Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202, the New Jersey Uniform Fire
Code shall be locally enforced in the Borough of Franklin Lakes.
The local enforcing agency:
A. Shall be the Borough of Franklin Lakes Fire Department through its
Bureau of Fire Prevention, which is hereby created therein.
B. Shall enforce the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code in all buildings,
structures and premises within the established boundaries of the Borough
of Franklin Lakes, other than owner-occupied buildings used exclusively
for dwelling purposes and containing fewer than three dwelling units,
or buildings, structures, and premises owned and operated by the state,
interstate agencies or the federal government.
C. Shall faithfully comply with all the requirements of the Uniform
Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
[Amended 7-20-2021 by Ord. No. 1841]
A. In addition to the life hazard use registrations required by the
NJ Uniform Fire Code, the following non-life-hazard uses shall register
with the Franklin Lakes Bureau of Fire Prevention. These occupancies
shall be inspected once per year and shall pay an annual fee as set
forth below. All building types or uses (except owner-occupied one-
and two-family dwellings) that are not required to be registered as
a life-hazard use in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code
shall be subject to an annual local registration and fee as follows:
(1) Use Group R-2 (multiple dwellings) and mixed use with any residential
use:
(a)
One to three dwelling units: $90 up to three dwelling units;
and
(b)
$15 per each additional dwelling unit.
(2) Use group R-2 non-owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings: $100.
(3) Use Groups A (Assembly), B (Business), E (Educational), F (Factory/Industrial),
I (Institutional), M (Mercantile), and S (Storage/Warehouse), based
on gross floor area of building or tenant space:
(a)
Up to 3,000 square feet: $90.
(b)
Over 3,000 square feet: $90 plus $15 for each additional 1,000
square feet or part thereof over 3,000 square feet.
(4) Use Group H (non-life-hazard use): $500.
B. Occupants or tenants of nonresidential units shall be responsible
for the payment of the fees required by this section. Owners of nonresidential
buildings will be responsible for the fees required for the inspections
of utility areas, storage areas, common areas and other areas occupied
or controlled by the owner. Building owners will be responsible for
fees associated with residential dwellings.
C. Vacant buildings will be charged and inspected according to the previous
use of the building or based on the applicable permit fee. Unoccupied
or unrented space fees shall be paid by the owner of the building.
The following technical amendments are hereby made to the Uniform
Fire Safety Code:
A. Chapter 3 - General Precautions Against Fire.
(1) Accumulation of Waste is hereby amended to add the following sections:
(a)
Section 304, 304.1 through 304.3.3, reserved for the state.
(b)
Section 304.3.4 Dumpsters: General garbage containers known
as "dumpsters" shall not be located within 15 feet of any building
structure. In the event of a hardship or other extenuating circumstances,
relief from this requirement may be obtained by appealing to the Fire
Official, in writing. One or more of the following circumstances may
be considered as a basis for relief:
[1]
Narrowness of distance between the property lines and buildings.
[4]
Type of dumpster construction.
[5]
Fire safety considerations.
B. Chapter 9 - Fire Protection Systems New Jersey State Uniform Fire
Code.
(1) Water-Based Systems is hereby amended to add the following sections:
(a)
Sections 901.1 through 915.1 are reserved for the state.
(b)
F-506. - Blocking Fire Hydrants and Fire Department Connections:
It shall be unlawful to obscure from view, damage, deface, obstruct
or restrict the access to any fire hydrant or any Fire Department
connection for the pressurization of fire suppression systems, including
fire hydrants and Fire Department connects that are located on public
or private streets and access lanes or on private property. If, upon
the expiration of the time mentioned in a notice of violation, obstructions
or encroachments are not removed, the Fire Official may proceed to
remove the same. Costs incurred in the performance of necessary work
shall be paid from the municipal treasury, on certification of the
official and with the approval of the chief administrative official,
and the legal authority of the municipality shall institute appropriate
action for the recovery of such costs.
(c)
Section 916.1 - Hydrant Use Approval - A person shall not use
or operate any fire hydrant intended for the use of the Fire Department
or for the fire-suppression purposes, unless such person first secures
a permit for such use from the Fire Official and the water company
having jurisdiction. This section shall not apply to the use of such
hydrants by a person employed by, and authorized to make use by, the
water company having jurisdiction.
(d)
Section 917.1 - Public Water Supply - The Fire Official shall
recommend to the Mayor and Council of the municipality, the location
or relocation of new or existing fire hydrants and placement or replacement
of inadequate water mains located upon public property and deemed
necessary to provide an adequate fire flow and distribution pattern.
A fire hydrant shall not be placed into or removed from service until
approved by the Fire Official.
(e)
Section 918.1 - Yard Systems - All new and existing occupancies
and uses involving high fire or life hazards, and which are located
more than 150 feet from a public street or which require quantities
of water beyond the capabilities of the water distribution system,
shall be provided with properly placed fire hydrants. Such fire hydrants
shall be capable of supplying fire flows as required by the Fire Official,
and shall be connected to a water system in accordance with NFPA Standard
24. The Fire Official shall designate and approve the number and location
of fire hydrants. The Fire Official may require the installation of
sufficient fire hose and equipment housed in accordance with the approved
rules and may require the establishment of a trained fire brigade
when the hazard involved requires such measures. Private hydrants
shall not be placed into or removed from service until approved by
the Fire Official.
(f)
Section 919.1 - Fire Department Connection Light - A blue light
shall be installed six feet above any Fire Department connection.
The light shall be illuminated 24 hours per day. If a suppression
system is activated, the light shall flash intermittently.
C. Chapter 33 - Explosives and Fireworks, Uniform Fire Safety Act.
(1) F-3003.1, General Requirements, is hereby amended to add the following
sections.
(a)
Storage of Explosives and Blasting Agents. The limits referred
to in Sections 3301 through 3308 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act are
hereby established as follows: the entire Borough of Franklin Lakes.
Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.19, any person aggrieved by any
action of the local enforcing agency shall have the right to appeal
to the Bergen County Construction Board of Appeals.
Enforcement and violations and penalties shall be in conformity
with the Uniform Fire Safety Act.
The Chief of the Fire Prevention Bureau shall have the power
to modify any of the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code of the
Borough upon application in writing by the owner or lessee, or his
duly authorized agent, when there are practical difficulties in the
way of carrying out the strict letter of the code, provided that the
spirit of the code shall be observed, public safety secured and substantial
justice done. The particulars of such modification when granted or
allowed and the decision of the Chief of the Bureau of Fire Prevention
thereon shall be entered upon the records of the Department, and a
signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.