[3-1-1994; 2016 Code]
The purpose of this chapter is to regulate the installation
and use of electronic fire, intrusion and holdup alarms. A primary
goal to reduce preventable or avoidable false alarms relayed to the
police and fire departments is needed to insure efficient use of the
city resources and effective response to requests for emergency aid.
It is further intended that persons who cause unnecessary false alarms
should bear costs of emergency services response. This chapter is
further intended to encourage the installation and maintenance of
reliable alarm systems which are an effective means of early detection
of criminal activity or possible property loss thereby increasing
the present level of protection to persons and property and to provide
emergency services with specific information before the alarm to provide
a more safe and effective response to such alarm.
[3-1-1994; 2016 Code]
In this chapter:
ALARM BUSINESS
Means any person engaged in the activity of altering, installing,
leasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, selling or servicing alarm
systems with the object of gain, benefit or advantage, either direct
or indirect.
ALARM SUBSCRIBER
Means any person who has an alarm system installed or maintained
on his or her premises, including but not limited to any person who
buys, leases or otherwise obtains an alarm system and contracts or
hires an alarm business to monitor, maintain or service the alarm
system.
ALARM SYSTEM
Means an assembly of equipment or devices which receives
electrical energy and is arranged to signal a hazard or intruder requiring
urgent attention and to which the police department or fire department
is expected to respond, including but not limited to automatic holdup
alarm systems, burglar alarm systems, manual holdup alarm systems,
fire alarms, humidity alarms, temperature alarms and pressure alarms.
ANNUNCIATOR
Means the instrumentation of an alarm console at the receiving
terminal of a signal line through which both visual or audible signals
may show when an alarm device at a location has been activated, malfunctions
or otherwise indicates line activity.
ANSWERING SERVICE
Means a telephone or direct line answering service which
receives emergency signals on a continuous basis from alarm systems
and immediately relays the message by like voice to the appropriate
emergency service.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
Means an alarm system which automatically sends a signal
over the telephone lines indicating an emergency situation to which
emergency police department or fire department services are expected
to respond.
AUTOMATIC HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM
Means an alarm system in which the signal transmission is
initiated by the alarm system upon detection of certain actions or
movements of a person robbing or attempting to rob the premises.
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM
Means an alarm system which signals the entry into the area
protected by the system.
CENTRAL STATION
Means an office to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling
devices are connected, where operators supervise the circuits.
FALSE ALARM
Means activation of an alarm system by mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation, negligence of the owner or lessee
of the alarm system, or by an undetermined cause. A false alarm includes
the testing of the alarm system without prior notice to the police
department and fire department of the testing. A false alarm does
not include activation of the alarm system by tornado or severe weather
storm.
FIRE ALARM
Means an alarm system designed to signal fire or smoke in
the protected area which transmits an emergency signal to the fire
department or police department for response.
HUMIDITY ALARM
Means an alarm system which activates the emergency signal
due to a change in humidity in the protected area.
INTERCONNECT
Means to connect an alarm system to a voice grade telephone
line, either directly or through a mechanical device that uses a standard
telephone and telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon
activation of the alarm system.
MANUAL HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM
Means an alarm system in which the signal transmission is
initiated by the direct action of the alarm user indicating a crime
is in progress.
PERSON
Means any natural person, partnership, association and body
politic and corporate.
PRESSURE ALARM
Means an alarm system in which the emergency signal is activated
due to a change or drop in pressure, such as the drop in water pressure
in a sprinkler system when activated.
PRIMARY TRUNK LINE
Means a telephone line leading directly into the emergency
services dispatch center for handling emergency calls on a person-to-person
basis and which is identified as such by a specific number included
among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory or numbers
in sequence therewith.
PROPRIETY ALARM SYSTEM
Means an alarm system which signals to persons on the premises
rather than to the police department, fire department or other outside
emergency services.
SUPERVISORY ALARM
Means an alarm which notifies the police department or fire
department of a mechanical problem on the premises and which requires
action from the police department or fire department in addition to
contacting a responsible person from a list of persons provided by
the alarm subscriber.
TEMPERATURE ALARM
Means an alarm system designed to send an emergency signal
activated by a change in temperature.
[3-1-1994; 2016 Code]
A central alarm which is received at a central station or answering
service which then relates a message by direct live voice contact
to the appropriate emergency service may be connected upon approval
of an application and issuance of a permit.
[3-1-1994; 2016 Code]
When the service provided by an alarm business to its subscribers
is disrupted for any reason, the alarm business shall immediately
notify each of its subscribers by telephone that protection is no
longer being provided unless otherwise previously instructed in writing
by a subscriber.
[3-1-1994; 2016 Code]
Any person who violates any provision of this chapter shall
upon conviction be subject to a Class 3 forfeiture.