Oviedo orders QJB Properties to repair silenced fire alarm and produce logbook records or face fines

The City of Oviedo's Special Registry for Code Enforcement on March 26 ordered QJB Properties LLC to correct a fire‑alarm malfunction and produce required logbook paperwork after repeated inspections found the system "silenced and in trouble," the fire inspector told the magistrate.

Gerald Valella, identified in the hearing as the fire inspector, testified that his initial inspection at the property, 1977 Alafaya Trail, dated to August 2022 and that repeated re‑inspections had documented an unresolved trouble condition. Valella said the alarm had been "silenced and in trouble," that required on‑site logbook entries were missing since 2022, and that the annual inspection was due at month‑end. He told the magistrate he had recently received an email from the respondent saying the owner was "aware of the trouble, and he needs a lift to fix it," and that the owner expected the logbook onsite within a day or two.

Valella asked the magistrate for a two‑week deadline for repairs (or 30 days if parts are hard to obtain) and for the owner to produce all paperwork. The magistrate said he would enter an order giving the respondent 30 days to comply and warned that fines would begin at $150 per day thereafter. After confirming the next scheduled meeting, the magistrate set a compliance follow‑up for April 20 and said the item would be returned to the docket if needed.

The city admitted multiple exhibits into evidence showing the property record, notices of violation, certified‑mail receipts, postings and inspection reports. Valella told the panel he had documented multiple inspection dates, open email receipts, and continued trouble with the alarm system; he emphasized that absent on‑site logbook entries the city cannot verify routine maintenance and repairs.

The magistrate’s order requires the respondent to correct the fire alarm malfunction, provide the required logbook entries and associated paperwork within the set deadline, and warned that fines would begin if compliance is not achieved.