[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township of Howell
by Ord. No. O-97-14, as amended through Ord. No. O-01-10 (§ 10-5
of the 1974 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide a
rapid entry system for the fire services allowing swift entry into
structures by the responding fire services, preventing damage which
results from forceful entry and providing a safe/secure status of
the structure when the emergency response is completed.
A.
A key box shall be installed in an accessible location
as determined by the Fire Prevention Official to provide for immediate
building access by the responding fire company, to verify the existence
of a fire or other emergency condition in any and all buildings equipped
with or required to be equipped with fire detection, fire alarm or
fire suppression equipment or systems or any other related fire detection/suppression
system or equipment.
B.
The Township Bureau of Fire Prevention Official, with
approval of the Fire Chief, may require a key box in other types of
building facilities where certain occupancies, hazards and/or storage
conditions are deemed to require rapid entry by the responding fire
company.
C.
The key box shall be of UL type and be approved by
the Township Bureau of Fire Prevention. It shall be installed in a
manner approved by the Township Bureau of Fire Prevention and shall
contain keys to gain necessary access to the subject structure and
equipment as required by the Fire Official, as well as floor plans,
special instructions and other type forms necessary for the safe access
by the fire departments/companies as required by the Fire Official.
A.
The installation of the key box shall be in compliance
with Section 5:18-2.2 of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
B.
All buildings shall comply with this chapter within
three months of its effective date. All newly constructed buildings
not yet occupied or buildings under construction on the effective
date of this chapter shall comply as a condition of issuance of a
certificate of occupancy.
Failure to comply after given notice by the
Fire Official shall require penalties as set forth in the New Jersey
Uniform Fire Code.
Owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings
and all existing commercial buildings under 12,000 square feet in
size are exempt from the requirements of this chapter.
The Township Bureau of Fire Prevention is charged
to enforce the regulations contained in this chapter.
