[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township
of Mendham 12-9-2002 by Ord. No. 17-2002[1] (Sec. 25-4 of the 1998 Revised General Ordinances). Amendments
noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This chapter stated that it shall take effect six months after final passage and publication as required by law, at which time § 188-3 relating to the requirements for emergency openings of animal control and security gates shall apply both prospectively and retroactively. All other provisions relating to distances between driveway posts or pillars shall apply prospectively only after this chapter takes effect.
The purpose of this chapter is to ensure vehicular access by
emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, to residential properties
in Mendham Township. Mendham Township fire companies have reported
an increasing number of incidents at fire calls where driveway entrance
posts have either been too narrow to allow safe passage of fire apparatus,
or where the driveway gates would not open or had to be forced open
to allow passage. This chapter is intended to address these problems.
A.
The minimum distance between driveway entrance pillars, columns or
fence posts shall be 12 feet, measured at a right angle across the
driveway.
B.
The 30 feet of driveway before and after the opening between entry
pillars or posts shall be straight if possible. The calculation for
the first 30 feet of the entry driveway may include the public street.
If the 30 feet of driveway before or after the entry pillars or posts
curves more than four feet off the center line between the posts,
then the opening between the posts shall be 14 feet, not 12 feet.
C.
There shall be no archway or other structure spanning the driveway
above the entry pillars or posts.
A.
Animal control gates. The following requirements for emergency opening
shall apply to driveway gates which have been installed to keep pet
animals in or wild animals, primarily deer, out:
(1)
For nonelectrified swinging, sliding or lift gates without a locking
mechanism, no action need be taken.
(2)
For nonelectrified swinging, sliding or lift gates with a locking
mechanism, a readily apparent latch handle shall be installed for
opening the gate from outside the gate.
(3)
For electrified mechanical or hydraulic driveway gates of any type
which open automatically when a vehicle approaches or when a button
is pushed or a code is pressed into a keypad or by any other method,
a release lever that allows the gate(s) to be opened by hand shall
be installed in a prominent place that is accessible from outside
the gate.
B.
Security gates. Driveway security gates of any type that open by
hand or with electric or hydraulic power which can be locked shall
have an access key placed in a lock box approved by the Township Fire
Official. The lock box and the lock to open the gate shall be accessible
from outside the security fencing and gate. Keys to all lock boxes
will be carried by Township police officers. Key pads and combination
locks shall not be used on security gates. If the driveway entry has
a gate and also a gate house that is manned 24 hours a day by a full-time
security guard, a lock box shall not be required.