[Added 6-20-2023 by Ord.
No. 2670-2023]
As used in this article, the following term shall have the meaning
indicated:
A temporary measure, ordered by the Fire Official, Fire Chief
or their designated representative, intended to ensure continuous
and systematic surveillance of a building or portion(s) thereof, by
two or more qualified individuals for the purpose of identifying and
controlling fire and other life/property hazards, detecting early
signs of an unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire to the occupants,
and notifying the Fire Department and engaging in firefighting or
other emergency response. All statements of "Fire Official" below
will be understood as the "Fire Official, Fire Chief or designated
representative."
A.
A fire watch may be ordered by the Fire Official with the approval
of the Borough Manager. After consulting with the Fire Official and
the Borough Manager, a fire watch may be ordered in public and privately
owned buildings and/or properties within the Borough under the following
circumstances:
(1)
Required fire protection systems are out of service due to system
failure; repair, scheduled maintenance, or vandalism;
(2)
An imminent hazard exists, as defined by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.16;
(3)
Requested by the building owner, tenant, lessee or organization;
(4)
Any other condition or event that may pose unusual hazards or risk
to the public or fire service when deemed necessary by the Fire Official.
A fire watch may include firefighting, rescue, recovery, and
other emergency responses, maintaining posted fire lanes, means of
egress and posted occupancy loads, enforcement of no smoking in posted
areas, area and building surveillance, checking for proper permits,
inspecting for proper safety precautions of cooking equipment and
such other functions as required by the Fire Official.
A.
Fire watches will be conducted by a minimum of two firefighters,
subject to adjustment based on needs as deemed necessary by the Fire
Official, with approval from the Borough Manager. One regular Borough
vehicle will be supplied with every fire watch and additional equipment
may be added as deemed necessary by the Fire Official with approval
from the Borough Manager.
B.
Fire watches shall be performed by active regular members of the
Borough of the Fair Lawn Fire Department. Other qualified individuals
may be utilized at the discretion of the Fire Official or the Official's
designee with prior approval of the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy
Chief, Battalion Chief or Borough Manager. Any qualified individuals
used for the purpose of a fire watch shall report directly to the
Fire Official or the Official's assigned designee, who will in
turn report to and be subject to the direction of the Borough Manager.
Persons appointed to a fire watch shall be subject to all Borough
ordinances, rules, and regulations.
A.
A fire watch shall be paid for by the building owner, tenant, lessee,
or organization for which the fire watch is requested or required,
as appropriate.
B.
Firefighters shall receive a minimum of four hours' pay for
fire watch services.
C.
If a fire watch is cancelled less than two hours prior to the start
of the watch, the building owner, tenant, lessee or organization shall
be required to pay the firefighters assigned a minimum of two hours.
D.
Payments shall be made payable to the Borough of Fair Lawn and within
10 days after service is provided.
