Pursuant to P.L. 1975, c. 217, and Title 5, Chapter 23, Subchapter 4 of the New Jersey
Administrative Code, the model code of the Building Officials and
Code Administrator's International, Inc., known as the "BOCA
Basic Fire Prevention Code/1978," including all subsequent revisions
and amendments thereto, is hereby adopted.
Pursuant to a Township resolution dated October 22, 1976, the
Township Committee delegates the function of enforcement of the BOCA
Basic Fire Prevention Code/1978 to the Department of Community Affairs,
Division of Housing, Bureau of Construction Code Enforcement, State
of New Jersey.
[Added 9-11-2017 by Ord.
No. 17-06]
A. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have
the meanings indicated:
FIRE CHIEF
The chief of the Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Company
No. 1.
FIRE COMPANY
Knowlton Township Fire and Rescue Company No. 1.
LOCK BOX
An Underwriter's-Laboratory-type secured box or vault
of a size and style approved by the Fire Chief or his designee, which
contains key(s) for the exclusive use of the Knowlton Township Fire
and Rescue Company No. 1. to access the premises in an emergency.
B. Key lock box required. The following structures equipped with or
required to be equipped with fire detection or fire suppression systems
or equipment shall have a key lock box installed at or near the main
entrance of each structure or such other location as required by the
Fire Chief or his designee:
(1) Commercial or business structures protected by an automatic alarm
system or automatic suppression system, or such structures that are
secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency.
(2) Governmental structures, churches, schools and nursing care facilities.
(3) Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through
locked doors and have a common corridor for access to living units.
C. Key lock box location, contents and installation.
(1) The Fire Chief or his designee shall approve in writing the type
of lock box.
(2) The Fire Chief or his designee shall approve the installation location
of the lock box.
(3) The lock box shall be installed as per manufacturer specifications
and approved by the Fire Chief or his designee.
(4) The owner of each structure required to have a lock box shall, at
all times, be required to keep the following in the lock box, as required
by the Fire Chief or his designee:
(a)
Keys to locked points of ingress, whether on interior or exterior
of such buildings.
(b)
Keys to the locked mechanical rooms.
(c)
Keys to the locked elevator rooms.
(d)
Keys to the elevator controls.
(e)
Keys to any fence or secured areas.
(f)
All access or combination codes to locked points of egress or
ingress, whether on interior or exterior of such buildings.
(g)
A "business size" card containing the emergency contact person
and phone number for such building or unit.
(h)
Keys to any and all alarm system panels, alarm controls, alarm
annunciators, and/or alarm devices (i.e., pull stations), that the
Fire Department would need to access or to reset to allow for alarm
system restoration.
(i)
Keys or reset codes for alarm system.
(j)
If not visible on the alarm panel, contact information for the
alarm system provider or monitoring company.
D. Maintenance and associated cost. In the event the key to the structure
is changed or rekeyed, the owner/operator of the building shall immediately
notify the Fire Chief or his designee and provide the updated access
key. The key to the lock shall be secured in the key box. The property
owner shall assume all associated costs for the purchase and installation
of a key box(s).
E. Compliance.
(1) The owner(s) of a structure in existence on the effective date of
this section shall be exempt from compliance with this section. However,
such owner(s) that do not have a lock box installed or elect not to
voluntarily install a lock box shall execute a release agreement which
shall release the Township and Fire Company from all liability for
any damages resulting from the Township and the Fire Company gaining
access to such property in the case of an emergency. Additionally,
such agreement shall state that the Township and Fire Company are
not responsible for securing such property after entry is made. The
agreement shall be a form to be provided by the Township and available
from the Township Clerk.
(2) The owner(s) of each newly constructed structure subject to this
section shall have a lock box installed and operational in accordance
with this section prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy.
F. Exceptions to requirement to execute a release agreement. The following structures are exempt from the mandate of Subsection
E hereunder to execute a release agreement in the event the property owner does not install a lock box system:
(1) Headquarters of the Fire Company.
(2) Rental storage facilities where there is a single lock on the separate
storage pods that are renter supplied; provided, however, the entry
security gates(s) have a key lock box if electronically controlled,
or locked with a master key issued by the landlord to all tenants.
(3) Mixed-Use Buildings that are occupied by the owner or operator as
a primary residence.
G. Time for compliance. All new construction subject to this section shall have a lock box installed and operational required hereunder prior to occupancy. All structures in existence on the effective date of this section shall have 60 days from enactment date of this ordinance to execute the agreement required by Subsection
E hereunder.
H. Violations and penalties. Any building owner or operator violating
any provision of this lock box ordinance shall be subject to a fine
of $100 for every violation of this section. The existence of a violation
for a period of up to 30 continuous days shall constitute a single
violation. The Fire Chief shall notify the responsible party of any
violation in writing. Within 30 days of the service of such notice,
the owner/operator shall correct the violation or show why the structure
was not subject to this section. The Fire Chief shall consider such
information, reaffirm or rescind the lock box fine and notify the
owner of his/her decision by mail. The owner/operator may appeal the
decision of the Fire Chief within 20 days after service of the notice
of decision by submitting an appeal in writing to the Mayor and Committee
which shall hold a hearing thereon and shall affirm, reverse or modify
the decision of the Fire Chief.