[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Council
of the Township of Bridgewater 1-5-1989 by Ord. No. 89-1.[1] Amendments noted where applicable.]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance provided for
the repeal of former Ch. 99, Fire Prevention, as adopted 10-18-1965
by Ord. No. 65-24 and amended in its entirety 12-30-1985 by Ord. No.
85-44.
[Amended 8-16-1999 by Ord. No. 99-14]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq. and
N.J.A.C. 5:70, the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be enforced
locally in the Township of Bridgewater.
The local enforcing agency shall be the Bureau
of Fire Safety, which is hereby created in the Township of Bridgewater
to administer the proper enforcement of this chapter. Said agency
shall have at least one paid inspector and shall enforce the New Jersey
Uniform Fire Safety Act[1] and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all
buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries
of the Township of Bridgewater, other than owner-occupied one- and
two-family dwellings, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements
of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et
seq.
The Bureau of Fire Safety established by § 99-2 of this chapter shall be under the direct supervision of the Fire Official, who shall serve as the chief administrative and inspection official of the Bureau. The Bureau of Fire Safety shall be within the Department of Engineering, and the Fire Official shall report to the Department of Engineering with respect to the working terms and conditions of the day-to-day inspections and other duties.
A.
The Fire Official shall be certified by the state
and shall be appointed by the Mayor. The Fire Official shall enforce
the provisions of this chapter in conformance with the Uniform Fire
Safety Act and Uniform Fire Safety Code, as they may from time to
time be amended.
B.
In addition to the appointment of a Fire Official,
the Mayor may appoint additional inspectors and employees of the Bureau
of Fire Safety. All inspectors shall be certified by this state. Such
appointments shall be made based on work load and revenues generated.
C.
The Fire Official and other paid inspectors and employees
of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be employees of the Township
of Bridgewater and are subject to its direction, rules and regulations.
D.
All revenues received by the Bureau of Fire Safety
shall be deposited with the Township Treasurer on a weekly or monthly
basis, in order that such revenues may be used by the Township to
pay and/or reimburse the Township for salaries and benefits of all
employees and expenses of the Bureau.
E.
Funds as are necessary to support the operation of
the Bureau of Fire Safety shall be provided by the Township to the
extent that funding is not secured from revenue generated pursuant
to enforcement of the Uniform Fire Safety Act.
F.
To the extent that the permit and other fees and revenues
received by the Bureau meet or exceed the salary and benefit expenses,
the excess shall be retained by the Township treasury and appropriated
therein for the purpose of enforcement of the Uniform Fire Code in
the Township and for payment of the state share of fees. Expenditures
from any such revenue shall be made by voucher and/or Township resolution
in the usual manner.
[Amended 4-19-2021 by Ord. No. 21-08]
A.
The local enforcing agency established in this chapter shall carry
out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform
Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
B.
Registration fees. All life hazard uses are subject to a one-time
registration fee. This fee is to be submitted along with the business
registration form prior to opening and or conducting business within
the Township. The form and fee are to be submitted to the Fire Prevention
Bureau. Listed below is the fee schedule that is based on the square
footage of the building and/or structure.
|
Total Gross Floor Area, Including Basement
(square feet)
|
Registration Fee
|
|---|---|
|
1 to 1,000
|
$90
|
|
1,001 to 2,000
|
$95
|
|
2,001 to 2,500
|
$102
|
|
2,501 to 3,500
|
$108
|
|
3,501 to 4,500
|
$114
|
|
4,501 to 5,000
|
$120
|
|
5,001 to 6,000
|
$132
|
|
6,001 to 7,000
|
$144
|
|
7,001 to 7,500
|
$156
|
|
7,501 to 8,000
|
$168
|
|
8,001 to 9,000
|
$180
|
|
9,001 to 9,500
|
$205
|
|
9,501 to 10,500
|
$240
|
|
10,501 to 11,500
|
$270
|
|
11,501 to 12,000
|
$300
|
|
12,001 to 13,000
|
$360
|
|
13,001 to 15,000
|
$420
|
|
15,001 to 16,500
|
$480
|
|
16,501 to 18,000
|
$540
|
|
18,001 to 19,500
|
$600
|
|
19,501 to 25,000
|
$660
|
|
25,001 to 35,000
|
$720
|
|
35,001 to 40,000
|
$840
|
|
40,001 to 50,000
|
$960
|
|
50,001 to 100,000
|
$1,080
|
|
Over 100,000
|
$1,200
|
[Amended 12-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-42]
Pursuant to §§ 15 and 17 of the
Uniform Fire Safety Act,[1] any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcement
agency shall have the right to appeal to the Somerset County Construction
Board of Appeals.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-206 and
52:27D-208, respectively.
[Amended 8-16-1999 by Ord. No. 99-14; 10-7-2002 by Ord. No.
02-17; 12-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-42; 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02; 4-19-2021 by Ord. No. 21-08]
All buildings, all business tenant spaces, and all multiple-dwelling
buildings, uses and premises contained in this section, other than
those that are incidental or auxiliary to the agricultural use of
farm property, are subject to registration and periodic inspection
requirements as hereby established, except all businesses required
to register as a life hazard use with the State of New Jersey. Where
two or more of the same use or different uses exist at the same building
or premises, each one shall be considered as separate and distinct
for the purpose of this chapter and shall be registered pursuant thereto.
A.
Business
use, as defined in the latest edition of the New Jersey Uniform Fire
Code, where there is a single tenant:
|
Total Gross Floor Area, Including Basement
(square feet)
|
Registration Fee
|
|---|---|
|
1 to 1,000
|
$90
|
|
1,001 to 2,000
|
$95
|
|
2,001 to 2,500
|
$102
|
|
2,501 to 3,500
|
$108
|
|
3,501 to 4,500
|
$114
|
|
4,501 to 5,000
|
$120
|
|
5,001 to 6,000
|
$132
|
|
6,001 to 7,000
|
$144
|
|
7,001 to 7,500
|
$156
|
|
7,501 to 8,000
|
$168
|
|
8,001 to 9,000
|
$180
|
|
9,001 to 9,500
|
$205
|
|
9,501 to 10,500
|
$240
|
|
10,501 to 11,500
|
$270
|
|
11,501 to 12,000
|
$300
|
|
12,001 to 13,000
|
$360
|
|
13,001 to 15,000
|
$420
|
|
15,001 to 16,500
|
$480
|
|
16,501 to 18,000
|
$540
|
|
18,001 to 19,500
|
$600
|
|
19,501 to 25,000
|
$660
|
|
25,001 to 35,000
|
$720
|
|
35,001 to 40,000
|
$840
|
|
40,001 to 50,000
|
$960
|
|
50,001 to 100,000
|
$1,080
|
|
Over 100,000
|
$1,200
|
(1)
Individual mall kiosk, cart or display when erected in covered mall
for more than 90 days and when not covered by a Type 2 fire safety
permit: $75.
(2)
Retail and business property with common areas such as corridors,
mechanical, electrical rooms, fire sprinkler/alarm room(s), retail
building properties and office building properties: $120.
B.
Where
the building or structure has more than one use which may include
a business use as defined herein, then each individual use shall be
subject to the appropriate fee as set forth in this chapter.
C.
Mercantile
uses, as defined in the latest edition of the New Jersey Uniform Fire
Code, shall be subject to the registration fee as set forth in the
schedule noted above.
D.
Storage
buildings, as defined in the latest edition of the New Jersey Uniform
Fire Code, shall be subject to the registration fee as set forth in
the schedule noted above.
E.
Factory
and industrial uses, as defined in the latest edition of the New Jersey
Uniform Fire Code, shall be subject to the registration fee as set
forth in the schedule noted above.
F.
All
additional uses as listed in the aforementioned schedule shall be
inspected for compliance with the provisions of this chapter periodically,
but not less than once every 24 months.
G.
Multiple-dwelling uses, as defined in the latest edition of the New
Jersey Uniform Fire Code, shall be subject to registration fee as
set forth in the schedule noted above.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 99-8, Site
plans and subdivisions, was repealed 6-18-1990 by Ord. No. 90-11.
[Amended 10-16-1989 by Ord. No. 89-24; 12-16-1991 by Ord. No. 91-38; 10-7-2002 by Ord. No. 02-17; 12-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-42]
In accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c), the
permit fees shall be as follows:
A.
Type 1: shall be $60, unless a higher fee is adopted
by the N.J. Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)(1).
[Amended 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02]
B.
Type 2: shall be the fee adopted by the NJ Uniform
Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)(2), which is currently $215.
[Amended 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02]
C.
Type 3: shall be the fee adopted by the NJ Uniform
Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)(3), which is currently $430.
[Amended 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02]
D.
Type 4: shall be the fee adopted by the NJ Uniform
Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)(4), which is currently $645.
[Amended 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02; 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02; 4-19-2021 by Ord. No. 21-08]
E.
Type 5: shall be the fee adopted by the NJ Uniform
Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c)(5), which is currently reserved and
has no fee.
F.
Special event permit fees.
[Added 4-19-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
|
Permit
|
Fee
|
|---|---|
|
Per special event, up to 3 days duration, including setup and
takedown
|
$100
|
|
Per special event, 4 days to 6 days of duration, including setup
and takedown
|
$150
|
|
Per special event, 7 days to 10 days of duration, including
setup and takedown
|
$200
|
|
Per special event, 10 days of duration or longer, including
setup and takedown
|
$250
|
|
Storage of solid or liquid oxidizing agent permit fees:
| |
|
Pool chlorine storage fee
|
$250
|
|
Mobile food truck semiannual permit
|
$350
|
|
Late permit processing fee
|
$50
|
G.
Permits required.
[Added 4-19-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
(1)
Type 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 permits are required per N.J.A.C. 570-1.1 et
seq. of the Uniform Fire Code.
(2)
Special event permits shall be required for short-term special events,
including, but not limited to, concerts, conferences, conventions,
demonstrations, exhibits, expositions, fairs and sports events, wherein
a mass assembly of 50 or more persons, and not otherwise covered herein,
is expected to occur. This permit shall apply to convention centers,
cultural centers and exhibition halls. Public buildings and events
permitted under the Township of Bridgewater public event permit are
excluded. This permit shall be required for each special event and
shall be in addition to any other permits or approvals required by
law.
(3)
Storage of solid or liquid oxidizing agent permits shall be required
for the seasonal storage of chlorine in solid or liquid forms. This
permit shall also be required for any building used for the storage
or distribution of solid or liquid oxidizing agents.
(4)
Mobile food truck operators may apply for a semiannual permit which
will satisfy the requirement of a Type I permit at multiple venues
for a period of six months. Applications for said permit must be accompanied
by a valid fire-suppression system test report, kitchen hood cleaning
report, and proof of Class K fire extinguisher inspection. The operator
must notify the Fire Code Official at least three business days in
advance of each event; failure to do so will result in a late permit
processing fee of $50. Mobile food trucks shall be subject to inspection
at every event.
H.
Any person who fails to obtain a permit prior to said activity shall
be subject to the late permit processing fee of $50.
[Added 4-19-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
I.
Request for Fire Code status. Request for Fire Code status, as required
in N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.1 et seq., shall be obliged only after the completion
of a firesafety inspection, the fee for which shall be $50.
[Added 4-19-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
[Added 2-19-1998 by Ord. No. 98-6; amended 10-4-2004 by Ord. No. 04-32; 12-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-42; 3-15-2018 by Ord. No. 18-02]
The application fee for a certificate of smoke
detector, carbon monoxide alarm and fire extinguisher compliance,
as required by N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.3, shall be based upon the amount of
time remaining before the change of occupant is expected, as follows:
A.
Requests
received more than 10 business days prior to the change of occupant
shall be a minimum fee of $60, unless a higher fee is adopted by the
N.J. Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-(d)(1).
B.
Requests
received four to 10 business days prior to the change of occupant
shall be the fee adopted by the N.J. Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-(d)(2),
which is currently $90.
C.
Requests
received fewer than four business days prior to the change of occupant
shall be the fee adopted by the N.J. Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70-(d)(3),
which is currently $170.
D.
For each subsequent reinspection due to a failed inspection: an additional
fee of $25 per inspection.
E.
There shall be a fee of $20 for a request to waive the requirements
of this section.
[Amended 12-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-42]
A.
Failure to register non-life-hazard uses or to pay
the appropriate fees for registration concerning non-life-hazard uses
as defined herein shall result in the imposition of penalties pursuant
to the New Jersey Administrative Code or, in the case of offenses
not addressed by the Administrative Code, to those penalties provided
herein.
B.
Except as otherwise provided in Subsection A above, any violation of this chapter, including the International Fire Code, N.J. Edition, and amendments and supplements thereto, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $500 or imprisonment for 90 days, or both. Each and every day that a violation of the provisions of this section shall continue after notification thereof by the Bureau of Fire Safety may be deemed and considered a separate and specific violation of this section in the discretion of the tribunal assessing the penalty to be imposed. Such penalties as herein provided shall not be exclusive; any violation may also be abated by a civil action instituted in a court of competent jurisdiction. All penalties imposed by this chapter shall be made payable to the Bureau, except for court costs.
[Added 5-7-2001 by Ord. No. 01-09; amended 12-16-2010 by Ord. No. 10-42]
A.
Key box required. All properties within the Township
of Bridgewater protected by an automatic fire alarm system or a fire
sprinkler system shall be equipped with a key box. This applies to
both existing and future structures, but shall not apply to any residential
units.
B.
Type; installation. The key box shall be a type approved
by the Bridgewater Township Fire Official and shall be installed at
the expense of the property owner. Before installing any key box,
the property owner shall make written request to the fire official
to designate or approve the proposed location.
C.
D.
Time for compliance. All existing buildings shall
comply within 18 months from the effective date of this section. All
newly constructed buildings, not yet occupied, or buildings currently
under construction shall comply within 30 days of the effective date
of this section.
E.
Variances. Any individual may apply to the Bridgewater
Township Fire Official requesting a variance from the requirements
of this section drafted pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq. The variance
shall only be granted when it is determined that compliance with this
section would result in practical difficulty and that the variance,
if granted, would not unreasonably jeopardize the public's safety,
health and welfare.
F.
Variance application procedure.
(1)
A variance application shall be made in writing in
a form prescribed by the Bridgewater Township Fire Official. At a
minimum, the variance application shall request the following information:
(2)
After receipt of the variance application, the Bridgewater
Township Fire Official shall provide a written response either granting
or denying the variance within 30 calendar days of receipt of the
application. If denied, then the Fire Official shall provide a written
statement of the reasons for denial within 30 calendar days of receipt
of the application. Any denial may be appealed to the Somerset County
Construction Board of Appeals.
G.
Penalties. Any individual violating this section after
notice from the Bridgewater Township Fire Official shall be subject
to a fine of $100. If an individual fails to comply after a second
notice, then the individual shall be subject to a fine of $50 per
day from the date of the second notice till the individual fully complies
with this section.
[Added 4-19-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
A.
Barbecue grills using propane fuel with fuel tanks attached shall
not be located or operated within or upon any building or within five
feet laterally of any building, wall or overhang.
B.
Barbecue grills using charcoal or wood fuel shall not be operated
within or upon any building or within five feet laterally of any building,
wall or overhang.
[Added 4-19-2021 by Ord.
No. 21-08]
A.
Events requiring permits. When the Fire Official/Fire Marshal determines
that an on-site fire inspector or firefighting personnel or equipment
is required for fire watch as a result of any of the following listed
below, the owner or occupant responsible shall obtain a permit for
the use or event:
(1)
Fire protection system failures and/or deficiencies, including both
suppression and detection systems required by the New Jersey International
Fire and Building Codes.
(2)
Emergency warning and fire detection systems required by the New
Jersey International Fire and Building Codes.
(3)
Firesafety at any occupancy or event within Bridgewater Township
to ensure the safety of the public or emergency responders or any
other event in which a crowd of potentially 100 persons or more is
to assemble.
C.
Permit fees. Permit fees, if required, shall be separate from the
standby fees and are the responsibility of the owner. This includes
any firesafety permit fee for the activity taking place as well as
any Fire Subcode permit required under the NJ Uniform Construction
Code.
D.
Fees for service. Compensation for inspector(s) for nonworking hours
for for-profit groups or entities will be at $78.87 per hour, with
$13.87 per hour being directed to the Township.
E.
Right of access. The Fire Official/Fire Marshal or their designee(s)
shall have right of access to the premises and areas surrounding it
without interference from the property owner.
F.
Permit fees; penalties for failure to secure permit. Failure to secure a permit prior to commencing the operation, process or activity for which a permit is required shall be punishable by a penalty of no more than double the amount of the applicable permit fee [N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.12(b)7]. In accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.9(c), the following penalties shall be applicable, in accordance with the fees adopted pursuant to § 99-9F:
|
Type of Permit
|
Permit Fee
|
Maximum Penalty
|
|---|---|---|
|
Type 1 permit
|
$60
|
$120
|
|
Type 2 permit
|
$215
|
$430
|
|
Type 3 permit
|
$430
|
$860
|
|
Type 4 permit
|
$645
|
$1,281
|
|
Special event permit fees
| ||
|
Per special event, up to 3 days' duration,
including setup and takedown
|
$100
|
$200
|
|
Per special event, 4 days to 6 days of duration,
including setup and takedown
|
$150
|
$300
|
|
Per special event, 7 days to 10 days of duration,
including setup and takedown
|
$200
|
$400
|
|
Per special event, 10 days of duration or longer,
including setup and takedown
|
$250
|
$500
|
G.
Permit required for each event or date. Permits shall be required
for each separate event or date of the activity requiring such a permit.
