[Amended 5-6-2002 by Ord.
No. 4-02]
A. The owner of any nonresidential building constructed
in the Borough of Rocky Hill or any building located in the Borough for which
a continuing certificate of occupancy is sought subsequent to the enactment
of this section shall, at the owner's expense, install a rapid entry system
for use by the Fire Department, First Aid Squad or other emergency service
responder in the event of an emergency.
B. The owner of any building which is the residence of any
homebound elderly or disabled person may, at the owner's discretion, install
such a system. The Fire Official shall approve the type and location of the
rapid entry system, giving due regard to the accessibility and other reasonable
requirements which will facilitate the proper function of the rapid entry
system.
C. In the case of a multi-tenanted or multi-use, nonresidential
building where the tenants or uses share a main common entrance, at least
one rapid entry system for every five tenants or uses, as the case may be,
shall be installed at the main common entrance. In the case of multi-tenanted
or multi-use nonresidential buildings comprised of units with separate entrances
(e.g., shopping centers and office condominiums), at least one rapid entry
system for every five tenants or uses, as the case may be, shall be installed;
provided, however, that in no event shall the distance between the entrance
from a unit to the rapid entry system exceed 75 feet.
D. The owner of the building shall be responsible for the
maintenance and inspection of the rapid entry system.
E. The Fire Official will inspect any and all rapid entry
systems annually.
Each owner, occupant or tenant of a building with a rapid entry system
who opts to make use of the rapid entry system shall enter into a written
agreement with the Borough providing the terms and conditions of the use of
the keys and other contents of the box, the owner's, occupant's or tenant's
contact person, the address and telephone number of said contact person, other
persons who will have access to the rapid entry system and under what conditions
the rapid entry system shall be used.
The installation of the rapid entry system shall not preclude any emergency
responder from using traditional methods to gain emergency access to the building.
The failure of any emergency responder to use the rapid entry system shall
not give rise to liability on the part of the Borough or other unit of government.
It shall be the responsibility of the owner, occupant or tenant to advise
the Fire Official of any change in occupancy or ownership of the building
or any substitution of the contact person within 10 days of such change.