§132-5 Right of entry for inspection; unlawful to obstruct. The county fire chief may at all reasonable hours enter any buildings, structures, or premises within the fire chief's jurisdiction, except the interior of private dwellings, to make any inspection, investigation, or examination which is authorized to be made under this chapter. The county fire chief may enter any private dwelling whenever the fire chief has reason to believe that dangerous conditions creating a fire hazard exist in the dwelling. The county fire chief or any member of any fire department may enter any private dwelling when a fire has occurred in the dwelling. It shall be unlawful to obstruct, hinder, or delay any person having the right to make the inspection, investigation, or examination in the performance of duty.

The county fire chief shall make an annual inspection of all state or county buildings and shall make a report to the authorities responsible for the maintenance of any building when it is found that a building does not meet minimum standards of fire and safety protection. [L 1917, c 115, pt of §49; RL 1925, pt of §3463; RL 1935, pt of §6839; am L 1939, c 239, §1(13); RL 1945, §8530; RL 1955, §184-6; am L 1959, c 114, §1; HRS §132-6; am and ren L 1978, c 241, §2(6); gen ch 1985]