35-8-301. Procedure for proposing establishment of special cemetery district.
(a) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, § 5.
(b) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, § 5.
(c) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, § 5.
(d) Repealed by Laws 1998, ch. 115, § 5.
(e) A special cemetery district may be established under the procedures for petitioning, hearing and election of special districts as set forth in the Special District Elections Act of 1994.
35-8-303. Body corporate; name and style; powers generally; rules and regulations of trustees.
Each district established is hereby declared to be a body corporate by the name and style of the .... cemetery district and the name therefor shall be entered upon the commissioners' records and shall be selected by the board of county commissioners of the county in which the greater area of land within the district is located. In the name so selected, the district may hold property and be a party to contracts, shall have power to sue and be sued, shall be empowered through its governing board to acquire real and personal property and equipment for cemetery purposes by gift, devise, bequest or purchase and to enter into contracts for the acquisition by purchase or lease of real and personal property and equipment; to convey, lease and otherwise dispose of its property for cemetery purposes and as a cemetery district, to establish sinking funds for said purposes; to issue bonds for the purchase of real property and improvements and equipment for the same, for cemetery purposes in the manner hereinafter provided, and the trustees thereof shall have power to make such rules and regulations as are necessary for the proper operation of the district and shall file them with the county clerk for each county in which the district is located.
35-8-304. Election of trustees in newly established districts; terms.
An election of six (6) trustees shall be held therein at the same time as the election for formation of the district. Trustees shall serve without compensation to govern the affairs of the district. There shall be elected three (3) members to serve until the next succeeding district election, and three (3) members to serve until the second succeeding district election and until their successors are elected and qualified.
35-8-305. Procedure for election of trustees in previously existing districts.
In all such districts existing as of January 1, 1999, the terms of directors shall be allowed to expire and a vacancy shall be declared and filled pursuant to W.S. 22-29-201 and 22-29-202 until the next regular scheduled subsequent director election as provided under W.S. 22-29-112. At that election three (3) trustees shall be elected for four (4) year terms and three (3) for two (2) year terms.
35-8-314. Administration of finances; assessment and levy of taxes.
(a) The assessor shall at the time of making the annual assessment of his district also assess the property of each special cemetery district in his county and return to the county assessor at the time of returning the assessment schedules, separate schedules listing the property of each such district assessed by him. The separate schedules shall be compiled by the county assessor, footed and returned to the board of county commissioners as provided for other assessment schedules.
(b) The board of county commissioners, at the time of making the levy for county purposes shall levy a tax for that year upon the taxable property in such district in its county for its proportionate share based on assessed valuation of the estimated amount of funds needed by each such district, but in no case shall the tax for such district exceed in any one (1) year the amount of three (3) mills on each dollar of assessed valuation of such property. The taxes and assessments of all special cemetery districts shall be collected by the county collector at the same time and in the same manner as state and county taxes are collected, provided, however, said assessment and tax levied under provisions of this act shall not be construed as being a part of the general county mill levy.
35-8-316. Bond issue; question of issuance to be submitted to electors; amount and interest.
The board of trustees of any cemetery district may, whenever a majority thereof so decide, request the board of county commissioners to submit to the electors of the district the question whether the board of trustees shall be authorized to issue the coupon bonds of the district in a certain amount, not to exceed two percent (2%) of the assessed value of the taxable property in the district, and bearing a certain rate of interest, payable and redeemable at a certain time, not exceeding twenty-five (25) years for the purchase of real property, for the construction or purchase of improvements and for equipment for cemetery purposes.
The election authorized under W.S. 35-8-316 shall be called, conducted and the results thereof canvassed and certified in all respects as near as practicable in the same manner as is provided for bond elections by the Political Subdivision Bond Election Law, W.S. 22-21-101 through 22-21-112.
35-8-318. Bond issue; issuance; form; advertising for bidders; sale.
If the proposal to issue said bonds shall be approved, the board of trustees may issue such bonds in such form as the board may direct and shall give notice by publication in some newspaper published in the counties in which said district is located and in some newspaper of general circulation in the capital of this state of its intention to issue and negotiate such bonds, and to invite bidders therefor; provided that in no case shall such bonds be sold for less than their full or par value and the accrued interest thereon at the time of their delivery. And the said trustees are authorized to reject any bids, and to sell said bonds at private sale, if they deem it for the best interests of the district.
35-8-319. Bond issue; preparation and execution; certification; to be registered by county treasurer.
After ascertaining the best terms upon and the lowest interest at which said bonds can be negotiated, the board shall secure the proper engraving and printing and consecutive numbering thereof, and said bonds shall thereupon be otherwise properly prepared and executed. They must bear the signature of the president of the board of trustees and be countersigned by the secretary of the board and bear the district seal and be countersigned by the county treasurer of the county in which the funds of the district are kept, and the coupons attached to the bonds must be signed by said president, secretary and county treasurer; and the secretary of the board shall endorse a certificate upon every such bond, that the same is within the lawful debt limit of such district and is issued according to law and he shall sign such certificate in his official character. When so executed, they shall be registered by the county treasurer where said district's funds are kept in a book provided for that purpose, which must show the number and amount of each bond and the person to whom the same is issued.
The full faith and credit of each cemetery district is solemnly pledged for the payment of the interest and the redemption of the principal of all bonds which are issued by such district.
35-8-321. Bond issue; payment of principal and interest.
The county treasurer where said district's funds are kept may pay out of any moneys belonging to said district tax fund, the interest and the principal upon any bonds issued by such district, when the same becomes due, upon the presentation at his office of the proper coupon or bond, which must show the amount due, and each coupon must also show the number of the bond to which it belonged, and all bonds and coupons so paid, must be reported to the district trustees at their first regular meeting thereafter.
All cemetery districts heretofore formed and organized under the provisions of chapter 58 of the Session Laws of Wyoming, 1949, or under the provisions of chapter 141, Session Laws of Wyoming, 1951, are hereby declared to be duly organized and existing cemetery districts; and all bonds heretofore issued and sold for the purpose of providing for the purchase of real property and improvements and equipment for cemetery purposes, by any cemetery district established under the provisions of chapter 58, Session Laws of Wyoming, 1949, or under the provisions of chapter 141, of the Session Laws of Wyoming, 1951, where the purchase money for such bonds has been actually received and retained or used for the purpose for which such bonds were sold, are hereby declared to be the valid and legally binding obligations of such district and all proceedings under which such bonds were issued are approved, ratified and declared valid.
35-8-323. Districts charged with maintaining existing public cemeteries.
All districts organized under the provisions of this act are charged with the duty of maintaining existing public cemeteries owned and maintained by incorporated cities or towns, or otherwise, within the boundaries of the district; and such maintenance shall be as nearly uniform as possible.
35-8-324. Cemeteries in cities and towns in conflict with special cemetery district.
No incorporated city or town which is or may be included within the boundaries of a special cemetery district organized under the laws of the state of Wyoming, shall purchase, establish, operate, maintain, improve or support a cemetery or cemetery grounds for a period of more than one (1) year after the formation of such cemetery district or for a period of more than two (2) months after the effective date of this act, whichever shall be later.
(a) As used in this act:
(i) "Columbarium" means any building, structure or any part of a building or structure which is used for the interment of cremated human remains;
(ii) "Community vault, crypt, columbarium, mausoleum or structure" means one constructed for the purpose of containing the bodies or remains of more than six (6) dead human beings;
(iii) "State department of health" means the state department of health created by W.S. 9-2-101;
(iv) "State insurance commissioner" means the insurance commissioner of Wyoming appointed under W.S. 26-2-102;
(v) "This act" means W.S. 35-8-401 through 35-8-407.
35-8-402. Regulations and specifications generally; application to certain columbariums.
(a) No person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation shall construct any community vault, crypt, columbarium or mausoleum, wholly or partially above the surface of the ground, to be used to contain the body or remains of any dead human being unless the same shall be located within the confines of an established cemetery containing not less than five (5) acres, which cemetery shall have been in existence and operation for a period of at least five (5) years immediately preceding the time of the erection thereof, nor until plans and specifications therefor shall be approved by the state board of health [department of health]. Such plans and specifications shall set forth the sections, halls, rooms, corridors, elevators or other subdivisions thereof, with their descriptive names and numbers, and shall provide:
(i) That such structure be so arranged that any vault, cell, niche or crypt may be readily examined at any time by any person authorized by law to do so;
(ii) That suitable provision be made for permanently sealing each crypt or cell after the placing of any body therein, and in such manner that no fluid may escape therefrom;
(iii) That the foundation shall extend below the frost line and shall be of reinforced construction;
(iv) That the exterior walls and roof shall be constructed of granite, marble, slate, sandstone, limestone, concrete block masonry or any other material of similar properties that achieves structural integrity and designed to be structurally sound and to withstand exterior weathering;
(v) That exterior doors shall be constructed of granite, marble, slate, sandstone or limestone, bronze or aluminum alloys or any other material or alloy of similar properties;
(vi) That interiors shall be constructed of granite, marble, slate, sandstone, limestone, concrete or any other material of similar properties that achieves structural integrity;
(vii) That the structure shall contain adequate provision for drainage and ventilation;
(viii) That the structure shall be so constructed as to insure its beauty, durability and permanence, as well as the safety, convenience, comfort and health of the community in which it is located, as dictated and determined at the time by modern mausoleum construction and engineering science.
(b) The person making application shall file a certificate of such approval, signed by the state health officer, with a copy of such plans and specifications, in the office of the county clerk of the county wherein such structure is to be erected, and such clerk shall retain the same on file. No crypt, room or niche in any community mausoleum, columbarium or structure shall be sold or offered for sale until such structure shall be entirely completed.
(c) This act shall not apply to any columbarium owned by or for a church if it is less than one-half (1/2) acre in size and is located immediately contiguous to or is part of the church facility and is perpetually cared for. If the church relocates, it shall relocate all urns and remains placed within the columbarium. Any violation of this subsection is subject to the penalty imposed under W.S. 35-8-407.
35-8-403. Supervision of inspector required in erecting
structure; compliance with requirements for perpetual care and maintenance. Such structure shall be erected under the supervision of an inspector to be appointed by the state department of health, which shall determine the amount of his compensation, and the compensation shall be paid by the person, partnership, firm, association, company or corporation erecting the same. No community vault, crypt, niche, mausoleum, columbarium or structure, and no addition or alteration thereof, shall be used for the purpose of interring therein a body or the remains of a deceased human being until the person, partnership, association, company, firm or corporation operating such structure shall have obtained from the department of health a certificate, signed by the state health officer, certifying that the plans and specifications filed pursuant to the provisions of W.S. 35-8-401 and 35-8-402 have been complied with, and from the state insurance commissioner a certificate certifying that the requirements for a perpetual care and maintenance fund set forth in W.S. 35-8-404 have been complied with, which certificates shall be filed in the office of the county clerk of the county wherein the community vault, crypt, niche, mausoleum, columbarium or structure is located.
35-8-404. Perpetual care and maintenance trust fund.
(a) Before any cell, vault, crypt, room or niche in any community mausoleum or columbarium shall be sold, the person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation operating the same shall first deposit the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000.00) in an institution acceptable to the insurance commissioner, which sum shall be designated as a perpetual care and maintenance trust fund and the income therefrom shall be used for the preservation and upkeep of the mausoleum or columbarium. The insurance commissioner shall regularly audit the fund and shall be empowered to formulate and establish regulations governing the fund and its trustee, which regulations shall be designed to insure the permanence and security of the fund. In the event that sales of cells, vaults, crypts, rooms or niches exceed the sum of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) the person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation operating the mausoleum or columbarium shall deposit the following percentages of all sales exceeding that amount in the perpetual care trust fund, which additional sums shall be subject to the same regulations as the original deposit:
(i) Twenty percent (20%) of the proceeds received from the sale of each cell, vault, crypt, room or niche; provided, however, that the deposit from the sale of a crypt shall not be less than the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) regardless of the sale price thereof;
(ii) Twenty percent (20%) of each payment or installment received from the sale of every cell, vault, crypt, room or niche in the event that a sale is made on a payment or installment plan; provided, however, that the total amount deposited from the sale of any crypt on the payment or installment plan shall not be less than the sum of one hundred dollars ($100.00) regardless of the sale price or the amount of the payment or installment.
(b) In the event that any person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation operating a community mausoleum, columbarium or structure shall fail to continue the active management thereof, the trustee of the perpetual care and maintenance fund established therefor shall continue to administer the fund subject to audit and regulation by the insurance commissioner and disburse the income for the care and maintenance of the mausoleum or columbarium; provided, however, that the district judge may, upon application made by the county attorney of the county in which the mausoleum or columbarium is located, and good cause shown, order the appointment of a successor trustee and/or disbursement of the principal or interest of the fund.
35-8-405. Removal of body from vault constituting menace
to public health; reinterment; cost; construction contrary to W.S. 35-8-401 through 35-8-407 deemed nuisance; enjoining. When any mausoleum, vault, crypt or structure containing one (1) or more deceased human bodies, shall, in the opinion of the state department of health, become a menace to public health, and the owner or owners shall fail to remedy or remove the same to the satisfaction of the department, the judge of any district court of the state of Wyoming may, upon application by the county attorney of the county in which it is located, order the person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation owning the structure to remove the deceased body or bodies for interment in some suitable cemetery at the expense of the person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation owning the mausoleum, vault or crypt. If no person, firm, partnership, association, company or corporation can be found in the county where the mausoleum, vault or crypt is located, the removal and interment shall be at the expense of the cemetery, city, town or county within which the mausoleum, vault or crypt is located, or of the cemetery association in charge of any such cemetery, provided, however, that if there is a perpetual care and maintenance fund in existence for the care of the mausoleum, vault, crypt or structure, the expense incident thereto may be defrayed from the principal of the fund by order of the district judge. Any columbarium or mausoleum maintained or constructed contrary to the provisions of this act shall be deemed a public nuisance, and may be enjoined in an action brought by any taxpayer of this state in the district court.
The state department of health and the insurance commissioner are hereby empowered and directed to make such rules and regulations as shall in their judgment be necessary for the carrying out of the provisions of this act, which regulations shall have the force and effect of law.
Any person, officer, manager or agent of any firm, partnership, association, company or corporation who violates any provisions of this act shall be fined not more than seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both. Division 1. Generally
(a) As used in W.S. 35-9-101 through 35-9-130:
(i) "Apprentice electrician" means a person who has insufficient qualifications to be a journeyman electrician and is hired by a licensed electrical contractor to assist a licensed journeyman or master electrician. An apprentice electrician must be registered with the department of fire prevention and electrical safety and must be enrolled in a bona fide program of training approved by the bureau of apprenticeship and training, United States department of labor, or present evidence directly to the department that he is enrolled in an apprentice training program which provides training equivalent to a program approved by the bureau of apprenticeship and training, United States department of labor;
(ii) "Apprentice technician" means a person who has insufficient qualifications to be a low voltage or a limited technician and is hired by a licensed electrical contractor, low voltage contractor, or limited contractor to assist a licensed low voltage or limited technician. An apprentice technician must be registered with the department of fire prevention and electrical safety and must be enrolled in a training program as approved by the department;
(iii) "Board" means the electrical board;
(iv) "Council" means the council on fire prevention and electrical safety in buildings;
(v) "Department" means the department of fire prevention and electrical safety;
(vi) "Electrical contractor" means a person licensed by the department to contract with another to plan, lay out and supervise the installation of electric equipment. "Electrical contractor" excludes a person who only plans or designs electrical installations;
(vii) "Full-time paid fire fighters" means an individual regularly employed for devoting his entire time of employment to the care, operation and requirements of a regularly constituted fire department;
(viii) "Installation of electric equipment" includes installing, altering and repairing the wiring of apparatus equipment and conductors subject to the National Electrical Code;
(ix) "Journeyman electrician" means a person licensed by the department who has four (4) years experience in the electrical wiring industry and technical knowledge to install and supervise the installation of electrical equipment for any purpose in accordance with the National Electrical Code and city, county and state ordinances and regulations;
(x) "Limited electrical contractor" means a person, licensed by the department to contract with another to plan, lay out and supervise the installation of electrical equipment associated with the type of limited electrical contractor license held. "Limited electrical contractor" excludes a person who only plans or designs electrical installations;
(xi) "Limited technician" means a person licensed by the department who has met the minimum experience requirements as prescribed by board rules and regulations in the portion of the electrical wiring industry covered by his limited license. The limited technician shall have technical knowledge to install and supervise the installation of electrical equipment associated with the type of limited electrical license held in accordance with the National Electrical Code and city, county and state ordinances and regulations;
(xii) "Low voltage electrical contractor" means a person licensed by the department to contract with another to plan, lay out and supervise the installation of electrical equipment associated with the type of limited electrical contractor license held. "Low voltage electrical contractor" excludes a person who only plans or designs electrical installations;
(xiii) "Low voltage technician" means a person licensed by the department who has met the minimum experience requirements as prescribed by board rules and regulations in the portion of the electrical wiring industry covered by his low voltage license. The low voltage technician shall have technical knowledge to install and supervise the installation of electrical equipment associated with the type of low voltage electrical license held in accordance with the National Electrical Code and city, county and state ordinances and regulations;
(xiv) "Master electrician" means a person licensed by the department who has eight (8) years experience in the electrical wiring industry and technical knowledge to plan, lay out and supervise the installation of electric equipment in accordance with the National Electrical Code and city, county and state ordinances and regulations;
(xv) "Master electrician of record" means a Wyoming licensed master electrician who is actively employed by a licensed electrical contractor in a full-time capacity, and who assumes responsibility to ensure that the National Electrical Code, W.S. 35-9-120 through 35-9-130 and applicable rules of the department of fire prevention and electrical safety are adhered to on all electrical work undertaken by the electrical contractor in the state of Wyoming, and who is not the master electrician of record for, or employed by, any other electrical contractor;
(xvi) "Owner" means the person holding legal title to a building or real property;
(xvii) "Public building" means a building intended for access by the general public;
(xviii) "Remodeling" includes repairing, altering or adding to a building or its electrical system;
(xix) "Technician of record" means a Wyoming licensed low voltage or limited technician who is actively employed by a licensed low voltage or limited electrical contractor in a full-time capacity, and who assumes responsibility to ensure that the National Electrical Code, W.S. 35-9-120 through 35-9-130 and applicable rules of the department of fire prevention and electrical safety are adhered to on all low voltage or limited electrical work undertaken by the low voltage or limited electrical contractor in the state of Wyoming, and who is not the technician of record for, or employed by, any other low voltage or limited electrical contractor.
35-9-103. Divisions created; council and board created.
(a) There are created within the department:
(i) The division of fire prevention;
(ii) The division of electrical safety;
(iii) The council on fire prevention and electrical safety in buildings;
(iv) The electrical board.
(b) The council consists of five (5) members appointed by the governor for six (6) year terms which commence on April 1 following appointment. One (1) member shall be appointed to represent each of the following: counties or municipalities, fire fighters, the electrical board, an association of architects or an association of general contractors and the general public. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. When new appointments are made, the council shall select a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary. A quorum consists of three (3) members. The council shall meet at least twice each year.
(c) The board consists of five (5) members appointed by the governor for six (6) year terms. At least one (1) member and no more than two (2) members shall be journeymen electricians, at least one (1) and no more than two (2) shall be master electricians, and at least one (1) and no more than two (2) shall be electrical contractors. No two (2) members shall be employed by the same entity and serve on the board. Any member who becomes employed by the same entity as another member during his term of office shall be ineligible to continue as a member of the board. Vacancies shall be filled for the unexpired term. When new appointments are made, the board shall select a chairman, a vice chairman and a secretary. A quorum consists of three (3) members. The board shall meet at least twice each year.
(d) The members of the council and board shall receive compensation, per diem and travel expenses in the same manner and amount as the state legislature while going to, attending or returning from meetings. The governor may remove any council or board member as provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
(a) After consultation with the council, the governor shall appoint a state fire marshal who shall be the director of the department and shall have theoretical knowledge and practical and managerial skill and experience which fits him for the position, as determined by the governor.
(b) Repealed by Laws 1987, ch. 185, § 2.
(a) After consultation with the council and the governor, the state fire marshal shall appoint:
(i) The chief deputy fire marshal, who is the administrator of the fire prevention division. His qualifications shall be the same as the state fire marshal;
(ii) The chief electrical inspector who is the administrator of the electrical safety division. He shall be a master electrician and an electrical inspector certified by the International Code Council or the International Association of Electrical Inspectors.
(b) The chief deputy fire marshal and the chief electrical inspector shall devote full time to the duties of the office and shall be directly responsible to the state fire marshal. Division 2. Fire Prevention and Electrical Safety
(a) The council shall adopt rules and regulations to:
(i) Establish minimum fire standards not exceeding the standards prescribed by the International Fire Code, the International Building Code, the International Mechanical Code, the International Existing Building Code and the International Fuel Gas Code for:
(A) All new building construction or remodeling under W.S. 35-9-108(a);
(B) The prevention of fire and the protection of life and property from fire and panic in all existing buildings;
(C) The safeguarding of life and property from hazards of fire and explosion arising from storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices.
(ii) Repealed by Laws 2003, Ch. 49, § 3.
(iii) Repealed By Laws 2010, Ch. 84, § 3.
(iv) Implement this section.
(b) The council shall have access to records of the divisions and may require written or oral information from any officer or employee of the department when conducting investigations pursuant to W.S. 35-9-108(p) and 35-9-117.
(c) Except as provided under W.S. 35-9-121(d), 35-9-121.1(d)(ii) and 35-9-124(a)(ii), the council shall hear appeals to determine the suitability of alternate materials and type of construction and to interpret and grant variances from rules and regulations of the council.
(d) The standards for liquefied petroleum gas installations shall be the current edition of NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code. To the extent the standards for liquefied petroleum gas conflict with the standards prescribed by the International Fuel Gas Code, the NFPA 58 Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code and ANSI Z223.1/NFPA 54 National Fuel Gas Code control.
(e) Repealed By Laws 2010, Ch. 84, § 3.
35-9-107. Duties and powers of state fire marshal.
(a) The state fire marshal shall:
(i) Establish administrative policy for the department;
(ii) Adopt regulations in consultation with the board and council to implement this article, excluding the provisions of W.S. 35-9-106 and 35-9-124;
(iii) Implement fire safety programs designed to minimize fire hazards and disasters and loss of life and property from these causes. These programs shall include:
(A) Establishment and enforcement of fire safety and safety practices throughout the state;
(B) Preventive inspection and corrective activities;
(C) Coordination of fire safety programs with volunteer and paid fire companies and other state agencies and political subdivisions;
(D) Critical analysis and evaluation of fire loss statistics to determine problems and solutions;
(E) Coordination, development and implementation of training programs designed to assist fire fighters in all phases of fire prevention and suppression activities except the wild land and forestry division fire control programs implemented by the state forester; and
(F) Acceptance testing on fire alarm systems, fire sprinkler systems and kitchen hood and duct suppression systems.
(iv) Inspect each state owned building not under the authority of a local governmental entity pursuant to W.S. 35-9-121(b) and require conformance to the minimum standards of fire prevention, fire protection and public safety;
(v) Inspect facilities or installations upon request by the owner. The department may charge reasonable fees not exceeding the cost of the inspection;
(vi) Upon request, assist the chief of a fire company or department, a fire marshal, a local building inspector, other state agencies or political subdivisions of the state or county fire wardens in fire prevention matters;
(vii) Keep a record of all fires which occur in the state, including the origin, facts, statistics and circumstances of the fire determined by investigation under this act. The record, except for testimony given in the examination, shall be open for public inspection at all times;
(viii) Upon request, assist a municipality, county or other local governmental entity in exercising authority granted to that entity under W.S. 35-9-121.
(b) The state fire marshal may:
(i) Subject to W.S. 35-9-121(b) and 35-9-121.1(d), enforce state laws not otherwise enforceable by another state agency concerning:
(A) The prevention of fire;
(B) The storage, sale and use of an explosive, combustible or other dangerous article in solid, liquid or gas form;
(C) Repealed By Laws 2003, Ch. 49, § 3.
(D) The suppression of arson and investigation of fire and explosions.
(ii) Subject to W.S. 35-9-121(b), inspect public, business or industrial buildings and require conformance to standards of prevention and safety and of uses of premises as promulgated by the International Fire Code, the International Building Code, the International Mechanical Code and the International Fuel Gas Code;
(iii) Deputize a member of a fire department who is approved by the chief of his department, or a local building inspector approved by the local governmental entity, provided that the person is qualified to inspect, investigate and carry out orders for the state fire marshal under the rules adopted by the department;
(iv) Employ personnel and contract with appropriate personnel as necessary for the efficient performance of assigned duties.
(c) The state fire marshal shall not interfere with the hookup of a utility to a new or remodeled building either during construction or after construction is completed, unless the state fire marshal determines that the hookup of a utility poses immediate danger to life or property.
(a) Except as provided under subsections (h) and (q) of this section and W.S. 35-9-118, prior to beginning any new construction, the remodeling of existing buildings or the installation of aboveground flammable or combustible fuel storage tanks, the owner or the owner's designated representative shall submit plans to the state fire marshal for review of the proposed project for compliance with applicable fire and electrical safety standards for:
(i) Buildings or structures owned or leased by the state or local governmental entities;
(ii) Public buildings over five thousand (5,000) square feet of total floor area including basement;
(iii) Multistory public buildings;
(iv) Buildings intended for use as child care centers housing more than ten (10) children;
(v) Public bars, public lounges, restaurants, night clubs, lodge halls, theaters, churches or public meeting places regardless of size;
(vi) Public and private aboveground fuel dispensing facilities.
(b) If the state fire marshal does not notify the sender in writing of violations of the fire or electrical safety standards within twenty-one (21) working days of receiving the plans, they are approved as submitted. If code deficiencies are discovered through inspection by the fire marshal during the construction or remodeling of buildings, the plan and plan review shall be amended to bring the building into compliance with applicable codes.
(c) Plans which are disapproved may be corrected and resubmitted. The state fire marshal shall review only the corrections made in response to the violations cited in the initial review. If the state fire marshal does not notify the sender in writing of violations of the fire and electrical safety standards within ten (10) working days of receiving the corrected plans, they are approved as resubmitted.
(d) The department shall collect fees for plan reviews and other inspections except as provided in subsections (q) and (r) of this section, in the amount provided in the 1997 Uniform Building Code and adjusted for inflation as adopted by rule or regulation by the department. Fees collected under this subsection shall be deposited into the general fund.
(e) For publicly owned buildings, the department may charge fees not in excess of fees authorized under W.S. 35-9-108(d) to any entity for which it performs any plan inspection or review.
(f) Repealed By Laws 2003, Ch. 49, § 3.
(g) Repealed By Laws 2003, Ch. 49, § 3.
(h) Nothing in this section shall apply to municipalities or counties which have received enforcement authority for fire safety standards under W.S. 35-9-121.
(j) Except as provided under subsections (h) and (q) of this section and W.S. 35-9-118, no new construction or remodeling of buildings or installation of aboveground flammable or combustible fuel storage tanks shall begin until the state fire marshal has approved the plans for compliance with applicable fire and electrical safety standards.
(k) If new construction or remodeling of buildings or installation of aboveground flammable or combustible fuel storage tanks is commenced without approved plans, the state fire marshal may order the construction, remodeling or installation to cease until plans are approved, subject to the requirements of subsection (m) of this section.
(m) Orders issued by the state fire marshal pursuant to this section shall be served upon the owner in the manner provided for service of process by the Wyoming Rules of Civil Procedure. The order shall require that the person served immediately cease certain activities until he has complied with the applicable statutory requirements. The order shall be in full force and effect from the time of service until the person complies with the statutory requirement as described in the order, or the order is revoked by the council. If the person fails to cease certain activities as required within forty-eight (48) hours of service, the person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(n) Except as provided under subsections (h) and (q) of this section and W.S. 35-9-118, after new construction or remodeling of buildings is completed, the state fire marshal shall inspect the building and determine conformance with the plan review or amended plan review. If he finds conformance, the state fire marshal shall issue a certificate of occupancy for a newly constructed building and a letter of compliance for a remodeled building. No newly constructed or remodeled building shall be used or occupied until the state fire marshal has issued a certificate of occupancy or letter of compliance. If a newly constructed or remodeled building is used or occupied prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy or letter of compliance, the state fire marshal shall order the use and occupancy of the building to cease until a certificate of occupancy or letter of compliance is issued, subject to the requirements of subsection (m) of this section.
(o) Except as provided under subsections (h) and (q) of this section and W.S. 35-9-118, after the installation of aboveground flammable or combustible fuel storage tanks is completed, the state fire marshal shall inspect the premises and determine conformance with the plan review. If he finds conformance, the state fire marshal shall issue a letter of compliance. No premises with aboveground flammable or combustible fuel storage tanks installed shall be used until the state fire marshal has issued a letter of compliance. If a premise with aboveground flammable or combustible fuel storage tanks installed is used prior to issuance of a letter of compliance, the state fire marshal shall order the use of the premises to cease until a letter of compliance is issued, subject to the requirements of subsection (m) of this section.
(p) Any owner aggrieved by an order of the state fire marshal may appeal to the council within forty-eight (48) hours. The complaint shall be investigated immediately by direction of the council. Unless the order is revoked by the council, it shall remain in force and the owner shall comply.
(q) A plan review is:
(i) Not required for remodeling that is exempt from permitting under the International Code;
(ii) Required for remodeling that costs less than forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) and affects a built-in fire protection system for the building, provided a fee of no more than fifty dollars ($50.00) per hour shall be paid to the department for the review;
(iii) Required for remodeling that costs forty thousand dollars ($40,000.00) or more, provided the department shall collect a fee pursuant to subsection (d) of this section;
(iv) Not required to be submitted to the state fire marshal if the plan review is submitted to a local governmental entity which has been granted sole plan review authority pursuant to W.S. 35-9-121(b).
(r) There shall be no inspection fees for school buildings.
(s) Plan reviews may be submitted in phases so that work may begin on the first phase of a project upon approval of the plans for that phase. Subsequent work may begin on each successive phase as plans are approved for each successive phase. Plans for fire alarm systems and fire sprinkler systems shall be submitted as successive phase plans after the initial plans are approved.
(t) Subsections (a) through (s) shall not apply to remodeling that is exempt under subsection (q).
35-9-109. Investigation of fires; notification to fire marshal; powers of fire marshal.
(a) The county fire warden or chief of the fire department of a city, town, county or fire district shall investigate the cause, origin and circumstances of each fire occurring in the city, town, county or district that was reported or subject to emergency response, by which property has been destroyed or damaged.
(b) The officer investigating a fire shall notify the state fire marshal and within one (1) week of the fire shall furnish him a written statement of all facts relating to its cause and origin, and other information required by forms provided by the state fire marshal.
(c) The state fire marshal may investigate the origin or circumstances of any fire or explosion or any attempt to cause a fire or explosion.
(d) In performing the duties imposed by this act, the state fire marshal may:
(i) Enter and examine any building or premises where any fires or attempt to cause fires occurred;
(ii) Enter any building adjacent to that in which a fire or attempt to cause a fire occurred; and
(iii) Take full control and custody of the buildings and premises until his examination and investigations are completed.