[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Paramus 12-17-2019 by Ord. No. 19-26. Amendments noted where applicable.]
To establish a system of numbering for all exterior entrance
doors, exterior windows, staircases, elevators, and the interior of
each space for all nonresidential buildings or uses. This system would
enhance the safety of emergency responders and the public. If a more
rapid response is required due to an emergency situation, this system
would allow responders to navigate an unfamiliar environment in a
more expedient manner. It will also provide a means for responders
and the public to report their location if it becomes critical in
an emergency situation.
As used in this chapter, the following terms are defined as
follows.
An "addition," "alteration," "change in use," or "new building
element" under N.J.A.C. 5:23-6.3 (May 1, 2017).
The same as "development" as defined in Moscowitz.
Include:
All "multiple dwellings," "hotels," and "motels," as defined
in N.J.S.A. 55:13A-3.
All governmental buildings and uses subject to the jurisdiction
of Paramus.
All commercial buildings and uses, as "commercial use" is defined
in The Complete Illustrated Book of Development Definitions, Fourth
Edition, by Harvey S. Moscowitz, Carl G. Lindbloom, David Listokin,
Richard Preiss and Dwight H. Merriam (published by Transaction Publishers,
a Center for Urban Policy Research Book, 2015) ("Moscowitz".)
All nonprofit, health care, or hospital buildings and uses,
inclusive of the definitions "health care facility" and "health-care
services" as defined in Moscowitz.
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Any terms not defined in this chapter, or reasonably defined
by context or implication, shall be defined by reference to Moscowitz,
if applicable.
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Subject to the timing for implementation set forth in § 212-4 of this chapter, all nonresidential buildings and uses shall comply with the following door-numbering requirements.
A.Â
Identifying stairways. Each stairway shall be identified and its
designation posted inside and on the outside on all doors leading
to the stairs. Stairways shall be lettered A, B, C, etc., with six-inch
letters on exterior doors and four-inch letters on interior doors
in contrasting color to their background. They shall be retro-reflective
for low light or smoky conditions.
B.Â
Door numbering. Numbering doors and windows of all exterior entrance
doors and exterior windows for each room, and the interior of each
room, will identify the particular door and room from the interior
and exterior of the building for first responders. All exterior doors
that allow access to the interior of the building shall be numbered
in a sequential order starting with the main entrance (office door/public
entrance). The main entrance should always be "#1." Subsequent doors
will be numbered in sequential order in a clockwise manner. All numbers
shall be Arabic numbers, contrasting with their background and retro-reflective
for low light or smoky conditions.
C.Â
Exterior doors. Numbers on structures up to 36 feet away from an
access route shall be a minimum of four inches high and a minimum
of inch stroke width. Numbers on structures 36 to 50 feet away from
an access route shall be a minimum of six inches high and a minimum
of 0.5-inch stroke width. Numbers on structures more than 50 feet
away from a road, parking lot, or other access route shall be a minimum
of nine inches high and a minimum of one-inch stroke width. All numbers
shall be placed at the top right of the door. Where a multiple bank
of doors (three or more) is present, the numbers shall be placed in
the center of the bank. "Access route," as used in this subsection,
means any sidewalk or road reasonably leading to an exterior door.
D.Â
Interior doors. Numbers shall match the numbers on the outside of the door pursuant to Subsection C above. Numbers shall be placed on the hinge side of the door near the bottom so they can be viewed in smoky conditions. They shall be Arabic numbers that contrast with their background and retro-reflective for low light or smoky conditions.
E.Â
Non-access doors. Doors that do not allow access to the building,
such as storage or trash rooms, shall not be numbered. They may be
labeled as "No Access."
F.Â
Courtyard doors. Completely enclosed courtyards shall be numbered
C-1, C-2, etc., on both inside and outside in the same manner as other
exterior doors. The courtyard door closest to the main entrance shall
be numbered as C-1 and will continue in a clockwise direction. Multiple
courtyards shall be numbered as C1-1, C1-2, etc., for the first courtyard,
C2-1, C2-2, etc., for the second courtyard and so forth. Numbers shall
be Arabic, contrast with their background, and be retro-reflective
for low light or smoky conditions. "Courtyard" shall have the same
definition as in Moscowitz.
G.Â
Roof hatches and roof access doors. Roof hatches and roof access
doors shall be numbered R-1, R-2, etc. and will be contrasting to
their background and retro-reflective for low light or smoky conditions.
Numbers on exterior hatches and doors shall be a minimum of six inches.
Numbers on interior hatches and doors shall be a minimum of four inches.
H.Â
Roll-up (garage-style) doors. Roll-up doors that provide access to
the interior of the building shall be numbered consistent with other
exterior doors. Numbers shall be placed between 1/2 and 3/4 of the
height of the door off the ground or on the door frame near the top.
Numbers shall be contrasting with their background and retro-reflective
for low light or smoky conditions.
All nonresidential buildings and uses must comply with § 212-4 of this chapter on the earliest of the following.
A designee of the Office of Emergency Management of Paramus, in coordination with the Paramus Chief of Police (or designee), may permit deviation from § 212-3 of this chapter so long as the agreed-upon deviation satisfies the purpose of providing clear direction to first responders in the event of an emergency. Nothing in this chapter is intended to require existing buildings to renumber doors that utilize a pre-existing numbering system already approved or agreed upon with Paramus.
The following officials or their designees may enforce this
chapter and impose fines or penalties as otherwise provided for in
the Paramus Code: a) Construction Code Official; b) Paramus Administrator;
c) Office of Emergency Management of Paramus; and d) Paramus Chief
of Police.
A.Â
Nothing in this chapter is intended to create any requirement, power,
or duty that is in conflict with any federal or state law and shall
not be construed as such.
B.Â
All ordinances or parts thereof in conflict or inconsistent with
this chapter are repealed, but only to the extent of such conflict
or inconsistency.
C.Â
The provisions of this chapter are severable; if any section, subsection,
sentence, clause, or phrase thereof for any reason be held to be invalid
or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such decision
shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, subsections,
sentences, clauses, and phrases of this chapter, but shall remain
in effect.
D.Â
This chapter shall be codified in the Paramus Code as determined
by the Paramus Clerk in conjunction with the codifier.
