ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 1 - Schedule A Degnan Field House
[1972 Code § 18-1.1; Ord. No. 799-85 § 1]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202, the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code may be locally enforced in the Township of West Orange.
[1972 Code § 18-1.2; Ord. No. 799-85 § 2]
The Local Enforcing Agency shall be the Fire Department of the Township of West Orange, New Jersey.
[1972 Code § 18-1.3; Ord. No. 799-85 § 3]
The Local Enforcement Agency (West Orange Fire Department) shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the codes and regulations adopted under in it all buildings, structures, and premises within the established boundaries of the 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.
[1972 Code § 18-1.4; Ord. No. 799-85 § 4]
The Local Enforcement Agency established by subjection 18-1.2 of this section shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs of the State of New Jersey.
[1972 Code § 18-1.5; Ord. No. 799-85 § 5]
The Local Enforcement Agency established by subsection 18-1.2 of this section shall be the West Orange Fire Department and shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Chief of the Fire Department.
[1972 Code § 18-1.6; Ord. No. 799-85 § 6]
a. 
Appointment of Fire Official. The Local Enforcing Agency shall be under the supervision of a fire official who shall be not only subordinate to but appointed by the Chief of the Fire Department, with the approval of the Mayor.
b. 
Inspectors, Employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary for the Local Enforcing Agency to property carry out its responsibilities shall be assigned by the Director of the Fire Department, with the approval of the Mayor.
[1972 Code § 18-1.7; Ord. No. 799-85 § 7; Ord. No. 2535-18]
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27-206 and 208, respectively, any person aggrieved by any ruling, action, order, or notice of the Local Enforcement Agency (or agencies) shall have the right to appeal to the Essex County Construction Board of Appeals.
[1972 Code § 18-1.8; Ord. No. 799-85 § 8; Ord. No. 2535-18]
In addition to the inspection and fees required pursuant to the Act and the regulations of the Department of Community Affairs, the following additional inspections and fees shall be required, including life hazard uses and life hazard uses at a minimum of bi-annually.
[1972 Code § 18-1.9; Ord. No. 799-85 § 9; Ord. No. 2535-18; amended 6-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2854-24]
The permit fees established by the Uniform Fire Code shall be set forth by Resolution at the approval of the Township Council.
[Ord. No. 2548-18]
The inspection fee required under the New Jersey Fire Code may be waived for Mobile Retail Food Establishments operating on an itinerant basis at an event sponsored by the Township of West Orange, provided that an inspection is still required prior to the event.
[Ord. No. 1431-97 §§ 1-6; amended 6-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2855-24]
a. 
Establishment of Fire Lane. There is hereby established a fire lane at Bernard M. Degnan Park the boundaries of which are described in Schedule "A" included as an attachment to this chapter
b. 
Notice to Public. The Township Engineer and/or Police and Fire Departments shall cause to be posted appropriate notice to the public of the boundaries of the fire lane and the penalties for parking a motor vehicle therein.
c. 
Removing and Impounding of Motor Vehicles. Parking of a motor vehicle within the fire lane is expressly prohibited at any time. Any motor vehicle parked therein may be taken into possession by the Police Department and towed to some proper storage place and there held until all penalties are paid and until all towage and storage charges are paid by the owner of the motor vehicle.
d. 
Penalty. Unless another penalty is expressly provided by New Jersey Statute any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be subject to a fine in an amount to be prescribed by Resolution in addition to any towage and storage charges. Multiple violations will result in increased fines which are established and prescribed by Resolution. These penalty provisions shall apply to the illegal parking in any designated fire lane in the Township.
e. 
Exceptions. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the following:
1. 
Township Police and Fire motor vehicles.
2. 
All other Township-owned motor vehicles parked while Township employees are in the course of their employment.
3. 
Motor vehicles belonging to public utilities which are parked in furtherance of the normal activities of the utility.
f. 
Enforcement. Enforcement of this section shall be the responsibility of the Police and Fire Departments.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 18-3, Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Alarms Required for All Dwelling Units, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance Nos. 1574-98 and 1959-04, was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance No. 2292-10. See Section 25-40, Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors.
[Ord. No. 2417-14]
AUTOMATIC DIALER
Shall refer to a device that automatically dials and relays a prerecorded message to a central station or the Fire Department.
AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
Shall mean a system or assembly of piping, valves, controls, and sprinklers, which are designed and installed to comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, which utilize water, foam, carbon dioxide, or other gas to automatically react to suppress fire.
CENTRAL STATION
Shall mean an office of a private company to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling devices are transmitted and where personnel are in attendance at all times to supervise the circuits and investigate signals.
FIRE OFFICIAL
Shall mean the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
KEY LOCK BOX
Shall mean a secure rapid entry system that is designed to be used by Fire Department personnel in the event of an emergency to gain entry into a structure by using the enclosed owner-provided key(s). This box is usually mounted on the exterior of the building in a location that is specified by the Fire Official and Construction Official. All boxes shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, Knox-Box® brand, and approved by the Fire Official and Construction Official.
STANDPIPE SYSTEM
Shall mean a wet or dry system of piping, valves, outlets and related equipment designed to provide water at specified pressures and installed exclusively for the fighting of fires.
[Ord. No. 2417-14]
Unless otherwise determined in writing by the Fire Official, the following structures shall be equipped with a Key Lock Box of a type and size and at a location approved by the Fire Official and Construction Official:
a. 
All new commercial buildings shall be equipped with a Key Lock Box prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
b. 
All existing commercial buildings constructing additions, major renovations, or changes of use that require Township Zoning or Planning Board approval, shall be equipped with a Key Lock Box prior to the issuance of any necessary permits.
c. 
All existing commercial buildings with new occupancies by tenants shall be equipped with a Key Lock Box prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Continued Occupancy.
d. 
Each building protected by an automatic fire suppression and/or standpipe system and not manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
e. 
Each building protected by an automatic fire alarm system (automatic dialer, central station, external audible/visual alarm) and not manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
f. 
Multi-family residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors but have a common corridor for access to the living units, including but not limited to condominium buildings.
g. 
Schools, whether public or private.
h. 
Governmental structures and nursing care facilities, unless the building is staffed or open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
[Ord. No. 2417-14]
The property owner is required at all times to keep a key(s) in the Key Lock Box that will allow access to the structure. The Key Lock Box shall contain, but not be limited to, the following items as designated by the Fire Official:
a. 
Labeled keys to locked points of ingress and egress, whether in interior or exterior of such buildings;
b. 
Labeled keys to the locked mechanical rooms;
c. 
Labeled keys to locked elevator rooms and controls;
d. 
Labeled keys to any fence or secured areas;
e. 
Labeled keys to areas of the building where fire alarm panels and fire protection systems are located;
f. 
Labeled keys to any other areas that may be required by the Fire Official;
g. 
A card containing the emergency contact names and phone numbers for such buildings;
h. 
Floor plans of the rooms within the building showing locations of shut-offs;
i. 
Hazardous materials information; and
j. 
An inventory of the keys.
The property owner shall notify the Township Fire Department when any or all of the locks or keys have been changed and shall keep the immediate area of the Key Lock Box free and clear of any and all obstructions.
[Ord. No. 2417-14]
The property owner shall apply for a registration for a Key Lock Box on forms provided by and obtained from the Fire Official. A registration is required prior to the installation of a Key Lock Box in order to verify the proper size, mounting location and installation of said Key Lock Box. The Key Lock Box shall be installed at a location approved by the Fire Official and the Construction Official. No Key Lock Box shall be installed, voluntarily or otherwise, without first obtaining the approval of the Fire Official and the Construction Official. The property owner shall be responsible for the cost to purchase, install, and maintain the Key Lock Box.
[Ord. No. 2417-14]
All existing buildings required to have a Key Lock Box shall comply with this section one year from its effective date. All newly constructed buildings not yet occupied or buildings currently under construction and all buildings or businesses applying for a Certificate of Occupancy shall comply immediately upon passage of this section. In any event, the owner of any structure in the Township shall comply with this section within 60 days from receipt of written notice from the Fire Official. The cost of purchasing and installing, along with any cost associated with implementation of the program at a specific property, will be borne by the property owner.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 2417-14 was adopted September 9, 2014.
[Ord. No. 2417-14]
Any property owner failing to comply with this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $300 for each day of violation or noncompliance.
[Ord. No. 2418-14]
The owner of a new structure, an existing structure undergoing construction requiring a new or revised Certificate of Occupancy, or an existing structure undergoing a change of use, having a sprinkler and/or standpipe connection either attached to or within five feet of said structure, shall be required to install, maintain and illuminate a weatherproof light fixture containing a 100 watt light source, red in color, mounted on the structure in the immediate vicinity of the sprinkler or standpipe connection at a height of seven feet above the connection. The exact final placement and design of the light fixture shall be set forth on plans submitted to and approved by the Fire Chief or his/her designee and the Construction Official.
[Ord. No. 2418-14]
The owner of a new structure, an existing structure undergoing construction requiring a new or revised Certificate of Occupancy, or an existing structure undergoing a change of use, having a sprinkler and/or standpipe connection remotely located at a distance in excess of five feet of said structure shall cause to be placed, installed, maintained and illuminated a freestanding, weatherproof light fixture containing a 100 watt light source, red in color, mounted immediately behind the fixture at a height of four feet. The exact final placement and design of the light fixture shall be set forth on plans submitted to and approved by the Fire Chief or his/her designee and the Construction Official.
[Ord. No. 2418-14]
In certain cases, based upon extraordinary conditions, the Fire Chief, or his/her designee, shall have the right to grant a waiver of the requirements imposed by this section, on an individual basis; however, some form of other substitute identification will be required.
[Ord. No. 2418-14]
The owner of any structure in the Township which falls within the requirements of this action shall cause the structure to be brought into compliance with this section within one year from its effective date, or 60 days from receipt of written notice from the Fire Chief, or his/her designee, whichever is sooner.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 2418-14 was adopted September 9, 2014.
[Ord. No. 2418-14]
Any property owner failing to comply with this section shall be subject to a fine of not more than $300 for each day of violation or noncompliance.
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
a. 
For the convenience of those persons and entities that require the services of off duty firefighters and to authorize special, off-duty assignments, the Township of West Orange hereby establishes this policy and procedures to facilitate the process and not cause an undue burden upon the taxpayers.
b. 
Persons or entities wishing to engage off-duty Firefighters must make their request through the Chief of the Fire Department, or designee. The Chief of the Fire Department, or designee, may grant the request when, in the opinion of the Chief of the Fire Department, such assignment will not be inconsistent with the efficient functioning and good reputation of the Fire Department, and would not unreasonably endanger or threaten the safety of the firefighter(s) who will be working the assignment(s).
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
a. 
The Chief Financial Officer of the Township shall oversee the billing for persons or entities contracting for the services of off-duty West Orange Firefighters.
b. 
Payment for off-duty firefighter services is required with 14 calendar days following billing, unless through prior arrangement with the Township's Chief Financial Officer.
c. 
Failure to submit timely payment within 30 calendar days of the billing date will result in the Chief Financial Officer requiring that the person or entity contracting for services establishes a prepaid escrow account or a performance bond for an amount sufficient to satisfy the established rates of compensation and administrative fees for the total estimated hours of anticipated service for the pending billing period for that job. Emergent requests for off-duty services are addressed in subsection 18-6.2g.
d. 
Prior to making an assignment of off-duty Firefighters, the Chief of the Fire Department, or designee, shall verify with the Chief Financial Officer that the contractor is not in arrears and, if so, that sufficient funds have been deposited in the existing escrow account or that a performance bond has been posted to ensure that sufficient funds are available to cover the firefighter's compensation and administrative fees.
e. 
When applicable, in the event that the funds in the escrow account become depleted, the off- duty services shall cease and requests for further or future services should not be performed or scheduled until sufficient funds have been allotted in the manner prescribed in subsection § 18-6.2d.
f. 
The person or entity requesting off-duty firefighters shall be responsible for ensuring that sufficient funds remain in the escrow account in order to avoid any interruption of services.
g. 
When applicable, if an escrow account is underfunded or becomes overdrawn, the underfunded/overdrawn escrow account will be charged a monthly fee of 1.5% of the shortfall until replenished.
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
a. 
All requests to engage off-duty firefighters shall be made to the Chief of the Fire Department, or designee. Firefighters shall remain employees of the Fire Department at all times and shall be subject to the policies, procedures, directives, rules and regulations of the Department, the Township of West Orange, and/or the State of New Jersey. Wages earned from extra duty employment shall not be applied towards pension benefits.
b. 
The Township may establish a policy permitting sworn personnel of other fire departments to work off-duty assignments that cannot be filled by West Orange personnel. The Chief Financial Officer shall establish payment procedures for these supplemental Fire Department personnel.
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
The following shall constitute the rate of services for extra duty assignments and the use of Fire Department equipment, unless there is a contract to the contrary:
a. 
Firefighter/Fire Officer: An amount to be prescribed by resolution with the minimum amount set at of $115 per hour, for a minimum of four (4) hours of service.
b. 
Fire Engine: An amount to be prescribed by resolution with the minimum amount set at $175 per hour, for a minimum of four (4) hours.
c. 
Aerial Ladder Truck: An amount to be prescribed by resolution with the minimum amount set at $225 per hour, for a minimum of four (4) hours.
d. 
Ambulance. An amount to be prescribed by resolution with the minimum amount set at $50 per hour, for a minimum of four (4) hours.
e. 
Fire Vehicle/SUV: An amount to be prescribed by resolution with the minimum amount set at $25 per hour, for a minimum of four (4) hours.
f. 
All assignments shall have a four (4) hour minimum per firefighter or fire officers contracted. Firefighters are entitled to the minimum hours of compensation if their assignment is cancelled upon their arrival at the job site without advance notice stipulated in this section and/or prescribed by corresponding resolution.
g. 
Firefighters are entitled to the minimum hours of compensation stipulated in subsection 18-6.4. Firefighters who begin an assignment, but who are cancelled prior to the completion of the assignment shall be entitled to the minimum compensation stipulated in this section or the number of hours worked, whichever is longer.
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
a. 
Persons or entities contracting for off-duty firefighter services shall be aware that the firefighter(s) and/or fire officer(s) hired are not their personal employees and shall not be required to perform non-Fire Department related tasks. Fire Department related tasks typically include fire watch, EMS coverage, special event coverage (i.e., open burns, fireworks, etc.), and any other situation that would warrant West Orange Fire Department personnel and equipment.
b. 
Unless specifically authorized by the Chief of the Fire Department, firefighters shall be in uniform.
c. 
Persons or entities that had contracted for off-duty firefighters and need to cancel the assignment must do so with sufficient advance notice, but at least two hours prior to the start of the assignment or be liable for the minimum compensation stipulated in subsection 18-6.4. Notification shall be made to the Fire Prevention Bureau telephone line 973-325-4175 or the main police telephone line, 973-325-4000.
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
If any part of this section shall be deemed invalid, such parts shall be severed and the invalidity thereof shall not affect the remaining parts of this section.
[Added 9-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2869-24]
This section shall take effect upon final passage and publication in accordance with the law.