[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
of the Township of Delanco 4-4-2005 by Ord. No. 2005-9. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
B.
Designation of enforcing agency. The local enforcing
agency shall be the Fire Safety Bureau located within the Delanco
Fire District and shall be comprised of the Fire Official, who shall
use the title Fire Marshal, fire inspector(s), who shall use the title
Deputy Fire Marshal, and clerical help as necessary to carry out the
responsibilities of the agency.
C.
Powers and duties and enforcing agency. The local
enforcement agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act, the
codes and regulations adopted under it and this chapter in all buildings,
structures and premises within the Township of Delanco and shall faithfully
comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, the Uniform
Fire Code and this chapter.
D.
Life-hazard uses. The local enforcing agency established
by this chapter shall carry out the periodic inspections of life-hazard
uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioners
of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
E.
Administration of enforcing agency. The Fire Official
shall serve as the chief administrator of the enforcing agency established
by this chapter and shall be under the supervision and control of
the Delanco Fire District Commissioners.
A.
Appointment of Fire Official. The Fire Official shall
be appointed by the Delanco Fire District Commissioners.
B.
Term of office. The Fire Official shall serve on an
annual basis with reappointment required each year by the Delanco
Fire District Commissioners.
C.
Inspectors and employees. Such inspectors and other
employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall
be appointed by the Delanco Fire District Commissioners on an annual
basis with reappointment required each year by the Delanco Fire District
Commissioners.
D.
Removal from office. The Fire Official, inspectors
and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal
for inefficiency or misconduct by the Delanco Fire District Commissioners.
Each employee to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to
be heard by the appointing authority.
E.
Powers and duties of Fire Official. In addition to
those duties established under the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the
Uniform Fire Code, the Fire Official shall:
F.
Appeals. Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform
Fire Safety Act,[1] any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcement
agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of
Appeals of the County of Burlington.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and
52:27D-208, respectively.
G.
Additional required inspections and fees. In addition
to the inspection and fees required pursuant to the Act and the regulations
of the Department of Community Affairs, the following additional inspections
and fees shall be required locally:
(1)
Inspections. The local enforcing agency shall periodically
inspect all premises except owner-occupied detached Use Group R-3
and R-4 structures used exclusively for dwelling purposes as often
as may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining and causing to
be corrected any conditions liable to cause fire, contribute to the
spread of fire, interfere with fire operations, endanger life or any
conditions constituting violations of the provisions or intent of
this chapter or other fire or life safety requirement. Except in the
case of cyclical inspection programs or other good cause, inspections
shall not include occupied dwelling units.
(2)
Registration fees.
(a)
The owner(s) of all business, occupancies, buildings, structures or premises required to be inspected under Subsection A shall apply annually with the local enforcing agency for a certificate of registration upon forms provided by the Fire Official. This requirement does not apply to life-hazard uses registered pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:70.
(b)
It shall be a violation of this code for an
owner to fail to return such forms within 30 days. If the ownership
is transferred, whether by sale, assignment, gift, intestate succession,
devise, reorganization, receivership, foreclosure or execution of
process, the new owner shall file with the local enforcing agency,
within 30 days of transfer, an application for a certificate of registration
pursuant to this subsection.
(c)
Applications shall be accompanied by fees in
accordance with the following:
[Amended 4-16-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-9]
[1]
One- and two-family rental and multifamily residential occupancies
with three or fewer attached dwelling units, the fee shall be $75
per building; and if more than three, the fee shall be $125 per building.
[2]
All other businesses, occupancies, buildings or structures as
follows:
[a]
Registration fees as follows:
|
Total Gross Floor Area, Including the Basement
(square feet)
|
Registration Fee
|
|---|---|
|
0 to 1,000
|
$50
|
|
1,001 to 2,000
|
$55
|
|
2,001 to 2,500
|
$60
|
|
2,501 to 3,000
|
$70
|
|
3,000 to 4,500
|
$80
|
|
4,501 to 5,000
|
$90
|
|
5,001 to 6,000
|
$100
|
|
6,001 to 7,000
|
$110
|
|
7,001 to 7,500
|
$115
|
|
7,501 to 8,000
|
$120
|
|
8,001 to 9,000
|
$135
|
|
9,001 to 9,500
|
$150
|
|
9,501 to 10,500
|
$170
|
|
10,501 to 11,500
|
$200
|
|
11,501 to 12,000
|
$225
|
|
Note: For each additional 1,000 square feet or more, the registration
fee is an additional $20.
|
[c]
Smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and fire
extinguisher inspections. The application fee for a certificate of
smoke detector, carbon monoxide detector and fire extinguisher compliance
(CSDCMAC), as required by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, shall be based upon the
amount of time remaining before the settlement and/or change of occupancy
is expected, as follows:
[i]
Requests for a CSDCMAC received more than 10 business
days prior to the change of occupant: $45;
[ii]
Requests for a CSDCMAC received four to 10 business
days prior to the change of occupant: $90;
[iii]
Requests for a CSDCMAC received fewer than four
business days prior to the change of occupant: $160; and
[iv]
If a reinspection is required, the fee shall be
$30 for each reinspection.
(3)
Waivers. The following users shall be exempt from
the local permit and registration fees; however, they shall be required
to properly apply for such permits and registrations and comply with
all other code requirements.
(a)
Boards of Fire Commissioners.
(b)
Volunteer fire companies.
(c)
Volunteer ambulance squads.
(d)
Nonprofit civic groups, when applying for a
use of an occasional nature (once or twice a year).
(e)
Churches and other recognized religious organizations.
This shall apply to uses where the actual religious service takes
place, uses for religious education purposes or uses of an occasional
nature.
(f)
Township of Delanco.
(4)
Plan review. Initial review of a site plan or subdivision
by the Bureau is required to be made. When any alterations or changes
are undertaken by an applicant which change the original site plan
or subdivision, the plans must be resubmitted and reviewed by the
Bureau. All reviews are valid for a one-year period, after which a
review will be deemed unacceptable and resubmission will be required.
The fees shall be as set forth below:
(a)
Fifty dollars for any minor site plan.
(b)
One-hundred dollars for any major site plan.
(c)
Fifty dollars for any minor subdivision.
(d)
One-hundred-forty-five dollars for any major
subdivision.
(e)
Twenty-five dollars for any resubmission and
review, only after the initial application and one review of the same
has been undertaken.
The permits required and fee for permits shall
be as set forth in the Fire Safety Code.
A.
Fire safety/emergency action plans.
(1)
General. Fire safety evacuation and emergency action
plans shall be prepared as set forth in this section in all locations
inspected under this chapter.
(2)
Approval/distribution. The fire safety evacuation
and emergency action plans shall be approved by the Fire Official
and shall be distributed by the owner to all tenants and employees.
(3)
Evacuation plan. The evacuation plan shall be conspicuously
posted on every floor and in each tenant space for the occupant's
use.
(4)
Maintenance. The fire safety evacuation and emergency
action plans shall be maintained to reflect changes in the use and
physical arrangement of the building.
(5)
Training. If an emergency action plan assigns employees
with specific responsibilities in areas such as evacuation coordination,
fire fighting or material leak and spill handling, the employer shall
provide a minimum of annual training sessions to prepare the employee
for such activities.
(6)
Emergency equipment. Equipment utilized shall be compatible
with that of the local fire district.
B.
Water supplies.
(1)
General. Public and private fire hydrants, connections
and appliances shall be located and maintained in accordance with
this section. Fire hydrants, connections and appliances shall be installed
or modified in compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction
Code.
(2)
Blocking hydrants or connections. No person shall
obscure from view, damage, deface, obstruct or restrict the access
to any fire hydrant or any Fire Department connection for the pressurization
of fire-suppression systems, including fire hydrants or Fire Department
connections that are located on public or private streets and access
lanes or on private property.
(3)
Use of appliances. A person shall not obstruct, remove,
tamper with or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant or fire appliance
required to be installed or maintained under the provisions of this
code except for the purpose of extinguishing fire, training or testing
purposes, recharging or making necessary repairs or when permitted
by the Fire Official. In all cases other than fire extinguishment,
notification and approval of the Fire Official shall be required prior
to such activity. Whenever a fire appliance is removed as herein permitted,
it shall be replaced or reinstalled as soon as the purpose for which
it was removed has been accomplished. Defective and nonapproved fire
appliances or equipment shall be replaced or repaired as directed
by the Fire Official.
(4)
Private yard systems. All new oil storage plants;
lumberyards; amusement or exhibition parks; education or institutional
complexes; residential complexes, such as apartments, townhouses and/or
condominiums; commercial or industrial occupancies; and occupancies
having portions of buildings or structure greater than 200 feet from
a public street or which require quantities of water beyond the capabilities
of the public water distribution system shall be provided with properly
placed fine hydrants. Such fire hydrants shall be connected to a water
system in accordance with fireprotection and local standards. The
Fire Official shall designate and approve the number and placement
of fire hydrants. The Fire Official shall require the installation
of sufficient fire hose and specialized fire-fighting equipment, such
as nozzles, deluges, foams, etc., that he or she shall determine is
necessary and shall require the establishment of a trained fire brigade
when the hazard involved requires such measures. Private hydrants
shall not be removed from service until approved by the Fire Official.
(5)
Fire hydrant local standard. Sections herein shall
be considered minimum standards for the installation and placement
of public or private fire hydrants.
(6)
Public hydrants.
(a)
Hydrants in residential zones shall be spaced
as required by the Residential Site Improvement Standards, N.J.A.C.
5:21.
(b)
Hydrants in business, commercial and industrial
zones shall be spaced with a hydrant at each intersection and one
every 300 feet along the roadway(s) as a minimum requirement.
(7)
Private hydrants. Hydrants installed on private property
shall be located and spaced according to the occupancy and site design
requirements based on fire-fighting needs with other sections herein
utilized as a minimum requirement.
(8)
Additional requirements. All new hydrants, both public
and private, shall have two two-and-five-tenths-inch outlets and one
four-and-five-tenths-inch outlet with National Standard threads and
shall be located within 24 inches of a curb, roadway, fire lane or
parking area. All new hydrants, public or private, shall be installed
in accordance with the standards of the American Water Works Association
and NFPA 24.
(9)
Approval. The Fire Official shall approve the placement
of all fire hydrants prior to installation.
(10)
Fire Department connections. All new and existing
Fire Department connections should be provided with a sign as approved
by the Fire Official designating the connection to provide for quick
locating of the connection by responding fire equipment.
(11)
Temporary water. All parties shall at any temporary
construction site provide a water source for fire-fighting purposes
subject to the approval by the Fire Official.
A.
Barbecue grills.
(1)
Barbecue grills in multifamily dwellings shall not
be located for use within or upon any building or within 15 feet laterally
of any building wall or overhang. Barbecue grills shall not be stored
within 15 feet laterally of any building wall or overhang.
(a)
Exception. This subsection does not apply to
the use of electric barbecue grills or to any grill used at a detached
one- or two-family dwelling.
(2)
No gas lines (propane or natural gas) shall be utilized
relative to the barbecue grills unless the gas line is installed with
a protective shield as approved by the Fire Official.
(3)
Responsibility. Condominium associations, homeowner
associations, property mangers and/or owners of residential complexes
and common areas shall be required to actively pursue compliance with
this requirement as part of their routine control over such common
areas through notices, newsletters and enforcement of their own rules
and regulations.
B.
Access.
(1)
All buildings or structures protected by fire alarms
shall be provided with a key box approved by the Fire Official. The
key box shall contain keys to provide access to all areas of the building
or structure and shall be installed in a location approved by the
Fire Official; such key box shall only be utilized in response to
a report of a fire or fire protection system activation or other emergency
call from the Police Communications Center.
(3)
Key box. The key box shall be provided with a monitored
tamper switch and shall be located in a lighted location, six feet
above grade.
(4)
Installation. Key boxes shall be installed within
one year of receiving a notice from the Fire Official.
(5)
Knox box keys. Knox box keys shall be issued to the
Fire Safety Bureau staff and to the Fire Chief of each Fire Department
or fire company within the Township. Each individual receiving keys
shall be responsible for the security of same at all times.
Prior to the closing of any street, notification
shall be made to the Fire Official and the fire company in whose area
the street is located. Such notice shall include why the street is
to be closed, when the street is to be closed and how long such closing
shall last. Notification shall also be made upon the reopening of
the street.
A.
Parking, standing and obstruction prohibited. No person,
firm or corporation shall park or stop any vehicle or place any obstruction
in or upon any fire lane.
(1)
Exception: authorized emergency vehicles on official
business.
B.
Removal of obstruction. The Fire Official or a police
officer of Delanco Township shall have the authority to remove or
have removed such obstructions or vehicles as may violate the preceding
subsection entitled, "Parking, standing and obstruction prohibited,"
at the expense of the owner of the premises in the case of obstructions
or at the expense of the owner of the vehicle.
C.
Existing lanes. All fire lanes in existence prior
to the adoption of this chapter shall be properly maintained and shall
be enforceable under the subsections entitled, "Parking, standing
and obstruction prohibited" and "Removal of obstruction." For the
purpose of this chapter, the terms "fire zone" and "fire lane" shall
be interchangeable.
D.
Enforcement. The first three subsections under the
section entitled "Fire lanes" of this chapter shall be jointly enforceable
by the Fire Official and the police officers of the Delanco Police
Department.
A.
Prohibited acts. It shall be a violation of this chapter
for any person, firm or corporation to:
(1)
Obstruct, hinder, delay or interfere by force or otherwise
with the Fire Safety Bureau in the exercise of any power or the discharge
of any function or duty under the provisions of the chapter.
(2)
Prepare, utter or render any false statement pertaining
to reports, documents, plans or specifications permitted or required
under the provisions of this chapter.
(3)
Render ineffective or inoperative, or fail to properly
maintain, any protective equipment or system installed, or intended
to be installed, in a building or structure.
(4)
Refuse or fail to comply with a lawful ruling, action,
order or notice of the Fire Safety Bureau.
(5)
Violate or cause to be violated any of the provisions
of this chapter.
(6)
Refuse to provide identification and/or vehicle registration
information.
B.
Summons. The Fire Official and/or Fire Inspectors
shall be empowered to issue a Municipal Court summons for violations
of this chapter.
C.
Violations and penalties. Any person, firm or corporation
found guilty in the Municipal Court for a violation of the provisions
of this chapter shall be subject to a fine of not less than $50 nor
more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not exceeding 90
days, or both. Each and every day a violations continues shall be
a separate offense. Such penalty shall not relieve the violator of
the duty to take corrective actions.
