[Adopted 2-24-2010 by Ord. No. 3239]
To require the exterior identification of all structures within the Village of Ridgewood that utilize lightweight wood, wood truss, steel truss, composite truss, or wood "I" beams as a method to construct, renovate, or alter any section of an individual structure or dwelling unit. The pre-incident identification of these buildings will provide fire-suppression crews with critical strategic and tactical information to be utilized during firefighting operations and significantly enhance the safety of fire-suppression personnel operating at emergency incidents. This article shall apply to all principal and accessory structures consisting of truss components not currently regulated for identification within the Uniform Construction Code and Uniform Fire Code of the State of New Jersey.
A. 
Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for the purpose of this article, have the meanings shown herein:
REFLECTIVE SYMBOL
An emblem made of reflective material, in the shape and form as described by the Uniform Construction Code (U.C.C.), the Uniform Fire Code (U.F.C); with the noted modifications in order to maintain continuity throughout the state of New Jersey identifying a structure as containing truss construction.
TRUSS CONSTRUCTION
Prefabricated I-joists, truss joists, and truss rafters.
B. 
All definitions in the U.C.C. and the U.F.C. shall be the same for this article.
The Village Construction Official shall determine if a structure contains truss construction. All structures containing truss construction must have a reflective symbol affixed to the structure at one or more of the following locations:
A. 
Primary location: on or next to the electrical meter. In the event the electrical meter is inside the structure, the reflective symbol will be placed at one of the alternate locations below.
B. 
Secondary location: on or next to the gas meter, plainly visible. In the event the gas meter is inside the building, the reflective symbol will be placed at the alternate location below.
C. 
Third and final location: on the garage door if there is a garage on the premises. The reflective symbol shall be applied by the Construction Official or Fire Official or one of their duly authorized representatives and shall be a condition of the issuance of a certificate of occupancy in new construction and the certificate approval when a certificate of occupancy is not required.
"The emblem shall be permanently affixed to the left of the main entrance door at a height between four and six feet above the ground and shall be installed and maintained by the owner of the building." N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.20(a)2.
The symbol shall be made of reflective material, in the shape and form as described by the U.C.C. The reflective symbol dimensions shall be five inches by 2.5 inches for residential properties or 12 inches by six inches for commercial properties. (See Appendix A.[1]) This shape and design shall be used in order to maintain continuity throughout the state identifying a structure as containing truss construction. This reflective symbol will be supplied by the Village at no expense to residential owners, and at a cost of $10 per emblem for commercial properties.
This article shall apply to all structures, including accessory structures, whether residential, commercial or otherwise, including structures existing at the time of the effective date of this ordinance. Existing structures shall be posted according to these guidelines with the owner's consent.
This article shall be enforced by the Construction Official and the Fire Official of the Village of Ridgewood.
It shall be the responsibility of the homeowner to assure the integrity of the reflective symbol. In the event it is removed, damaged or fades over time, it shall be the owner's responsibility to contact the Fire Prevention Bureau to have a new reflective symbol installed.
Any person violating this article by refusing to use the reflective symbol or by removing or tampering with the reflective symbol shall be subject to a fine of $250 per violation. Each day that a violation continues shall be deemed to be a separate and distinct offense.