[HISTORY: Adopted by the Township Committee
(now Township Council) of the Township of West Windsor 12-28-1987
by Ord. No. 87-52 (Ch. XV of the Revised General Ordinances); amended
in its entirety 8-20-2018 by Ord.
No. 2018-22. Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
Pursuant to Section 2 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act (P.L. 1983,
c. 383; N.J.S.A. 52:27D-192 through 52:27D-213), the New Jersey Uniform
Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Township of West Windsor.
The local enforcing agency shall be the West Windsor Township
Fire Marshal's office.
In addition to the inspections and fees required pursuant to the Act and the regulations of the Department of Community Affairs, the Fire Marshal's office may require additional fire safety inspections, fire safety measures and fire safety permits for other types of structures and/or operations as listed, but not limited to those listed in Chapter 82, Fees, § 82-17.
A.
Registration
and fees.
(1)
The owner(s) and/or agent of all businesses, professions, occupancies,
buildings, structures or premises regardless of use, except one-family
and two-family dwellings, shall apply annually with the local enforcing
agency for a certificate of approval, upon forms provided by the Fire
Marshal's office.
(2)
It shall be a violation of this Code for an owner to fail to return
such forms and fees within 30 days. If the ownership is transferred,
whether by sale, assignment, gift, intestate succession, devise, reorganization,
receivership, foreclosure or execution process, the new owner shall
file with the Fire Marshal's office, within 30 days of the transfer,
an application for a certificate of approval pursuant to this subsection.
C.
Waivers.
The following users shall be exempt from the local permit fees and
registration fees; however, they shall be required to properly apply
for such permits and registrations and comply with all other code
requirements.
(1)
Volunteer fire companies.
(2)
Volunteer first aid squads.
(3)
Nonprofit civic groups when applying for use of an occasional waiver
(once or twice a year.)
(4)
Churches and other recognized religious organizations. (This shall
apply to uses where the actual religious service takes place, uses
for religious educational purposes or a use of an occasional nature.)
(5)
Contractors and construction firms when the activity is part of work
performed under a valid permit by the Building Department.
(6)
Township of West Windsor.
(7)
West Windsor - Plainsboro School District.
D.
Fire
Marshal's office; standard details. The Fire Marshal's office
shall issue standard details, as required, to aid in the enforcement
of these regulations.
The State Fire Prevention Code adopted by N.J.A.C. 5:70 shall
be modified by the addition of the following article:
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Article 100
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LOCAL PROVISIONS
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Section F-10000.0 GENERAL
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F-10000.1 Scope: This article shall apply to all
buildings, structures or premises located within West Windsor Township
other than owner-occupied one-family and two-family dwellings.
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Section F-10001.0 PERMITS
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F-10001.2 Type I permits: The following permits
shall be classified as Type I permits. Fee shall be the same as Type
I Uniform Fire Code.
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F-10001.2.1 Asphalt (tar) kettle: No person, firm
or corporation shall make use of or fire any asphalt (tar) kettle
without first securing a permit from the Fire Official.
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F-10001.2.2 Training and education: No person,
firm or corporation engaged in the business of providing fire brigade
or emergency response team training shall conduct such activities
without first securing a permit from the Fire Marshal. Permits issued
under this subsection shall be valid for all such work conducted within
the jurisdiction. The holder of the permit shall furnish the Fire
Marshal with a list of locations within the jurisdiction where the
service is provided as well as a course outline of any training provided.
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F-10001.2.3 Liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied natural
gas: A permit shall be obtained from the Fire Marshal for the
storage or use of liquefied petroleum gas or liquefied natural gas
utilizing storage containers with an aggregate water capacity exceeding
100 gallons and less than 4,000 gallons.
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F-10001.2.4 Flammable or combustible liquids and hazardous
materials: A permit shall be obtained from the Fire Marshal
to install, remove, repair or alter in any way a stationary tank for
the storage of flammable or combustible liquids or hazardous materials,
or to modify or replace any line or dispensing device connected thereto
if not required to obtain a permit for such activity under the Uniform
Construction Code, N.J.A.C. 5:23.
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F-10001.2.5 Hazardous materials: A permit shall
be obtained by the Fire Marshal to store, handle or process hazardous
materials or chemicals which, because of their toxicity, flammability,
liability to explosion or decomposition, render firefighting abnormally
dangerous or difficult. A permit shall also be obtained from the Fire
Marshal to store, handle or process materials which are chemically
unstable and which may spontaneously form explosive compounds, or
undergo spontaneous reactions of explosive violence or with sufficient
evolution of heat to be a fire hazard. Hazardous chemicals or materials
shall include but not be limited to such materials as flammable solids,
corrosive liquids, radioactive materials, oxidizing materials, potentially
explosive chemicals, toxic materials, poisonous gases, pesticides,
insecticides and fertilizers.
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Exception: Materials or processes covered by a life hazard use
or permit under Uniform Fire Code Chapter 5:70.
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F-10001.2.6 Storage containers/storage trailers/storage
units: Each steel, aluminum, or other material container and/or
trailer, with or without wheels, used for storage purposes, which
has remained immobile for 30 days or longer must have a permit and
meet the following conditions:
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(a)
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No storage unit shall be connected to or with any other structures,
containers or trailers.
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(b)
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All storage units must be separated from all other structures,
containers or trailers by a minimum of 10 feet.
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(c)
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No storage unit shall be closer than 10 feet of any lot line.
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(d)
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No storage unit will be connected by any means to any utility
such as electric, water, sewer, gas, etc.
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(e)
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All applications for permit must be accompanied by a plot plan
showing building locations, lot lines and locations of all storage
units and all distances.
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(f)
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Storage units shall not be used to store any material which
is subject to regulation by the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code.
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F-10001.3 Type 2 permits: The following permits
shall be classified as Type 2 permits. Fee shall be the same as Type
2 — Uniform Fire Code.
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F-10001.3.1 Process equipment: A permit shall be
obtained from the Fire Marshal's office to install, modify or
alter process equipment not required to have a permit under the Uniform
Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70.
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F-10001.3.2 Public gatherings: A permit shall be
obtained from the Fire Marshal for the establishment, erection or
operation of any fairs, carnivals, circuses or other public gatherings.
Before a permit is issued the following conditions must be met:
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(a)
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Provide and maintain an access lane of at least 15 feet in width
and capable of supporting fire and rescue apparatus and so arranged
as to afford access to within 50 feet of all booths, tents, rides
and other equipment, buildings or structures used as part of or in
conjunction with the above use.
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(b)
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At each location utilizing or producing electric current, a
10 lb. ABC type fire extinguisher shall be provided with proper inspection.
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(c)
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Each location utilizing any fuel producing a flame for heating
or cooking shall be provided with a 10 lb. ABC type fire extinguisher
with proper inspection.
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F-10002.1 General: In addition to those required
under N.J.A.C. 5:70, fire safety evacuation and emergency action plans
shall be prepared as set forth in this section where required by sections
F-10002.1 - F-4002.1.5.
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F-10002.1.1 Occupant loads of 50 or more: All buildings
with an occupant load greater than 50.
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F-10002.1.2 Use Group H: All Use Group H buildings.
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F-10002.1.3 Use Group F: All Use Group F buildings.
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F-10002.1.4 Use Group S: All Use Group S buildings.
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F-10002.1.5 Use Group E: All Use Group E buildings.
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F-10002.2 Approval, distribution: The fire safety
evacuation and emergency action plans shall be approved by the Fire
Official and shall be distributed by the owner to all tenants and
employees.
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F-10002.3 Evacuation plan: The evacuation plan
shall be conspicuously posted on every floor and in each tenant space
for the occupant's use.
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F-10002.4 Maintenance: The fire safety evacuation
and emergency action plans shall be maintained to reflect changes
in the use and physical arrangement of the building.
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F-10002.5 Training: If an emergency action plan
assigns employees with specific responsibilities in areas such as
evacuation coordination, firefighting or material leak and spill handling,
the employer shall provide a minimum of annual training sessions to
prepare the employee for such activities.
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F-10003.0 FIRE ALARMS/REPORTING
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F-10003.1 Fire alarms: The Fire Marshal shall investigate,
or cause to be investigated, the activation of any fire alarm, fire
detector, or fire protection system occurring within the jurisdiction
to determine the cause for such activation and to determine if the
device and/or equipment has been properly restored to full service.
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F-10003.2 Failure to report: It shall be a violation
of this Code for any person or persons, having knowledge of same,
to fail to report to the Fire Department and/or the Fire Marshal the
activation of any fire protection system or device; or to fail to
report the occurrence of any fire or attempted arson; or to fail to
report the spill or leakage of any flammable or combustible liquid
or gas or of any hazardous material immediately upon gaining such
knowledge.
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F-10004.0 WATER SUPPLIES
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F-10004.1 Public water supply: The Fire Marshal
shall recommend to the Township Administrator 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 adequate fire flow and distribution pattern.
A fire hydrant shall not be placed into or removed from service until
approved by the Fire Marshal.
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F-10004.2 Fire hydrant local standard: Following
are the minimum standards for the installation and placement of public
or private fire hydrants:
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(a)
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Hydrants in single-family residential zones shall be spaced
with a hydrant every 800 feet along the roadway(s) measured along
the roadway edge.
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(b)
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Hydrants in residential townhouse, condominium, cluster and
multifamily zones shall be spaced with a hydrant every 600 feet along
the roadway edge.
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(c)
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Hydrants in business, commercial and industrial zones shall
be spaced with a hydrant at each intersection and one every 500 feet
along the roadway(s) as a minimum requirement.
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F-10004.3 Approval: The Fire Marshal shall approve
the placement and water supply piping of all fire hydrants prior to
installation.
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F-10004.4 Fire hydrant marking: All fire hydrants
on public or private property shall have the bonnet (top piece) painted
reflective white. Painting shall conform to Fire Marshal's Office,
Standard Detail - Fire Hydrant Marking.
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F-10005.0 GENERAL PRECAUTIONS
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F-10005.1 Equipment rooms: No storage of any kind
shall be permitted within any mechanical equipment, electrical, furnace
or boiler room.
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F-10005.2 Barbecue grills: No charcoal cooker,
brazier, hibachi or grill, or any gasoline or other flammable liquid
or liquefied petroleum gas-fired stove or similar device shall be
ignited or used on the balconies of any apartment building, condominium,
townhouse, or similar occupancy. The management of such occupancies
which have balconies shall notify their tenants in writing of this
Code requirement at the time the tenant/owner initially occupies and
from time to time thereafter as directed by the Fire Official to insure
compliance.
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Exception: One-family and two-family dwellings.
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F-10005.3 Access: Temporary all-weather surface
access roads, gravel or equivalent, capable of supporting a 30-ton
emergency vehicle, shall be provided at all times for Fire Department
vehicular access to all structures under construction and to all structures
used for the storage of combustible construction materials. Access
of 125 unobstructed feet shall be provided to all such locations at
all times.
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Temporary all-weather access roads shall conform with the Fire
Marshal's Office, Standard Detail - Temporary All-Weather Surface
Access Roads.
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Every dead-end roadway more than 300 feet in length shall be
provided at the closed end with a temporary turnaround acceptable
to the Fire Marshal.
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Temporary all-weather surface access roads shall be approved
by the Fire Marshal's office prior to construction commencing.
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F-10005.4 Water supply: The fire protection water
supply system, including fire hydrants shown on the approved site
plan, shall be installed and in service prior to placing combustible
building materials on the project site or utilizing them in the construction
of building structures. If phased construction is approved, coordinated
phased installation of the fire protection water system shall be permitted
as approved by the Fire Marshal.
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F-10005.5 Emergency vehicle access: All structures,
except one- and two-family dwellings, shall be provided with emergency
vehicle access. "Emergency vehicle access" is defined as a paved or
other surface 24 feet in width in its entire length, located not more
than 30 feet from the building, designed to support the weight of
emergency vehicles. The design shall be approved by the Township Engineer
in conjunction with the Township Fire Marshal.
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Emergency vehicle access shall be provided for the following
buildings:
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(a)
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One- or two-story buildings with full automatic fire sprinkler
protection shall be provided with emergency vehicle access to 25%
of its entire perimeter.
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(b)
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One- or two-story buildings without full automatic fire sprinkler
systems shall be provided with emergency vehicle access to 50% of
its entire perimeter.
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(c)
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Buildings three stories or 35 feet in height or higher with
full automatic fire sprinkler protection shall be provided with emergency
vehicle access to 50% of its entire perimeter.
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(d)
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Buildings three stories or 35 feet in height or higher without
full automatic fire sprinkler protection shall be provided with emergency
vehicle access around the entire perimeter.
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(e)
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All high-hazard structures as defined by the New Jersey Uniform
Commercial Code regardless of built-in fire protection or height shall
be provided with emergency access around the entire perimeter.
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(f)
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All mercantile structures as defined by the New Jersey Uniform
Construction Code with three or more spaces, regardless of built-in
fire protection or height shall be provided with emergency vehicle
access its entire perimeter.
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F-10005.6 Exterior door identification: All exterior
doors without windows located on building or structures as identified
in the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code as use groups A, B, E,
F, H, L, M, R-1, R-2 and U shall identify the owner of said door together
with the use of said door (i.e. employee entrance, sprinkler room,
electrical room, etc.). Identification shall be located in letters
and/or numbers a minimum of 1 1/2 inches in height located between
60 and 72 inches from the base of the door. Identification shall be
in contrasting color to the door.
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F-10006 FIREWORKS
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F-10006.1 In addition to the requirements of the State Fire
Prevention Code adopted by N.J.A.C. 5:70, Chapter 3 is hereby modified
to require all that fireworks displays must commence by 9:30 p.m.
and conclude no later than 10:00 p.m.
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F-10006.2 Failure to comply with the conditions found in F-10006.1
as well as all other conditions of the issued fire safety permit will
subject the event organized and fireworks display contractor to monetary
penalties as well as cancellation of the fireworks display.
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