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Township of Mount Laurel, NJ
Burlington County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (5) Index Notes (1)
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Mount Laurel 11-8-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-19[1]. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 81, Fire Prevention, adopted 8-5-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-12, as amended in its entirety 3-1-2004 by Ord. No. 2004-3.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202(a), the most current version of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition as adopted by the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety shall be locally enforced within the Township of Mount Laurel, in all uses.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Bureau of Fire Prevention of Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 within its jurisdictional limits as designated by the establishing ordinance, which limits are coincidental with the limits of the boundaries of the Township of Mount Laurel.
The local enforcement agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries of the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
A. 
The local enforcing agency established by § 81-2 of this chapter shall carry out the periodic inspections of life-hazard uses; non-life-hazard uses shall be inspected at least every 18 months.
B. 
All new tenants must register with the Bureau of Fire Prevention of Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 prior to occupancy. Failure to comply with this section will incur a penalty of not more than $100.
The local enforcement agency established by § 81-2 of this chapter shall be part of the Fire District and shall be under the supervision of the Fire Official, who shall report to the Board of Fire Commissioners and any such other officer as the Board may, by resolution, designate.
A. 
Appointment of Fire Official. Enforcement of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code shall be under the supervision of the Fire Official, who shall be appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 in compliance with regulations set forth by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.
B. 
Inspectors and employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall be appointed by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1, in compliance with regulations set forth by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.
C. 
Removal from office. The Fire Official, fire inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the Board of Fire Commissioners of the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1, for inefficiency or misconduct as prescribed in the Mount Laurel Fire Department Disciplinary Code and in compliance with regulations set forth by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission.
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and 208 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any notice, order or action of the local enforcement agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Burlington County, unless the Township of Mount Laurel has established such a Construction Board of Appeals. In the event of the creation of a Construction Board of Appeals by the Township of Mount Laurel, such appeal will be to the Township Board of Appeals.
A. 
There shall be a minimum of $50 registration fee and a square-footage fee as referenced in Table 81-8(c) required for all non-life-hazard facilities, structures, occupancies, and uses subject to registration of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
B. 
The tenant, business, owner, or user shall be responsible for the registration fee.
C. 
The square-footage fee table is listed below:
Table 81-8(c)
Gross Floor Area
Square-footage Fee
0 square feet to 500 square feet
$50
501 square feet to 2,500 square feet
$100
2,501 square feet to 5,000 square feet
$200
5,001 square feet to 10,000 square feet
$400
10,001 square feet to 25,000 square feet
$600
25,001 square feet to 50,000 square feet
$800
50,001 square feet to 75,000 square feet
$1,000
75,001 square feet to 100,000 square feet
$1,200
Each additional 100,000 square feet
$100
D. 
In the case of sublet space, the building owner, principal occupant, or lessor shall be responsible for the annual square-footage inspection fee, and each sublet tenant will remain responsible for the minimum registration fee of $50.
E. 
The regular business hours of the Bureau of Fire Prevention of the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 shall be 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. After-hour inspection fees, where inspections are requested to be performed after regular business hours, the following fee schedule shall be implemented upon passage of this chapter:
Table 81-8(e)
1 hour or less
$75
1 hour to 4 hours
$300
4 hours to 8 hours
$600
F. 
The fee schedule for Certificate of Smoke Alarm, Carbon Monoxide Alarm, and Portable Fire Extinguisher Compliance (CSACMAPFEC) shall take effect upon passage of this chapter and NJAC 5:70-2.9(d) and not to be less than listed below and may be adjusted with amendments by the state, but not to exceed future fee schedule adjustments:
Table 81-8(f)
Application fee, if requested
More than 10 business days
$65
Between 4 and 10 business days
$100
Fewer than 4 business days
$140
G. 
Other fees that shall take effect immediately following passage of this chapter:
Table 81-8(g)
Service
Fee
Fire watch (per hour/per fire fighter)
$75
Fire extinguisher training (per person)
$25
Site plan review (per hour) billed at 1/2 hour minimum
$150
Special meeting fee (per hour) billed at 1/2 hour minimum
$150
Returned check fees or actual recovery cost, whichever is higher.
$35
Fire apparatus
$150
Chief Officer/Fire Official
$150
Fire Officer
$100
Firefighter/Inspector or Fire Inspector
$75
H. 
Civil Court appearances and depositions. Any employee or volunteer member of the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 subpoenaed to testify in civil court or a deposition shall appear and compensation to the Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 shall be set forth in Table 81-8(g) and the federal mileage rate plus tolls for distances exceeding 25 miles.
I. 
No fees for any inspection shall be charged for occupancies operated by any governmental agency.
A. 
Fees shall be in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code Fee Permit Schedule NJAC 5:70-2.9 et seq. and not to be less than listed below:
Table 81-9(a)
Type 1
$54
Type 2
$214
Type 3
$427
Type 4
$641
B. 
In addition to permit fees, after-hour inspection fees shall be charged in accordance with § 81-8E.
Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
Public buildings: Fire lanes/fire zones shall be designated on all land use plans and specifications for new construction or remodeling of any building. The Fire Official shall make recommendations as to the manner in which fire lanes and fire zones could be laid out to the owner and to the Planning Board and Zoning Board of Adjustment.
B. 
Design: Each fire lane shall be constructed to a minimum width of 20 feet, no greater than 5° (8.7%) grade/slope, and capable of supporting a minimum truck weight of 80,000 pounds. Construction of the fire lane can be combined with a pedestrian path appropriately located and constructed. The minimum vertical clearance shall not be less than 14 feet. All fire lanes shall be visually designated either by their form or by the material used in their construction. In the event that a stable base with grass or sod topping is used in order to have the fire lanes blend with the landscaping, their location shall be shown by appropriate shrubbery or other designation authorized by the Bureau of Fire Prevention, Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1. When determining the type of construction that is appropriate for the fire lane, consideration shall be given to the aesthetics of the site. When the turning radius is less than 28 feet of any travel lane, driveway, street, fire lane, fire zone, or fire department access road, the inside radius must be mountable curb and stabilized to accommodate the Mount Laurel Fire Department ladder truck weight of 80,000 pounds.
C. 
Location: Fire lanes shall be located so as to serve the entire building from the building site, so as to provide the most direct means of access for all emergency vehicles and to be sufficiently close to the building to provide the means to provide protection for the structure while being far enough removed so as to provide safety for the emergency vehicles using the fire lanes in the event of the collapse of the building. However, the ultimate authority, with respect to the determination for the location of the fire lanes and fire zones, shall lie with the Fire Official for the Township of Mount Laurel. The Fire Official shall make the aforesaid determination after reviewing recommendations of both the Township Engineer and Township Planner.
D. 
Signs and markings: Fire lanes and fire zones shall be appropriately posted with signs indicating the words "No Parking - Fire Lane" or "No Parking - Fire Zone" in red letters on a white background, with a red line bounding the perimeter of the sign, said sign to be a minimum of 12 inches by 18 inches, made with rust-resistant reflectorized coating, posted at the ends of each fire lane and at one-hundred-foot intervals therein. Fire zone areas shall also be designated by covering the face and top of the curb or painting a four-inch line on the pavement of the prohibited area with a solid yellow color of paint. The above criteria for the painting of fire areas is to be considered the minimum, and additional painting may be placed on the site consisting of crosshatches, solid yellow areas or such other designations, in addition to the curb or four-inch strip on the pavement as may serve as to act as deterrent to parking in fire zones.
E. 
Fire lane enforcement:
(1) 
It shall be unlawful for anyone to park, block, or obstruct a fire lane or emergency access road at any time.
(2) 
The Fire Official and Fire Inspectors of the designated local enforcing agencies of Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 are empowered to issue summonses to any offending party.
(3) 
All such summonses will be on a form cognizable before the Municipal Court of the Township of Mount Laurel, and any and all hearings to be held in connection with any summonses issued hereunder shall be held before said Municipal Court pursuant to the penalty enforcement Law, N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 et seq.
(4) 
The penalty for violation § 81-10E(1) of this code shall be a maximum fine of $100 and, in addition thereto the Police Department of the Township of Mount Laurel shall have the authority to cause said vehicle found in violation to be towed and stored at the owner's expense.
(5) 
Towing expense: Any vehicle that is towed as a result of a violation of this section shall be towed at the expense of the registered owner of such vehicle.
(6) 
Interpretation of provisions: This section shall not be construed as to repeal or be inconsistent with § 154-69 but shall be concurrently enforced by both police authorities and authorized fire inspectors.
Chapter 3 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
For the purposes of this section, an approved outdoor fire shall be classified as any fire taking place on a residential property within Mount Laurel Township for the sole purpose of providing warmth, recreation, heating, cooking, and ceremonial use.
(1) 
Fuel for outdoor fires shall be limited to seasoned firewood, natural gas or propane.
(2) 
Fire pits shall not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height total fuel area.
(a) 
Fire pits shall not be located within 25 feet of a structure, combustible materials, combustible vegetation and/or property lines.
(3) 
Fire in approved containers are defined as chimineas and/or other commercially manufactured containers designed and built for its specific use for seasoned firewood, natural gas, or propane.
(a) 
Approved containers shall not be located within 15 feet of a structure, combustible materials, combustible vegetation and property lines.
(b) 
Approved containers shall not be located in or on any residential/apartment unit; porch, balcony, covered patio area or any other private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit.
B. 
Outdoor fire enforcement:
(1) 
The Fire Officials, fire inspectors and Fire Chiefs of Mount Laurel Fire District No. 1 or mutual aid personnel acting on their behalf are empowered to have any outdoor fire extinguished for the following reasons:
(a) 
A complaint is filed in regards to a smoke condition.
(b) 
Any unsafe condition is determined by the fire department.
(c) 
If NJ's forestry service has determined drought conditions.
C. 
Administrative charges:
(1) 
Single-family and two-family dwellings:
(a) 
Upon a second incident during any calendar year where any of the conditions of Subsection B(1) above exists, an administrative charge of $100 will be levied.
(b) 
Upon the third and/or subsequent incidents of the above Subsection C(1)(a) during any calendar year, an administrative charge of $250 will be levied.
Chapter 10 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
When exit signs are required, additional approved low-level exit signs which are internally illuminated, photo luminescent or self-luminous, shall be provided in all interior exit corridors serving guest rooms of hotels in Group R-1. The bottom of the sign shall not be less than six inches or more than eight inches above the floor level. For exit doors, the sign shall be on the door or adjacent to the door with the closest edge of the sign within four inches of the latch side of the doorframe.
B. 
Business use group floor-level exit signs. When exit signs are required, additional approved reflective exit signs shall be provided in business use group buildings, three or more stories, the bottom of the sign shall be not less than six inches or more than eight inches above the floor level. For exit doors to stairwells, the sign shall be on the door or adjacent to the door with the closest edge of the sign within four inches of the latch side of the doorframe.
C. 
Implementation. All residential. All electrical-operated low-level exit signs required by § 81-12 must be installed within three years of the adoption of the section.
D. 
All reflective low-level exit signs required by § 81-12B must be installed within one year of adoption of the section.
Chapter 5 of the New Jersey International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented to add as follows:
All doorway entrances and/or exits for commercial establishments shall have printed thereon, in block letters, at least three inches high and approximately six inches from the top of the doorway, in conspicuously contrasting colors, the name of the commercial establishment located therein; provided, however, that there shall be exempt from this requirement such main entrance or entrances as are otherwise conspicuously and clearly marked with the identity of the commercial establishment located therein. It is the intent of this provision that emergency personnel arriving at the scene of a fire or other emergency have immediate identification of access routes to commercial occupancies located in a particular commercial building or buildings.
Chapter 3 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
No person shall store or park or cause to store or park any internal-combustion engine vehicle, including but not limited to those commonly known as a "motorcycle," "moped," "go-cart," "dirt bike," "lawnmower," "snowblower," etc., in or on any apartment/residential unit; porch, balcony, covered patio area, entrance, exit or any other private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit.
A. 
Approval by Fire Official: No person shall store, park or cause to store or park an internal-combustion engine vehicle in any occupancies not in conformity with the Uniform Construction Code unless approved by the Fire Official.
Chapter 9 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
Fire Department connection and fire hydrants. Use of fire hydrants. A person shall not use or operate any fire hydrant intended for the use of the Fire Department for fire-suppression purposes unless such person first secures a permit for such use from the Fire Official and the water company and the municipal utilities authority having jurisdiction. This section shall not apply to the use of such hydrants by a person employed by, and authorized to make such use by, the water company having jurisdiction. This section shall not be construed as to repeal Ordinance No. 1980-16. Exception: testing when approved by the Fire Official.
(1) 
It shall be unlawful to obscure from view, damage, deface, obstruct or restrict the access to any fire hydrant or any Fire Department connection, including fire hydrants and Fire Department connections that are located on public or private streets, access lanes, or on private property.
B. 
Placement of fire hydrants and mains. The Fire Official shall report to the Planning Board, the Zoning Board of Adjustment, the Minor Site Plan Alteration Committee, the property owner and/or the water company and/or the Municipal Utilities Authority having jurisdiction on land use, subdivision(s), site plan(s), temporary use permits, and zoning approvals. The applicant shall prepare plans in accordance with the requirements adopted herein. The applicant shall be responsible for off-site improvements that affect the site fire flow requirements adopted herein.
C. 
Fire Department connections, fire hydrants and water supplies.
(1) 
Required water supply for fire protection. An approved water supply capable of supplying the required and reliable fire flow for fire protection shall be provided to all premises upon which facilities, buildings, uses or portions of buildings or uses are hereafter constructed. When any portion of the facility or building protected is in excess of 100 feet from a water supply on a public street, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains capable of supplying the required and reliable fire flow shall be provided when required by the Fire Official.
(2) 
Type of water supply. Water supply is allowed to consist of reservoirs, pressure tanks, elevated tanks, water mains or other fixed systems capable of providing the required fire flow. In setting the requirements for fire flow, the Fire Official shall be guided by Tables 81-15.1 and 81-15.2.
(3) 
Fire hydrant systems. Testing and maintenance. Fire hydrant systems shall be subject to such periodic tests as required by the Fire Official. Fire hydrant systems shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing shall be in accordance with approved standards. Painting shall be in accordance with the Mount Laurel Fire Department standard as follows:
(a) 
Fire hydrant barrel shall be painted with brilliant red or yellow in accordance with the water authority having jurisdiction. Private fire hydrants shall be painted light blue. Dry hydrants drafting point hydrants, and other nonpotable systems shall be painted violet (light purple) and the painting shall be the responsibility of the property owner.
(b) 
The bonnet and two-and-one-half-inch hose connections shall be painted with white reflective paint.
(c) 
The four-and-one-half-inch (steamer) connection will be painted with the color code identifying flow in accordance with N.F.P.A. standard 291.
(d) 
All Fire Department connections shall have the identification signs painted with the color code identifying the flow in accordance with N.F.P.A. standard 291.
[1] 
Flow indicators. The four-and-one-half-inch (steamer) connection shall be color-coded to indicate the hydrant's available flow at 20 psi. Standard color codes are as follows:
Table 81-15.1
NFPA 291, Chap. 3
Class C
Less than 500 GPM
Red
Class B
500-999 GPM
Orange
Class A
1000-1499 GPM
Green
Class AA
1500 GPM and above
Light blue
(e) 
On the face of the four-and-one-half-inch steamer cap above the center nut, one-and-one-half-inch numeral of a contrasting color will illustrate the size in inches of the water main servicing that hydrant.
(f) 
All private hydrants will meet this standard.
(4) 
Protection of hydrants. When exposed to potential vehicular damage, fire hydrant shall be suitably protected as approved by the Fire Official.
(5) 
Fire flow requirements. The procedure determining fire flow requirements for building uses or portions of buildings, and uses shall be in accordance with Table 81-15.1 or the national accepted reference approved by the Fire Official.
(6) 
Definitions. Fire area is a floor area, in square feet, used to determine the required fire flow. Fire flow is the flow rate of a water supply, measured at 20 psi residual pressure, which is available for firefighting.
(7) 
Decreases. Fire flow requirements may be modified downward by the Fire Official for isolated buildings or a group of buildings in rural areas where the development of full fire flow requirements is impractical.
(8) 
Increases. Fire flow may be modified upward by the Fire Official where conditions indicate an unusual susceptibility to group fires or conflagrations. An upward modification shall not be more than twice that required for the building under consideration.
(9) 
Fire area.
(a) 
General. The fire area shall be the total floor area of all floor levels within the exterior walls, and under the horizontal projections of the roof of a building, except as modified in Subsection C(9)(b) and (c) below.
(b) 
Area separation. Portions of buildings that are separated by one or more two-hour area separation walls constructed in accordance with the Uniform Construction Code are allowed to be considered as separate fire areas.
(c) 
The fire area of buildings constructed shall be the area of the three largest successive floors.
(10) 
Fire flow requirements for buildings:
(a) 
Detached one- and two-family dwellings. The minimum fire flow and flow duration requirements for one- and two-family dwellings having a fire area that does not exceed 3,000 square feet shall be 1,000 gallons per minute. Fire flow and flow duration for dwellings having a fire area in excess of 3,000 square feet shall not be less than that specified in Table 81-15.1 or the State of New Jersey Residential Site Improvement Standards.
[1] 
Exception: A reduction in required fire flow of 50%, as approved by the Fire Official, is allowed when the building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system.
(b) 
Detached buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings. The minimum fire flow and flow duration for buildings other than one- and two-family dwellings shall be as specified in Table 81-15.1.
[1] 
Exception: A reduction in required fire flow of up to 50%, as approved by the Fire Official, is allowed when the building is provided with an approved automatic sprinkler system. The resulting fire flow shall not be less than 1,500 gallons per minute.
(11) 
Fire hydrant locations and distribution.
(a) 
Location. Fire hydrants shall be provided when required along required fire apparatus access roads, adjacent public streets, on each site within 100 feet of any portion of the facility or building and within 50 feet of any Fire Department Connection.
(b) 
Number of fire hydrants. The minimum number of fire hydrants required to a building or use shall not be less than that listed in Table 81-15.2. The number of fire hydrants available to a complex or subdivision shall not be less than that determined by spacing requirements listed in Table 81-15.2.
(c) 
Consideration of existing fire hydrants. Existing fire hydrants on public streets are allowed to be considered as available. Existing fire hydrants on adjacent properties shall not be considered available unless fire apparatus access roads extend between properties and easements are established to prevent obstruction of such roads.
(d) 
Distribution of fire hydrants.
[1] 
The average spacing between fire hydrants shall not exceed that listed in Table 81-15.2. Regardless of the average spacing, fire hydrants shall be located such that all points on streets and access roads adjacent to a building are within the distances listed in Table 81-15.2.
[2] 
Fire hydrants must be located within 50 feet of all Fire Department Connections (Siamese).
[3] 
Fire hydrants must be located on all sites and within 100 feet of any portion of the facility or building as determined by the Fire Official.
Table 81-15.2 - Number and Distribution of Fire Hydrants
Fire Flow Requirement
(gpm) X 3.785
(for L/min)
Minimum Number of Hydrants
Average Spacing Between Hydrants
(feet)
1,000 or less
1
500
1,250
2
450
3,000
3
400
3,500 to 4,000
4
350
4,500 to 5,000
5
300
5,500
6
300
6,000
6
250
6,500 to 7,000
7
250
7,500 or more
8
200
NOTES:
1
Reduce by 100 feet for dead-end streets, roads, or culs-de-sac.
2
Where streets are provided with median dividers which can be crossed by fire fighters pulling hose lines, or arterial streets are provided with four or more traffic lanes and have a traffic count of more than 30,000 vehicles per day, hydrant spacing shall average 500 feet on each side of the street and be arranged on an alternating basis up to a fire flow requirement of 7,000 gallons per minute and 400 feet for higher fire-flow requirements.
3
Dead-end mains shall be limited to 500 feet and/or not more than one fire hydrant. Dead-end mains must meet the required fire flow.
4
Where new water mains are extended along streets where hydrants are not needed for protection of structures or similar fire problems, fire hydrants shall be provided at spacing not to exceed 1,000 feet (305 m) to provide for transportation hazards.
5
One hydrant for each 1,000 gallons per minute or fraction thereof.
6
A fire hydrant must he located within 50 feet of any Fire Department fire protection connection (Siamese).
NOTE: Exception to Table 81-15.2: Residential subdivisions approved in accordance with Residential Site Improvement Standards, Chapter 5, are not obligated to follow this table.
Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
Fire Department access: Required access. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided in accordance with §§ 81-10 and 81-16 of the Code for every facility, use, building or portion of a building when any portion of a facility or any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of the building is located more than 100 feet from a fire apparatus access roads as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or the facility in accordance with §§ 81-10 and 81-16 of this Code. Fire Department access roads shall include public and private roadways and travel lanes.
B. 
Exceptions:
(1) 
When buildings are completely protected with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system, the provisions may be modified by the Fire Official.
(2) 
When access roads cannot be installed due to location on property, topography, waterways, non-negotiable grades or other similar conditions, the Fire Official is authorized to allow additional fire protection.
(3) 
More than one fire apparatus access road shall be provided when it is determined by the Fire Official that access by a single road might be impaired by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.
Dimensions. Reference § 81-10B of this Code.
EXCEPTION: Vertical clearance may be reduced, provided such reduction does not impair access by fire apparatus and approved signs are installed and maintained indicating the established vertical clearance when approved by the Fire Official.
(4) 
General. The required width of a fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances shall be maintained at all times. Entrances to roads, trails or other accessways which have been closed with gates and barriers shall not be obstructed by parked vehicles.
(5) 
Closure of accessways. The Fire Official is authorized to require the installation and maintenance of gates and barricades across roads, trails or other accessways, not including public streets, alleys or highways. When required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails, and other accessways which have been closed and obstructed shall not be trespassed upon or used unless authorized by the owner and the Fire Official.
C. 
Blocking fire access roads. No person or persons without appropriate municipal authority shall erect, construct, place or maintain any bumps, humps, or any traffic-calming devices, fences, gates, chains, bars, pipes, wood or metal horses, or any other type of obstruction or on any street, within the boundaries of the municipality, so as to impede the flow of emergency vehicles. The word "street" as used in this chapter shall mean any roadway accessible to the public for vehicular traffic, including but not limited to private streets or access lanes, as well as all public streets and highways within the boundaries of the municipality.
Chapter 9 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
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 the Fire Prevention Code except for the purpose of extinguishing fires, training or testing purposes, recharging, or making necessary repairs, or when permitted by the Fire Official. 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.
Chapter 10 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
In all hotels, R-1, and business occupancies more than three stories in height, the building owner will have the responsibility to install the following:
(1) 
On all stair tower doors placed on the stair side of the door, six-inch reflective lettering that will designate the Fire Department division by letter A, B, C, or D, as designated and approved by the Fire Official, followed by a dash, then the number which corresponds to the floor.
Example: A stair tower that exits to the front of the building will identify that you are on the 7th floor; the door marking would be A-7.
(2) 
The above-described lettering will be in the door itself, six inches to eight inches from the floor (stairwell side).
(3) 
The color of the lettering will be of a contrasting color to the door, legible during both daylight and night vision.
Chapter 3 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
Trash enclosures, dumpsters, and compactors containing combustibles shall not be placed in buildings of within 15 feet of exterior of a building wall, openings, or roof eave lines.
Exception: Area protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with N.F.P.A. 13.
Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
All sites, buildings or uses with fire protection connections (Siamese):
(1) 
Fire hydrants must be located within 50 feet of all Fire Department connections (Siamese).
Subchapter 4, 4.19 of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be supplemented to add as follows:
A. 
Residential smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. No one- and two-family residences shall be sold or rented or subleased or occupancy changed unless and until the residence shall have installed therein and thereafter maintained an approved smoke alarm or detection system. The detectors shall be sensitive to any of the products of combustion. Alarm-signaling devices shall be clearly audible in all bedrooms when all intervening doors are closed. For the purpose of installation and maintenance, only the applicable sections of the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.P.A.) 72, shall be considered accepted engineering practices.
B. 
Residential smoke detectors (alarms) and carbon monoxide detectors (alarms) shall be maintained as installed at the time of first occupancy and in accordance with the Construction Code in effect at first occupancy. In addition, smoke detectors (alarms) shall be required on all levels and within 10 feet of each sleeping area. Carbon monoxide detectors (alarms) are required within the vicinity of each sleeping area and may be battery-operated, hard-wired, or plug-in type. However, electrically operated smoke detectors (alarms) as originally installed may not be replaced with battery-operated and must be maintained with electrical detectors. All detectors must be less than 10 years old. Any AC smoke detectors (alarms) replaced may be replaced with an (AC/DC) electrical detector with battery backup. AC smoke detectors (alarms) originally installed prior to 1991 are recommended to be replaced with AC/DC. DC single station smoke detectors (alarms) shall be ten-year sealed battery-powered listed in accordance with ANSI/UL 217. All interconnections between detectors must be maintained as originally installed. All detectors within the subject occupancy shall be tested for proper operation. Nonrequired and nonfunctional detectors must be removed so as not to give the impression of protection.
Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
Criteria for requirements. The owner, tenant, and/or occupant(s) of the following types of building(s) or structure(s) to have installed on their building(s) or structure(s) a rapid-entry key box, to be located in an accessible location, as determined by the Fire Official:
(1) 
All hotels, motels or multiple dwellings that are occupied throughout the day or night and have common corridors to living units or spaces.
(2) 
Any property that utilizes a locked gate to control vehicle access to the property.
(3) 
All structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic fire- suppression system.
(4) 
Any building equipped with an elevator.
(5) 
Any structure deemed by the Fire Official that would be difficult to access because of secured openings.
(6) 
Exception: Any property protected by on-site twenty-four-hour, seven-days-a-week security guard service, maintenance or nursing staff. One- and two-family dwellings.
B. 
Approval of system type; keys. The type of rapid-entry-key-box system to be installed shall be approved by the Bureau of Fire Prevention prior to the purchase of same. The Bureau of Fire Prevention may request, and the owner of the building or structure concerned shall provide, two sets of keys for the following areas within the building or structure: Pass or master keys, as may be available; boiler rooms; sprinkler rooms and control valves; fire alarm control panel; electrical rooms; elevators and elevator control rooms; and such other room(s) or door(s) requested by the Fire Department where entry may be required.
C. 
Additional materials as deemed necessary. In addition to keys, combination access codes for locks and doors shall be stored within the rapid-key-box-entry system. Material safety data sheets, emergency contact numbers and other pertinent information as may be deemed necessary to deal with emergencies at the site may be required to be within the rapid-key-box-entry system as well.
D. 
Time frame for compliance. All new buildings meeting the criteria of § 81-22, constructed after the effective date of this section, shall have a rapid-entry key box installed and operational prior to issuance of certificate of occupancy, and all existing buildings, within 90 days of the effective date of this article, shall be provided with a rapid-entry key box.
E. 
Privacy protection. Notwithstanding the provisions of any other section of this article, no official, employee or member of the Bureau of Fire Prevention or Fire Department shall request, nor shall an owner be required to provide, a key to any self-contained, individual living space area, unit or room.
F. 
Keys and information kept up-to-date. The owner or operator of any occupancy or structure that requires a rapid-entry-key-box system shall be required to have kept therein updated keys and documents for all locks and structures as required at all times.
G. 
Violations and penalties. Violators of this article shall be subject to penalties as set forth in the Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12.
Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code New Jersey Edition shall be supplemented as follows:
A. 
Effective as of the date of this passing, all new commercial properties or business registrations will be required to have noncombustible decorative landscaping within three feet of any exterior wall. This section will be enforced during the site plan review process. All existing commercial properties will be required to convert to noncombustible decorative landscaping within three years.