The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards and regulations
concerning the installation, operation and maintenance of certain alarm systems
within the Township of Washington.
The provisions of this chapter shall apply to any person who owns, operates,
leases or otherwise maintains any alarm system situated in the township if
the alarm system has an audible signaling device or devices which request
a response by the Police Department, Fire Department or the Washington Emergency
Squad or any other township emergency service agency. The provisions hereof
shall in no way prohibit services by a private source to provide service within
or without the township so long as such activity is not violative of this
chapter and provided, further, that any person owning, operating, leasing
or maintaining premises protected by such an alarm system has registered the
same as required by this chapter.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth herein:
ALARM CONSOLE
The console or control panel of devices giving a visual or audio
response, or both, and located within the confines of the dispatch center
providing service for the Washington Township Fire and Police Departments
and other township emergency services.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device employed to call attention to or provide warning of intrusion
by any person or of fire, smoke, flood or other peril, whether the same provides
a visual or audio response, alarm or warning.
AUDIBLE ALARM
An alarm system which, when actuated, emits sound which can be heard
beyond the boundaries of the premises on which it is located.
COMMITTEE
The Township Committee of the Township of Washington.
DIAL ALARM
The type of automatic telephone dialing service using the telephone
system to transmit an alarm of intrusion, fire, smoke, flood or other peril
to the Police Department or any third party.
DIRECT ALARM
An alarm device which has a direct line to an alarm console.
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm or signal of an alarm actuated by the inadvertence, negligence
or intentional or unintentional act of a person other than an intruder, and
including alarms caused by mechanical failure, malfunction or improper installation
of the alarm system and related equipment but not including activations caused
by power or phone line interruptions, power surges or the like, provided that
such interruptions or similar events have been reported to the Police Department.
FIRE OFFICIAL
The Washington Township Fire Official.
[Added 9-16-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-10]
LOCAL ALARM
Any alarm device, other than a direct or dial alarm, which, when
actuated, produces an external emergency signal.
PERSON
Any individual, person, firm, association, partnership, corporation,
organization or club.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Washington, in the County of Warren and State of
New Jersey.
[Amended 9-16-2003 by Ord. No. 2003-10]
A. In the event of a false alarm or of improper maintenance
or operation of an alarm system, any person having knowledge thereof shall
immediately notify the Fire Official. The Fire Official shall cause an investigation
to be made of all false alarms and of all improper maintenance or operation
of alarm systems and shall keep on file a record of such false alarms.
B. Where, after an investigation by the Fire Official, it
is disclosed that a person has failed or refused to take remedial steps for
avoiding false alarms or has failed or refused to maintain or properly operate
an alarm system, the Fire Official may require, upon notice, in writing, to
the owner, the temporary or permanent disconnection of the alarm system. The
owner thereof shall have the right to show cause to the Fire Official why
such action should not be taken or required, and any person aggrieved by the
decision of the Fire Official with respect to such action shall have the right
to appeal said decision to the Committee by advising the Committee, in writing,
within 10 days of the decision.