Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 24, December 18, 2024
(a)
The facility shall have an annual fire inspection conducted by a State or local
fire official.
1. A written statement or
certificate shall be on file at the facility stating that the building(s) are
satisfactory for occupancy and meet the minimum requirements of the New Jersey
Uniform Fire Safety Act, and rules promulgated in accordance with that
Act.
2. Deficiencies noted during
the inspection shall be corrected within time limits established by the State
or local enforcement agency.
(b) An automatic fire detection and alarm
system shall be comprised of the following:
1. Smoke detectors
i. In each bedroom;
ii. In living and dining rooms;
iii. In all hallways;
iv. In recreation areas; and
v. At the top of all stairs.
2. Thermal detectors
i. In the kitchen (135 fixed); and
ii. In the furnace area (190
fixed).
3. A manual pull
station within five feet of each exit;
4. Signalling devices as needed to be audible
in all areas throughout the building;
5. Emergency standby power capable of
operating the system for four continuous minutes after 24 hours on emergency
power; and
6. A.C. power which
shall be on a dedicated branch circuit. The circuit disconnection means shall
be accessible to authorized personnel and shall be clearly marked "fire alarm
circuit."
(c) Any area
used for the storage of combustible supplies and equipment shall be separated
from other parts of the building by fire resistant construction approved by the
State or local fire official.
(d)
The boiler and heating room shall be separated from the rest of the building
and enclosed with one hour rated material.
(e) Portable fuel burning space heaters and
electric space heaters shall not be used in any facility.
(f) Non-ambulatory individuals shall not be
placed in bedrooms above the first floor of any facility.
(g) Individuals shall not be placed in
bedrooms above the second floor, unless the bedroom is provided with a
comprehensive automatic sprinkler system.
(h) The telephone number of the local fire
department serving the facility or "911" shall be posted at each
telephone.
(i) All passages leading
to fire exits shall be properly illuminated by natural or artificial light 24
hours a day.
1. Signs bearing the word,
"EXIT" in plain legible letters shall be placed at each exit opening.
i. Additional signs shall be placed in
corridors, where necessary, to indicate the direction of exit.
ii. Letters shall be at least six inches in
height.
2. Letters of
internally illuminated exit signs shall be at least four and one-half inches in
height.
3. All exit and directional
signs shall be clearly legible by electric illumination when natural light
fails.
(j) Two separate
means of egress leading directly to the exterior of the building of each floor
occupied by individuals shall be provided.
1.
Means of egress must be kept free of obstructions at all times.
2. Existing fire escapes shall be examined
annually by the fire official and repairs completed as recommended.
(k) Doors shall be outward opening
and equipped with self-closing and positive latching devices.
1. Doors shall be placed so that traffic to
and from any room shall not be through bedrooms, kitchens, or
bathrooms.
2. All closets, bedrooms
and bathrooms equipped with locks shall have keys readily accessible and
visible within the same location as the door.
(l) Basements may be used as activity rooms
if they are dry, warm, adequately illuminated with natural or artificial light
and separated from laundry, heating, and other hazardous equipment.
1. Two means of egress shall be provided if a
basement is used as an activity room.
(m) Basements shall be kept in good order,
clear of excess furniture and equipment, and shall not be used for
indiscriminate storage.
1. Doors at the head
of basement stairways shall be constructed in accordance with N.J.A.C.
5:23.
2. Basement ceilings shall be
protected with material in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:23.
3. Side walls and ceiling enclosing basement
stairways shall be protected with material in accordance with N.J.A.C.
5:23.
4. Paint and other highly
flammable material should be stored outside residential buildings.
5. Combustible partitions shall be
prohibited.
(n)
Installation of oil furnaces and equipment shall be in accordance with N.J.A.C.
5:23.
1. In cases where oil burning equipment
has already been installed in properties, the vent pipe and fill pipe shall be
located outside the building.
(o) Electrical wiring shall be in accordance
with National Electrical Code, available from the National Fire Protection
Association, One Batterymarch Park, PO Box 9101, Quincy, MA
02269-9101.
(p) Annually, the
licensee shall obtain a written statement by a registered electrical inspector
that the electrical circuits and wiring are satisfactory.
1. The electrical inspector's report shall
include:
i. The date of inspection;
ii. Assurance that circuits are not
overloaded;
iii. A statement that
all wiring and permanent fixtures are maintained in good condition;
and
iv. A statement that all
portable electrical appliances, including lamps, are equipped with heavy duty
cord and maintained in good condition.
2. Temporary wiring shall be UL listed rated
appropriate to the anticipated load unless approved by the electrical
inspector.
3. Extension cords shall
be prohibited.
(q) The
facility shall have a procedure describing its smoking rules.
(r) The facility shall provide an adequate
number of fire extinguishers in the basement and on each floor of every
building, in accordance with the recommendation of the National Fire Protection
Association Standard Number 10, available from the NFPA, One Batterymarch Park,
PO Box 9101, Quincy, MA 02269-9101.
1. All
fire extinguishers shall bear the seal of the Underwriter's Laboratories.
(Available from Publications Stock, 333 Princeton Road, Northbrook, IL
60062.)
2. Extinguishers shall be
recharged and inspected in accordance with the manufacturer's specifications.
i. Each extinguisher shall be labelled to
show the date of such inspection and refilling.
3. One portable fire extinguisher shall be
placed next to each fire alarm box.
i. All
other fire extinguishers shall be placed as directed by the fire
official.
4. The
following types of fire extinguishers shall be provided:
i. A 20 BC rating in kitchen areas where a
domestic range is used;
ii. A hood
and duct suppression (extinguishing) system, with both automatic and manual
actuation, in kitchen areas where a commercial range is used. There should be
an automatic fuel shut off; and
iii. A 4A:BC fire extinguisher with a 40 BC
rating in the basement area.
(s) All personnel and individuals shall be
trained in: fire prevention; the use of fire protection equipment and devices;
and procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency. The training shall
be given to all employees prior to their duty assignment and should be reviewed
at 12 month intervals.
(t) Every
facility shall have a written plan for the evacuation of the individuals to
safe areas away from the building, in the event of fire or any other type of
disaster, as follows:
1. All employees shall
be instructed in their duties under this plan;
2. A diagram of each floor indicating
location of fire extinguishers and the means of egress for each individual
shall be prominently posted on each floor; and
3. The facility shall provide an emergency
lighting system.
(u)
Fire alarm systems shall be checked monthly by an employee designated by the
licensee. A record shall be maintained showing the date checked, the name of
the person checking the system, and any findings.
(v) The facility shall conduct a fire drill
at least once a month in every building in which individuals are housed or
services provided.
1. The drills shall be
unannounced and held at various hours of the day and night.
2. A record shall be maintained of the date
of the drill, time required for evacuation, the number of staff and individuals
participating in the drill, a brief synopsis of what occurred during the drill
and the signature and title of the staff person completing the
report.
3. Arrangements shall be
made to have a fire drill supervised by the local fire department at least
annually.
(w) Kitchen
exhaust fans, filters, and metal ducts shall be kept free of grease and dirt at
all times, and metal ducts from such fans shall extend at least two feet beyond
the building.
1. Areas around kitchen ranges
shall be kept free of grease at all times.
2. Kitchens containing commercial cooking
appliances, deep fryers, grills, etc. shall have approved kitchen exhaust
system (rangehood) complete with an automatic fire suppression system in
accordance with B.O.C.A. National Building Code, Article 17, Section 1702.20
and B.O.C.A. Basic National Mechanical Code.
