As used in this chapter, the following words
and terms shall have the following meanings:
ADOPTED CODE(S)
Code adopted by the jurisdiction and, in the absence of adopted
code, the National Fire Protection Association's National Fire Alarm
Code 72 (NFPA 72).
ALARM-INITIATING DEVICE
A device that is designed to respond either manually or automatically
to smoke, fire, or activation of a fire-suppression system.
COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENT
Those properties used primarily for commercial or industrial
purposes and multiple-dwelling residential buildings with central
waste collection systems provided by the owner or landlord.
FALSE FIRE ALARM
The activation of any fire alarm system which results in
a response by the Fire Department and which is caused by the negligence
or intentional misuse of the fire alarm system by the owner, its employees,
agents; or any other activation of a fire alarm system that is not
caused by heat or smoke generated from a burning or smoldering source
or object.
FEE or FINE
The assessment of a monetary charge payable to the Municipality,
authorized pursuant to this chapter, to defray the expenses of responding
to a false fire alarm or nuisance fire alarm.
FIRE ALARM ACTIVATION REPORT
A document issued by the Code Enforcement Official indicating
that the activation was deemed to be the result of a fire alarm activation
due to fire, a nuisance fire alarm, or a false fire alarm.
FIRE ALARM BUSINESS
Any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity
that is appropriately licensed in the state/jurisdiction and installs,
causes to be installed, permits to be installed, alters, maintains,
repairs, replaces or services (including runner services) any fire
alarm system.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
A system or portion of a combination system consisting of
components and circuits arranged to monitor and/or exterior annunciate
the status of a fire alarm or supervisory signal-initiating devices
and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
FIRE WATCH
A Code Enforcement Official-approved person or persons assigned
to a commercial establishment for the purpose of protecting the occupants
from fire or similar emergencies. A fire watch may involve at least
some special action beyond normal staffing, such as assigning an additional
security guard(s) to walk the premises, who has been specially trained
in fire prevention and in the use of fire extinguishers, in notifying
the Fire Department, in sounding the fire alarm system located on
the premises, and in understanding the particular firesafety situation.
KEY ACCESS SYSTEM
An exterior wall-mounted key safe installed on all commercial
establishments with fire alarm systems for emergency access of fire-fighting
personnel.
MONITORED SYSTEM
The process by which a fire alarm business receives signals
from a fire alarm system and notifies emergency forces and contains
a dispatch/central monitoring station.
NUISANCE FIRE ALARM
The activation of any fire alarm system which results in
a response by the Fire Department, caused by mechanical failure, malfunction,
improper installation, lack of proper maintenance or any other response
for which the Fire Department personnel are unable to determine the
apparent cause of the alarm activation.
OWNER
Any person who owns the premises in which a fire alarm system
is installed, the person or persons who lease, operate, occupy or
manage the premises, or to whom the fire alarm system is registered.
PREMISES
Any building, structure or combination of buildings and structures
which serve as dwelling units. such as single-family, multifamily,
or any other area within a building, structure or combination thereof
which is used for any purpose, wherein a fire alarm system is installed.
QUALIFIED FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN
Any person who inspects, installs, repairs or performs maintenance
on fire alarm systems. This person shall be: a) factory trained and
certified; b) National Institute of Certification in Engineering Technologies
(NICET) fire alarm Level II certified; or c) licensed or certified
by state or local authority.
RECORD OF COMPLETION
The completion of a form equivalent to the record of completion
form included in the National Fire Protection Association's National
Fire Alarm Code (NFPA 72).
REGISTRATION
The notification by an owner to the Code Enforcement Official
that a fire alarm system has been installed and is in use. A local
contact must be available to whom the fire alarm system is registered.
REPORT OF SERVICE/REPAIR
Appropriate documentation in a format acceptable to the Code
Enforcement Official that verifies proper repairs or maintenance have
been performed by both the fire alarm business and the owner.
RESIDENTIAL UNIT
A group of rooms within a residence for occupancy by one
or more persons separate and independent from other room groups within
the same residence, whether or not one or more facilities, such as
heating, toilet, laundry and the like, are shared by the occupants
of two or more room groups. Any improvements to real estate increasing
the number of rooms of any existing single-family residence, but which
is to continue in use as a single-family residence, shall not be deemed
a separate taxable residential unit.
RUNNER SERVICE
The service provided by a runner at the protected premises,
including resetting and silencing of all equipment transmitting fire
alarm or supervisory signals to an off-premises location.
SERVE
Hand delivery of written notification by a representative
of the jurisdiction to the owner or authorized representative who
responded to the premises. In the event the owner or authorized representative
fails to respond to the premises within one hour, serve shall mean
placing the form or other matter in the United States Mail; postage
prepaid, addressed to the owner or authorized representative.
All newly installed or recertified commercial
fire alarm systems shall be approved by the Code Enforcement Official
and the fire company in whose fire district the system is installed.
The certification shall indicate that the fire alarm system is in
compliance with adopted codes. The certification shall be signed by
a qualified fire alarm technician.
Any building security issues supplied to the
Code Enforcement Official shall be held in confidence by all employees
or representatives of the Code Enforcement Official and by any third-party
administrator or employees of a third-party administrator with access
to such information.
Registration of a fire alarm system is not intended
to, nor will it, create a contract, duty or obligation, either expressed
or implied, of response. Any and all liability and consequential damage
resulting from the failure to respond to a notification is hereby
disclaimed and governmental immunity as provided by law is retained.
When registering a fire alarm system, the owner acknowledges that
Fire Department response may be based on factors such as availability
of Fire Department units, priority of calls, weather conditions, traffic
conditions, emergency conditions, and staffing levels. The Municipality,
its officers, employees and agents shall not assume any duty or responsibility
for the installation, maintenance, operation, repair or effectiveness
of any privately owned fire alarm system; those duties or responsibilities
being solely those of the owner of the premises.