[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council of the Township of Burlington 4-27-1965 (Sec. 4:3 of the 1975 General Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention — See Ch. 275.
Land development — See Ch. 330.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms shall be defined as follows:
CONVALESCENT HOME
Any privately operated establishment, whether operated for profit or not, devoted to the care, treatment or nursing of two or more nonrelated individuals during the recuperative stage of an illness or injury. This definition shall not be construed to imply or permit the practice of general hospital functions such as major surgical operations or the rendering of service beyond nursing care.
HOME FOR THE AGED
A privately operated establishment, whether operated for profit or not, devoted to the general care, maintenance, treatment or nursing of two or more nonrelated persons over the age of 65 years. Such establishments may also supply inmates with the type of service rendered by convalescent or nursing homes.
NURSERY
An establishment where children under six years of age are kept during the daytime while parents are at work or otherwise engaged or where four or more children under six years of age are lodged at a stipulated rate of pay. Such an establishment may be privately operated and supported by fees or charges for the service, or it may be an establishment owned and operated by the municipality.
NURSING HOME
A privately operated establishment, whether operated for profit or not, which maintains and operates facilities for the treatment, care, or nursing of two or more nonrelated individuals suffering from illness, injury or deformity, or where convalescent or other medical or nursing care is rendered. This definition shall not be construed to imply or permit the practice of general hospital functions such as major surgical operations or the rendering of service beyond nursing care.
[Amended 10-27-2009 by Ord. No. 09-OR-025]
The enforcement official designated to enforce the provisions of this chapter shall be either the Secretary to the Board of Health or any officer of the Fire District of the Township of Burlington.
A. 
Height. No building shall exceed a height of 2 1/2 stories; provided, however, that where any building on the effective date of this chapter is occupied and operated as a nursery, nursing home, convalescent home or home for the aged and exceeds 2 1/2 stories in height the provisions of this subsection shall not apply thereto.
B. 
Window openings. No building shall have window openings within 20 feet of any non-fireproof building; provided, however, that where any building on the effective date of this chapter is occupied and operated as a nursery, nursing home, convalescent home or home for the aged and has window openings within 20 feet of any non-fireproof building the provisions of this subsection shall not apply thereto.
C. 
Vertical openings. All vertical openings shall be of fireproof construction and adequate fire stops and smoke doors shall be provided.
D. 
Ceilings. The cellar or basement ceiling shall be constructed of fire-resistant material.
E. 
Egress. Every building occupied above the first floor shall have at least two means of egress remote from each other. Outside fire escapes accessible to all the occupants shall be provided wherever necessary.
F. 
Heating. The heating of such buildings shall be restricted to steam, hot water and hot air systems employing central heating plants with installation such as to safeguard the inherent fire hazard.
G. 
Lighting. Lighting shall be restricted to electricity.
H. 
Combustible materials. No combustible material shall be stored unless permitted by the Chief of the Fire District of Burlington Township.
I. 
Fire extinguishers. At least one two-and-one-half-gallon fire extinguisher of the type suitable for use on Class A fires shall be provided in each story and in the basement, or these areas shall be protected by one-inch or one-and-one-half-inch hose attached to suitable gated and located outlets. At least one two-pound carbon dioxide extinguisher shall be provided in the kitchen, and at least one extinguisher shall be provided in the cellar of a type suitable for the type of fuel used in the heating plant.
J. 
Acoustical materials. No combustible acoustical material shall be put on the walls or ceilings.
K. 
Open fireplaces. No burning in open fireplaces shall be permitted.
L. 
Instructions to employees. All employees shall be instructed periodically in the fire protection facilities of the institution, in the use of the fire-fighting apparatus and in the methods of removing patients and inmates from the building.
[Amended 10-27-2009 by Ord. No. 09-OR-025]
Any building in the Township of Burlington conducted or operated as a nursery, nursing home, convalescent home or home for the aged may be inspected from time to time by any officer of the Fire District or the Board of Health, and if said inspections disclose conditions existing in the building which conditions tend to create fire hazards or conditions contrary to this chapter or the rules and regulations of the Board of Health of the Township of Burlington, such condition or conditions shall be corrected within 30 days after notice in writing to the owner or operator of the establishment or within such other time as may be stipulated by the Chief of the Fire District of Burlington Township or by any officer of the Board of Health of Burlington Township.