Title 23 — Internal Security and Public Order
16 chapters · 458 sections in this title.
23 V.I.C. § 601 Definitions
0.8K chars
As used in this chapter—“approved” means accepted by the Director of the Virgin Islands Fire and Emergency Medical Services as a result of investigation and experience, or by reason of text, listing or approval by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc., the National Bureau of Standards…
23 V.I.C. § 602 Application to new and existing conditions
0.3K chars
The provisions of this chapter shall apply equally to new and existing conditions except that existing conditions not in strict compliance with the terms of this chapter shall be permitted to continue where the exceptions do not constitute a distinct hazard to life or adjoining p…
23 V.I.C. § 603 Regulations for fire prevention
0.8K chars
Subject to approval of the Governor, the Director shall prepare and issue such regulations as may be necessary for prevention of fires in all places including but not confined to homes, public buildings, hotels, churches, places of public assembly, theatres, schools, hospitals, i…
23 V.I.C. § 603a Inspection and approval of building plans
0.6K chars
It shall be the duty of the Director or a qualified person designated by him to inspect for compliance with fire safety regulations all plans and specifications required to be submitted to the Commissioner of Public Works by Title 29, section 294(d)(8) and to certify his approval…
23 V.I.C. § 604 Authority to enter premises
0.5K chars
The Director, the Fire Chief, or any inspector thereof may, at all reasonable hours, enter any building or premises within his jurisdiction for the purpose of making any inspection or investigation which, under the provisions of this chapter, he may deem necessary to be made. The…
23 V.I.C. § 605 Inspections of buildings and premises
4.2K chars
(a) It shall be the duty of the Director to inspect, or cause to be inspected by fire service officers or members, all buildings and premises, except the interiors of private dwellings, as often as may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to be corrected any c…
23 V.I.C. § 606 Orders to eliminate fire hazards
2.2K chars
(1) Whenever the Director or any of the officers, members, or inspectors of the VIFEMS as mentioned in section 605 of this title shall find in any building or upon any premises dangerous or hazardous conditions as follows, the Director shall order such dangerous conditions or mat…
23 V.I.C. § 607 Service of order; appeals
1.8K chars
(a) The service of the orders mentioned in section 606 of this title may be made upon the owner, occupant or other person responsible for the conditions, either by delivering a copy thereof personally or by delivering the copy to and leaving it with any person in charge of the pr…
23 V.I.C. § 608 Permits
1.0K chars
(a) Permits required by the provisions of this chapter shall be obtained in writing from the Director. Permits shall be for such period as the Director may specify but not exceeding one year. They shall be kept on the premises designated therein and shall be subject to inspection…
23 V.I.C. § 608a Repealed. Oct. 31, 1998, No. 6269, § 22(b)3., Sess. L. 1998, p. 455, as amended by Aug. 17, 1999, No. 6287, § 33, Sess. L. 1999, p. 65
0.2K chars
23 V.I.C. § 608a Statutes current through Act 9046 of the 2025 session of the 36th Legislature, including all code changes through October 25, 2025 Virgin Islands Code AnnotatedCopyright © 2026 All rights reserved.
23 V.I.C. § 609 Conformity to nationally recognized standard practice
0.7K chars
The storage, handling, and use of flammable or explosive substances and the use or occupancy of buildings or premises shall be in conformity with nationally recognized standard practice for the safeguarding to a reasonable degree of life and property from the hazards of fire or e…
23 V.I.C. § 610 Penalties
1.4K chars
(1) Whoever—(1) refuses to allow entry for the purpose of inspection under section 605 of this title or otherwise interferes by hindering such entry; or(2) fails to comply with an order under section 606 of this title within 5 days after the service of the order, or within 5 days…
23 V.I.C. § 611 Emergency procedures
2.0K chars
(a) Whenever the Director determines that a serious and immediate threat to the life of the occupants or residents of any building or other structure exists due to the presence at or near such building or structure of any of the conditions specified in section 606 of this subchap…
23 V.I.C. § 612 Removal of hazards
0.4K chars
The Director is authorized after determining that a threat to life exists to order the removal or have removed those hazards, such as gasoline tanks and other facilities for the storage of dangerous chemicals, but not limited to activities delineated in this chapter, which are lo…
23 V.I.C. § 613 Reclassification of designated employees of VIFEMS
1.5K chars
(a) Notwithstanding any other law or regulation to the contrary and in conjunction with the establishment of the Arson Prevention and Investigation Unit, the Director of VIFEMS may reclassify designated employees of VIFEMS in accordance with the following schedule:(1) Fire Marsha…
23 V.I.C. § 641 Bowling alleys generally
0.1K chars
Bowling alleys shall conform to all other applicable requirements of this chapter, as well as the provisions of this subchapter.
23 V.I.C. § 642 Permit required
0.1K chars
A permit shall be required for the operation of any bowling alley.
23 V.I.C. § 643 Alley resurfacing operations
0.6K chars
Resurfacing operations shall not be carried on while the establishment is open for business. The Director shall be notified when alleys are to be resurfaced. Proper ventilation shall be provided. Heating, ventilating, or cooling systems employing recirculation of air shall not be…
23 V.I.C. § 644 Pin refinishing
0.8K chars
Pin refinishing involving the application of flammable finishes shall be done only in a special room meeting the requirements for a Type B inside storage or mixing room (for details see the Fire Prevention Code adopted by section 609 of this title); such room shall not be located…
23 V.I.C. § 661 Application of subchapter
0.3K chars
This subchapter applies to the storage and handling of cellulose nitrate motion picture film, hereafter referred to as “nitrate film”. Film having a cellulose acetate or other approved slow-burning base, marked safety film, is exempt from these provisions.
23 V.I.C. § 662 Permit required
0.3K chars
(a) No person shall store, keep or have on hand more than 25 pounds (for 35 mm. film about 5,000 feet) of nitrate motion picture film without a permit. (b) No person shall sell, lease or otherwise dispose of any nitrate motion picture film to any person not having a permit to han…
23 V.I.C. § 663 Enclosures for motion picture projectors
2.9K chars
(a) Two openings for each motion picture projector shall be provided; one for the projectionist's view (observation port) shall be not larger than 200 square inches, and the other through which the picture is projected (projection port) shall be not larger than 120 square inches.…
23 V.I.C. § 664 Handling of nitrate film
0.9K chars
(a) Rewinding of nitrate films shall be performed either in a special rewind room at an approved location, or in the projection room. An approved can for scrap film having a self-closing hinged cover shall be provided. (b) Nitrate film in any projection room or rewinding room sha…
23 V.I.C. § 681 Definitions
1.0K chars
As used in this subchapter—“dry cleaning” means the process of removing dirt, grease, paints, and other stains from wearing apparel, textiles, fabrics, rugs, etc., by the use of nonaqueous liquid solvents, flammable or nonflammable, and it shall include the process of dyeing clot…
23 V.I.C. § 682 Classification of systems
1.6K chars
(1) Dry cleaning systems shall be classified as follows:(1) Class I Systems shall be those utilizing solvents rated above 40. (Example—50 degree F. Flashpoint Naphtha.)(2) Class II Systems shall be those utilizing solvents rated 40 or below, but which do not comply with Class III…
23 V.I.C. § 683 Permit required
0.3K chars
(a) No person shall engage in the business of dry cleaning without a permit which shall prescribe the location and the class of system to be used. (b) No change shall be made in the solvent used in the equipment to a solvent in a more hazardous (lower) class unless permission for…
23 V.I.C. § 684 Class I systems
0.1K chars
Class I systems shall conform to nationally recognized standard practice as specified in section 609 of this title.
23 V.I.C. § 685 Construction of buildings housing Class II systems
1.8K chars
(a) Class II systems shall be located in buildings having walls of masonry or noncombustible construction and wall finish shall be plain or plastered without furring or concealed spaces. Floors shall be of fire-resistive construction and without pits, wells or pockets; and where …
23 V.I.C. § 686 Construction of buildings housing Class III systems
0.8K chars
Class III systems, if located in the same building with other occupancies, shall be separated from the remainder of the building vertically and horizontally by construction having a fire-resistance rating of not less than one hour with openings protected by approved fire doors, e…
23 V.I.C. § 687 Class IV systems
0.2K chars
Class IV systems shall be subject to the requirement for permit in section 683 of this title, but shall be exempt from all other provisions of this subchapter.
23 V.I.C. § 688 Drying rooms
0.7K chars
Rooms in which articles are hung up to dry after cleaning shall be separated from dry cleaning rooms by partitions having a fire-resistance rating of not less than two hours if Class II system solvents are used, and not less than one hour if Class III system solvents are used. En…
23 V.I.C. § 689 Heating equipment
0.8K chars
(a) Where Class II systems are used, heating shall be by steam or hot water only. Steam and hot water pipes and radiators for heating and drying purposes shall be at least one inch from all woodwork and shall be protected by substantial metal screens arranged so as to prevent com…
23 V.I.C. § 690 Electrical equipment
0.7K chars
(a) Where Class II systems are used all electrical equipment in dry cleaning rooms or other sections subject to flammable vapors shall be of a type approved for Class I, Division 1 hazardous locations, except that electrical equipment located 8 feet or more above the floor may be…
23 V.I.C. § 691 Ventilation
0.3K chars
A mechanical system of ventilation shall be provided in the dry cleaning rooms of plants employing Class II systems, of sufficient capacity to insure complete and continuous change of air once every 6 minutes, and shall be provided with means of remote control.
23 V.I.C. § 692 Storage and handling of cleaning solvents
1.6K chars
(a) Aboveground containers comprising purifiers, clarifiers, and filters, in Class II systems shall not exceed 350 gallons individual capacity. Solvent storage tanks or Class II and Class III systems may be inside of buildings if individual capacity of tanks does not exceed 275 g…
23 V.I.C. § 693 Grounding of equipment
0.4K chars
The cylinders and shells of all washing machines, drying tumblers, outside shell of extractors and all aboveground containers shall be permanently and effectively grounded. In plants employing Class II systems, all pulleys and belting in the dry cleaning room shall have grounded …
23 V.I.C. § 694 Scouring, brushing and spotting
1.5K chars
(a) The brushing (prespotting) table shall have a liquid-tight top with a curb on all sides not less than 1 inch high. The top of the table shall be pitched so as to insure thorough draining to a 1 ½-inch drain connected to a suitable container especially provided and marked for …
23 V.I.C. § 695 Fire extinguishing equipment
0.3K chars
Adequate first aid fire appliances of a type suitable for fighting fires involving flammable liquids shall be provided in all dry cleaning plants; at least one extinguisher shall be provided at each entrance to every room or area where flammable liquids are stored or used.
23 V.I.C. § 696 Smoking prohibited
0.2K chars
Smoking in plants employing Class II or Class III systems, except in smoking rooms so designated, shall be strictly prohibited and “No Smoking” signs shall be posted.
23 V.I.C. § 711 Definitions
3.7K chars
(1) As used in this subchapter:(1) “Explosive” means blasting powder, nitroglycerin, dynamite, TNT and any other form of high explosive, blasting material, fuse other than an electric circuit breaker, detonator and other detonating agent, a chemical compound or mechanical mixture…
23 V.I.C. § 712 Permits
2.2K chars
(a) A person shall not handle, store, control, use, sell, purchase, transfer, transport or otherwise dispose of an explosive unless he has applied for, obtained and has on his person a valid permit as prescribed by this chapter, except that:(1) This section does not apply to an e…
23 V.I.C. § 713 Refusal and revocation of permits; permanent permits
1.6K chars
(a) A permit may be refused to an applicant where the issuing officer has reasonable cause to believe that granting the permit would constitute a substantial and immediate danger to the public health, safety and welfare. Notice of refusal to issue a permit shall be given the appl…
23 V.I.C. § 714 Dealer records; nonassignability of permits
0.8K chars
(a) A dealer shall keep and maintain such records on such forms as are prescribed and provided by the Director, which records shall include (1) an amount of each sale, transfer or other disposition of explosives by him, (2) the date thereof, the name, age, address and permit numb…
23 V.I.C. § 715 Storage
0.8K chars
(a) All storage of explosives shall be in approved explosives magazines located at distances from neighboring buildings and highways in conformity with the American Table of Distances for Storage of Explosives. (b) When explosives in excess of immediate requirements are removed f…
23 V.I.C. § 716 Transportation of explosives
1.5K chars
(a) Blasting caps, or detonators, shall not be transported over the highways of the Virgin Islands on the same vehicles with explosives. (b) Vehicles used for the transportation of explosives shall be strong enough to carry the load without difficulty, and shall be in good mechan…
23 V.I.C. § 717 Use of explosives
0.7K chars
(a) At least 24 hours in advance of blasting, the blaster shall give written notice specifying the location and intended time of blasting to appropriate representatives of the gas, electric, water, fire alarm, telephone, telegraph, and steam utilities which operate within the Vir…
23 V.I.C. § 718 Penalties
0.4K chars
A person who violates any provision of this act is guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or both; Provided, That any person found in possession of explosives without a proper permit shall be guilty of a felony and sh…
23 V.I.C. § 719 Other regulations
0.2K chars
This chapter is in addition to any other requirements of local or federal law regulating the possession, handling, storage, control, use, sale, purchase, transfer, transportation or other disposition of explosives.
23 V.I.C. § 731 Definition of fireworks
1.0K chars
“Fireworks” shall mean and include any combustible or explosive composition, or any substance or combination of substances, or article prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation, and shall include blan…
23 V.I.C. § 732 Manufacture, sale and discharge of fireworks
1.1K chars
(a) The manufacture of fireworks is prohibited within the Virgin Islands. (b) Except as hereinafter provided it shall be unlawful for any person to offer for sale, expose for sale, sell at retail, or use or explode any fireworks. The Commissioner may adopt reasonable rules and re…