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The Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention is also charged with enforcing any applicable Township Ordinances.
Please access the following link for the official Township Ordinances or see the below for an unofficial summary of the Ordinances.
https://ecode360.com/8750025
Chapter 128 FIRE PREVENTION
GENERAL REFERENCES
False alarms — See Ch. 79.
Brush, grass, weeds and debris — See Ch. 95.
Building construction — See Ch. 99.
Numbering of buildings — See Ch. 103. Unfit buildings — See Ch. 106.
Property maintenance — See Ch. 180.
Solid waste — See Ch. 206.
ARTICLE I
Enforcement of Uniform Fire Safety Act
[Adopted 8-6-1985 by Ord. No. 12-1985]
§ 128-1. Local enforcement. [Amended 2-22-2005 by Ord. No. 2-2005]
Pursuant to Section 11 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act1 (P.L. 1983, c. 383), the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code shall be locally enforced in the Township of Westampton. Local enforcement will continue within the Township of Westampton, and the Township shall cause there to be effectuated all inspections necessary pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code and, specifically, the Township hereby mandates inspection of all residential dwellings, either on sale, resale, rental or rerental, for appropriate smoke detectors pursuant to law and appropriate carbon monoxide detectors as required by law. It shall be the responsibility of the buyer of residential property to ensure the inspection prior to transfer of title. It shall be the responsibility of the landlord in the event of rental or rerental.
§ 128-2. Agency designation. [Amended 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
The local enforcing agency shall be the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention.
§ 128-3. Duties of enforcing agency. [Amended 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
The local enforcing agency shall enforce the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the codes and regulations adopted under it in all buildings, structures and premises within the established boundaries of the Township of Westampton, other than owner-occupied oneand two-family dwellings, and shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, and the Uniform Fire Code, including the International Fire Code 2015, New Jersey Edition, and subsequent updates as published.
§ 128-4. Inspections of life hazard uses.
The local enforcing agency established in § 128-2 shall conduct the periodic inspections of life hazard uses required by the Uniform Fire Code on behalf of the Commissioner of Community Affairs.
§ 128-5. Organization. [Amended 7-14-2015 by Ord. No. 10-2015; 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
The local enforcing agency established in § 128-2 shall be under the direct supervision and control of the Westampton Township Fire/EMS Chief, who shall report to the Township Committee on a monthly basis. The Fire Official and employees of the agency as set forth in § 128-6 shall report to the Fire/EMS Chief. The Fire Official shall submit a monthly report in writing to the Fire/EMS Chief to be forwarded to the Township Committee.
§ 128-6. Fire Official; Deputy Fire Official; inspectors and employees. [Amended 1. Editor's Note: See N.J.S.A. 52:27D-202. § 128-1 FIRE PREVENTION § 128-6 128:3 5-27-1997 by Ord. No. 11-1997; 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
A. Fire Official.
(1) Appointment. The Fire Official shall be appointed by the Township Committee.
(2) Term of office. The Fire Official shall serve for a term of three years.
(3) Specific powers and duties of Fire Official. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:71-3.3, the Fire Official shall:
(a) Take all actions necessary to enforce the provisions of the current New Jersey State Uniform Fire Code at the time of the
violation and to make all efforts to correct violations of the Code;
(b) Take all actions necessary to determine the origin and cause of fires within the Township;
(c) Prepare policies and procedures for promulgation by the Township Committee.
B. Deputy Fire Official.
(1) Appointment. The Township Committee may appoint a Deputy Fire Official who shall be under the supervision and control of
the Fire Official.
(2) Term of office. The Deputy Fire Official shall serve for a term of three years.
(3) Powers and Duties of Deputy Fire Official. Pursuant to N.J.A.C. 5:71-3.3, the Deputy Fire Official shall:
(a) Perform the duties and responsibilities of the Fire Official in his or her absence;
(b) Perform such duties assigned by the Fire Official; and
(c) Have the authority to issue notices of violation and orders to correct violations for the current New Jersey State Uniform Fire Code at the time of the
violation, Westampton Township Fire Prevention Code, and to assist in any legal proceedings taken against a violator of the Fire Prevention Code.
C. Inspectors and employees; appointment. Such inspectors and other employees as may be necessary in the local enforcing agency shall be appointed by
the Township Committee upon the recommendation of the Fire Official.
D. Removal from office. The Fire Official, inspectors and other employees of the enforcing agency shall be subject to removal by the Township Committee for
inefficiency or misconduct. The Fire Official, each inspector or employee to be so removed shall be afforded an opportunity to be heard by the Township
Committee or a designated hearing officer.
§ 128-7. Board of Appeals.
Pursuant to Sections 15 and 172 of the Uniform Fire Safety Act, any person aggrieved by any order of the local enforcing agency shall have the right to appeal to the Construction Board of Appeals of Burlington County.
§ 128-8. Additional required inspections and fees. [Amended 11-21-1988 by Ord. No. 16-1988; 11-19-1990 by Ord. No. 16-1990; 3-16-1992 by Ord. No. 3-1992; 9-24-1996 by Ord. No. 16-1996; 6-9-1998 by Ord. No. 15-1998; 11-14-2000 by Ord. No. 15-2000; 4-22-2003 by Ord. No. 16-2003; 2-22-2005 by Ord. No. 2-2005; 11-22-2005 by Ord. No. 28-2005; 11-24-2009 by Ord. No. 15-2009; 4-10-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012; 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
A. In addition to the inspection and fees required pursuant to the Uniform Fire Code and the regulations of the Department of Community Affairs, the following
additional inspections and fees shall be required:
(1) All assembly (A), business (B), factory (F), mercantile (M), storage (S) and utility (U) occupancies as defined by the Uniform Construction Code, and
which are not considered life hazards by the Uniform Fire Code, shall be inspected every year. The yearly fee shall be as follows:
Type Area (square feet) Fee
1 0 to 1,500 $72
2 1,501 to 2,499 $102
3 2,500 to 3,499 $138
4 3,500 to 4,999 $180
5 5,000 to 7,499 $252
6 7,500 to 9,999 $312
7 10,000 to 14,999 $420
8 15,000 to 24,999 $. $480
9 25,000 or more $540
*10 N/A $100 each building
*NOTE: Type 10 shall be apartment and/or condominium buildings.
(2) Smoke detector inspections.
(a) For each residential smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector/fire extinguisher inspection made as required by P.L. 1991, c. 92, and P.L. 1999, c. 15,
and for the issuance of a certificate evidencing compliance with the requirements of the aforesaid statutes, a fee shall be charged to the owner of the
premises in the sum of $60.
(b) The application for a smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector/fire extinguisher inspection must be made at least 14 calendar days prior to the
settlement date or the date the certificate of inspection is required. Appointments made within 13 or less calendar days of the settlement or when the
certificate is required will pay a penalty of $60 in addition to the original fee of $60, for a total of $120.
(c) The Westampton Bureau of Fire Prevention cannot guarantee that a smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector/fire extinguisher inspection will be
completed on time if less than four working days' notice is given.
(d) Certificates of inspection shall be valid for 90 days from time of inspection. After 90 days a new inspection shall be required.
(e) If the first inspection results in failure or the appointment is missed, a reinspection fee of $25 shall be charged.
(f) All smoke detectors must be less than 10 years old at time of reinspection.
B. This section does not apply to any life hazard as defined in the Uniform Fire Safety Code of New Jersey.
C. Businesses not required to register with the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety under N.J.A.C. 5:70-2.6 shall register with the Westampton Township
Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention, the fees for which are set forth in Chapter 128, § 128-8.
§ 128-9. Permits. [Added 11-14-2000 by Ord. No. 15-2000; amended 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
All permit requirements and fees shall comply with the requirements of the Uniform Fire Safety Act and the Uniform Fire Code. Permit fees shall be as follows:
A. Type 1: $100.
(1) Type 1 Bonfire: $50.
(2) Type 1 Open Flame: $50.
B. Type 2: $400.
(1) Type 2 Propane Exchange:
(a) Seven hundred twenty pounds or less: $166.
(b) Seven hundred twenty-one pounds to 2,500 pounds: $350.
C. Type 3: $600.
D. Type 4: $800.
128-10. Violations and penalties. [Added 2-22-2005 by Ord. No. 2-2005; amended 11-22-2005 by Ord. No. 28-2005]
A failure by any person as set forth in § 128-1 to obtain a smoke detector/carbon monoxide detector or fire extinguisher inspection shall result in process being served upon such person to appear in the Westampton Township Municipal Court. Upon conviction, any person found guilty of violation of § 128-1 shall be subject to a fine of $500.
ARTICLE II
Key Lock Boxes
[Adopted 6-10-2008 by Ord. No. 6-2008]
§ 128-11. Key lock box systems required.
A. The following premises shall be equipped with a key lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Fire Chief or Fire Official
(exceptions: owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings as defined in the Uniform Construction Code):
(1) Premises protected by an automatic fire alarm system, automatic firesuppression system, and/or standpipe system;
(2) Premises equipped with an elevator;
(3) Premises, as determined by the Fire Chief or Fire Official, secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency;
(4) Premises that are required to prepare and have available material safety data sheets and/or hazardous chemical inventory forms under the Superfund
Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA Title III);
(5) Premises that are "life hazard uses" as defined in State of New Jersey Uniform Fire Code, N.J.A.C. 5:70, Subchapter 2; and
B. All newly constructed structures subject to this article shall have the key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All
structures for which certificates of occupancy have been issued as of the effective date of this article and subject to this article shall have a key lock box
installed and operational on a voluntary basis.
C.The Fire Chief or Fire Official shall designate the type of key lock box system (such as Knox-Box®) to be implemented within the Township and shall have
the authority to require all structures to use the designated system. [Amended 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
§ 128-12. Lock box type and contents.
The Fire Chief or Fire Official shall approve the type of key lock box and its location prior to installation. The key lock box, at a minimum, shall contain two sets of keys and combination access codes shall be provided to the following areas:
A. Locked points of egress, whether in interior or exterior of such buildings;
B. Mechanical and boiler rooms;
C. Rooms containing fire-protection equipment, sprinkler controls and fire alarm components;
D. All locked fire-protection devices that require restoring;
E. Elevator control rooms;
F. Any fenced or secured areas; and
G. Any other areas difficult to access as determined by the Fire Chief or Fire Official
§ 128-13. Security padlocks and key switches.
Premises protected by fences, gates and related barriers presently secured by a padlock, electronically operated or automatic gates, or other control circuits that control access to the premises shall be equipped with a high-security padlock or emergency override control device (key switch) that is master-keyed at a location approved by the Fire Chief or Fire Official.
§ 128-14. Security caps for Fire Department connections.
A. When a building is protected by an automatic sprinkler system or standpipe system and the Fire Department connection(s) is exposed to undue vandalism,
the Fire Chief or Fire Official may require that a Fire Department connection security cap(s) be installed. The Fire Department connection security cap shall
be a type approved by the Fire Chief or Fire Official.
B. All structures subject to this provision shall have, in addition to a key lock box system, locking Fire Department connection caps installed and operational
prior to issuance of a certificate of occupancy or within the time frame set forth regarding time for compliance under this article.
§ 128-15. Tamper switches.
The key lock box may be required to have a tamper switch wired to the building's security alarm system in all buildings that are so equipped.
§ 128-16. Additional items within lock box. [Amended 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 25-2016]
In addition to the items listed in § 128-12, the following may be required by the Fire Chief or Fire Official to be stored within the key lock box:
A. Card containing the name(s) of building emergency contact personnel and their telephone numbers in the event of an emergency;
B. Floor plan of premises;
C. Right-to-know records and material safety data sheets (MSDS) listed in alphabetical order;
D. Locations of all utility and fire-protection controls (electric, gas, water, sprinkler/ fire-suppression control valves); and
E. Any other contents as may be required by the Fire Chief or Fire Official.
§ 128-17. Time for compliance.
All existing buildings shall comply with this article as set forth in § 128-11B. All newly constructed buildings not yet occupied or buildings currently under construction and all buildings or businesses applying for a certificate of occupancy shall comply prior to obtaining a certificate of occupancy.
§ 128-18. Rules and regulations.
The Fire Chief or Fire Official shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the lock box system.
§ 128-19. Violations and penalties.
Any person or entity violating any provision of this article shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000. Each day the offense occurs shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
§ 128-20. New plans submitted to Planning Board; catalog cut sheets.
The lock box system shall be on all new plans submitted to the Planning Board in support of an application for a proposed building to the extent such a building falls into the categories set forth in § 128-11 of this article. Catalog cut sheets of the system shall be supplied for review by the Fire Chief or Fire Official.
ARTICLE III
Outdoor Fires
[Adopted 4-10-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012]
§ 128-21. Barbecues prohibited.
No person shall operate or use or maintain any open fire or any device commonly known as a “barbecue” in or on any apartment unit, porch, balcony, covered patio area or any other private area of an apartment, condominium or other multifamily dwelling unit.
§ 128-22. Definitions.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BARBECUE — Propane barbecue grill, charcoal fire grill, electric grill and hibachi-type unit that uses charcoal.
§ 128-23. Exceptions.
A person shall be permitted to operate or use or maintain any "barbecue" unit (previously defined) on the ground level at a distance of 10 feet away from any exterior combustible wall of any apartment, condominium or other multifamily dwelling unit.
§ 128-24. Open burning within Township boundaries; violations and penalties. [Added 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 24-2016]
In the best interest of Public Safety, Health, and Air Pollution there shall be no open burning within the Township Boundaries unless a permit has been issued by the Fire Official or the State of New Jersey, Division of Forestry. For permits issued, the permittee must follow all applicable rules and regulations (New Jersey Uniform Fire Code and/or N.J.A.C. Title 13). Penalties shall be assessed as follows if property owners or tenants are found in violation of this section: first offense, $100 and written warning; second offense, $250 and court appearance required; third offense, $1,000 and charges filed in Municipal Court.
A. Outdoor fire. For the purpose of this section, an approved outdoor fire shall be classified as any fire taking place on a residential property within
Westampton Township for the sole purpose of providing warmth or recreation and is contained within an approved device. Approved outdoor fires shall not
be subject to the above required permit process unless deemed necessary by the Fire Official. Approved devices shall include commercially manufactured
chimnea, outdoor fireplaces, and fire pits; or those constructed in a similar and approved manner. Approved devices shall have a total fuel area not
exceeding three feet in diameter and two feet in height and must remain covered by a metal mesh safety/spark screen cover.
B. Fuel for outdoor fires shall be limited to seasoned fire wood, natural gas or propane and shall not be ignited using flammable/combustible liquids.
C. Outdoor fires shall not be located within 20 feet of any property line and 15 feet from a combustible structure. Combustible structures shall include:
dwellings, garages, sheds, decks, and fences.
D. Outdoor fires shall be prohibited at any "Use Group R-2" zones as defined by N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.5 to include all multiple-family dwellings having more than
two dwelling units as well as all dormitories, rooming houses, group rentals where the occupants are living independently of each other and similar
buildings arranged for shelter and sleeping accommodations in which the occupants are primarily not transient in nature. This use group shall also include
attached one- and two-family dwelling units which do not meet the definition for Use Group R-3.
E. Any outdoor fire not complying with Subsection A through D above is prohibited and subject to the above listed penalties.
§ 128-25. Liability. [Added 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 24-2016]
A person utilizing or maintaining an outdoor fire shall be responsible for all fire suppression costs and any other liability including but not limited to bodily injury, property damage and wrongful death resulting from damage caused by the fire..
ARTICLE IV
General Provisions
[Adopted 12-5-2016 by Ord. No. 24-2016]
§ 128-26. Fire lanes.
Fire lanes (aka fire apparatus access roads) shall be designated as follows for the efficient and effective use of fire apparatus, for firefighting, police vehicles, and ambulances. Fire lanes shall have a minimum width of 20 feet except for approved security gates with an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet six inches.
A. Where needed. The Fire Official of the Local Enforcing Agency may establish fire areas on property devoted to public and private use, in accordance with
N.J.A.C. 5:70-3, 503.1.1; including, but not by way of limitation, shopping centers, strip malls, houses of worship, swimming pools, offices, warehouses,
factories, restaurants, nightclubs, etc. and similar uses within the Township of Westampton as deemed necessary to protect the public health and safety.
(1) When the markings details cannot be strictly complied with, the number, location, width, length, and markings shall be at the discretion of the Fire
Official.
(2) Consideration is to be given to the size, type, and location of the building or buildings, the number of persons using and occupying the premises, existing
means of egress and ingress, the total area of the property, including the size of the parking lot or lots, and all other relevant factors.
(3) Definitions. For the purposes of fire lane enforcement, the following terms are defined as follows:
FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD — A road that provides fire apparatus access from a fire station to a facility, building or portion thereof. This is a general term inclusive of all other terms such as fire lane, public street, private street, parking lot lane and access roadway.
FIRE AREA — The same as "fire lane."
FIRE LANE — A road or other passageway developed to allow the passage of fire apparatus. A fire lane is not necessarily intended for vehicular traffic other than fire apparatus.
NO ON-STREET PARKING — A vehicle may not be parked along the street unless loading or unloading passengers or materials, with a limit of three minutes.
NO PARKING ANYTIME — A vehicle may not be parked within the designated area unless loading or unloading passengers or materials, with a time limit of two minutes.
NO STOPPING OR STANDING — No vehicle may be stopped within the designated zone, whether or not attended or unattended, with or without the motor running or brakes set. PARKING IN DESIGNATED STALLS ONLY — A vehicle may only be parked within an area so designated for parking.
B. Concurrent jurisdiction. The Township of Westampton Police Department shall have concurrent jurisdiction with the Westampton Township Emergency
Services Bureau of Fire Prevention to enforce the provisions of this article.
C. Existing fire lanes. Any and all fire lanes created prior to this chapter are hereby continued in effect, and when repairs or modifications are made to such
fire lanes, they shall be brought into the conformity with this chapter, as much as shall be practical in the Fire Official's judgment. The standard for
exercise of said judgment shall conform to those contained in Subsection A above.
D. Markings. The owner shall, within 30 days of being given a notice to do so by the Fire Official, mark the lane(s) as follows:
(1) Signs, with minimum dimensions of 12 inches by 18 inches, constructed of metal and with raised red letters a minimum of two inches in size on a white
background, shall be posted at a level of at least seven feet above grade, indicating NO PARKING ANYTIME, PARKING IN DESIGNATED STALLS
ONLY, or NO STOPPING OR STANDING, at the Fire Official's discretion after giving due consideration to the needs of the fire service and the public.
Immediately under these signs shall be another sign, with a minimum dimension of 12 inches by six inches saying FIRE LANE VEHICLE TOWED AT
OWNER'S EXPENSE or FIRE LANE NO ON-STREET PARKING VEHICLE TOWED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. Spacing of signs shall be even, with a
minimum of one sign for every 50 feet of fire lane or part thereof, or as ordered by the Fire Official. All signs and marking must be unobstructed and
visible for a distance of at least 100 feet when viewed from a position approximately five feet above ground while in the fire lane.
(2) The area of a fire lane on improved areas shall be delineated along its entire length with yellow lines 18 inches in width. Between the yellow lines shall
be marked NO PARKING FIRE LANE in yellow letters 18 inches in height. The number of times this wording is to be repeated shall be at the discretion
of the appropriate Fire Official, with the recommended spacing to be at one-hundredfoot intervals and spaced so as to be between and alternate with the
metal signs required above. If the designated fire lane abuts a curb, the curbing shall be yellow in color where it abuts the fire lane.
(3) Fire lanes for vehicle access shall be a minimum of 20 feet in width except for approved security gates with an unobstructed vertical clearance of not
less than 13 feet six inches.
E. Notification. Once a fire lane has been designated by the Fire Official, approved as provided above and properly marked by the owner of the premises, the
appropriate Fire Official shall notify the Police Department, Construction Code Department and Municipal Court Administrator, in writing, of the existence
and location of the designated fire lane(s).
F. Unpaved areas. Unpaved fire lanes installed on public or private property shall comply with the "Fire Lane Typical Details" installation methods and be
approved by the Fire Official. Signs and markings shall be provided as required by the Fire Official and this chapter.
G.Restricted areas. Gates, chains or other approved methods shall be utilized to prevent unauthorized access to installation, provided that such restrictions
will not impede access by firefighting apparatus or other emergency vehicles. The Fire Official shall determine whether any changes or deviations from the
appropriate methods may be utilized.
H. Installation and maintenance. Fire lanes shall be installed and maintained by the owner of the premises or a designee in conformity with the provisions of
this chapter. Fire lanes in existence prior to the enactment of this section shall be required to conform to the provisions herein at the discretion of the Fire
Official. Fire lanes must be accessible for fire apparatus at all times.
I. Parking, standing and obstruction prohibited.
(1) Designated fire lanes shall be maintained free of snow and obstructions, including vehicles, at all times.
(2) The appropriate Fire Official, designee, or a police officer of the Township of Westampton shall have the authority to remove or have removed such
obstructions or vehicles as may violate any section of this chapter, at the expense of the owner of the vehicle. The presumption of ownership may be
overcome by proof furnished to the satisfaction of the Municipal Court or Superior Court, Law Division, that some other person was the actual offender.
(3) It shall be a separate violation of this chapter for any driver or operator of any motor vehicle to fail to present a driver's license and/or vehicle registration
upon demand of any person authorized to enforce this chapter when requested as part of the enforcement procedure.
J. Notice of violation. The Fire Officials may complete a municipal summons or a notice of violations, and said summons or notice of violations shall be issued
for all offenders by personally serving same upon any offender, or if the offender is not attendant to the vehicle shall mail the notice of violations by certified
mail, return receipt requested to the person's last known address.
K. Enforcement. This chapter shall supersede any and all provisions of any other ordinance promulgated for the enforcement of parking in fire lanes.
Enforcement shall only be done by personnel from either the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention or the appropriate
local enforcement agencies. Personnel enforcing these provisions shall be either uniformed or carry appropriate identification.
L. Violations and penalties.
(1) It shall be the right of any person receiving such a summons to plead guilty or not guilty to the charge of violating this chapter. Those persons pleading
not guilty to the charge of violating this chapter shall be given the opportunity to present their defense before the Municipal Court of Westampton
Township or the Burlington County Construction Board of Appeals.
(2) All persons pleading guilty in Municipal Court or convicted of violating this chapter shall be fined a maximum of $50 per violation for passenger vehicles
and $100 per violation for commercial vehicles and equipment, plus court costs. All fines and court costs shall be payable to the Municipal Court. All fines
assessed as a result of summonses issued shall be paid thereafter to the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention by the
Court Clerk. All court costs shall be paid thereafter to the Court.
§ 128-27. Fire Department connections.
All newly constructed buildings equipped with an automatic fire suppression system or standpipe shall conform to the following requirements for the Fire Department connection (F.D.C.) in addition to those specified in the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code:
A. Thirty-degree elbow installed in the downward position.
B. Five-inch-diameter connection utilizing Storz-type connections.
C. A blue light shall be illuminated 24 hours per day over any Fire Department connection. In such suppression systems that Siamese connections supply
zoned areas of suppression, the blue light shall flash intermittently over the Fire Department connection of the activated zone. The rate of flash shall not be
less than 60 flashes per minute.
D. A weather-resistant sign shall be affixed to, adjacent to, or above the fire department connection. Specifications for the sign are as follows:
(1) Sign to be red in color with contrasting lettering.
(2) Minimum four-inch letters indicating F.D.C.
(3) Minimum two-inch letters indicating sprinkler, standpipe, or sprinkler/ standpipe.
(4) Partial sprinkler system: two-inch letters indicating area protected. E. Interior standpipe connections within structures, in some cases, will require
additional plain language on signs to identify location, particular system and supply location.
§ 128-28. Fire and smoke damper inspections.
HVAC systems installed in any building or structure subject to the provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Construction Code shall be inspected to ensure that fire and smoke dampers remain functional. The following are guidelines for periodic inspections.
(1) Each damper shall be tested and inspected one year after installation. The test and inspection frequency shall then be every four years.
(2) Care shall be exercised that all tests are completed in a safe manner wearing the appropriate personal protective equipment.
(3) Full unobstructed access to the damper shall be verified and corrected as required.
(4) Where a fusible link is installed on a combination fire/smoke damper, the fusible link shall be removed for testing the damper for full closure simulating a
fire condition per the requirements and frequencies of 19.5.4 of NFPA 80, Standard for Fire Doors and Other Opening Protectives. (5) The test shall be
conducted with normal HVAC airflow.
(6) The operation of the damper shall verify that there is no damper interference due to rust or bent, misaligned, or damaged frame or blades, or defective
hinges or other moving parts.
(7) The damper frame shall not be penetrated by any foreign objects that would affect proper fire damper operations.
(8) The damper shall be verified to not be blocked from closure in any way.
(9) The fusible link shall be reinstalled after testing is complete. If the link is damaged or painted, it shall be replaced with a link of the same size,
temperature rating, and load rating.
(10) All inspections and testing shall be documented indicating the location of the damper, date of inspection, name of inspector, and deficiencies
discovered. The documentation shall have a space to indicate when and how the deficiencies were corrected.
(11) All documentation shall be maintained by the property owner and available for review by the authority having jurisdiction.
B. Maintenance.
(1) Any reports of abrupt changes in airflow or noise from the duct system shall be investigated to verify that they are not related to damper operation.
(2) All exposed moving parts of the damper shall be dry lubricated as required by the manufacturer.
(3) If the damper is not operable, repairs shall begin as soon as possible.
(4) Following any repairs, the damper shall be initiated at a time interval recommended by the actuator manufacturer.
(5) All maintenance shall be documented and records shall be retained in accordance with § 128-28A(10) and (11).
C. Compliance with the provisions of this article shall be monitored by the local enforcing agency and the Township's Fire Official.
D. All inspections shall be conducted by technicians and contractors who have been certified by the International Certification Board (ICB) and American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) to ensure the quality of the inspection process.
E. All results of the inspections are to be given to the Township Fire Official within 30 days of the completion of the inspection. The Fire Official will keep
inspection reports until the next inspection is completed four years later. If the fire and smoke damper systems are found to be faulty, repairs must be
completed and approved by an ICB and ANSI certified technician and contractor within 60 days from the date the system was found to be faulty
§ 128-29. Fire Department obstruction
A. Fire apparatus obstruction. It shall be unlawful to attempt, conspire, hamper, obstruct, restrict, block or fail to yield to, the path of travel of any fire
emergency vehicle, in any way, operating during a fire or emergency.
B. Fire hose. A vehicle shall not be driven or propelled over any unprotected fire hose of a Fire Department when laid down on any street, or any other
vehicular roadway, without the consent of the fire officer in command.
C. A person or persons shall not erect, construct, place or maintain any speed bumps, speed humps, fences, gates, chains, bars, pipes, wood or metal
horses, vehicles, or any other type of obstruction in or on any street within the boundaries of the municipality without prior approval from the Fire Official.
The word "street" as used in this section shall mean 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 in the boundaries of the municipality. Approval from the Fire Official shall be a variance from this
ordinance and shall be documented as such.
D. Street closings. Prior to the closing of any street, notification shall be made to the Westampton Township Emergency Services and the Westampton
Township Police Department. Such notice shall include why the street is to be closed, when the street is to be closed, and how long such closing shall last.
Notification shall also be made upon the reopening of the street.
E. Fire appliances. A person shall not obstruct, remove, tamper with or otherwise disturb any fire hydrant or fire appliance required to be installed or
maintained under the provisions of the Fire Prevention Code except for the purpose of extinguishing fires, 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.
F. Compliance order. A person shall not willfully fail or refuse to comply with the order or direction of a firefighter, or interfere with the compliance attempts of
another individual, during a fire or emergency.
G. Penalty. Any person, firm, or corporation found guilty in the Municipal Court of the Township of Westampton of a violation of the terms of this section shall
be subject to a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 90 days, or both, in the discretion of the Municipal Court Judge.
Any fines collected shall be forwarded to the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention.
§ 128-30. Building evacuation.
It shall be a violation of this section for any person, manager, firm, corporation, owner, tenant, or person responsible for a given structure or premises, to fail to immediately notify the Westampton Township Emergency Services and immediately evacuate the entire structure when, and if, the following conditions are present: a fire alarm is activated, there is smoke in the structure, an explosion has occurred, there is a fire in the structure, any fire protection system is activated, any hazardous or flammable material is spilled or leaked, upon the order of the Fire/EMS Chief, Fire Official, or Incident Commander.
§ 128-31. Fire watch.
A. A "fire watch" is defined as a: temporary measure to ensure continuous and systematic surveillance of and response to the Township or a portion thereof,
or a building, or portion thereof, by one or more trained, competent, responsible, able-bodied and qualified individuals whose only duties shall be to
perform constant patrols of the protected premises for the purpose of identifying and controlling fire and other life/property hazards, detecting early signs of
unwanted fire, raising an alarm of fire, notifying the Fire Department, and engaging in firefighting or other emergency response. The Fire Official shall
determine whether a fire watch is deemed necessary. A fire watch may be posted in any portion of the Township and also in public and privately owned
buildings and/or properties.
B. In no case shall a required and/or installed fire alarm or fire sprinkler system be rendered inoperable in an attempt to eliminate preventable alarms without
the written consent of the fire official. In the event of a fire protection system found not operating, provisions for a constantly attended fire watch shall be
posted in the building or premise on which the fire protection system is located. No fire alarm or fire sprinkler system shall remain out of service for any
period of time without notification of the Fire Official. Any alarm found to be out of service without the written consent of the Fire Official shall be subject to
penalties described in the New Jersey Uniform Fire Code.
C. A fire watch may include firefighting, rescue, recovery and other emergency responses; the maintaining of posted fire lanes, means of egress, and posted
occupancy loads; enforcement of no smoking in posted areas; area and building surveillance; checking for proper permits; inspecting for proper safety
precautions of cooking equipment; and such other functions as required by the Fire Official or his assigned designee.
D. A fire watch shall be paid for by a building owner, tenant, lessee, or organization under the following circumstances:
(1) Required fire protection systems are out of service;
(2) A fire watch is directed by the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention or is requested by the building owner, tenant, or
lessee; public and private events where 100 people or more are in attendance; events where with the approval of the Fire Official or his assigned
designee the posted occupancy load is exceeded; all other situations deemed necessary by the Fire Official or his assigned designee.
(3) All fire watch services ordered for the benefit/protection of private property shall be paid at the rate of $45 per hour per person, and there shall be a
minimum payment of four hours per worker plus an administration fee of 15% applied for the individual and the vehicle used. Additionally, there will be a
fee of $250 per hour for the use of each Township fire apparatus. All payments shall be paid to the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of
Fire Prevention within 10 days after the service is provided. No volunteer firefighter shall be paid for any fire watch under this article.
E. Fire watches shall be performed by active employees of the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention. Any qualified
individuals used for the purposes of a fire watch shall report directly to the Fire Official or his/her assigned designee.
F. Any building otherwise subject to this ordinance can opt out of a fire watch by submitting proof to the Fire Department that the building is covered by a
private security watch or other comparable substitute for a fire watch. A "fire watch" log as provided by the Westampton Township Emergency Services
Bureau of Fire Prevention in this instance must be maintained and forwarded to the Fire Official immediately upon restoration of the affected systems in
order to allow for the completion of said fire watch.
G. Failure for property owner or designated property representative to establish, maintain, or properly document a fire watch when requested by the
Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention will result in an assessed penalty not to exceed $500 per day for every day the
condition exists.
§ 128-32. Fire alarms and reporting.
A. The Fire Official shall investigate, or cause to be investigated, the activation of any fire alarms, 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 have been properly restored to full service.
B. 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 Westampton Township
Emergency Services and/or its Bureau of Fire Prevention the activation of any fire protection system or device or to fail to report the occurrence of any fire,
any attempted arson, or the spill or leakage of any flammable or combustible liquid or gas or of any hazardous material immediately upon gaining such
knowledge.
§ 128-33. File information requests and certificates of code compliance.
A. A fee of $25 shall be required for all requests for fire investigation reports. All other file information requests shall be charged at the photocopy rate of
$0.75 per page. A fee of $10 shall be required for all requests for fire investigation photos.
B. The cost for the issuance of a certificate of Fire Code status shall be $45.
§ 128-34. Public water supply.
A. The location and distribution of fire hydrants to be placed upon public property as well as installation of water mains to assure adequate fire flow based on
the hazard to be protected shall be determined by the project developer utilizing accepted engineering and industry standards. During the planning and
zoning approval process, the Fire Official shall be provided with site plans indicating hydrant location, size and location of fire service water mains. The
Fire Official and Fire/ EMS Chief shall review and approve all submitted plans prior to the installation of any fire hydrant or fire service water distribution
system. A fire hydrant shall not be placed into or removed from service until approved by the Fire Official and Fire/ EMS Chief. Fire Hydrants must be
located within 50 feet of all Fire Department connections.
B. Fire hydrant use approval. A person or private company shall not use or operate any fire hydrant unless a permit and approval for such is obtained from
the Fire Marshal and the water company having jurisdiction.
C. Private yard systems locations and relocation. All new and existing shopping centers, apartment complexes, oil storage plants, lumber yards, educational
or institutional complexes and similar occupancies and uses involving high fire or life hazards, and which are located more than 100 feet from a public
street or which require quantities of water beyond the capabilities of the public water distribution, shall be provided with properly placed fire hydrants. Such
fire hydrants shall be capable of supplying fire flows as required by the Insurance Service Organization or the American Water Works standards and shall
be connected to a water system in accordance with accepted engineering practices. The Fire Official and the Fire/ EMS Chief shall review and approve the
number and location of all fire hydrants. Private fire hydrants shall not be placed into or removed from service until approved.
D. Temporary water. At any temporary construction site or new construction site, all parties shall provide a water source for firefighting purposes subject to
the approval by the Fire Official.
§ 128-35. Emergency contacts. All business and multiple-family buildings and complexes must post a list of the emergency contacts and service companies for use by emergency personnel in a conspicuous location as determined by the Fire Official.
§ 128-36. Snow removal.
A. It is the responsibility of the owner or occupant to have snow removed from their property in a manner which will not delay the response of emergency
personnel. Removal of snow shall not obstruct the following:
(1) Access to the parking lot, to the perimeter of any building, and any fire lanes or "No Parking" designated areas.
(2) All fire hydrants
(3) All means of egress and exit doors.
(4) All fire protection systems and fire department water supply connections.
§ 128-37. Stairway information signs.
A sign shall be provided at each floor landing in all interior exit stairways more than three stories above grade, designating the floor level, the floor level above (at) the floor of discharge, the identification of the stairway and the availability of roof access from the stairway. Floor level characters shall be at least six inches in height and characters of other information shall be a least 1 1/2 inches in height. Signage shall be located approximately five feet above the floor landing in a position which is readily visible when the doors are in the open and closed positions.
§ 128-38. Commercial property identification of rear doors.
The rear exterior doors on multiple tenant commercial properties shall be identified with a minimum of four-inch letters of contrasting color stating the business name and the unit number. The signage shall be provided and maintained up-to-date by the landlord at his/her expense. Names shall be updated as soon as occupancy changes.
§ 128-39. Elevator keys
A. All elevator keys utilized for emergency operations of elevators within buildings and structures in the Township of Westampton will have standardized
operation keys as follows: Phase I and II - Yale 3502.
B. Building owners/occupants will have one year from the date of inspection to comply with this requirement.
§ 128-40. R-1 Use Group floor-level exit signs.
A. When exit signs are required, additional approved low-level exit signs which are internally illuminated, photo luminescent or self-luminous, shall be
provided in all interior exit corridors serving guest rooms of hotels in Group R-1. The bottom of the sign shall not be less than six inches or more than eight
inches above the floor level. For exit doors, the sign shall be on the door or adjacent to the door with the closest edge of the sign within four inches of the
latch side of the doorframe.
B. Business Use Group floor-level exit signs. When exit signs are required, additional approved reflective exit signs shall be provided in business use group
buildings, three or more stories, the bottom of the sign shall be not less than six inches or more than eight inches above the floor level. For exit doors to
stairwells, the sign shall be on the door or adjacent to the door with the closest edge of the sign within four inches of the latch side of the doorframe.
C. Implementation: all residential. All electrical-operated low-level exit signs required by § 128-40 must be installed within three years of the adoption of the
section.
D. All reflective low-level exit signs required by § 128-40B must be installed within one year of adoption of the section.
§ 128-41. Prohibited acts; violations and penalties.
A. Prohibited acts. It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, firm or corporation to:
(1) Obstruct, hinder, delay or interfere by force or otherwise with the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention in the exercise
of any power or the discharge of any function or duty under the provisions of the chapter.
(2) Prepare, utter or render any false statement pertaining to reports, documents, plans or specifications permitted or required under the provisions of this
chapter.
(3) Render ineffective or inoperative, or fail to properly maintain, any protective equipment or system installed, or intended to be installed, in a building or
structure.
(4) Refuse or fail to comply with a lawful ruling, action, order or notice of the Westampton Township Emergency Services Bureau of Fire Prevention.
(5) Violate or cause to be violated any of the provisions of this chapter.
(6) Refuse to provide identification and/or vehicle registration information.
B. Summons. The Fire Official and/or designee shall be empowered to issue a Municipal Court summons for violations of this chapter.
C. Violations and penalties. Any person, firm or corporation found guilty in the Municipal Court for a violation of the provisions of this chapter shall be subject
to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period of not exceeding 90 days, or both. Each and every day a violation
continues shall be a separate offense. Such penalty shall not relieve the violator of the duty to take corrective actions.
§ 128-42. Large gatherings.
A. Fire exit announcement. At indoor places of assembly with occupant loads of 50 and over, such as theatres, auditoriums, multipurpose rooms, or similar
occupancies used for noncontinuance programs, an audible announcement by the venue host, or by recorded announcement, shall be made not more
than 10 minutes prior to the start of each program, to notify the occupants of the location of exits to be used in the event of a fire or emergency.
B. Notice of large gatherings. It shall be required for any responsible party involved in any gatherings at which over 100 attendees are anticipated within the
Township of Westampton, whether inside a structure or outside, to make advanced notification to the Westampton Township Emergency Services and the
Westampton Township Police Department. The Fire/EMS Chief shall determine whether or not an emergency ambulance will be required to provide
"standby" services for the duration of the event with fees for such a service not to exceed $100 per hour and payable by the responsible party.
§ 128-43. Board-up services rotation.
A "board-up" service is defined as one which provides on-call means to secure properties within Westampton Township against unauthorized access via boarding up openings and/or perimeter fencing in the event of unsafe structural conditions or fire. Any licensed, permitted, and insured company providing "board-up" services that desires to provide said services, on a rotational basis, within the Township of Westampton shall submit an annual application with the Clerk of Westampton Township by November 30 of each year for inclusion on the next year's list of "board-up" service providers.
The Westampton Township Bureau of Fire Prevention is always available to answer any questions or offer fire prevention related information. Please contact my office anytime at 609-267-2041, ext. 215 or by email at firemarshal@wtes.us. Thank you and practice fire safety each and every day.
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