It is determined that the operation and parking of motor vehicles
in close proximity to buildings devoted for public uses, including
shopping centers, nursing homes, hospitals, schools, public buildings,
churches and similar uses, constitutes a danger to public health,
safety and welfare in that the approach, operation and departure of
fire equipment and other emergency vehicles is impeded by such operation
and parking of motor vehicles.
The number, location, width, length and marking of such fire
zones shall be determined by the Fire Chief of the Township, subject
to approval by resolution adopted by the Township Council. Such determination
and approval shall be based upon the size, type of construction and
location of the building or buildings involved; the use to which the
property, building or buildings is put; the number of motor vehicles
operated or parked upon the property; the number of persons using
and occupying the property, building or buildings, the total area
of the property, including the size of the parking lot; and all other
factors which are relevant to the public health, safety and welfare
of the inhabitants of the Township. The actual dimensions of the fire
zones shall be the measurements established pursuant to Section F-311.0
of the New Jersey State Fire Prevention Code, which is adopted and
enforced by the Township in accordance with this chapter.
Fire zones are to be established and maintained in front of
any fire hydrant, cistern or other Fire Department connection located
on both public and private property.
All fire zones within the Township of Denville shall be striped
and signs posted in the following manner:
A. Signs.
(1) All signs shall be 12 inches by 18 inches in size.
(2) Light-reflective material shall be used for the sign background and
lettering.
(3) All signs, whether wall- or post-mounted, shall be placed 100 feet
apart, center to center. Whenever the fire zone changes angle or direction
more than 60°, a sign is to be placed at the point of change,
and a sign is required at the beginning and end of the zone. In all
circumstances, a sign shall be visible from another sign. Additional
signs may be required at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
(4) The sign shall be placed at a height of seven feet, as measured from
the ground surface to the bottom of the sign at an angle of 45°
facing the direction of the flow of traffic.
(5) The fire zone sign shall state "NO PARKING FIRE ZONE."
B. Striping.
(1) Stripes shall be three inches wide.
(2) All fire zones shall be striped at a width of four feet, as specified
by the Fire Chief.
(3) The lettering "NO PARKING FIRE ZONE" shall be placed within the striped
outer boundary lines of the fire zone at a minimum of one-hundred-foot
intervals.
(4) The letters shall be 18 inches in height and shall be placed within
the center of the fire zone.
(5) Paint for all letters and striping shall be yellow in color and be
of a reflective-type material.
C. Upon the designation of any such area as a fire zone, the Fire Chief
shall promptly notify the owner of the premises of such designation.
Within 30 days of his receipt of such notification, the owner of the
premises shall cause to be erected on the premises, at such location
or locations as shall be designated by the Fire Chief, signs indicating
that parking is not permitted in said fire zones.
In the event the owner or owners of property fail or refuse to erect signs in accordance with the directions and specifications of the Township as expressed in §
265-13, the Township shall be permitted to enter onto the property and erect such signs and bill the property owner for the cost of the work. Failure of the property owner to pay to the Township the full amount due within 10 days from a demand by the Township shall be considered a violation of this article.
[Amended 12-18-2018 by Ord. No. 30-18]
The Fire Chief, Fire Official/Inspector, and the Township Police
Department shall have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions
of this section.
No person shall at any time park or leave unattended a motor
vehicle in any area designated as a fire zone, nor shall any person,
firm or corporation place or construct any structure in a designated
fire zone nor place any obstruction thereon which will impair the
free passage and access of firefighting vehicles, apparatus or firemen
or impair the free use of an exit or exit discharge from any building.
This shall not apply to emergency vehicles or firemen while engaged
in the actual performance of official duties.
Any person, firm or corporation violating this article shall
be assessed a fine of $100 per occurrence.
In addition to the penalty provided in §
265-17, when any motor vehicle shall be found to be improperly parked within any fire zone in violation of this article, any enforcing officer, in addition to any other remedies provided herein, may order the motor vehicle to be removed by a towing service. The owner of the vehicle, in addition to any other responsibilities incurred herein, shall be responsible for all towing and storage charges incurred.