A.
All fire escapes in structures, buildings, dwellings,
houses or parts thereof regulated by this chapter shall comply with
the tenement house laws of the state[1] in structures, buildings, dwellings, houses or parts thereof
subject to such laws. A red light shall be installed in the passageway
or doorway leading to any such fire escapes. Doors leading to fire
escapes shall be unlocked from the inside at all times and shall open
outward.
[1]
Editor's Note: N.J.S.A. 55:1-1 et seq., Tenement
Houses, was repealed by L. 1967, c. 76. See now N.J.S.A. 55:13B-1
et seq.
B.
There shall be installed in every bedroom above the
first floor in any structure, building, dwelling, house or part thereof
not subject to the tenement house laws of the state a nonmechanical
portable fire escape of nonrope construction which shall be of a reversible
type, capable of having a tensile strength of 800 pounds, securely
fastened to the wall or windowhead in the bedroom and enclosed in
a metal box at all times accessible with written instructions for
the use thereof on the cover of the box. In lieu of such nonmechanical
portable fire escapes, an outside stairway of heavy wooden construction
with stairs not less than three feet wide and risers not exceeding
73/4 inches and treads not less than 91/2 inches may be constructed
from readily accessible passageways and exits to the ground. Where
such nonmechanical portable fire escapes shall prove impractical by
virtue of a protruding roof on the floor below, then an outside stairway
as aforesaid shall be constructed from readily accessible passageway
and exits to the ground. No outside stairway, however, shall be required
where there is provided at least two independent and separated inside
stairways of similar construction and dimension as herein required
for outside stairways, each directly accessible to all occupants,
each leading from the top floor to the ground floor and each located
at opposite and different portions of the structure, building, dwelling,
house or part thereof.
All structures, buildings, dwellings, houses
or portions thereof used for the purposes regulated by this chapter
shall have a minimum of at least one window for adequate sunlight
and ventilation in each room used for human occupancy, including a
minimum of one window in the bathroom or lavatory and one window in
the kitchen. Each such window shall open to the outer area and shall
always be maintained in workable condition. In lieu of an outside
window in the bathroom or lavatory, either mechanical or gravity ventilation
may be substituted, provided that such ventilation meets the requirements
of the Plumbing Code of the borough.[1]
Every occupant of any structure, building, dwelling,
house or part thereof used for the purposes regulated by this chapter
shall have a reasonable and sufficient supply of cold and hot running
water, adequate water closet facilities and adequate bathtub or shower
room for personal hygiene. All such facilities shall be installed
in such manner that the control thereof shall be by the user at each
of such facilities. Such structure, building, dwelling, house or portion
thereof shall contain a minimum of at least one water closet or toilet,
one bathtub or shower room, or a combination of both, for every four
occupants.
In any structure, building, dwelling, house
or part thereof regulated by this chapter, no cooking shall be done,
suffered or permitted by any occupant, lodger, roomer or owner in
any room wherein sleeping accommodations are provided. No food of
any kind shall be kept or permitted to be kept in any room used as
sleeping quarters. Each such room shall have at least 400 cubic feet
of air space for each person 12 years of age or over and at least
300 cubic feet of air space for each person under 12 years of age.
All plumbing, heating and drainage pipes, apparatus
and facilities in every structure, building, dwelling, house or part
thereof regulated by this chapter shall at all times be kept in a
good, adequate and sanitary working condition.
No owner of any building, structure, dwelling,
house or part thereof used for the purposes regulated by this chapter
shall cause, permit or suffer water or rainfall to accumulate on the
roofs or porches, in the cellars or basements, or on any ceilings
or floors within the premises, or any part thereof, or on the grounds
upon which the structure, or any part thereof, is situated. All such
structures, or parts thereof, shall have airtight and watertight roofs,
ceilings, walls and windows. All windows shall be in good workable
condition, and all windows and doorways in the warm periods of the
year shall be provided with proper mesh-type screens, kept at all
times in good condition by the owner.
Whenever an owner of any structure, building,
dwelling, house or part thereof regulated by this chapter is required
by law to supply heat in such building, structure, or part thereof,
or has undertaken or assumed the obligation to do so, expressly or
impliedly, as part of the terms of the oral or written letting, such
owner shall maintain such heating apparatus in good working order
and condition at all times and in all seasons of the year. Should
the outside temperature fall below 68° F., the owner of such premises
shall supply a constant heat for such premises, or part thereof, at
a minimum of 68° F., between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 10:00
p.m., at such times.
No owner of any building, structure, dwelling,
house or part thereof used for purposes regulated by this chapter,
or his or her servant, agent or employee, shall let any room for the
purpose of prostitution, lewdness or sexual immorality.
All structures, buildings, dwellings, houses
or parts thereof used for the purposes regulated by this chapter shall
comply with the requirements of state laws and regulations and with
the requirements of this chapter and any other applicable ordinance
of the borough.
All structures, buildings, dwellings, houses
or parts thereof regulated by this chapter shall comply with all uniform
construction codes and particularly N.J.A.C. 5:18-3.5, and other applicable
ordinances and regulations of the Borough of Metuchen.
