Governor Phil Murphy has recently signed a bill amending the Uniform Fire Safety Act to improve safety measures for first responders, utility workers, and residents.
This new law introduces mandatory labeling requirements for residential structures with secondary power sources. Separately, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has adopted new mulch placement regulations to reduce fire hazards near combustible structures.
Effective immediately, all one- and two-family dwellings undergoing resale inspections must have a warning label installed within 18 inches of both the main electrical panel and electrical meter. These labels must indicate the presence of secondary power sources, such as permanently installed generators, solar panels, battery storage systems and other supplemental electrical energy sources.
The required label must state “CAUTION: MULTIPLE SOURCES OF POWER” and may not be handwritten. Labels must meet ANSI Z535.4 standards to comply with the law.
“This measure ensures that emergency personnel and utility workers can quickly identify multiple power sources, reducing the risk of electrical hazards during emergencies,” said State Fire Marshal Richard J. Mikutsky.
Additionally, the New Jersey Division of Fire Safety has adopted a new regulation that requires a minimum of 18 inches of clearance between mulch beds and combustible building materials. This includes decks, porches, balconies, and other wooden structures.
Additionally, the regulation mandates the same 18-inch clearance between any designated smoking area, and a mulched area.
While the Division of Fire Safety recommends everyone to follow these guidelines for mulch placement, owner-occupied one- and two-family homes or attached single-family residences used exclusively as dwellings, most townhomes classified as R3, R4, and R5 and buildings constructed from noncombustible materials, such as warehouses are exempt from this regulation.
“Fires caused by ignited mulch have resulted in significant property damage, injuries, and deaths,” said Lou Kilmer, Chief of the Bureau of Fire Code Enforcement. “Mulch is highly combustible and can smolder undetected, leading to delayed responses and extensive damage. Taking these precautions will help prevent devastating fires.”
Residents and property owners are urged to follow manufacturer instructions for proper clearance when using decorative lights near mulch, water mulch during hot, dry weather or to consider replacing wood-based mulch with decorative stone.