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Borough of Somerdale, NJ
Camden County
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Code
New Laws (25) Index Notes (1)
A. 
Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
ALARM
Any audible and/or visible signal or intelligence indicating existence of a supposed fire or emergency requiring both response and emergency action on the part of the firefighting service; additionally, the alarm device or devices by which fire and emergency signals are received.
FALSE ALARM
An alarm requiring response of fire, police or ambulance personnel where an emergency situation does not exist.
B. 
All fire protection systems that were installed in compliance with any law, ordinance or order shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times. An owner or occupant shall not reduce the effectiveness of the protection so required. This requirement shall not prohibit the owner or occupant from temporarily reducing or discontinuing the protection when necessary to make tests, repairs, alterations or additions. The Fire Official shall be notified before disconnection and interruption of protection and when tests, repairs, alterations or additions are started and upon completion of such work. The Fire Official shall be advised of the extent of and reason for such work, and the restoration of the protection shall be diligently pursued.
C. 
All fire alarm and automatic fire detection and protection systems shall be maintained, periodically inspected and tested in accordance with the Uniform Fire Code and all the codes and standards it references.
D. 
All fire alarms will be investigated by the Fire Official or his designee as to the validity of the alarm. The Somerdale Fire Prevention Bureau, with the cooperation of the Somerdale Fire Department, will keep a current fire alarm log. This fire alarm log will be used to record the frequency of alarms and whether these alarms were deemed false alarms as determined by the Fire Official.
E. 
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms, corporations, agents, associations or other groups that maintain alarm systems within the Borough to prevent the transmission of false alarms.
(1) 
The maximum permissible number of false alarms, as determined by the Fire Official, from any one location shall be as follows:
(a) 
Two false alarms in any thirty-day period.
(b) 
Four false alarms in any three-hundred-fifty-day period.
(2) 
False alarms in excess of these standards shall be considered to be in violation of this article.
F. 
If any person, entity, firm, corporation, agent, association or other group is repairing, maintaining, testing or otherwise working on an alarm system and fails to notify Camden County dispatch or other appropriate officials before doing so and a false alarm results therefrom, than such person, entity, firm, corporation, agent, association or other group shall be charged with a false alarm, which false alarm shall count toward the maximum permissible number allowed by this article.
G. 
Penalties and/or fines. Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be subject to the following:
(1) 
A penalty and/or fine of up to $1,000 per occurrence and/or, if convicted;
(2) 
A term of imprisonment not exceeding 90 days.
A. 
A violation of this section shall be subject to a penalty and/or fines not to exceed $1,000 for each separate offense or by imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both.
B. 
All portable cooking equipment, such as barbecue grills, shall not be stored or used:
(1) 
On any porch, balcony or any other portion of a building;
(2) 
Within any room or space of a building;
(3) 
Within 15 feet of any exterior wall;
(4) 
Within 15 feet, vertically or horizontally, of an opening in any wall; or
(5) 
Under any building overhang.
Any dangerous or hazardous conditions outlined in Subsections A through H below shall be removed or remedied by order of the Fire Official or his designee. A violation of this section shall be subject to a penalty and/or fines not to exceed $1,000 for each separate offense or by imprisonment of not more than 90 days, or both.
A. 
Dangerous conditions that are liable to cause or contribute to the spread of fire in or on said premises, building or structure or endanger the occupants thereof;
B. 
Conditions that would interfere with the efficiency and use of any fire protection equipment;
C. 
Obstructions to or on fire escapes, stairs, passageways, doors or windows, liable to interfere with the egress of occupants or the operation of the Fire Department in case of fire;
D. 
Excessive accumulations of rubbish, waste, paper, boxes or trash;
E. 
Hazardous conditions arising from defective or improperly used or installed electrical wiring, equipment or appliances;
F. 
Dangerous or unlawful amounts of combustible, explosive or otherwise hazardous materials;
G. 
All equipment, materials, processes or operations that are in violation of the provisions and intent of this code and chapter; or
H. 
Overcrowding of occupancies, exceeding occupancy loads and/or overcrowding in egress paths or aisles, endangering occupants thereof.