[1978 Code § 13-1.1; Ord. No. 694 § 1]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, Ch. 383) the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Township of Sparta.
[1978 Code § 13-1.2; Ord. No. 694 § 2; amended 9-23-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-15]
a.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Hardyston Township Bureau of Fire Prevention, which shall hereinafter be known as the local enforcing agency or Bureau of Fire Prevention pursuant to a shared services agreement, effective July 1, 2025, between the Township of Sparta and the Township of Hardyston, which is incorporated by reference herein. A copy of said agreement is on file in the municipal clerk's office.
b.
The local enforcing agency established by this chapter shall be created and supervised by the Township of Hardyston and shall meet all of the requirements of the applicable law and regulations.
c.
The chief administrative officer of the local enforcing agency shall be a state-licensed fire official appointed by the governing body of the Township of Hardyston consistent with the procedures set forth in the applicable law and regulations. The governing body of the Township of Hardyston may appoint fire inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency consistent with applicable laws and regulations. All inspectors shall be licensed by the State.
[1978 Code § 13-1.3; Ord. No. 694 § 3]
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 Township of Sparta, 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.
[1978 Code § 13-1.4; Ord. No. 694 § 4]
The Bureau of Fire Prevention 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 9-23-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-15]
In addition to the registrations and permits required by the Uniform Fire Code, all other uses subject to Uniform Fire Code inspections shall register with the local enforcing agency prior to commencing operation of the non-life-hazard use. A penalty shall accrue, in addition to the registration fee, if a non-life-hazard use is not so registered prior to commencing operation. The non-life-hazard use shall thereafter be registered annually during the month of January. A late registration penalty shall be assessed on February 1 for failure to register in accordance with the fee schedule below. Late registrations in excess of 90 days will be referred to the Township Attorney for collection.
[1978 Code § 13-1.5; Ord. No. 694 § 5]
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be a part of the Sparta Township Fire Department.
[1978 Code § 13-1.6; Ord. No. 694 § 6; Ord. No. 02-02 § 1; amended 11-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-21]
a.
Appointment of Fire Official. The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be under the direct supervision of a Fire Official hereinafter known as the Fire Marshal who shall be appointed by the Township Manager. This appointment shall be based upon consultation with the Fire Department Chief and selection shall be made from at least one candidate recommended by the Fire Department.
b.
Term of Office. The Fire Marshal shall serve for a term of one year, after which he or she may be reappointed by the procedures established in paragraph a. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
c.
Inspectors and Employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary for the Bureau of Fire Prevention to properly carry out its responsibilities shall be appointed by the Township Manager upon the recommendation of the Fire Marshal.
d.
Removal from Office. The Fire Marshall, Inspectors and other employees of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be subject to removal by the Township Manager for inefficiency or misconduct. The Fire Marshal, each inspector or employee to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to have a public hearing if he/she so desires.
[1978 Code § 13-1.7]
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any order of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of the County of Sussex.
[1978 Code § 13-1.8; Ord. No. 694 § 8; Ord. No. 842 § 1; Ord. No. 08-04 § 1; Ord. No. 08-24 § 5; Ord. No. 2016-19 § 3; amended 11-22-2022 by Ord. No. 22-16; 12-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-20]
The application fees for a certificate of smoke detector, carbon monoxide and fire extinguisher compliance are as follows:
Smoke Detector, Carbon Monoxide Detector and Fire Extinguisher Inspections | Fee |
|---|---|
Smoke detector inspection (more than 10 days before closing) | $100 |
Smoke detector inspection (4 to 10 days before closing) | $150 |
Smoke detector inspection (less than 4 days before closing) | $200 |
Smoke detector reinspection | $50 every reinspection |
[1978 Code § 13-1.9; Ord. No. 694 § 9; Ord. No. 842 § 2; Ord. No. 02-02 § 1; Ord. No. 2016-19 § 3; amended 11-22-2022 by Ord. No. 22-16; 11-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-21; 12-10-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-20]
a.
The permit fees shall be in accordance with those set by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
b.
Non-Life Hazard Use inspection fees for all commercial occupancies that do not meet the criteria for Life Hazard Inspection, as defined in the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, are based on the square footage of the occupancy as follows:
Size | Fee |
|---|---|
Up to 500 square feet | $50 |
501 to 9,999 square feet | $100 |
10,000 square feet or more | $200 |
c.
Annual Life Hazard registration fees shall be collected and accounted for by the State Division of Fire Safety. They shall annually bill for and take such steps as may be necessary to collect these annual fees. Sixty-five percent of these fees shall be remitted to the Township of Sparta in accordance with the provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
d.
Fire Permits.
Type of Fire Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
Type 1 (xix) mobile food vendors | $54 per day/event or $300 annual permit fee per location |
Failure to pay the required non-life-hazard use inspection fee(s) within the timeframe indicated on an order to do so will cause a penalty to be imposed in an amount equal to the original fee(s). These penalties will be in addition to the original fee due and must be paid within 30 days after issuance of an Order to Abate Violation and Pay Penalty. Failure to pay the required non-life-hazard use inspection fee within 60 days after issuance of an Order to Abate Violation and Pay Penalty will cause a penalty to be imposed in the amount of $250. If the total fee(s) and penalties are not paid within 30 days, the matter may be referred to the Township Attorney for summary collection under the New Jersey Penalty Enforcement Law, N.J.S.A. 2A:58-1 et seq., and enforcement of this section.
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also renumbered former Subsection 16-1.10 as Subsection 16-1.11.
[1978 Code § 13-1.10; Ord. No. 694 § 10; amended 11-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-21]
The National Fire Codes of the National Fire Protection Association shall be used for any fire safety hazard or condition not specifically addressed by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
[Former § 16-1.11, Annual Registration Fees, was repealed 11-28-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-21. Prior history includes 1978 Code § 13-1.11; Ord. No. 694 § 11.]
No person shall park, stop, stand a vehicle or otherwise obstruct a fire lane or area which has been established in the Township of Sparta pursuant to the Uniform Fire Safety Act of the State of New Jersey.
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Shall refer to a device that automatically dials and relays a prerecorded message to a central station or the Fire Department.
Refers to 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.
An approved system of devices and equipment which automatically detects a fire and discharges an approved fire-extinguishing agent onto or in the area of a fire.
A fire alarm system that has initiation devices that utilize smoke detectors for protection of an area such as a room or space with detectors to provide early warning of fire.
An automatic sprinkler system, for fire protection purposes, is an integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection engineering standards. The system includes a suitable water supply. The portion of the system above the ground is a network of specially sized or hydraulically designed piping installed in a structure or area, generally overhead, and to which automatic sprinklers are connected in a systematic pattern. The system is usually activated by heat from a fire and discharges water or the fire area.
A central office, connected to remote alarm and supervisory signaling devices, where personnel is in attendance at all times to monitor the system activity and investigate signals. The central-station personnel take immediate and appropriate action upon receipt of an alarm signal.
The fire official or fire inspector certified by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs and appointed or designated to direct the enforcement of the code by the appointing authority of a local enforcing agency.
A limited issue key of special or controlled design to be carried by Fire Department officials in command which will open Key Boxes on specified properties.
Shall refer to the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
Hard cut physical key; electronic locking keys, e.g., fobs, key cards, etc.
A secure device with a lock operable only by a Fire Department master key, and containing building entry keys and other keys that may be required for access in an emergency. This box is usually mounted on the exterior of the building in a location that is specified by the Fire Official and Construction Official.
Shall refer to 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.
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
Where required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving or firefighting purposes, the fire code official is authorized to require a Key Box to be installed in an approved location. The Key Box shall be of an approved type listed in accordance with UL 1037, as same may be updated, amended or replaced, and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the fire code official.
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 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 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 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.
Multifamily 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.
i.
Driveways to structures defined above with controlled access (fences, gates, etc.) shall have a Key Box installed at the gate to facilitate entry in to the property.
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
The property owner is required at all times to keep a key(s) in the Key Box that will allow access to the structure. The Key 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 and access codes 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 shutoffs;
i.
Hazardous materials information; and
j.
An inventory of the keys.
k.
Fire protection system reset codes and written instructions.
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 Box free and clear of any and all obstructions.
Key Box maintenance. The operator of the building shall immediately notify the fire code official and provide the new key where a lock is changed or rekeyed. The key to such lock shall be secured in the Key Box.
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
The property owner shall apply for a registration for a Key Box on forms provided by and obtained from the Fire Official. A registration is required prior to the installation of a Key Box in order to verify the proper size, mounting location and installation of said Key Box. The Key Box shall be installed at a location approved by the Fire Official and the Construction Official. No Key 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 Box.
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
All existing buildings required to have a Key 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.
[Added 8-22-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-18]
Any property owner that fails to comply with this section shall be subject to the penalties and dedicated penalties as provided for under the New Jersey Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12 and N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12A.