As used in this chapter, the following words,
terms and phrases shall have the following meanings, unless it is
apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended:
ALARM AGENT
Any person who is self-employed in or employed by an alarm
business, either directly or indirectly, whose duties include any
of the following: selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing,
altering, replacing, moving or installing on or in any building, structure
or facility any automatic protection device. Exemption: This definition
does not include a person who engages in the manufacture or sale of
an automatic protection device from a fixed location and who neither
visits the location where the automatic protection device is to be
installed nor designs the scheme for physical location and installation
of the automatic protection device at or in a specific location.
ALARM BUSINESS
Any business operated by any individual, including a person
self-employed, partnership, corporation or other entity of selling,
leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving
or installing any automatic protection device or causing to be sold,
leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or
installed any automatic protection device in or on any building, structure
or facility, or employing alarm agent(s). Exemption: this definition
does not include a person who engages in the manufacture or sale of
an automatic protection device from a fixed location and who neither
visits the location where the automatic protection device is to be
installed nor designs the scheme for physical location and installation
of the automatic protection device at or in a specific location.
APPLICANT
Any person, firm or corporation who or which files an application
for a new or renewal permit as provided in this chapter.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE
Any alarm system or mechanical or electrically operated instrument
composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which is designed
or used for:
A.
The detection of an unauthorized entry into
a building, structure or facility or for alerting others of the commission
of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility, or both.
B.
The detection of a hazardous condition resulting
from fire, heat, smoke or explosion within a building, structure or
facility and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message
when activated. Automatic protection devices include, but are not
limited to, audible alarms, automatic dialing devices, alarms connected
directly to communications centers and proprietor alarms. Automatic
protection devices may be referred to in this chapter as APDs. Exemption:
the following devices shall not be included under the definition of
APDs:
(1)
Devices which are not designed or used to register
alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside of the protected
building, structure or facility, such as those systems designed for
the detection of equipment malfunctions.
(2)
Devices which are designed for and installed
upon motorized vehicles or trailers.
(3)
Devices maintained and operated by the East
Hempfield Township Police Department used for the detection of unlawful
acts and known as "portable stake-out alarm systems."
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER
The communications room in the Police Department or that
of the Lancaster County Fire and Police Radio Network and other rooms
which house auxiliary communications equipment.
EMERGENCY SITUATION
A sudden or unforeseen situation involving potential danger
to one or more people or structures and which reasonably requires
the attention of a police officer or fireman.
FALSE ALARMS
An activation of an APD signal necessitating response by
the East Hempfield Township Police Department or Fire Department where
an emergency situation does not exist. The term does not include alarms
caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes or other violent acts
or acts of nature.
FIRE CHIEF
One or several fire chiefs of the Fire Department of Rohrerstown,
Hempfield or East Petersburg, respectively.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
One or several of the Fire Departments of Rohrerstown, Hempfield
and East Petersburg.
NOTICE
A written notice, given by personal service upon the addressee
or given by United States Mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the
person to be notified at his last known address, return receipt requested.
Service of such notice shall be effective upon the completion of personal
service or upon delivery by the United States Postal Service.
PERMIT
Written permission, duly granted to the applicant by the
Chief of Police upon the payment of the required fee.
PERMITTEE
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization who or which shall be granted a permit as
provided herein and his or its agents and representatives.
PERSON
Any person, firm, partnership, association, corporation,
company or organization of any kind.
POLICE CHIEF
The Chief of Police of the East Hempfield Township Police
Department or his designated representatives.
PROPRIETARY ALARM
Any APD which sounds within the protected premises or control
center under the supervision of the proprietor of the protected building,
structure or facility. If police or fire response is expected or is
a result of that proprietary alarm signal or message, it thereby becomes
an APD as defined by this chapter.
RESPONSE ASSESSMENT FEE
A fee charged a permittee for each and every false alarm
activation in excess of two in any calendar year to which the Police
or Fire Department respond.
SUBSCRIBER
A person who has an APD installed on real estate in which
the person has an interest or who has applied for the installation
of an APD or who is the user of an APD.
In addition to any criteria set forth in the
rules of the Police Chief promulgated under the terms of this chapter,
all APDs installed or modified on or after the effective date of this
chapter shall have a backup power source sufficient to prevent the
issuance of a false alarm resulting from a power outage lasting 180
seconds or less.
Where the Police or Fire Department disconnects
an APD, no liability shall incur to the Township or its employees
through such action.
The information furnished and secured pursuant
to the chapter shall be confidential in character and shall not, to
the extent permitted by law, be subject to public inspection and shall
be kept so that the contents thereof shall not be known, except to
persons charged with the administration of this chapter.