[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 2002:05]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983, p. 383) the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Borough.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 92:05 § I; Ord No. 2002:05]
The local enforcing agency shall be the New Milford Bureau of Fire Prevention.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 2002:05]
The local enforcement agency shall enforce the Uniform Safety Act and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries of the Borough, 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.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 2002:05]
The local enforcing agency established by subsection 13-1.2 of this section shall carry out the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 92:05 § II; Ord. No. 2002:05]
The local enforcing agency established by subsection 13-1.2 shall be a part of the New Milford Volunteer Fire Department and shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Fire Official, who shall report to the Chief of the Fire Department.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 91:3 § 1; Ord. No. 92:05 § III; Ord. No. 2002:05; Ord. No. 2004:14]
a.
Appointment of Fire Official. The local enforcing agency (New Milford Bureau of Fire Prevention) shall be under the supervision of the Fire Official who shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council. In making this appointment, the Mayor and Council may make this appointment from a letter of recommendation provided by the Fire Advisory Board with the Fire Chief's approval.
b.
Term of Office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of one year. Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.
c.
Inspector and Employees. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall be appointed by the Mayor and Council. The appointments may be made upon recommendation of the Fire Official.
d.
Removal From Office. The Fire Official shall be subject to removal by the Mayor and Council for just cause. Inspectors and other employees of the agency shall be subject to removal by the Fire Official with the consent of the Fire Chief for just cause. All persons subject to removal from office shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the Mayor and Council or a hearing officer designated by the Mayor and Council.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 92:05 § IV; Ord. No. 2002:05]
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 17 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcement agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Bergen County.
[Ord. No. 85:7 § 2; Ord. No. 86:14 § 2; Ord. No. 89:16 § 1; Ord. No. 90:22 §§ 1, 2; Ord. No. 92:05 § V; Ord. No. 2001:02; Ord. No. 2002:05; Ord. No. 2004:14; Ord. No. 2009:15; 5-10-2021 by Ord. No. 2021:09]
a.
In addition to the inspection and fees required pursuant to the Act and the regulations of the Department of Community Affairs the following additional inspections and fees shall be required:
| Business Properties | |
| Exceeding 50,000 square feet gross floor area | $250 |
| Exceeding 25,000 square feet gross floor area | $200 |
| Exceeding 10,000 square feet gross floor area | $150 |
| Exceeding 5,000 square feet gross floor area | $100 |
| All other business properties not mandated by the State Uniform Fire Code | $50 |
| Storage of hazardous chemicals, pesticides, flammable finishes not covered by the State Uniform Fire Code | $75 |
| Multiple Dwellings | |
| Up to 15 dwelling units | $30 |
| 16 to 30 dwelling units | $45 |
| 31 to 60 dwelling units | $60 |
| 61 to 100 dwelling units | $90 |
| 101 to 200 dwelling units | $150 |
| 201 to 300 dwelling units | $225 |
| 301 to MAX dwelling units | $300 |
| Any non-owner-occupied building in Use Group R-3 | $30 |
| Failure to pay permit | $100, plus permit fee |
b.
Uniform Fire Code Permits. The permit fees established by the Uniform Fire Code shall be the fees which shall be collected by the local enforcing agency as listed:
| Type 1 | $54 |
| Type 2 | $214 |
| Type 3 | $427 |
| Type 4 | $641 |
| In addition, the NFPA Life Safety Code, 1985 Edition, is also adopted by this section. |
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3; Ord. No. 2002:05]
No person, firm or corporation in possession of or having control of any building or premises in the Borough shall permit or allow therein or thereon any condition which by reason of not being installed, constructed or maintained according to recognized standards and practices for the prevention of fire creates or produces a danger to persons or property from fire.
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3; Ord. No. 2002:05; Ord. No. 2004:14]
a.
A Fire Advisory Board in the Borough Fire Department is hereby established. The Board shall consist of the following: the Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, Captain and Lieutenant of each fire company of the Borough, the Fire Marshal, two members of each fire company to be selected by the individual companies, appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Borough Council, and a member of the Borough Council chosen by it. All references in this section to Fire Inspector shall mean the Fire Marshal or Fire Official.
b.
Alarm Bureau Established; Composition. An Alarm Bureau is hereby established within the Bureau of Fire Prevention. The Bureau shall consist of four members, selected by the fire companies, to make minor repairs and keep the Fire Advisory Board apprised of the condition of the system and to advise when improvements are warranted. The Chairperson of the Bureau shall have a vote in the business of the Fire Advisory Board. The Chairman of the Bureau shall be selected by the members of the Board.
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3; Ord. No. 2002:05; Ord. No. 2004:14]
All members of the Board, Secretary of the Board and the Fire Marshal shall serve for one year, commencing January 1 of the year in which they are appointed.
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3; Ord. No. 2004:14]
The Fire Marshal shall be an active member of the Fire Department and shall have been an officer of the Department for not less than five years. The Fire Marshal shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this chapter and enforce the rules and regulations of the Bureau of Fire Prevention, and the Secretary of the Board shall keep all records and minutes of the Board. The Fire Marshal shall submit monthly reports of his activities to the Fire Prevention Bureau.
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3]
Where sprinkler systems and/or standpipes are required under the BOCA Fire Prevention Code or the National Fire Protection Association Code adopted by the Borough, all Fire Department connections shall be identified by a red light. This light shall be installed directly above the connection, at least six (6') feet and not more than eight (8') feet above the ground level. Illumination shall be provided by a bulb no smaller than 25 watts and shall be in operation at all times. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner or his agent to install and maintain this equipment.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 13-4, Automatic Heating Equipment, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance No. 87:17 was repealed by Ordinance No. 2004:14.
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3; Ord. No. 96-02; Ord. No. 2004:22]
a.
Designation. The Fire Official may require and designate public or private fire lanes and zones as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective use of fire apparatus. He may also require the owner or owners to provide, erect, and maintain metal signs at such locations. The signs so designating fire zones or lanes are to be of design and quality approved by the New Milford Fire Prevention Bureau.
1.
Violations and Penalties. Any person convicted of a violation of a provision of this section or any supplement thereto shall be liable to a penalty of $47 for each day of occurrence.
b.
Obstructions. Designated fire lanes or zones shall be maintained free of obstructions and marked in a manner prescribed by the Fire Official. Any vehicles parked within 10 feet of a multiple dwelling, town house or cooperative shall be considered in the fire zone. Parking on grass within 10 feet of a building, blocking the egress of the occupants or the access of fire department equipment shall be considered a fire zone.
1.
Violations and Penalties. Any person convicted of a violation of a provision of this section or any supplement thereto shall be liable to a penalty of $75 for each day of occurrence.
[Amended 4-25-2022 by Ord. No. 2022:13]
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3; Ord. No. 2004:14]
No waste, combustible material or garbage shall be stored in bins or sheds outside buildings unless the same are fireproof or metal lined; are sufficient in size to handle such material; are completely emptied of all accumulation of waste, combustible material and garbage at least every second day, are easily accessible for firefighting; and are constructed in such a manner as to furnish reasonable protection from fire to life and property. Plans or specifications for such storage bins or sheds shall be approved as complying with the foregoing standards by the Fire Prevention Bureau.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Section 13-7, Electrical Wiring, previously codified herein and containing portions of Ordinance No. 87:17 was repealed in its entirety by Ordinance No. 2004:14.
[Ord. No. 87:17 § 3]
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any public utility corporation subject to regulations by the Board of Public Utility Commissioners of New Jersey.
[Ord. No. 2011:22]
To insure access to fire hydrants in the Borough of New Milford for the safety and welfare of the public, a clear area of (3') three feet must be maintained in all directions from the fire hydrant as well as meeting the road side parking requirements.
The owner or lessee of any multi-family or commercial property within three (3') feet of a fire hydrant shall be responsible to see that a three (3') foot clear space is provided in all directions from the fire hydrant. The requirements of this section shall be completed by the responsible party not later that 24 hours after any natural obstruction such as snow shall prevent access to the fire hydrant and within 12 hours of any other type of obstruction.
Upon the failure of any person in maintaining the open space for all fire hydrants in accordance with this section, shall be deemed a violation of the Fire Safety Code.
[Ord. No. 89:4 § 2]
As used in this section:
Shall mean any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any dwelling use or occupancy. The term "building" shall be construed as if followed by the words or portions thereof.
[Ord. No. 89:4 §§ 2,3]
a.
The use of charcoal burners, portable kerosene stoves or other similar fuel burning appliances using highly flammable liquids or gases is prohibited in or on any multiple dwelling building.
b.
No charcoal burners, portable gas stoves, propane barbecue stove, portable kerosene stove or any similar appliance using highly flammable gases or liquids may be used within fifteen (15') feet of any building.
[Ord. No. 89:4 § 4]
In all instances when any of the above appliances are used they must be of a type that has been approved by a certified testing agency.
[Ord. No. 89:4 § 5]
In the cases of propane the size of the bottle will be limited to 20 pounds and they shall be Department of Transportation type only. At no time will highly flammable fuels or gases be stored within a building where propane is being used as a fuel. Only one bottle will be kept on hand at any one time.
[Ord. No. 89:4 § 6]
The use of materials such as gasoline, kerosene, motor oil, lighter fluid, naphthalene, etc. and devices such as blow torches, propane type plumbers torches or like as a source of ignition are prohibited.
[Ord. No. 89:4 § 7]
In case of propane barbecues such appliances shall not be left unattended, unless proper means of securing the appliance are affected. This shall mean that the valve handle must be removed to prevent tampering or vandalism and the gas discharge opening must be secured with a positive seal plug. This subsection shall apply not only to units that are temporarily not being used, but shall apply to the storage of any bottle stored outside a building.
[Ord. No. 2011:12]
a.
Key Boxes Required. The Fire Official shall require a "Key Box Rapid Entry System" ("Knox" or similar) to be installed in an accessible location where immediate access is necessary to verify the existence of a fire or other emergency in these buildings equipped with or required to be equipped with, fire detection or fire suppression systems or equipment.
All new commercial and/or manufacturing buildings constructed after the effective date of this section, all existing commercial and/or manufacturing buildings which undergo remodeling in excess of $1,000 after the effective date of this section (adopted June 27, 2011), and all existing commercial and/or manufacturing buildings when requested by the Borough Fire Official, shall be provided with a master key Key Box Rapid Entry System at a location approved by the Fire Prevention Bureau. Such box shall be provided with master keys necessary for access to all portions of the premises. Such box and keys shall be provided prior to occupancy and/or final inspection.
All buildings equipped with elevators shall be provided with a master key Key Box Rapid Entry System as in the preceding paragraph.
b.
Type, Contents, Installation. The key box shall be of a type approved by the Fire Official; shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the Fire Official, and shall be installed in a manner approved by the Fire Official. The Fire Official shall require a key box tamper switch connected to the building's fire alarm system.
c.
FDC Caps. FDC Caps shall be required to be installed on all Fire Department sprinkler connections, and Fire Department stand pipes.
d.
Penalties. Any building owner violating the requirements of this section, after receiving due notice by the Fire Official shall be subject to a fine up to $500.
