MANVILLE: Ordinance would update fire safety rules

By Audrey Levine, Staff Writer
   The borough is increasing and decreasing inspection and permit fees for its fire safety code to keep current with the state’s Uniform Fire Safety Act that has undergone its own amendments since its initial creation in 1983.
   The Borough Council unanimously approved the introduction of an ordinance Monday to establish certain fees for businesses and private properties in conjunction with state regulations for fire safety standards.
   According to Borough Administrator Gary Garwacke, the borough’s fire code has not been amended since 1985. Now that the state has updated its template for the fire safety act, he said, the borough is taking advantage of the opportunity to change its fees.
   ”There is a template (from the state) with all required language,” he said. “We add our own fees.”
   These fees go to the Borough of Manville Fire Prevention Bureau for the enforcement of fire safety codes.
   ”These are for firefighters’ safety,” Mr. Garwacke said. “(Then they can know) what a building is like, where the smoke detectors are and other information in the case of a fire.”
   Mr. Garwacke said the state allows municipalities to base their fees on square footage, and the borough is looking to be more aggressive with local businesses and others to maintain safety. With this ordinance, he said, the borough is looking to increase fees for buildings larger than 3,000 square feet, and decrease fees for those under 3,000 square feet.
   For example, buildings under 500 square feet will cost $45; buildings 501 to 1,000 square feet cost $65; and buildings from 1,001 to 3,000 square feet cost $75. Buildings from 3,001 to more than 15,000 square feet can cost between $125 and $325, the maximum cost as mandated by the state.
   For multiple family dwellings – for which the fees will be paid by the owner of the property – the borough is planning to require a $50 fee for three to five units; $100 for six to 12 units; $175 for 13 to 20 units; $225 for 21 to 50 units; and $50 for multiple family dwelling common areas.
   Application fees for permits and certificates of fire code status range from $42 to $497, based on the type of building.
   According to Mr. Garwacke, the borough pays $25,000 per year to the Fire Prevention Bureau. This is gathered from the fee charges, and goes toward the costs for the inspections and other services.
   The borough’s Buildings and Grounds department has requested that this new ordinance, if approved, be reviewed in one year to determine if the fees are covering all the costs of the bureau.
   In addition, Mr. Garwacke said, the department has also requested that the businesses in town have an opportunity to review the ordinance before it is finally approved.
   ”The department wants input from the businesses,” he said. “This will make sure there is full understanding of the fees.”
   For this reason, Mr. Garwacke said, the public hearing on the ordinance will not be held until April 27, after it is presented at the April Manville Business and Professional Association meeting.
   Even though the fees are being changed, Mr. Garwacke said, an ordinance establishing them has been in effect for more than 20 years in an effort to maintain the safety of the borough’s firefighters and residents.
   ”All laws have been in effect,” he said. “This is all for the enforcement of the fire safety codes.”