Under New Jersey fire safety regulation the first two emergency evacuation drills of each school year must be conducted within ten (10) days of the beginning of classes.
The Department of Community Affairs (DCA) in promulgating its most recent round of regulation adopted the model code of the International Code Council “The 2006 International Fire Code”. See N.J.A.C. 5:70-3.1 (referencing the adoption of the 2006 International Fire Code). Under DCA regulation “school buildings and structures used for educational purposes where serving six or more students in any or all the grades from kindergarten through grade twelve are considered part of ‘Use Group E’.” See N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.5. Under Section 408.3.1 of the 2006 International Fire Code “Use Group E must conduct two drills monthly and must conduct the first two emergency evacuation drills of each school year within ten (10) days of the beginning of classes.”
Violations for failure to conduct drills went into effect as of February 1 2009. Districts are advised to work with their local fire officials to facilitate the expedition of these drills.