[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee of the Township of Mansfield 2-21-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-2.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
The local enforcing agency shall be the Township Bureau of Fire Prevention which is hereby created therein. The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall hereinafter be known as the local enforcing agency.
A.
Within the established boundaries of the Township, the local enforcing agency shall enforce the code[1] in all buildings, structures and premises other than owner-occupied buildings of less than three dwelling units used exclusively for dwelling purposes and buildings, structures and premises owned or operated by the federal government, interstate agencies or the state.
[1]
Editor’s Note: “[T]he code” refers to the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code; see N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq.
B.
The local enforcing agency shall faithfully comply with all the pertinent requirements of the code.
A.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by § 21A-2 of this article shall be under the direct supervision and control of a Fire Official who shall report to the Township Committee, represented by the Public Safety Director.
B.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have at least one paid Fire Official and such paid inspectors as may be necessary to properly enforce the code.
C.
The governing body shall hereby appoint a temporary Fire Official in the absence of the duly appointed Fire Official.
A.
Appointment and qualifications of Fire Official. The Fire Official shall be certified by the state and appointed by the governing body from a list of at least three names submitted by the Chief of the Franklin Fire Company No. 1. The recommended person for the position of Fire Official shall be preferred to be an active member of the Franklin Fire Company No. 1.
B.
Appointment and qualifications of inspectors and other employees. Inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be appointed by the governing body upon the recommendation of the Fire Official. The recommended person for the position of inspector, and employees, shall be preferred to be an active member of the Franklin Fire Company No. 1. All Life-Hazard Use Inspectors shall be certified by the State of New Jersey.
C.
Appointment of legal counsel. The governing body shall specifically appoint legal counsel to assist the agency in enforcing the code.
D.
Term of office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of three years. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
E.
Removal from office. The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the agency shall be subject to removal by the governing body for just cause. Before removal from office, all persons shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the governing body or a hearing office designated by the same.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by § 21A-2 of this article shall carry out the periodic inspections of life-hazard uses required by the code on behalf of the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.
A.
In addition to the registrations required by the Code, the following non-life-hazard uses shall register with the Bureau of Fire Prevention. These uses shall be inspected once per year and shall pay an annual fee as set forth below:
(1)
Business:
Use Group | Description | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
B-1 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 300 square feet or less | $65 |
B-2 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 301 square feet to 500 square feet | $80 |
B-3 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 501 square feet to 3,500 square feet | $100 |
B-4 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 3,501 to 12,000 square feet | $170 |
B-5 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 12,001 square feet to 24,000 square feet | $380 |
B-6 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 24,001 to 48,000 square feet | $520 |
B-7 | Business establishments having a gross floor area of 48,001 square feet or greater | $730 |
B-8 | Business/Multi. Multiple business occupancy shall include all buildings and structures or parts thereof which are used for the purposes that meet the requirements of Use Group B and which comprise a multiplicity of rooms, suites or areas to accommodate multiple business occupancies, not to exceed 30 in number, which are rented from a common owner. The owner, who shall control access to all areas, shall provide basic services as are needed for the tenants to conduct their business, at their option. These services may include but are not limited to clerical, phone answering and message taking, photocopying and reproduction, mail services, security and secretarial and stenographers. | $450 |
BCA | Business/Common Area: Business/common areas shall include any area or part of the structure, that is shared or not, which supports the functionality of the structure. The common area may include electrical and fire sprinkler and utility service rooms/closets, shared means of egress hallway/stairs, parking areas/fire lanes, business "shell buildings," etc. The intent of the BCA code is to register common areas separately from registered businesses when the common area and associated business are not of the same owner/occupant. | $65 |
(2)
Mercantile:
Use Group | Description | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
M-1 | Mercantile establishments having a gross floor area of 500 square feet or less | $85 |
M-2 | Mercantile establishments having a gross floor area of more than 501 square feet to 3,500 square feet | $100 |
M-3 | Mercantile establishments having a gross floor area of more than 3,501 square feet to 12,000 square feet | $170 |
MCA | Mercantile/Common Area: Mercantile common areas shall include any area or part of the structure, that is shared or not, which supports the functionality of the structure. The common area may include electrical and fire sprinkler and utility service rooms/closets, shared means of egress hallways/stairs, parking areas/fire lanes, mercantile "shell buildings," etc. The intent of the MCA code is to register common areas when associated mercantile are not of the same owner/occupant[1]. | $65 |
[1]
Editor's Note: Ordinance No. 2024-2 also provided: "This addition MCA allows enforcement of landlord-controlled areas of complex areas. It will help with compliance to register as its own space."
(3)
Factory:
Use Group | Description | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
F-1 | Factories having a gross floor area of less than 12,000 square feet | $425 |
(4)
Storage:
Use Group | Description | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
S-1 | Buildings used for storage with a gross floor area of less than 2,500 square feet | $240 |
S-2 | Buildings used for storage with a gross floor area of 2,501 square feet or more, but less than 7,500 square feet | $280 |
S-3 | Buildings used for storage with a gross floor area of 7,501 square feet or more, but less than 12,000 square feet | $350 |
(5)
Utility:
Use Group | Description | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
U-1 | Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy (under 2,500 square feet) | $100 |
U-2 | Buildings and structures of an accessory character and miscellaneous structures not classified in any specific occupancy (2,500 square feet and over) | $200 |
B.
R/A uses shall be inspected and charged a fee upon sale or change of tenant, and shall be registered, inspected and charged a fee in accordance with Chapter 39D of this Code relating to rental inspections.
D.
Uses required to register with the state as life-hazard uses shall not be required to register under this section.
E.
Vacant buildings which create a fire hazard shall be charged and inspected according to the previous use of the building.
A.
When inspecting for compliance with the smoke alarm requirements of the Fire Code, the Municipal Fire Official shall also determine if house numbers have been properly placed in compliance with Township Ordinance No. 1991-26.[1] If so, he or she shall indicate the same in the certificate covering the smoke alarm. In the event that the numbers are nonexistent or not in compliance with the ordinance, the deficiency shall be corrected before the certificate required by this article shall be issued.
[1]
Editor's Note: Said ordinance was repealed1-28-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-1.
B.
Whenever an occupancy changes in any building, structure or premises, the Fire Official shall be notified and an inspection shall occur. This notice shall occur within 10 days of the change of occupancy.
C.
A fee shall be paid to the Fire Official to offset the cost of the inspection and certification. The fee schedule shall be as follows, but never less than set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9:
When Request Received | Fee |
|---|---|
11 days or more prior to settlement date | $45 |
4 to 10 days prior to settlement date | $90 |
With notice of less than 4 days | $161 |
D.
A fee shall be paid to the Fire Official to offset the costs of any reinspection required as a result of failures occurring at the time of the initial inspection. The fee for a reinspection shall equal the fee charged for the initial inspection.
[Added 9-17-2025 by Ord. No. 2025-9]
A.
For buildings in Mansfield Township that the Fire Official determines the need for a number system, the Fire Official shall determine the extent of the numbering need.
B.
All exterior doors should be numbered in a sequential order starting with the main entrance. The main entrance should always be designated as number one. Subsequent doors will be numbered in sequential order in a clockwise manner.
C.
Exterior numbers shall be compliant with Section 505 of the International Fire Code requirements.
D.
Retroreflective material shall be used for all exterior numbers.
E.
All numbers shall be placed at the top right of the door. Where a multiple bank of doors (three or more) is present, the number shall be centered or put the same number at both ends of the bank.
F.
Exterior number sizing shall be compliant with Section 505 of the International Fire Code.
G.
Interior numbers shall match the number on the outside of the door, always be placed on the hinge side of the door near the bottom, contrast with their background and be retroreflective.
H.
Roof hatches and roof access doors shall be numbered R-1, R-2, etc. Exterior shall be six-inch minimum and interior shall be four-inch on the interior as with regular doors. They shall contrast with their background and be retroreflective.
I.
Roll-up (garage-style) doors numbers shall be consistent with other exterior doors and marked by placing the number between 1/2 and 3/4 (of the height of the door) off the ground. Numbers shall contrast with their background and be retroreflective.
The application fees for the permits listed in N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9 shall be as provided by state regulation.
(Reserved)
Except as otherwise set forth below, enforcement, violations and penalties shall be as established in conformity with the Uniform Fire Safety Act,[1] the Uniform Fire Code[2] and all other laws of the State of New Jersey. For violations of § 21A-8, conviction in first offense shall carry with it a fine of $100; $250 for a second offense; and $500 for the third and each subsequent offense.
There is hereby created within the Township of Mansfield in the Office of Fire Prevention a position which shall be known as the "Senior Fire Inspector" of Mansfield Township.
A.
Senior Fire Inspector. Fire inspectors who are licensed by the Department of Community Affairs as Fire Inspector or Fire Official who maintain their certification may be recommended for the rank of Senior Fire Inspector by the Fire Official.
B.
No person shall carry out the duties of the Fire Official or Fire Inspector unless that person is certified pursuant to Section 5:71-4.3 of the Uniform Fire Code. The term "carry out the duties" shall mean and include representing oneself as authorized to carry out inspection of life-hazard uses on behalf of the Commissioner, issuing orders pursuant to the Act,[1] and assessing or imposing any of the penalties provided for by the Act.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
C.
No local enforcing agency shall employ any person to enforce the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code at a life-hazard use unless that person shall be certified in accordance with the provisions of the Act.