Pursuant to the Uniform Fire Safety Act, N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202, the New
Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Township of Springfield.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Fire Official of the Township
of Springfield.
The local enforcing agency established by §
99-2 shall report to the Manager.
The Fire Official shall be appointed by the Township Council. In making
this appointment, the Township Council shall make the appointment from among
a list of recommendations, containing at least three names whenever possible,
provided by a committee of three persons, known as the Council from the Volunteer
Fire Companies, consisting of a representative designated by the Springfield
Township Fire Company, a representative designated by the Juliustown Volunteer
Fire Company and a representative designated by the Jacksonville Fire Company,
Inc., who shall all be appointed as such representative for a term of one
year.
The Fire Official shall serve for a term of one year. Any vacancy shall
be filled for the unexpired term.
The Township Council shall appoint such inspectors and other employees
as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency, upon the recommendation
of the Council from the Volunteer Fire Companies.
The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency
shall be subject to removal by the Township Council, upon the recommendation
of the Chief of Police, for inefficiency or misconduct. The Fire Official,
inspector or employee to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to
be heard by the Township Council or a designated hearing officer.
The local enforcement agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Code, and
the codes and regulations adopted under it, in all buildings, structures and
premises within the established boundaries of Springfield Township, other
than owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings and buildings owned or operated
by the federal government, the State of New Jersey and interstate agencies,
and shall fairly comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act
and the Uniform Fire Code.
The local enforcing agency established by §
99-2 shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
Pursuant N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and 52:27D-208, any person aggrieved by
any order of the local enforcement agency shall have the right to appeal to
the Construction Board of Appeals of Burlington County.
As used in the Fire Safety Code, the following words shall have the
meanings indicated:
The Fire Official shall have the power to modify any of the provisions
of the code adopted by this chapter, subject to the approval of the Township
Council, upon application in writing, by the owner or lessee, when it is just
and reasonable and there are practical difficulties in the way of carrying
out the strict letter of the code, provided that the spirit of the code shall
be observed, public safety secured and substantial justice done. The particulars
of such modification, when granted or allowed, and the decision of the Fire
Official thereon, shall be entered upon the records of the Township Council
and a signed copy shall be furnished to the applicant.
The Township Council and the Fire Official shall act as a committee
to determine and specify, after giving affected persons an opportunity to
be heard, any new materials, processes or occupancies which shall require
permits in addition to those enumerated in the code. The Fire Official shall
post such list in a conspicuous place in his/her office and distribute copies
thereof to interested persons.
To the extent that any term or provision of the within Fire Prevention
Code conflicts with or otherwise affects the terms and enforcement of the
State Uniform Construction Code or the State Uniform Fire Safety Code, the
terms and enforcement of such state codes shall deemed controlling.