[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council
of the Borough of Runnemede as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 11-4-1981 by Ord. No. 387 (Ch.
91 of the 1970 Code)]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated:
Any room or rooms, or suite or apartment thereof, whether
furnished or unfurnished, which is occupied or intended or arranged
or designed to be occupied for sleeping or dwelling purposes by one
or more persons, including but not limited to the owner thereof or
any of his servants, agents or employees, and shall include all privileges,
services, furnishings, furniture, equipment, facilities and improvements
connected with the use of or occupancy thereof.
Any building, including but not limited to any related structure,
accessory building and land appurtenant thereto and any part thereof,
which contains 10 or more units of dwelling space or has sleeping
facilities for 25 or more persons and is kept, used, maintained, advertised
as or held out to be a place where sleeping or dwelling accommodations
are available to transient or permanent guests. This definition also
means and includes any motor hotel, motel or established guesthouse
which is commonly regarded as a motor hotel, motel or established
guesthouse, as the case may be, in the community in which it is located.
Any building or structure of one or more stories and any
land appurtenant thereto and any portion thereof, in which three or
more units of dwelling space are occupied or are intended to be occupied
by three or more persons who live independently of each other.
A smoke detector which may be either a single-station unit
interconnected with other single-station units for common alarm annunciation
or a smoke detector of the non-self-contained alarm type connected
to a remote alarm in a system designed to be connected to an alternating
current (AC) power supply source.
A person who owns, purports to own or exercises control of
any hotel or multiple dwelling.
A smoke detector which contains integral alarms capable of
emitting a minimum sound intensity of 85 dB(A)s at a ten-foot distance,
an easily seen and activated manual unit test button or approved alternative
and a power source monitor light or trouble signal. All such units
shall be listed as conforming to latest UL 217 requirements and shall
be installed and maintained as per manufacturers' recommendations
and shall comply with the latest NFPA No. 72 E and No. 74 standards
for design and performance.
A fire alarm device which consists of an assembly of electrical
components, including a smoke chamber and provision for connection
to a power source and may either be a single-station unit or a multiple-station
unit.
A smoke detector not containing an alarm, which is interconnected
to a common alarm series of alarms.
A sticker or a piece of oaktag or cardboard, attached or
affixed to a smoke detector, containing space for the entry of initials
of the person inspecting each detector and the date of inspection.
A.
Within 90 days from the effective date of this article,
smoke detectors shall be installed in all existing hotels and multiple
dwellings by their respective owners. With regard to all hotels and
multiple dwellings constructed after the effective date of this article,
smoke detectors shall be installed therein by the respective owners
by the completion of said construction and prior to the issuance of
a certificate of occupancy for said hotel or multiple dwelling. All
matters governed by this article shall be under the enforcement and
control of the Fire Subcode Official of the Borough of Runnemede.
B.
All smoke detectors to be installed in accordance
with this article shall be Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. (UL),
Factory Mutual Research Corporation (FM) or other nationally recognized
testing laboratory listed ionization or photoelectric-type units,
and shall meet the other standards as set forth with more particularity
in this article.
C.
The power source of all smoke detectors referred to
in this article shall be an alternating-current (AC), constantly active
electric circuit which cannot be deactivated by the operation of any
interconnected switching device and shall comply with the latest NFPA-70
(National Electrical Code) requirements. As an alternative, ten-year
sealed battery-powered single-station smoke alarms may be installed
in dwelling units, provided that the following conditions are met:
[Amended 12-30-2019 by Ord. No. 19-15]
(1)
The owner or his representative shall inspect and
clean all units and replace batteries in all units annually or as
otherwise required per manufacturers' printed recommendations. The
owner or his representative shall place a tag on each unit and shall
place the date of inspection and his initials on the tag. Entries
shall be made on the tag upon initial installation, whenever a change
of occupant occurs, when any report of malfunction of the unit is
corrected and required maintenance is performed. An entry made on
the tag shall constitute a certification that the unit is operating
properly. Tags shall be attached or affixed so as not to impair the
functioning of the unit.
(2)
The owner of a multiple dwelling shall supply each
occupant with a copy of the manufacturer's printed instructions for
testing of the installed smoke detector unit. The owner or the Fire
Subcode Official, if such occupant is unable to perform the required
monthly testing of a smoke detector unit in his dwelling unit or have
this performed by a member of his household, shall perform such monthly
testing.
(3)
The owner of a hotel or his representative shall inspect
each smoke detector unit whenever a change of occupant occurs, shall
clean or repair the same or replace the batteries whenever necessary.
(4)
In all common areas of all multiple dwellings and
hotels and in dwelling units in hotels and as may be further set forth
in other sections of this article, the owner or his representative
shall test all smoke detectors monthly and maintain them and repair
them as per manufacturers' recommendations.
(5)
Every occupant of dwelling units in a multiple dwelling
shall test all detector units in his own dwelling unit monthly and
report any malfunctioning immediately to the owner. If an occupant
is incapable of performing this testing due to mental or physical
impairment and has no member of his household capable of performing
such testing, he shall notify the owner accordingly.
(6)
The required location for the installation of smoke
detectors shall be as follows:
(a)
In dwelling units in hotels and multiple dwellings,
smoke detectors shall be installed at the following locations:
[1]
Each dwelling unit in a multiple dwelling or
hotel shall have a minimum of one approved single-station smoke detector
located in close proximity to each sleeping area. Smoke detectors
shall be located so that the maximum distance from the detector to
any sleeping area exit door shall not exceed 10 feet. If any required
detector is to be located closer than five feet to a kitchen or a
bathroom area, it shall be of the photoelectric type only.
[2]
A basement or a cellar directly connected to
a dwelling unit and used by occupants of that unit only shall have
a minimum of one approved smoke detector located in the highest ceiling
area or at the ceiling of the first-floor stair landing or other approved
location where the earliest detection of fire would activate the alarm.
(b)
Common areas in all buildings that do not comply
with minimum life safety requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction
Code shall be required to have an approved system of multiple-station
units installed as hereinafter provided. Detection systems shall be
powered by alternating current (AC), constantly active electric circuits
which cannot be deactivated by the operation of any interconnected
switching device and shall comply with the latest NFPA-70 (National
Electric Code) requirements. Systems shall consist of smoke detectors
of the non-self-contained type and/or of single-station units so interconnected
that the activation of any one unit will simultaneously activate the
individual alarms of all other units and/or other separate alarms
in the system. Alarms shall be located so at to be effectively heard
above all other sounds, by all the occupants, in every occupied space
within the building. All detection units, wiring and systems installation
shall be listed as conforming to the latest UL 167, 168 and 217 requirement
and shall comply with NFPA No. 72E and No. 74 standards. Additionally:
[1]
All public corridors up to 30 feet in length
which form part of a means of egress shall have a minimum of one approved
smoke detector. An additional smoke detector shall be installed for
every additional 30 feet or part thereof. Detectors shall be so located
as to provide most complete coverage.
[2]
All interior stairways in buildings not enclosed
by a minimum one-hour fire-rated separation from other common areas
and/or which function as a sole interior means of egress shall have
approved smoke detectors installed at each floor level at either the
ceiling of a landing or the high point of the smoked staircase soffit.
[3]
All basements or cellars which lack a minimum
one-hour fire-rated smooth ceiling surface shall have approved smoke
detectors installed at spacings not to exceed 300 square feet of floor
space coverage per smoke detector, unless the detector is listed for
a greater allowable spacing. One of such detectors shall be located
at the ceiling of the first floor stair landing or other approved
location, where the earliest detection of fire would activate the
alarm. Maximum spacing of detectors is to conform to UL/FM listings
for "1/2S" distances of individual manufactured units. The "1/2S"
distance spacing in open joist ceilings perpendicular to the joists
shall be 1/2 of that listed for smooth ceiling surfaces. Detectors
shall be 1/2 of that listed for smooth ceiling surfaces. Detectors
shall be installed in the bottom surface of the joist. Compartmentalized
and partially enclosed areas shall have additional detectors as required
to afford complete protection of the total basement/cellar area in
conformity with the above criteria. The activated detectors shall
set off alarms, which shall be so located to be effectively heard
above all other sounds, by all the occupants, in every occupied space
within the building not separated from the basement or cellar by fire
walls having a minimum fire-resistance rating of two hours.
[4]
All basements or cellars which have an existing
approved minimum one-hour fire-rated ceiling assembly shall have a
minimum of one approved smoke detector per 625 square feet of area,
unless the detector is listed for greater allowable spacing. One of
such detectors is to be located at the ceiling of the first floor
stair landing or other approved location where the earliest detection
of fire would activate the alarm. Additional detectors shall be required
in ceiling areas that are enclosed or separated by a drop girder or
similar type of protection to afford complete protection of the total
basement/cellar area. The activated detectors shall set off alarms,
which shall be so located as to effectively be heard above all other
sounds, by all the occupants, in every occupied space within the building
not separated from the basement or cellar area by fire walls having
a minimum fire-resistance rating of two hours.
[5]
With regard to all hotels greater than three
stories in height or greater than two stories in height having more
than 20 dwelling units, such hotels shall have approved smoke detection
systems located in all interior common areas, connected to a supervisory
type central control panel conforming to the latest NFPA No. 72A standards.
Such smoke detection system shall be installed so as to include basement
and cellar areas, storage areas, soiled linen collection and sorting
areas, rubbish and laundry chutes, refuse collection and disposal
areas, laundry drying areas with two or more machines, interior corridors,
workshops, recreation rooms, attics, enclosed stairways, escalators,
kitchens, places of assembly, infirmaries and public foyers.
[6]
With the approval of the Fire Subcode Official,
heat detectors may be substituted for smoke detectors in those locations
where frequent nuisance alarms would be likely to occur.
[7]
Buildings which fully comply with the minimum
life-safety requirements of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code
shall have at least one approved smoke detector installed in close
proximity to each sleeping area in each dwelling unit and at least
one approved smoke detector installed at the highest ceiling area
of the cellar or basement or at the ceiling of the first floor stair
landing or other approved location where the earliest detection of
fire would activate the alarm. All protective equipment and assemblies
required by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code shall be properly
maintained and kept in good repair.
[8]
When a building or portion of a building exceeding
15,000 square feet in area is used for exhibitions, shows or other
displays of combustible products, goods or materials or utilizes combustible
display equipment or booths, an approved automatic sprinkler system
shall be installed throughout the exhibit space and accessory areas.
NFPA Standard No. 13 (Installation of sprinkler system) shall be used
as a guide for the design and installation of the system.
Any person or entity violating any of the provisions of this article shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to the penalty as provided in § 1-15, General penalty, of this Code.
[Adopted 8-6-1985 by Ord. No. 428; amended
in its entirety 11-8-1995 by Ord. No. 95-15 (Ch. 63 of the 1970
Code)]
[Amended 7-1-2008 by Ord. No. 08-13]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety
Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383),[1] the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced
in the Borough of Runnemede and penalties assessed in accordance with
that code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202.
[Amended 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-04; 7-1-2008 by Ord. No.
08-13]
The local enforcing agency shall be the Borough
of Runnemede Fire Department, Bureau of Fire Prevention, through its
designated agents, employees, and assigns.
[Amended 7-1-2008 by Ord. No. 08-13]
The local enforcing agency shall enforce the
Uniform Fire Safety Act[1] and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all
buildings, structures and premises, except owner-occupied detached
Use Group R-3 structures used exclusively for dwelling purposes under
said codes and regulations within the Borough of Runnemede, and shall
faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety
Act and Uniform Fire Code. Except in the case of cyclical inspection
programs, i.e., one- and two-family dwelling resales, or other good
cause, inspections shall not include occupied dwelling units.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
[Amended 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-4; 7-1-2008 by Ord. No.
08-13]
The local enforcing agency established by § 170-5 of this article shall carry out the periodic inspections of life-hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
[Amended 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-4]
The local enforcement agency established by § 170-5 of this article shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Fire Official of the Borough of Runnemede.
[Amended 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-4; amended 7-1-2008 by Ord. No.
08-13]
A.
Inspectors and employees. Such inspectors and other
employees as may be necessary in the local enforcement agency shall
be appointed by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Runnemede,
upon the recommendation of the Fire Official.
B.
Removal from office. Inspectors and other employees
of the enforcement agency shall be subject to removal by the Mayor
and Council, upon recommendation by the Fire Official, for inefficiency
or misconduct. Each inspector or employee to be so removed shall be
afforded an opportunity to be heard by the appointing authority or
a designated hearing officer.
[Amended 7-1-2008 by Ord. No. 08-13]
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform
Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and 52:207D-208, any person aggrieved
by any order of the local enforcement agency shall have the right
to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Camden County.
[Amended 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-4; 7-1-2008 by Ord. No.
08-13]
In addition to the inspections and fees for
life-hazard uses, the following additional inspections and fees, as
mandated by the State of New Jersey and the Borough of Runnemede shall
be required: (Refers to Borough of Runnemede, Bureau of Fire Prevention
Inspection Fee Schedule).
A.
The Fire Official will register all non-life-hazard
structures and premises within the township, except single-family
dwellings occupied by the holder of title to the property and any
structures ancillary thereto and dwelling units within two-family
and multifamily dwellings.
B.
Inspection fees for non-life-hazard structures and
premises shall be:
(1)
Residential buildings/residential use group: time
of inspection, once every 12 months.
(2)
Residential use group: includes buildings with dwelling
units not otherwise classified as life hazard used by the New Jersey
Division of Fire Safety, except one- or two-family owner-occupied
units.
[Amended 12-30-2019 by Ord. No. 19-15]
Number of Units
(per building)
|
Fee Per Building
|
---|---|
1 to 3/single building
|
$100
|
4 to 10/single building
|
$150
|
2 buildings up to 20 units
|
$100
|
2 buildings over 20 units
|
$125
|
3 or more buildings up to 25 units
|
$75
|
(3)
Commercial, mercantile, business or industrial use
groups include all buildings not listed as life-hazard uses by the
New Jersey Division of Fire Safety. Fees are based upon gross floor
areas occupied by that particular business.
[Amended 12-30-2019 by Ord. No. 19-15]
Number of Units
|
Fee
|
---|---|
Building with or without attached dwelling unit(s)
not exceeding 1,000 square feet
|
$55
|
Building with or without attached dwelling unit(s)
exceeding 1,000 square feet, not exceeding 2,500 square feet
|
$75
|
Building exceeding 2,500 square feet, not exceeding
5,000 square feet
|
$125
|
Building exceeding 5,000 square feet, not exceeding
7,500 square feet
|
$225
|
Building exceeding 7,500 square feet, not exceeding
10,000 square feet
|
$325
|
Building exceeding 10,000 square feet, not exceeding
12,500 square feet
|
$375
|
Building exceeding 12,500 square feet, not exceeding
50,000 square feet
|
$475
|
Building exceeding 50,000 square feet, not exceeding
100,000 square feet
|
$500
|
Building exceeding 100,000 square feet, not
exceeding 200,000 square feet
|
$550
|
Building exceeding 200,000 square feet, not
exceeding 300,000 square feet
|
$650
|
Each additional 100,000 square feet or part
thereof
|
$200
|
NOTE:
|
---|
Each floor area shall be calculated as separate
areas for total building area calculation
|
C.
Exemptions. The following building or structure, if
not otherwise classified as a life-hazard use with the Division of
Fire Safety, shall be exempt from registration fees, but shall comply
with the registration and inspection requirements pursuant to the
Act.
D.
Fire watch
service fees. A charge of $90 per hour per firefighter shall be imposed
for fire watch services. The term "fire watch" is defined as a person
assigned to be in an area for the express purpose of notifying the
Fire Department of an emergency, preventing a fire from occurring,
extinguishing
[Added 12-1-2020 by Ord. No. 20-12]
A.
The permit fees established by the Uniform Fire Code
shall be as provided in the Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70 et seq.
[Amended 6-4-2003 by Ord. No. 03-4; 7-1-2008 by Ord. No.
08-13]
B.
Any request for a waiver shall be in writing to the
local Fire Code Official setting forth, in detail, the reasons for
the request and the type of life-hazard use anticipated.
C.
Miscellaneous fees.
Fire reports
|
$35
|
Certificate of fire code status
|
$35
|
Returned check charge
|
$25
|
D.
Certificate of smoke alarm, carbon monoxide alarm,
and portable fire extinguisher compliance required under N.J.A.C.
5:70- 2.3(a).
[Amended 12-30-2019 by Ord. No. 19-15]
Inspection scheduled at least 8 days from receipt
of application
|
$50
|
Inspection scheduled less than 8 days but more
than 4 days from receipt of application
|
$75
|
Inspection scheduled less than 4 days from receipt
of application
|
$125
|
Reinspections (per visit)*
|
$30
|
Failure to show for inspection
|
$30
|
Senior citizens' discount (must provide documentation)
|
$30
|
NOTES:
|
---|
* Required after initial visit.
N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3(a) states: Before any one-
or two-family or attached single-family structure is sold, leased,
or otherwise made subject to change of occupancy for residential purposes,
the owner shall obtain a certificate of smoke alarm, carbon monoxide
alarm, and portable fire extinguisher compliance, evidencing compliance
with N.J.A.C. 5:70-4.19 from the appropriate enforcing authority.
|
[Added 7-1-2008 by Ord. No. 08-13]
A.
Storage or parking of internal combustion engine vehicle
or equipment.
(1)
General. No person shall store or park, or cause to
store or park, any internal combustion engine vehicle or equipment
(including but not limited to: motorcycle, moped, dirt bike, lawnmower,
blower, weed trimmer, snowblower or any such equipment) within or
on any apartment or multifamily dwelling unit, porch, balcony, covered
patio, entrance, exit, common area, laundry room, basement or mechanical
room, or any other private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling.
(2)
Exception: approved storage areas designed and constructed
with the required fire separation as required by the New Jersey Uniform
Construction Code in effect at the time of the building's construction.
B.
Outdoor fires.
(1)
General. The use, storage, operation or maintenance
of any open fire or any device commonly known as a "barbecue" (also
included are open flame torches, fireplaces or fire pots, chimneys,
or other such similar devices or equipment) is prohibited in or on
any apartment or multifamily dwelling unit: porch, balcony, covered
patio entrance (electric grills are permitted), exit, or any other
private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit.
C.
Fire lanes.
(1)
General. No person shall block, park, obstruct or
otherwise cause to block, park or obstruct any fire lane within the
Borough of Runnemede. Fire lanes shall be marked and signed in accordance
with the provisions of N.J.A.C. 5:70 et seq. Enforcement of the fire
lanes shall be concurrent with the Runnemede Police Department.
D.
Appeals. Pursuant to the applicable sections of N.J.S.A.
52:27-206, any person aggrieved by any order of any local enforcement
agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of
Appeals of Camden County.
E.
Commercial property identification of rear doors.
(1)
General. The rear exterior doors on multiple tenant
commercial properties shall be identified with minimum two-inch letters
of contrasting colors stating the business name and unit number. The
signage shall be provided and maintained up-to-date by the landlord
at his expense. Names shall be updated as soon as occupancy changes.