As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings provided:
ALARM
A communication to a public safety agency indicating that
a crime, fire or other emergency warranting immediate action by that
public safety agency has occurred or is occurring.
ALARM DEVICE
A device designed to automatically transmit an alarm:
A.
Directly to a public safety agency; or
B.
To a person that is instructed to notify the public safety agency
of the alarm.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any device, or group of devices, electrical or battery-operated,
designed or used for detection of intrusion into a building, structure
or facility or for alerting persons of the attempt or commission of
a crime or an emergency situation involving potential death or serious
injury and which is directly connected to an audible alarm or transmission,
by any technology, of a related signal or message which is used to
evoke an emergency response by any public safety agency to any address
or separate component of any system.
AUDIBLE ALARM
Any device including, but not limited to, a bell, horn or
siren which is attached to the interior or exterior of the building,
structure or facility and emits a warning signal audible outside the
building, structure, or facility and is designed to attract attention
when activated by a criminal act or other emergency requiring police,
emergency medical services (EMS) or fire department response.
EMERGENCY
A sudden unexpected happening, the occurrence or condition
requiring immediate action by police, fire, hazard or medical services
personnel to protect the health, safety and welfare of those affected
by the happening, occurrence or condition.
FALSE ALARM
Any signal activated by manual or an automatic protection
device, any audible alarm or any other kind of direct or indirect
signal given, to which the police, the fire department or other public
safety agencies respond which is not the result of an attempted illegal
entry, burglary, intrusion, fire, medical or other similar emergency,
excluding weather extremes and utility interruptions, which activates
a protection device.
A.
The definition of a false alarm also includes the malicious
or intentional activation of a burglar alarm when there is no burglary
in progress, the malicious or intentional activation of a fire alarm
when there is no fire or hazard condition, or the malicious or intentional
activation of a medical alarm for other than a medical emergency.
B.
Multiple alarms received by the Police Department or any fire
department before the system can be deactivated within a reasonable
period of time shall be considered a single alarm, unless such multiple
alarms are caused by the act of any person.
C.
Any activation of an alarm system caused by any malfunction
caused by violent natural catastrophic condition including electrical
storms or power outages or conditions beyond the control of the owner
will not constitute a false alarm.
FIRE DEPARTMENT
Tinicum Township Fire Company of the Township of Tinicum,
Delaware County, Pennsylvania or any department operating within the
Township of Tinicum, Delaware County, Pennsylvania.
OWNER
An individual, corporation, partnership, association, firm,
syndicate, company trust, department bureau agency or other entity,
who actually operates, activates, deactivates, arms or disarms the
alarm system, and is accountable or responsible for the alarm system's
proper on-site operation and maintenance.
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY
Any municipal agency, including police, fire, and other duly
constituted municipal authority, including, but not limited to, the
Delaware County Communications (911) Center.
All alarm users with an alarm system using an audible alarm
shall equip such system with a timing mechanism that will disengage
the alarm after a maximum period of 15 minutes. Such audible alarm
must remain disconnected until it can be manually reset. It is the
specific intent of the section to prevent an audible alarm automatically
resetting.
Any alarm owner who violates any provision of this chapter and
does not timely pay to the Township of Tinicum the alarm service fees
assessed as required herein within 30 days after receipt of an invoice
from the Township, shall be guilty of a separate violation of this
chapter and shall, upon conviction thereof by the Magisterial District
Judge, be subject to a fine of not less than $500 nor more than $1,000,
plus the cost of prosecution.