[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
The purpose of this Chapter 18 is to:
a.
Create standards, procedures and controls for the installation and
maintenance of key boxes for secured openings (as defined hereinbelow),
which are designed to provide access to emergency service into an
otherwise secured area, building or structure; and
b.
Reduce any and all damage resulting from the delay of access to or
inaccessibility of secured areas, buildings or structures by emergency
service.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meanings
indicated:
Shall mean agencies, both paid and volunteer, that respond
to an emergency or call for service due to an alarm, call or any other
dispatch, which shall include, without limitation, the Bedminster
Police Department and its Auxiliary Police Force, the Far Hills-Bedminster
Volunteer Fire Department, the Pottersville Volunteer Fire Department,
the Far Hills-Bedminster First Aid Squad, any neighboring emergency
service entity responding on behalf of any township emergency service,
and any agency providing service for the benefit of any township emergency
service.
Shall mean any protected box containing a key or other item
which by its nature allows for access into a secured opening, which
emergency services and designated persons have access to so that emergency
service and such persons are able to gain access into a locked point
of ingress, whether on the interior or exterior of such areas, buildings
or structures.
Shall mean any owner of property, including land, buildings
or structures located within Bedminster Township. Tenants and other
persons authorized to act on behalf of the property owner are included.
Shall mean any opening into an area, building or structure
which is barred from the public access, whether by door, gate, window,
shutter or any other structure designed to be opened and closed, and
is a locked point of ingress, whether on the interior or exterior
of such areas, buildings or structures.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
Any property owner located within Bedminster Township may elect
to install a secured opening key box on that property, unless determined
mandatory by the fire official in his reasonable discretion. The key
box shall be of a type approved by the fire official, and shall be
installed at the expense of the property owner.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
The key box shall be installed at the front of the building
or structure, near the main entry door, and be between six and eight
feet above the ground unless approved at a higher or lower level by
the fire official.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
All keys within the key box shall be clearly labeled or marked
for easy identification as to the doors they open or the devices they
operate. Keys and labels shall be kept current.
[Ord. #04-25, S 19]
The key box shall contain:
a.
Keys to locked points of ingress, whether on the interior or exterior
of such areas, buildings or structures.
b.
Keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms.
c.
Keys to locked electrical rooms.
d.
Keys to elevator controls.
e.
Keys to other areas as directed by the fire official.
f.
A card containing the emergency contact people and phone numbers
for such building. In addition, floor plans of rooms within the building
may be required. Where such emergency cards and floor plans are not
appropriate for storage in the key box, they shall be filed with the
appropriate emergency service identified by the fire official.
g.
Other materials as directed by the fire official.
Before installing any key box required by this section, the
property owner shall make a written request to the fire official to
designate or approve the proposed location of the same. After installation
has been completed, the property owner shall request inspection by
the fire official in order to determine compliance with this section.
The fire official shall provide the property owner with a written
approval or disapproval. In the case of disapproval, the fire official
shall state his reasons therefor.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
Any property owner who is aggrieved by any action or decision
of the fire official, or who determines to seek a waiver of the provisions
of this section may appeal such action or decision to the Somerset
County Construction Board of Appeals.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
The keys to the secured openings shall be fully fastened in
the appropriate emergency apparatus key box. Access to the secured
area, building or structure shall be achieved only through the emergency
service with the use of designated codes. The specific access procedures
are as follows:
a.
The emergency officer in charge determines that access is necessary.
b.
Said emergency officer shall maintain control of the area, building
or structure to be accessed and assign only the appropriate search
teams to determine the cause of the alarm or emergency call.
c.
Said emergency officer shall re-secure the area, building or structure,
if possible, and advise the property owner thereof immediately of
the access and re-securing or inability to re-secure of the building.
d.
Said emergency officer shall file a written report with the Bedminster
Township fire official and property owner as soon as possible relative
to the entry and other events resulting therefrom.
[Ord. #04-25, S 19]
The emergency officer shall contact the Bedminster Township
Police and request their assistance while the secured area, building
or structure is under his control, or if unable to re-secure the area,
building or structure to provide security while the area, building
or structure remains unsecured.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
Any violation of any section of this chapter will result in
one or more of the following at the discretion of the Judge of the
Municipal Court of the Township of Bedminster: a withholding of a
building permit or the certificate of occupancy, or a fine not to
exceed $500.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
All key boxes shall be installed and maintained in accordance
with all applicable municipal and governmental laws, ordinances and
requirements.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
If emergency services respond to an alarm or any emergency call
and have reasonable belief that someone inside the building or on
the property is in need of emergency services, forced entry and noncompliance
with the procedures specified in this chapter are permitted. The property
owner will be responsible for the damages caused during entry, if
any.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
Should it be impossible to re-secure the area, building or structure
after emergency services obtained access, notification will be immediately
made to the property owner and it will be the responsibility of the
property owner to re-secure the area, building or structure. The emergency
service and the Township shall not be held liable for any damage occurring
from the failure to re-secure.
[Ord. # 04-25, S 19]
It is understood that this chapter does not supersede or preclude
any penalties, rules or regulations promulgated by the State Fire
Code or State Construction Code, and should this chapter be found
to conflict with the State Fire Code or State Construction Code, the
State Fire Code or State Construction Code will take precedence.
