Notices

(1) The Fire Chief may in writing, if he is of the opinion that the condition of any specified building, public premises or any building used for business constitutes or is likely to constitute a hazard, serve a notice on the occupier or owner of such building, requiring the occupier or owner, within such period as may be specified in the notice, to carry out such work on the building as may be specified in the notice, or to take such other action as may be required in order to render the building safe from fire in order to protect life and property. (2) Where the work to be carried out pursuant to subsection (1) of this section is of a structural or similar nature, the notice to be served by the Fire Chief under that subsection shall be served on the owner of the building, or on the owner’s agent if the owner cannot be located, or on the occupier if both the owner and the owner’s agent cannot be located, and where no person can be identified as owner, agent or occupier, service by advertisement in two consecutive issues of the Gazette and of a newspaper in general circulation in the area or district where the building is situated shall be sufficient notice for the purposes of this subsection. 20 (3) The Fire Chief may, on the application of the owner or the owner’s agent, or on his own motion, extend the period of time specified in the notice issued under subsection (1) of this section to enable the requirements of the notice to be fully met. (4) An application made by an owner or the owner’s agent under subsection (3) of this section shall, (a) state reasons for seeking the extension of time; (b) give the approximate date on which the requirements of the notice shall be met; and (c) be in writing. (5) Any person who fails to comply with the requirements of a notice issued under this section commits an offence and shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding three years, or to both such fine and period of imprisonment, and if the violation continues after the first conviction, to a further fine of two hundred dollars for each day the violation continues. (6) Where a person fails to comply with the requirements of this section, the Fire Chief may, without prejudice to any penalties provided for such failure under subsection (5) of this section, close the building down and apply to the District Court of the judicial district where the property is situated, for an order for such property to be vacated and kept closed down until such time as the work or other action specified in the notice is carried out on the property. (7) An appeal shall lie against the decision of a District Court under subsection (6) of this section to the Supreme Court pursuant to Part IX of the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, Cap. 91. 21