[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Abington 4-6-2009 ATM by Art.
12. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire prevention — See Ch. 75.
Whereas, there has been an increase in recent years in the use
of fire alarm systems which operate by way of a master box;
Whereas, improper installation, defective equipment, lack of
maintenance or other reasons cause fire alarm systems to malfunction;
Whereas, in addition to the financial cost, each malfunction
requires that Abington Fire Department personnel respond, thus decreasing
the number of Abington Fire Department personnel available to respond
to an actual fire;
Whereas, the Abington Fire Departments' responding to fire
alarm malfunctions jeopardizes the safety of firefighters as well
as the general public;
Now, therefore, be it ordered to be in the public interest as
follows.
The Town of Abington Bylaws are hereby amended by adding the
following Bylaw to be entitled "Fire Alarm Systems."
When used in this Bylaw, unless a contrary intention clearly
appears, the following words shall have the following meanings:
Any heat-activated, smoke-activated, flame-energy-activated
or other such automatic device capable of transmitting a fire signal
directly to the Abington Fire Department by way of a master box or
central station.
The transmittal of a fire alarm directly to the Abington
Fire Department by way of a master box or central station, which alarm
is caused by improper installation of a fire alarm system, a mechanically
defective fire alarm system, lack of maintenance or other reasons
that cause a fire alarm to sound even though there is no actual fire
or situation that reasonably could evolve into a fire.
An individual or entity who owns the title to and/or has
on his/her business or residential premise or premises a fire alarm
system equipped to send a fire alarm signal to a central station operating
company or directly to the Abington Fire Department.
The Chief of the Abington Fire Department.
A fire alarm control device equipped to send a fire alarm
signal directly to the Abington Fire Department or its designee by
way of radio frequency connection for the purpose of manually or automatically
reporting a fire alarm or other emergency request for assistance.
[Added 4-2-2012 ATM by Art. 15B; amended 6-6-2016 ATM by Art. 9]
An individual or entity who has on his/her business or residential
premises a fire alarm system equipped to send a fire alarm signal
directly to the Abington Fire Department by way of a master box.
Any property that has a fire alarm system that is connected
to a master box or central station that reports to the Fire Department
any alarms or signals from that premises.
[Amended 6-6-2016 ATM
by Art. 9]
A.
Every master box owner whose protected premises on the effective
date of this Bylaw is connected to the Abington Fire Department by
way of a master box shall pay the following fees for each master box:
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Annual fee
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$100
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B.
Every master box owner whose protected premises is connected after
the effective date of this Bylaw to the Abington Fire Department by
way of a master box shall pay the following fees for each master box:
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Permit fee (single charge)
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$25
| |
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Connection fee (single charge)
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$200
| |
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Annual fee
|
$100
|
C.
Before any fire alarm system is connected to the Abington Fire Department,
the master box owner shall provide the Fire Chief the following information:
(1)
The name, address and home and work telephone numbers of the master
box owners.
(2)
The street address where the master box is located.
(3)
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two other
persons other than the master box owner who can be contacted 24 hours
a day, who are authorized by the master box owner to respond to an
alarm signal and who have access to the premises in which the master
box is located; and
(4)
Any other information pertaining to the fire alarm system as the
Fire Chief may require.
D.
If a master box owner fails to comply with this section, the Fire
Chief may assess a fine of $50 for each day of noncompliance.
A.
Every master box owner shall be responsible for updating the information
herein required to be provided to the Fire Chief. If the information
changes, the master box owner shall provide the Fire Chief with the
updated information and shall pay the fees, if any, required by this
Bylaw.
B.
If a master box owner fails to comply with this section, the Fire
Chief may assess a fine of $50.
If there is a fire alarm malfunction as defined herein, the
Fire Chief may assess a fine against the fire alarm system owner for
each protected premises and for each such malfunction per fiscal year
according to the following schedule:
A.
First through third malfunction: no charge.
|
Upon recording of the third alarm by the Fire Department, the
Fire Chief shall notify the owner of the building, in writing, and
by certified mail, of such fact and at this time inform the owner
of the Department policy with regards to charging for false alarms.
| |
|
Fourth through the sixth malfunction: $100.
| |
|
Seventh through the 11th malfunction: $250.
| |
|
Each malfunction after the 11th: $500.
|
B.
Private fire alarm systems connected to the Abington Fire Department
by other automatic means or through a central station system shall
be subject to the above conditions.
C.
Any fire alarm system malfunction which is the result of the failure of the property owner, occupant or their agents to notify the Abington Fire Department of repair, maintenance or testing of the internal fire alarm system within the protected premises shall cause a penalty to be assessed in accordance with Subsection A above.
D.
For the purpose of this regulation, a fire alarm system malfunction
may consist of but not be limited to:
(1)
The operation of a faulty smoke or heat detection device.
(2)
Faulty control panel or associated equipment.
(3)
An action, malicious or intentional, by an employee of the owner,
or occupant of the protected premises, or a contractor employed by
the owner or the occupant, causing a non-fire-related activation of
the internal fire alarm system.
E.
Property owners shall be billed once a month for the previous month's
malfunction activity. All fines assessed shall be paid to the Town
Treasurer for deposit into the Fire Alarm Revolving Account.
F.
If a bill is not paid within 30 days, a second notice will be sent.
If the bill is not paid after 60 days, a final notice will be sent
and/or occupant that the master box will be disconnected and the building
owner notified.
A.
Any fire alarm system owner who is aggrieved by an action taken by
the Fire Chief under this Bylaw may, within 10 days of such action,
file an appeal, in writing, to the Town Manager of the Town of Abington.
After notice, the Town Manager shall hold a hearing, after which it
shall issue a decision in which it affirms, annuls or modifies the
action taken by the Fire Chief, giving its reason therefor.
B.
The Town Manager shall send its decision to the owner by first-class
mail within 10 days after the hearing. The decision of the Town Manager
shall be a final administrative decision. The owner shall have 30
days from the date of the written decision to seek judicial review
in the District Court of Plymouth County.
All fines and fees assessed herein shall be payable to the Town
of Abington for deposit in the Fire Alarm Revolving Account, with
said fees being appropriated to maintain and upgrade the fire alarm
system.
The provisions of this Bylaw shall be deemed to be severable,
and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall
not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
The Fire Chief may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary
to implement this Bylaw. The Fire Chief is authorized to pursue legal
action as may be necessary to enforce this Bylaw.
