212 x35
	Fax #:	281-489-4401
	E-mail Address:

Contact Information

Notice from the Fire Marshal

BURN LICENSE REQUIRED (NOTICE: ALL burn licenses expire at the end of each year.)

MAINTENANCE OF BUILDINGS OR STRUCTURES

FIREWORKS

It is unlawful for any person to store, manufacture, discharge, have in possession of, or sell fireworks within the City of Manvel or within 2,640 feet (1/2 mile) of the City of Manvel.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT SMOKE ALARM