The City of Trenton announced on Apr. 9 the adoption of Ordinance No. 821, which brings the 2021 edition of the International Fire Code into effect for the city. The ordinance regulates and governs fire safety standards to safeguard life and property from fire and explosion hazards associated with hazardous substances, materials, and devices in buildings and premises within Trenton.
The adoption of this code is intended to enhance public safety by providing clear regulations for fire prevention, storage, handling, and use of hazardous materials. It also establishes a framework for issuing permits related to hazardous uses or operations.
According to the ordinance text, Section 42-181 amends Article III entitled “Fire Prevention Code” so that “a certain document… being marked and designated as the 2021 International Fire Code… be and is hereby adopted as the fire code of the City of Trenton.” The code includes several appendices addressing building requirements for fire flow, hydrant locations, apparatus access roads, hazard ranking systems, management plans for hazardous materials, non-compliant conditions in protection systems, among others.
Enforcement will be carried out by “the Chief of the Fire Department, the Fire Department Fire Inspector, and/or the Fire Chief’s designee,” according to Section 42-182. Definitions have been clarified in Section 42-183 so that terms like “Chief of bureau of fire prevention” refer specifically to local officials such as the Chief or Inspector; similarly “Corporation Counsel” means City Attorney; “Municipality” refers to City of Trenton.
The ordinance contains provisions ensuring its sections are severable should any part be declared unconstitutional or invalid by a court or state agency. All prior ordinances conflicting with this new regulation are repealed where inconsistent. Ordinance No. 821 received its first reading on March 23 before being enacted on April 7; it will become effective April 14 following publication.
Steven Rzeppa signed as Mayor alongside Debra R. Devitt as City Clerk.
