Section 8-17-242 Rules and Regulations; Orders; Employment of Personnel and Purchasing of Equipment.

(a) In addition to any other legal powers, the State Fire Marshal may adopt, amend, suspend, repeal, and enforce reasonably necessary rules and regulations governing the use of explosives in the blasting of stone, rock, or any other natural formation, or in any construction, quarry work, or demolition of man-made structures. The rules and regulations adopted shall not be more stringent than those promulgated by federal law, rule, or regulation to control surface coal mining operations. The rules and regulations may apply to the state as a whole or may vary from area to area in order to take into account varying local conditions. (b) The authority granted to the State Fire Marshal shall not extend to surface coal mining operations, which shall continue to be regulated by the Alabama Surface Mining Commission, pursuant to the Alabama Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act [Chapter 16 (commencing with Section 9-16-2) of Title 9]. (c) The office may issue reasonable orders as necessary to implement the purposes of this act and to enforce this act through appropriate administrative and judicial proceedings. (d) The office may employ personnel and consultants, purchase equipment and supplies, and lease or otherwise acquire property as may be reasonably necessary to perform its duties under this article.