[Adopted 8-6-1985 by Ord. No. 1985-18[1]]
[1]
Editor's Note: This ordinance also provided for the repeal of Former Ch. 75, Fire Prevention, adopted 6-25-1969 by Ord. No. 1969-8, as amended 8-2-1983 by Ord. No. 1983-16.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUREAU OF FIRE PREVENTION
The certified Medford Township Fire Official and the Chief of the Medford Fire Division.
CERTIFIED FIRE OFFICIAL
Person certified by the Commissioner of the Department of Community Affairs as qualified to direct the enforcement of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
CORPORATE COUNSEL
The solicitor for the Township of Medford.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING UNIT
Use group classifications R1 and R2 as specified by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
MUNICIPALITY
The Township of Medford.
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, c. 383),[1] the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the municipality of the Township of Medford.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall enforce the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and the regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within established boundaries of the Township of Medford, other than owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings, and shall faithfully comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by § 75-3 of this article shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
The Bureau of Fire Prevention established by § 75-3 of this article shall be a part of the Department of Public Safety and shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Director of Public Safety.
A. 
Appointment of Fire Official. The Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be supervised by a certified Fire Official, who shall be appointed by the Director of Public Safety, who shall, prior to the appointment, consult with the Chief of the Medford Fire Division.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]
B. 
Term of office. The certified Fire Official shall serve for an indefinite term, subject to suspension or removal by the Township Manager, and shall receive such compensation as shall be fixed from time to time by a general salary ordinance.
C. 
Inspectors and employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be appointed by the Director of Public Safety, who shall, prior to the appointment, consult with the Bureau of Fire Prevention.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]
D. 
Removal from office. Inspectors and other employees of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall be subject to removal by the Township Manager for inefficiency, misconduct or other good cause. Each inspector or employee to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the appointing authority or a designated hearing officer.
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act,[1] any person aggrieved by any order of the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Burlington County.
[1]
Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 et seq.
[Amended 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]
The permit fees established by the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be as set forth in Chapter 71 of the Code of the Township of Medford.
The following technical amendments are made:
A. 
Sections F-318.0 - F-325.0 are reserved.
B. 
Sections F-326.0 through F-333.0 are added to read as follows:
F-326.0 Storage or parking of internal-combustion engine vehicles: No person shall store or park or cause to store or park any internal-combustion engine vehicle (including but not limited to those commonly known as a motorcycle, moped, dirt bike, lawn mower, snowblower, etc.) in or on any apartment or multifamily dwelling unit, porch, balcony, covered patio area, entrance, exit or any other private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit.
F-327.0 Storage or use of liquefied petroleum gas containers: The operation, use, maintenance or storage of any liquefied petroleum gas (LP gas or LPG) containers with a capacity in excess of one pound LPG is prohibited in or on any apartment or multifamily dwelling unit, porch, balcony, covered patio area, entrance, exit or any other private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit.
F-328.0 Outdoor fires: The use, operation or maintenance of any open fire or any device commonly known as a "barbecue" is prohibited in or on any apartment or multifamily dwelling unit, porch, balcony, covered patio area or any other private area of an apartment or multifamily dwelling unit.
F-329.0 Maintenance of lakes, ponds and other sources of water for fire suppression: No person shall reduce the height or capacity of any lake, pond or other supply of water (publicly or privately owned), that is available for use by the Fire Division, for fire suppression purposes, unless such person shall notify and secure approval from the Bureau of Fire Prevention. Notification shall be made in writing to the Bureau of Fire Prevention a minimum of 48 hours prior to the intended commencement date.
F-330.0 Fire hydrant use approval: No person shall use or operate any fire hydrant, available for the use of the Fire Division, for fire suppression purposes, unless such person first secures approval for such use from the Fire Official and the Medford Township Water and Sewer Divisions.
F-331.0 Public water supply: The Fire Official shall recommend to the Township Manager or his designated representative the location or relocation of new or existing fire hydrants and the placement or replacement of inadequate water mains located upon public property and deemed necessary to provide an adequate fire flow and distribution pattern. A fire hydrant shall not be placed into or removed from service until approved by the Fire Official.
F-332.0 Yard systems: All new and existing shopping centers, apartment complexes, oil storage plants, lumberyards and educational or institutional complexes and similar occupancies and uses involving high fire or life hazards, which are located more than 150 feet from a public street or which require quantities of water beyond the capabilities of the public water distribution system, shall be provided with properly placed fire hydrants. Such fire hydrants shall be capable of supplying fire flows as required by the Fire Official and shall be connected to a water system in accordance with accepted engineering practices. The Fire Official shall designate and approve the number and location of fire hydrants. The Fire Official may require the installation of sufficient fire hose and equipment, housed in accordance with the approved rules, and may require the establishment of a trained fire brigade when the hazard involved requires such measures. Private hydrants shall not be placed into or removed from service until approved by the Fire Official.
F-333.0 Street obstructions: No person shall erect, construct, place or maintain any bumps, fences, gates, chains, bars, pipes, wood or metal horses or any other type of obstruction in or on any street within Medford Township. The word "street" shall mean any roadway accessible to the public for vehicular traffic, including but not limited to private streets or access lanes, as well as all public streets and highways within Medford Township. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use of temporary barricades within Medford Township, provided that approval is obtained from the Director of Public Safety and proper notification is given to the Bureau of Fire Prevention, the Chief of Police and first aid squads.
C. 
Section F-403.1.1 is added to read as follows:
F-403.1.1 Maintenance of fire suppression equipment: No person shall obstruct, remove, tamper with or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant or fire appliance required to be installed or maintained under the provisions of the Uniform Fire Code except for the purpose of extinguishing fire, training or testing purposes, recharging or making necessary repairs or when permitted by the Fire Official. Whenever a fire appliance is removed as herein permitted, it shall be replaced or reinstalled as soon as the purpose for which it was removed has been accomplished. Defective and nonapproved fire appliances or equipment shall be replaced or repaired as directed by the Fire Official.
D. 
Section F-409.7 is added to read as follows:
F-409.7 Sale of defective fire extinguishers: No person shall sell, trade, loan or give away any form, type or kind of fire extinguisher that is not listed and/or labeled by a recognized testing laboratory in accordance with the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code. The requirements of this section shall not apply to the sale, trade or exchange of obsolete or damaged equipment for junk when said units are permanently disfigured or marked with a permanent sign identifying the unit as junk.
[Added 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity convicted of a violation of this article or any section of this article shall be punished by imprisonment not exceeding 90 days; or by a fine not exceeding $500 for the first offense and not more than $2,000 for each subsequent offense; or by a period of community service not exceeding 90 days. Each day a violation of the provision or provisions of this article shall constitute a separate and distinct offense.