[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.
FIRE INSPECTOR
FIRE OFFICIAL
As used in this section the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
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.
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]
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-8.2]
[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 § 14-8.5]
The Governing Body shall specifically appoint legal counsel
to assist the agency in enforcing the Uniform Fire Code.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-9]
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.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-10]
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.
The annual square footage fee is set forth below:
|
Annual Fee
| ||
|---|---|---|
|
L-1
|
Under 500 square feet
|
$30
|
|
L-2
|
500 to 2,500 square feet
|
$45
|
|
L-3
|
2,501 to 5,000 square feet
|
$55
|
|
L-4
|
5,001 to 7,500 square feet
|
$65
|
|
L-5
|
7,501 to 10,000 square feet
|
$90
|
|
L-6
|
10,001 to 40,000 square feet
|
$140
|
|
L-7
|
40,001 to 80,000 square feet
|
$190
|
|
L-8
|
80,001 to 120,000 square feet
|
$240
|
|
L-9
|
121,000 and up
|
$290
|
b.
Uses requiring registration with the State as life hazard uses shall
not be required to register or pay fees pursuant to this section.
c.
Vacant premises that create a fire hazard shall be charged and inspected
according to the schedule listed above in this section.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-11]
The application fees for the permits listed in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.7
shall be as specified in the Uniform Fire Code.
[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 § 14-13]
Enforcement, violations, and penalties shall be managed in conformity
with the Uniform Fire Safety Act, the Uniform Fire Code and all other
laws of the State of New Jersey.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-14.1]
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 $40.
[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.
[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 § 14-15.3]
No person, firm or corporation shall park or stop any vehicle
or place any obstruction in or upon any designated fire lane except
authorized emergency vehicles on official business.
[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]
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 $75 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.
[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.
[Ord. No. 06-01 § 14-17]
(RESERVED)
