§29-3-5 Promulgation of regulations and state fire code.
§29-3-5. Promulgation of regulations and state fire code.
(a) The state fire commission shall have the power to promulgate, amend and repeal regulations for the safeguarding of life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion pursuant to the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code. Such regulations, amendments or repeals thereof shall be in accordance with standard safe practice as embodied in widely recognized standards of good practice for fire prevention and fire protection and shall have the force and effect of law in the several counties, municipalities and political subdivisions of the state.
(b) Pursuant to the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-a of this code, the state fire commission, by the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred seventy-seven, shall promulgate comprehensive regulations for the safeguarding of life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion to be known as the state fire code. Regulations embodied in the state fire code shall be in accordance with standard safe practice as embodied in widely recognized standards of good practice for fire prevention and fire protection and shall have the force and effect of law in the several counties, municipalities and political subdivisions of the state. Whenever any other state law, county or municipal ordinance or regulation of any fire codes published by the national protection association: Provided, That such rules shall be effective as emergency rules when so promulgated until acted upon by the Legislature: Provided, however, That the state fire marshal shall provide compliance alternatives for historic structures as provided for in section five, article one of this chapter, which compliance alternatives shall take into account the historic integrity of said historic structures; and shall coordinate with the director of the archives and history division the application of the rules and regulations of that division.
(c) In interpretation and application, the state fire code shall be held to be the minimum requirements for the safeguarding of life and property from the hazards of fire and explosion: Provided, That the state fire marshal shall provide compliance alternatives for historic structures and sites as provided for in section five, article one of this chapter, which compliance alternatives shall take into account the historic integrity of said historic structures and sites. Whenever any other state law, county or municipal ordinance or regulation of any agency thereof is more stringent or imposes a higher standard than is required by the state fire code, the provisions of such state law, county or municipal ordinance or regulation of any agency thereof shall govern, provided they are not inconsistent with the laws of West Virginia and are not contrary to recognized standards and good engineering practices. In any question, the decision of the state fire commission determines the relative priority of any such state law, county or municipal ordinance or regulation of any agency thereof and determines compliance with state fire regulations by officials of the state, counties, municipalities and political subdivisions of the state.