N.J. Admin. Code § 13:92-4.4

Current through Register Vol. 56, No. 21, November 4, 2024

Section 13:92-4.4 - Fire protection

(a) Each detention facility shall be in compliance with all appropriate provisions of the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, 52:27D-192 et seq., including provision for fire suppression, smoke detection, and automatic alarm systems.

(b) New detention facilities shall be equipped with a centralized automated lock release system for sleeping room doors and egress doors.

(c) In new and renovated facilities, sprinkler heads in juvenile sleeping rooms shall be evaluated by the Commission for their suicide-resistant properties prior to approval. In addition, the placement of sprinkler heads in the sleeping rooms shall minimize juvenile access and tampering.

(d) Only fire-resistant mattresses, approved by the Commission, shall be utilized in juvenile detention facilities.

(e) Emergency evacuation drills shall be carried out at least once per month at various times of the day and evening, including sleeping hours, and a record kept and periodically evaluated. The evacuation record shall include:

1. The date and time;

2. The weather conditions;

3. The number of residents and staff evacuated;

4. The total time to evacuate; and

5. The signature of the fire drill coordinator.

(f) A secure area of refuge shall be provided at least 50 feet from the building to provide for adequate safety and security during emergency evacuations.

(g) All staff shall meet with local fire officials at least once a year for training in the use of fire alarms, fire equipment, and emergency removal of juveniles.

(h) Fire exit plans shall be prominently posted and explained to each juvenile upon admission. The phone number of the local fire station shall be readily available to all staff.

(i) Detention facilities shall at all times maintain an adequate number of staff qualified to release and direct juveniles from their sleeping rooms or other areas to a secure place of safety in case of fire or other emergency. Each facility shall provide a keying system which allows for the prompt and orderly release of juveniles from sleeping rooms and other areas of the building. This may include, but is not limited to, paracentric locking systems and/or color-coded keys.

(j) Facilities equipped with automated electronic locking systems shall provide emergency back-up keys for manual release.

(k) There shall be at least two independent exits from every floor of the detention facility, remotely located so that juveniles may exit from the building or room in two separate directions.

1. Exits shall not be permitted through kitchen, boiler, storage areas, or other hazardous locations.

(l) Fire exit signs shall be provided at all doors used as exits, with directional signs at locations where the exit may not be readily visible or understood.

1. Illuminated exit signs or electrical lights above the signs shall be provided.

(m) Emergency light and power shall be provided for fire protection in accordance with State laws and rules.

(n) All fire extinguishers shall be safely secured, but readily available to staff, and serviced and inspected at least annually. Training shall be provided to staff in the proper use of fire extinguishers. There shall be at least:

1. One fire extinguisher with a minimum 2A or 10 A-B-C rating provided for each 2,500 square foot of floor area, but not less than one per floor;

2. One fire extinguisher of the same rating provided in all other distinct areas of the building; and

3. One 20 B-C fire extinguisher in kitchens and furnace rooms.

(o) Storage areas containing highly flammable or other hazardous materials such as paints and cleaning agents shall be segregated from residential areas with a minimum one-hour fire rated material and shall be secure at all times when not in use by authorized staff.

(p) In detention facilities which occupy more than one-floor, all interior stairways shall be enclosed with a minimum one-hour fire rated material. Stairway doors shall be hollow metal doors or solid wood doors of the flush type not less than 1 3/4 inches thick.

(q) Interior boilers or furnaces shall be enclosed by a minimum one-hour fire rated material.

(r) Interior furnishings, drapes, curtains, carpeting, decorations, bedding, etc. shall be flame-retardant.

(s) All fires in the detention facility shall be reported to the Commission as soon as practicable, but no later than 24 hours of the occurrence.

(t) It is recommended that at least one self-contained breathing apparatus, accessible to staff, be maintained at the facility. Staff utilizing a self-contained breathing apparatus shall be trained to use such a device by a firefighter or other qualified instructor certified in the use of this device.

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:92-4.4

Amended by R.1995 d.293, effective 6/5/1995.
See: 27 New Jersey Register 1101(a), 27 New Jersey Register 2221(a).
In (a), substituted the provision requiring the detention facility to be in compliance with the New Jersey Uniform Fire Safety Act, rather than the Life Safety Code; and rewrote (b).
Amended by R.2000 d.189, effective 5/1/2000.
See: 32 New Jersey Register 651(a), 32 New Jersey Register 1627(a).
Rewrote the section.