[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council
of the Borough of Jim Thorpe as indicated in article histories. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention — See Ch. 233.
[Adopted 2-14-1991 by Ord. No. 91-1]
As used in this article, the following terms
shall have the meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly
appears from the context:
Any device designed or used for detection of smoke, fire,
medical emergency, unlawful entry into the building or facility, or
for alerting persons in the attempt or commission of a crime and which
is directly connected to an audible alarm or the transmission of a
related signal or message which is used to evoke an emergency response
to any address or separate component of any system.
An automatic telephone dialer is any device
which can be programmed to automatically dial a telephone number and
upon having that number answered, deliver a prerecorded message or
other signal, which conveys to the answering party information about
some event the automatic telephone dialer is designed to monitor,
such as fire, burglary, the proper operation of machinery, equipment,
or medical emergency.
In operation, the automatic telephone dialer
would sense the presence of smoke or fire, unlawful entry, the improper
operation of equipment or medical emergency and automatically dial
a preprogrammed number and report to the party answering exactly what
was taking place.
A nuisance alarm shall mean the activation of any alarm system
or automatic telephone dialer alarm due to other than the said purpose
for which the alarm system is designed. Any activation of any alarm
system or automatic telephone dialer alarm that is caused by violent
natural catastrophic conditions including electrical storms or power
outages or conditions beyond the control of the permit holder will
not constitute a nuisance alarm.
A person to whom the Police Department or Borough Secretary
has issued an alarm device permit.
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association,
or other similar entity.
A.
Every property owner wishing to install an alarm system
or automatic telephone dialer alarm on the premises they own situated
in the Borough of Jim Thorpe shall file with the Borough/Police Department/Borough
Secretary a written application stating:
(1)
The name, address and telephone number of the property
owner/ applicant.
(2)
A description of the property where the proposed alarm
system or automatic telephone dialer alarm shall be installed.
(3)
The location and street address of the property.
(4)
A description of the type of alarm system or automatic
telephone dialer alarm to be used, including the name and model number
of the manufacturer.
(5)
The name of the person who will install the system
at the location.
(6)
The name, address and phone number of at least three
people to be contacted in the event of an alarm activation.
B.
In the case of more than one building site in which
the alarm system shall be installed, the applicant must provide the
Borough/Police Department/Borough Secretary with information concerning
how the alarm system for each building shall be distinguishable from
the other alarms in said buildings. In the event that any of the above
information changes, the applicant must, within five days, notify
the Police Department (or Borough Secretary) of such changes. The
property owner or his designee, upon request of any official, Police
Department, Fire Department personnel, or medical personnel shall
be required to be present at the alarm location within a reasonable
length of time after being advised that the emergency department has
received an alarm activation.
C.
Alarm permits shall not be transferable from one individual
to another, or from one location to another, without the express written
permission of the Police Department (or Borough Secretary). In the
event that the building/property in which an alarm system is installed
is to be transferred to another person, it shall be the responsibility
of the permit holder to notify the Borough/Police Department/Borough
Secretary of such changes within five days.
D.
Any person who obtains title to premises in which
an alarm system has been installed and permit issued shall notify
the Police Department or Borough Secretary within five days of such
action to reapply for a permit and to update information.
E.
Every person applying for an alarm permit will be
charged a one-time fee of $25 to obtain an alarm permit prior to the
installation of the new alarm system on their premises.
F.
Any person who presently owns or obtains title to
premises in which an alarm system has already been installed shall
pay the one time fee of $10 to register information concerning the
alarm system.
G.
All fees to be made payable to the Police Department
(or Borough Secretary).
H.
In the event that the permit holder receives written
notice from the Police Department (or Borough Secretary) that three
nuisance alarms have occurred on the premises within 30 days, the
alarm permit shall be suspended. Suspension of permit will be lifted
when the permit holder gives proof that the alarm system has been
properly repaired so that the cause of the previous nuisance alarms
have been eliminated.
A.
Any person who, after receiving notice that an emergency
department has responded to three nuisance alarms as defined in this
article, within 30 days, and their permit has been suspended upon
conviction by a District Magistrate, shall pay a fine of $100 per
nuisance alarm thereafter, together with costs of prosecution.
B.
Any person who shall violate or fail to meet any of
the provisions of this article, upon conviction before a District
Magistrate, will be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300
together with costs of prosecution, and in default thereof, shall
undergo imprisonment in the county jail for a period not to exceed
90 days.
A.
All automatic telephone dialers installed will be
required to dial directly to the Carbon County Telecommunications
Center.
B.
The recorded content of the automatic telephone dialers
shall be "This is an emergency—please stand by". This phrase
to be repeated three times followed by "This is a recorded message
reporting the fire/smoke/burglar/medical alarm system has been activated
at [complete address]."
C.
No more than one call shall be made to the Carbon
County Telecommunications Center as a result of a single activation
of the automatic telephone dialer alarm system. The message portion
of the automatic telephone dialer may be repeated three times, after
which the automatic telephone dialer will disconnect.
D.
The sensory mechanism used in connection with any
alarm system must be adjusted to suppress false or nuisance alarms.
Also, the alarm systems must be adjusted as not to be activated by
impulses due to fleeting pressure changes in water pipes, short flashes
of light, the rattling or vibrating of doors and windows, vibrations
to the premises caused by the passing of vehicles or any other force
not related to alarms.
E.
All components comprising such devices must be maintained
by the permit holder in good repair to assure maximum reliability
of operation.
F.
All permit holders and their contact people shall
be aware of operation of all alarm systems that are installed for
disconnection or resetting.
G.
All alarm systems other than dialer-alarms will utilize
dedicated telephone lines issued by the local telephone company or
any long-distance carrier. The fees required for such dedicated telephone
lines is the sole responsibility of the permit holder. Type of alarm
signal from alarm system is up to the discretion of the Carbon County
Telecommunications Center. The Carbon County Telecommunications Center
must be contacted to make arrangements for connection of alarm system
into the Carbon County Telecommunications Center.
H.
The permit holder shall be solely responsible for
the payment of fees set by and payable to the Carbon County Telecommunications
Center for the privilege of having the permit holders automatic telephone
dialer or alarm system connected directly with the Carbon County Telecommunications
Center.
