[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-1]
This Article shall be known as the "Fire Prevention Code of the Township of Piscataway."
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-2]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.), the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq.) shall be locally enforced in the Township of Piscataway.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-3; amended 4-23-2019 by Ord. No. 19-12]
The local enforcing agency shall be the Piscataway Bureau of Fire Prevention which is created herein, except that the local enforcing agency for the issuance of certificates of smoke detector and carbon monoxide alarm compliance, and the inspections incident thereto, shall be the Office of the Municipal Certificate of Occupancy Official.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-4]
The Uniform Fire Code (N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq.) and the most current adopted code to be consistent with the updated changes of the Uniform Fire Code at time of enforcement shall be adopted as the Fire Prevention Code of Piscataway Township.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-5]
a. 
Within the established boundaries of the Township of Piscataway, the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall enforce the Uniform Fire Code in all buildings, structures, and premises other than owner-occupied residential buildings with less than three dwelling units, used exclusively for dwelling purposes.
b. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall faithfully comply with all the pertinent requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-6]
a. 
As used in this section the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FIRE INSPECTOR
Shall mean a person working under the direction of the Fire Official who has certification by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and appointed or designated to enforce the Uniform Fire Code by the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway. The Fire Inspector shall also use the title of Deputy Fire Marshal.
FIRE OFFICIAL
Shall mean a person certified by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and appointed or designated to direct the enforcement of the Uniform Fire Code by the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway. The Fire Official shall use the title of Fire Marshal.
b. 
The definition set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.5, as amended from time to time, are incorporated herein by reference.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-7]
a. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by Section 19-3 of this chapter shall be under direct supervision and control of the Fire Official.
b. 
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have at least one paid Fire Official and such paid inspectors and other employees as may be necessary to properly enforce the Uniform Fire Code.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-8.1]
a. 
The Director of Public Safety shall appoint a Fire Official with the advice and consent of the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway.
b. 
The Fire Official shall be the Chief Administrator and Inspection Official of the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-8.3]
The term of employment of Fire Official, Fire Inspector(s) and employees shall be as set forth in the Revised General Ordinances of the Township of Piscataway.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-8.4]
The Fire Official, Fire Inspector(s), and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal pursuant to the procedures of the Revised General Ordinance of Piscataway Township. Before removal from office, all persons shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the Township Council of the Township of Piscataway.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-9; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by Section 19-3 shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
a. 
Registration Fees. All life hazard uses are subject to a one-time registration fee. This fee is to be submitted along with the business registration form prior to opening and or conducting business within the Township. The form and fee are to be submitted to the Fire Prevention Bureau. Listed below is the fee schedule that is based on the square footage of building and/or structure.
1. 
Up to 499 square feet of occupiable space: $50.00.
2. 
500 square feet to 999 square feet of occupiable space: $75.00.
3. 
1,000 square feet to 2,499 square feet of occupiable space: $125.00.
4. 
2,500 square feet to 4,999 square feet of occupiable space: $175.00.
5. 
5,000 square feet to 11,999 square feet of occupiable space: $225.00.
6. 
12,000 square feet to 50,000 square feet of occupiable space: $300.00.
7. 
An additional $30.00 for each 1,000 square feet over 50,000 square feet of occupiable space to be inspected.
8. 
Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be penalized by a fine equal to their registration fee.
b. 
The owner(s) of businesses, occupancies, buildings, structures, or premises to be inspected shall submit an owner registration application for each space to be inspected.
It shall be a violation of this section for an owner to fail to return such forms within 30 days. If the ownership is transferred whether by sale, gift, reorganization, receivership, foreclosure or execution of process, the new owner shall file with the local enforcement agency within 30 days of transfer. Failure to do so will constitute a violation of Township Ordinance regulations and may subject the violator to a penalty of up to five hundred dollars $500.00 maximum for each occurrence.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-10; amended 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-34; 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
A non-life hazard use shall include any use that is not classified as a life hazard use under the Uniform Fire Code.
a. 
In addition to the registrations and permits required by the Uniform Fire Code, all other uses subject to the Uniform Fire Code inspections shall register with the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and an annual fee shall be paid to the Piscataway Bureau of Fire Prevention. Every person or business that receives a registration form application must respond within 30 days with all applicable items completed. Failure to do so will constitute a violation of Township Ordinance regulations and may subject the violator to a penalty of up to $500 maximum for each occurrence.
b. 
Registration Fees. The owner(s) of all businesses, occupancies, buildings, structures or premises to be inspected in paragraph a shall be subject to the following annual fee schedule.
The annual registration fee is set forth below:
Annual Fee
A-1
1 to 499 square feet
$75
A-2
500 to 999 square feet
$95
A-3
1,000 to 2,499 square feet
$125
A-4
2,500 to 4,999 square feet
$175
A-5
5,000 to 11,999 square feet
$225
A-6
12,000 to 50,000 square feet
$300
c. 
Vacant premises that create a fire hazard shall be charged and inspected according to the schedule listed above in this section.
d. 
Inspections. The local enforcing agency shall inspect all non -life hazard uses which require a Type 1 permit on a yearly basis as part of renewing any such permit. All other non -life hazard uses shall be inspected on a two- year cycle in order to ascertain, 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 a violation of the provision or intent of the Uniform Fire Code.
e. 
The owner(s) of businesses, occupancies, buildings, structures or premises to be inspected shall submit an owner registration application for each space to be inspected.
It shall be a violation of this section for an owner to fail to return such forms within 30 days. If the ownership is transferred whether by sale, gift, reorganization, receivership, foreclosure, or execution of process, the new owner shall file with the local enforcement agency within 30 days or transfer.
Applications shall be accompanied by fees in accordance with this section.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
The following buildings are subject to registration and inspection fees with the Township of Piscataway Fire Prevention Bureau and five-year periodic inspections that are not covered by the New Jersey State Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq.
a. 
Multiple Dwelling Inspection Fees.
1. 
All multiple dwellings with less than 13 units per building shall be inspected every five years. The inspection fee shall be $150.00 per building.
2. 
All multiple dwellings with 13 units and no more than 24 units per building shall be inspected every five years. The inspection fee shall be $200 per building.
3. 
All multiple dwellings with more than 24 units per building shall be inspected every five years. The inspection fee shall be $300.00 per building.
4. 
The inspection fee shall be paid within 30 days of the certificate of housing inspection and shall remain valid for a period of five years.
5. 
All multiple dwellings shall be subject to a reinspection fee of $50.00 per building.
b. 
Multiple Dwelling Registration.
1. 
All multiple dwellings with one to five buildings shall have an annual registration fee of $200.00.
2. 
All multiple dwellings with six to 10 buildings shall have an annual registration fee of $250.00.
3. 
All multiple dwellings with 11 to 15 buildings shall have an annual registration fee of $300.00.
4. 
All multiple dwellings with 16 or more buildings shall have an annual registration fee of $350.00.
c. 
Hotel/Motels. All hotels/motels that constitute life hazard uses which are subject to registration with the Piscataway Fire Prevention Bureau and are covered by the New Jersey State Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq., shall be exempt.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-11; amended 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a. 
Permit Fees. The application fee for a permit shall be as follows:
Permit
Fee
Type 1
$54.00
Type 2
$214.00
Type 3
$427.00
Type 4
$641.00
Tent Permit Fees
Per tent up to 16,800 square feet in area
$54.00
Per tent 16,800 square feet in area and greater
$250.00
Storage of solid or liquid oxidizing agent permit fees: pool chemical storage
$641.00
Mobile food truck semiannual permit
$250
Late permit processing fee
$50
b. 
Permits Required.
1. 
Type 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 permits are required per N.J.A.C. 570-1.1 et seq., of the Uniform Fire Code.
2. 
Tent permits shall be required for the erection, operation, or maintenance of any tent, tensioned membrane structure, or canopy, excluding those used for recreational camping purposes. This permit shall be required for each tent erected and shall be in addition to any other permits or approvals required by law.
3. 
Storage of solid or liquid oxidizing agent permits shall be required for the seasonal storage of chlorine in solid or liquid forms. This permit shall also be required for any building used for the storage or distribution of solid or liquid oxidizing agents.
4. 
Mobile food truck operators may apply for a semiannual permit which will satisfy the requirement of a Type 1 permit at multiple venues for a period of six months. Applications for said permit must be accompanied by a valid fire-suppression system test report, kitchen hood cleaning report, and proof of Class K fire extinguisher inspection. The operator must notify the Fire Code Official at least 72 hours in advance of each event; failure to do so will result in a late permit processing fee of $50. Mobile food trucks shall be subject to inspection at every event.
5. 
Any person who fails to obtain a permit prior to said activity shall be subject to the late permit processing fee of $50.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-30]
Mobile food truck operators may apply for a semiannual permit which will satisfy the requirement of a Type I permit at multiple venues for a period of six months. Applications for said permit must be accompanied by a valid fire-suppression system test report, kitchen hood cleaning report, and proof of Class K fire extinguisher inspection. The fee for the semiannual permit shall be $250. The operator must notify the Fire Code Official at lease 72 hours in advance of each event; failure to do so will result in a late permit processing fee of $50. Mobile food trucks shall be subject to inspection at every event.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-12]
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any action of the Bureau of Fire Prevention agency, except any employee thereof, shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Middlesex County.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.1; amended 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-34]
The fee for the review of any site plan or subdivision for the purpose of fire prevention and suppression, as to the location of fire hydrants, fire drafting stations, water mains, and fire lanes/zones, in conjunction with the local boards shall be $75.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.2]
The fee for a Fire Incident Report picked up in person at the Fire Prevention Office shall be $5 per request up to five pages and $1 for each additional page. If requested by mail, there shall be an additional $5 charge.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.3]
The fee for a Certificate of Fire Code Status shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.2(e)(2) as set forth in the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code in effect at the time of application or request.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.4]
The fee for a CSDCMAC, as required by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, shall be based upon the amount of time remaining before the change of occupancy is expected, as follows:
a. 
Request for a CSDCMAC received more than 10 business days prior to the change of occupancy: $35.
b. 
Request for a CSDCMAC received four to 10 business days prior to the change of occupancy: $70.
c. 
Request for a CSDCMAC received fewer than four business days prior to the change of occupancy: $125.
d. 
Should more than two inspections be required, an additional fee of $25 shall be charged per inspection.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.5]
All funds collected or received shall be designated by the Township for enforcement of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Fire Code.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
The Township of Piscataway will not issue or renew any permits or business licenses for any individual, business owner or any other entity that has any outstanding balance or fee owed to the Township of Piscataway of any kind. Any and all outstanding balances and fees shall be paid in full prior to any permits or business licenses being issued or renewed under this chapter.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.6]
Other inspections in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:27D-203 of the State Uniform Fire Safety Act shall be charged, in the discretion of the Fire Official, the amount of the original inspection fee or the hourly overtime rate of the personnel involved, as said rates are adjusted from time to time together with vehicle and equipment usage and gasoline charges.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15]
The Fire Official may require and designate public or private fire lanes as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective use of fire apparatus, access for firefighting or egress of occupants.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15.2]
An owner of property shall, within 30 days of being given notice to do so by the Fire Official, mark the fire lane as follows:
a. 
Signs shall be constructed of metal and with raised red letters a minimum of two inches in size on a white background with the wording NO PARKING FIRE LANE with the current ordinance number located underneath, at least one inch in size.
b. 
The area of the fire lane on improved areas shall be delineated along its entire circumference with yellow lines four inches in width. Within the yellow lines, signs shall be marked NO PARKING FIRE LANE in yellow letters 18 inches in height. The inside of the fire lane shall be further marked with diagonal striping, yellow in color and four inches in width, spaced at intervals of five feet. If the designated fire lanes abuts a curb, the curbing shall be yellow in color where its abuts the fire lane except for those locations where subsection d below applies. The delineations shall be repainted when sufficiently worn in the discretion of the Fire Official.
c. 
The Fire Official may in his/her discretion accept signage and/or markings in compliance with the Uniform Traffic Control Manual as meeting the requirements of this section.
d. 
Fire lane markings on condominiums, townhouses, or one and two family residential roadways or parking lots may mark a four inch yellow strip against and parallel to the curbing in place of painting the curb yellow if approved by the Fire Official except for those locations where subsection 19-15.2c applies.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15.4]
The Fire Official or Inspector(s) of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Township Police Department shall have the authority to remove or have removed such obstructions or vehicles as may violate this section at the expense of the owner of the premises or the vehicle.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15.5]
All fire lanes in existence prior to the adoption of this section shall be properly maintained and shall be enforceable under this section. For the purpose of this section the terms "fire lane" and "fire zone" shall be interchangeable.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15.6]
Fire lanes shall be installed and maintained by the owner of the premises in conformance with the provisions of this section and any site plan approval. Fire lanes in existence prior to the enactment of this section shall be required to conform to the provisions herein if the Fire Official determines that such conformity is necessary for the efficient and effective use of fire apparatus, access for firefighting or egress of occupants.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15.7; amended 12-19-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-34]
Any person, firm or corporation found guilty in the Municipal Court of the Township of Piscataway for violation of the provisions of this section shall be subject to a fine of not less than $288 nor more than $1,000 per day, subject to other additional remedies as provided by law.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-15.8]
The Fire Official and Fire Inspector(s) of the Bureau of Fire Prevention and the Township Police Department shall have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this section.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
A fire watch is defined as a temporary measure intended to ensure continuous and systematic surveillance of a building or portion(s) thereof by one or more qualified individuals for the purposes of identifying and controlling fire hazards, detecting early signs of unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire and notifying the fire department.
a. 
A fire watch may be ordered by the Fire Official or their designee for public or privately owned buildings or properties within the Township under the following circumstances:
1. 
When the mandated fire-protection systems are out of service because due to system failure, repair, scheduled maintenance or vandalism.
2. 
When required by the property owner, tenant, or lessee.
3. 
At public or private events where 1,000 people or more are in attendance.
4. 
At an event with the approval of the Fire Official or their designee the posted occupancy load is exceeded.
5. 
When required by the Fire Code Official for building demolition or building construction during working hours that is hazardous in nature.
6. 
All situations deemed necessary by the Fire Official or their assigned designee.
b. 
A fire watch may include the maintaining of posted fire lanes, means of egress, posted occupancy loads, enforcement of no smoking in posted areas, building surveillance for signs of smoke or fire, ensuring proper permits are approved, inspecting for proper safety precautions of cooking equipment, and other functions as required by the Fire Official or their designee.
c. 
Failure to comply with a mandated fire watch, ruling, notice or other action of the Fire Official, their designee, or the Fire Department, may carry a minimum penalty of $2,000 or up to a maximum of $5,000 per day.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a. 
Barbecue grills using propane fuel with fuel tanks attached shall not be located or operated within or upon any building or within five feet laterally of any building, wall or overhang.
b. 
Barbecue grills using charcoal or wood fuel shall not be operated within or upon any building or within five feet laterally of any building, wall or overhang.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a. 
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Fire Official:
1. 
Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppressions system, or such structures that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency;
2. 
Multi-family residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units;
3. 
Governmental structures and nursing care facilities.
b. 
All newly constructed structures subject to this subsection shall have the key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All structures in existence on the effective date of this section and subject to this section shall have one year from the effective date of this section to have a key lock box installed and operational.
c. 
The owner of or operator of a structure required to have a key lock box shall, at all times, keep a key in the lock box that will allow for access to the structure.
d. 
Key Box Maintenance. The operator of the building shall immediately notify the Fire Official and provide the new keys when a lock box is changed or re-keyed. The key to such lock shall be secured in the key box (N.J.A.C. 7:70-3, 506.2).
e. 
Any person who owns or operates a structure to this section shall be subject to the penalties set forth by this Code for any violation of this subsection, provided that the maximum fine for a conviction for a violation of this section shall be $2,000.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-16]
a. 
"False Fire Alarm" shall mean any alarm for which there is no evidence of smoke or fire or for which there is evidence of an equipment failure or evidence of inadvertence on the part of any property owner, agents, occupants, and employees and which registers in or is called into the Police Department or other municipal agency, and where a fire company responds to the location of the alarm.
b. 
Enforcement. In case of a false fire alarm, any person having knowledge thereof shall immediately notify the Police Department. The Fire Official shall cause an investigation of all false fire alarms to be made and shall keep a record of such investigation on file.
[Added 11-26-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-28]
a. 
All fire hydrants shall be installed subject to the approval of the Fire Official or his duly authorized representative.
b. 
All new and existing fire department connections shall utilize five-inch sexless Storz quick-connect fittings.
c. 
All new fire department connection shall be remote (freestanding) from the building with a minimum distance of 50 feet or as approved by the Fire Official. Connections should be provided with a light with a red lens continuously illuminated to provide for quick locating of the connection by responding fire equipment.
d. 
Fire department connections shall have an approved fire hydrant installed no more than 100 feet from the connection location or as approved by the Fire Official. All fire hydrants and fire department connections shall be maintained accessible and visible at all times. This location of hydrants to fire department connections shall apply to all new construction.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 19-17, Technical Amendments, Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-17, was superseded by the current section.