Township of Medford, NJ Article IV Fire Department Repository Units

[Adopted 4-22-2008 by Ord. No. 2008-13]

§ 75-20 Definitions.

As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

KNOX-BOX or FIRE DEPARTMENT REPOSITORY UNIT

A small, wall-mounted safe that holds building keys for firefighters to retrieve in emergencies.

§ 75-21 Requirements.

A. The owner or person in control of the following types of buildings shall install and maintain a fire department repository unit approved by the Township Fire Marshal:

(1) Any apartment building or other rental building containing four or more residential living units and in which access to the building or to common areas or mechanical or electrical rooms within the building is denied through locked doors.

(2) Any nonresidential building where a fire detection or suppression system is monitored by an alarm company or has an external audible alarm.

(3) Any building or facility containing a quantity of hazardous materials which would require compliance with Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act (Title III of SARA).

B. The owner or person in control of buildings or facilities described in Subsection A of this section shall maintain a Knox-Box. The owner or person in control of the covered buildings or facilities shall also cause to be placed in such Knox-Box a key to the following areas:

(1) Locked points of access in the exterior of the building or facility;

(2) Locked points of access to common areas, such as hallways or utility rooms, contained within such buildings or facilities;

(3) Locked mechanical rooms;

(4) Locked electrical rooms;

(5) All other locked areas, other than individual apartments, as directed by the Fire Marshal.

C. The owner or person in control of any covered building or facility shall:

(1) Provide keys capable of access to the fire department repository unit at all times to the Fire Department.

(2) Maintain current information of hazardous materials stored in the building or facility in the fire department repository unit or if the volume is too large to place in the fire department repository unit shall file with the Fire Marshal.

D. The fire department repository unit approved by the Fire Marshal is: Knox-Box, www.knoxbox.com.

E. The fire department repository unit shall be installed in a location approved by the Fire Marshal during a field visit of the property. The box can only be ordered by obtaining an application from the following:

Township of Medford

Division of Fire

91 Union Street

Medford, NJ 08055

609-953-3291

§ 75-22 Violations and penalties.

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.

§ 75-23 When effective.

Property owners shall be notified of this article. Property owners or persons shall have until January 1, 2009 to install the unit. Failure to do so shall be punishable in accordance with § 75-22.