[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Orange Township 12-17-85 by Ord. No. 70-85.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also repealed former Ch. 93, Fire Prevention, adopted 11-16-81 as Ord. No. 55-81.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383),[1] the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the municipality of the City of Orange Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Bureau of Fire Prevention in the Orange Fire Department.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries of the City of Orange Township, other than owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
[Added 7-6-2022 by Ord. No. 37-2022]
The New Jersey Uniform Fire Code N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq., including all supplements, revisions and amendments thereto is hereby adopted with the following technical amendments, modifications and supplements:
A. 
Chapter 4 (Open Flames or Burning) is amended as follows:
(1) 
N.J.A.C. 5:70-3.2(a)(4), F-402.4 (Portable LP Gas Cooking Equipment) is amended to read as follows: Portable charcoal and LP gas cooking equipment. Portable charcoal and LP gas cooking equipment such as barbecue grills shall not be stored or used:
(a) 
On any porch, balcony or any other portion of a building;
(b) 
Within any room or space of a building;
(c) 
Within 10 feet of any combustible exterior wall;
(d) 
Within 10 feet, vertically or horizontally, of any opening in any wall;
(e) 
Under any building overhang.
B. 
A copy of this section shall be sent to all landlords in the City of Orange and incorporated in lease agreements.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention, created by § 93-2 of this chapter, shall carry out the periodic inspections of life-hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
[Added 6-6-1990 by Ord. No. 8-90]
A. 
For the purpose of this chapter, and except as may be otherwise prohibited by law, the Fire Official may determine that a building or other structure is unfit or unsafe for occupancy and for other trespass if he finds that conditions exist in such building or other structure which are dangerous or injurious to the health or safety of anyone who may occupy or otherwise trespass upon such building or structure. Upon such finding, the Fire Official may post a warning prohibiting the occupancy and/or trespass on said premises and advising the public of the penalties for violation thereof.
B. 
Failure of any person to comply with the posted directive of the Fire Official in compliance with the provisions of this section shall be punishable by a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) or by imprisonment for not more than ninety (90) days, or both.
[Added 9-7-2010 by Ord. No. 15-2010]
A. 
The owner of all businesses, occupancies, buildings, structures or premises required to be inspected under the Uniform Fire Code, shall apply annually to the Fire Prevention Bureau for a certificate of registration upon forms provided by the Fire Official. An owner shall be in violation for failure to return such forms to the Fire Prevention Bureau and/or Fire Official within thirty (30) days of receipt. If ownership is transferred, whether by sale, assignment, gift, reorganization, foreclosure or any other method, the new owner shall file with the Fire Prevention Bureau an application for a certificate of registration after notification by the Fire Prevention Bureau and /or Fire Official.
(1) 
Exceptions:
(a) 
Owner occupied one- and two-family dwellings.
(b) 
Occupancies required to register with the Division of Community Affairs as Life Hazard Use Groups per the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
B. 
The local enforcing agency shall periodically inspect such premises. These inspections shall be made in accordance with the schedule contained in the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and as often as may be necessary for the purpose of ascertaining and cause to be corrected any conditions liable to cause fire, contribute to the spread of fire, interfere with fire operations, endanger life, or any conditions constituting violations of the provisions or intent of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
C. 
The application shall be accompanied by a fee in accordance with the following schedule:
(1) 
(B) Business Use Group:
(a) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures up to 2,499 square feet of occupied space: fifty dollars ($50.).
(b) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures from 2,500 square feet up to 4,999 square feet of occupied space: seventy-five dollars ($75.).
(c) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures from 5,000 square feet up to 9,999 square feet of occupied space: one hundred dollars ($100.).
(d) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures from 10,000 square feet up to 19,999 square feet of occupied space: one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.).
(e) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures in excess of 20,000 square feet of occupied space: one hundred fifty dollars ($150.).
(2) 
(F) Factory Use Group:
(a) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures up to 4,999 square feet of occupied space: one hundred dollars ($100.).
(b) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures in excess of 5,000 square feet of occupied space: two hundred dollars ($200.).
(3) 
(M) Mercantile Use Group:
(a) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures up to 2,999 square feet of occupied space: fifty dollars ($50.).
(b) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures from 3,000 square feet up to 5,999 square feet of occupied space: one hundred dollars ($100.).
(c) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures in excess of 6,000 square feet of occupied space: two hundred dollars ($200.).
(4) 
(S) Storage Use Group:
(a) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures up to 2,499 square feet of occupied space: seventy-five dollars ($75.).
(b) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures in excess of 2,500 square feet of occupied space: one hundred fifty dollars ($150.).
(5) 
(U) Utilities Use Group:
(a) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures up to 2,499 square feet of occupied space: seventy five dollars ($75.).
(b) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures in excess of 2,500 square feet of occupied space: one hundred fifty dollars ($150.).
(6) 
(R) Residential Use Group:
(a) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures housing 3-6 units: seventy-five dollars ($75.).
(b) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures housing 7-12 units: one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.).
(c) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures housing 13-25 units: two hundred dollars ($200.).
(d) 
Occupancies, buildings or structures housing over 25 units: four hundred dollars ($400.).
D. 
Fines and penalties: Failure to file the application and/or pay the registration fee within thirty (30) days as set forth above shall subject the registrant/applicant to a fine of double the application fee, but not less than two hundred dollars ($200.) or more than one thousand dollars ($1,000.) in addition to the original unpaid fee.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention, established by § 93-2 of this chapter, shall be a part of the Orange Fire Department and shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Director and/or Chief of the Orange Fire Department.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be under the direct supervision of the Fire Official who shall be appointed by the Director of the Orange Fire Department.
Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall be appointed by the Director of the Orange Fire Department pursuant to Title 11, Civil Service, N.J.S.A. 11:1-1 et seq. upon the recommendation of the Chief of the Fire Department and the Fire Official.
Inspectors and other employees of the local enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the Director of the Orange Fire Department pursuant to Title 11, Civil Service N.J.S.A. 11:1-1 et seq., upon the recommendation of the Chief of the Fire Department and the Fire Official.
Pursuant to Section 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act,[1] any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcing agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of the City of Orange Township.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and 27D-208.
In addition to the inspections and fees required pursuant to the Act[1] and the regulations of the Department of Community Affairs, the following additional inspections and fees shall be required, as established in Chapter 88, Fees:
A. 
Multiple dwellings, as defined in N.J.S.A. 55:13A-3(k), Hotel and Multiple Dwelling Law.
B. 
Abandoned buildings or fire damaged buildings, where it is necessary to inspect a premises which has been abandoned or has been seriously damaged by a fire, to determine an unusual life-hazard potential to fire fighters. The fee shall be assessed either in the form of a lien on the property or as a fee for which the owner of record is responsible.
C. 
Responsibility of the individual to the municipality in the event of fire under circumstances. If a person has a fire resulting from the hazard which was ordered corrected, he shall be liable to the city for the cost of the Fire Department's work at the resulting fire, according to the fee schedule in Chapter 88, Fees.
[1]
Editor's Note: "The Act" refers to the Uniform Fire Safety Act; see N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
The permit fees established by the Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:18-2.7 et seq.) shall be as established in Chapter 88, Fees.
All sprinkler valves shall have flow switches and tamper devices installed and supervised electrically according to the BOCA Basic/-National Building Code in effect at the time of inspection. The requirement of this section shall apply to existing, as well as new, buildings.
All buildings that have elevators shall have a key box installed as approved by the Fire Official. The requirements of this section shall apply to new, as well as existing, buildings.
[Added 9-7-2010 by Ord. No. 17-2010]
A. 
Public or private fire lanes or fire apparatus access roads shall be required where the Fire Official or Fire Protection Subcode Official deems necessary for the efficient and effective operation of fire apparatus and other emergency vehicles, access to building openings by firefighters or egress of occupants. The establishment and enforcement of these fire lanes/fire zones shall be subject to the following conditions:
(1) 
Proposed fire lanes shall not conflict with prior approvals issued by the Planning and/or Zoning Boards unless the administrative authority for the Planning and/or Zoning Board grants approval of the creation of such fire lane in writing.
(2) 
Whenever a proposed fire lane has been designated on private property, the Fire Official shall notify the owner of said property in writing by registered/certified mail or by hand delivering a notice describing the area and reason for such designation. Required markings and signage shall be accomplished within thirty (30) days upon receipt of written notice.
(3) 
Failure to provide proper markings and signage for such designated fire lanes will be in violation of this section and a penalty of five hundred dollars ($500.) will be assessed against the owner of said property.
(4) 
The property owner shall be responsible for marking and maintaining any fire lane designated on their property as it was originally designed and approved. The location, width and marking of fire lanes shall be determined by the Fire Official. All signage and supplementary markings of fire lanes shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced when necessary to ensure adequate visibility.
(5) 
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle or place any obstruction on lands, whether publicly or privately owned, after notice has been posted prohibiting such parking which will impair the access of firefighting apparatus or impair the use of any exit or exit discharge of a building.
(6) 
For the purposes of this section, fire hydrants shall be included as a fire zone and will be a violation of this section to park or leave standing any vehicle within ten (10) feet of a hydrant.
(7) 
The Fire Prevention Bureau and the Orange Police Department, in addition to other officers authorized by law to issue parking tickets shall have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this code.
(8) 
Any person who violates this section shall be assessed a fine of one hundred dollars ($100.) per occurrence for parking in or obstructing any designated fire lane/fire zone, both public and private within the City of Orange Township. If deemed necessary the vehicle may be removed and stored at the owner's expense. Failure to pay an assessed penalty within thirty (30) days upon receipt of notice will result in an additional fee not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.) plus the cost of the original penalty.
(1) 
Definitions:
(a) 
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM -- A system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and annunciate the status of a fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
(b) 
ALARM INITIATING DEVICE -- A device that is designed to respond either manually or automatically to smoke, fire, or activation of a fire suppression system.
(c) 
FALSE FIRE ALARM -- The activation of any fire alarm system which results in a response by the Fire Department and which is caused by the negligence or intentional misuse of the fire alarm system by the owner, its employees, agents or any other activation of a fire alarm system not caused by heat, smoke or fire, exclusive of a nuisance fire alarm.
(d) 
NUISANCE FIRE ALARM -- The activation of any fire alarm system, which results in a response by the Fire Department, caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of proper maintenance or any other response for which the Fire Department personnel are unable to determine the apparent cause of the alarm activation.
(2) 
Inspection, testing and maintenance:
(a) 
The owner shall ensure that all fire alarm systems are inspected and tested at least once per year in accordance with applicable codes.
(b) 
The owner shall ensure that all fire alarm systems are periodically maintained per manufacturer specifications and adopted codes.
(3) 
False alarm fee schedule:
(a) 
The fee schedule shall apply to both false fire alarms and nuisance alarms as detailed in the definition section above.
(b) 
No fee shall be assessed for the first three (3) false/ nuisance fire alarms at the same premises responded to by the Fire Department during a twelve-month timeframe. Thereafter, the owner shall pay the following fees, except with the fire alarm company is responsible for the alarm activation.
(c) 
Any fire alarm company shall adhere to the same fee schedule if it has been determined that a false alarm was directly caused by an on-site employee or representative of the fire alarm company. Each time a particular company causes activation of an alarm system, it shall apply to the total count for a twelve-month timeframe.
(d) 
Fee schedule:
[1] 
First, second and third alarm for the calendar year, a violation notice shall be issued.
[2] 
Fourth alarm, a penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.) shall be assessed.
[3] 
Fifth alarm, a penalty of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.) shall be assessed.
[4] 
Sixth alarm, a penalty of two hundred dollars ($200.) shall be assessed.
[5] 
All subsequent alarm activations shall increase by fifty dollars ($50.) per activation (seventh alarm two hundred fifty ($250.) dollars, eighth alarm three hundred dollars ($300.) and so forth).
(e) 
Failure to pay penalties within thirty (30) days upon receipt of notice will result in an additional fee not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.) plus the cost of the original penalty.
(4) 
The provisions of this section shall not apply to any newly installed fire alarm system for a period of forty-five (45) days from the date of installation, but shall apply from and after the expiration of the forty-five (45) day grace period.