[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
The purpose of this Part is to reduce the needless alarms to which the Conshohocken Police and Fire Departments respond to as the result of the activation of residential fire alarm systems/equipment that automatically summon the Police and Fire Departments.
[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
FALSE ALARM
The activation of any alarm system that results in the response of the Fire Department caused by negligence or intentional misuse of the system by the occupant(s).
NUISANCE ALARM
Any alarm which results in the response of the Fire Department caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of proper maintenance or any alarm activated by a cause that cannot be determined.
RESIDENTIAL FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
A system of electrical devices and circuits installed, arranged and maintained in one- and two-family dwellings to form, transmit and send signals indicating an emergency requiring immediate action to safeguard life and property from fire.
SINGLE STATION SMOKE DETECTOR
A smoke alarm comprising an assembly incorporating a sensor, control components and an alarm notification appliance in a single unit operated from a power source either located in the unit (9 volt battery) or obtained at the point of installation (120 VAC).
[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
1. 
Before any new or existing residential fire alarm system work is performed in any residential building or structure, a permit shall be obtained from the Borough of Conshohocken Fire Code Official.
2. 
Upon application for a permit, the following information shall be supplied:
A. 
Complete information regarding the system, including specification, wiring diagrams and floor plans, shall be submitted for review and approval by the Borough of Conshohocken Fire Code Official prior to the installation of the equipment and wiring. The permit shall be valid for six months from the date of issue.
B. 
All components shall be listed for residential fire alarm use by a testing agency acceptable to the Borough of Conshohocken Fire Marshal.
C. 
A contract must be in evidence between the building owner and an approved fire alarm testing company for testing and maintenance in accordance with the applicable edition of NFPA 72, The National Fire Alarm Code.
[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
1. 
Any fire protection system or portion thereof not required by Code and/or Borough ordinance shall be allowed to be furnished for partial or complete protection provided such installed equipment meets the requirements of the applicable editions of NFPA 70, NFPA 72 and the International Fire Code.
2. 
The installation of a partial fire alarm system does not exclude the owner/occupant from installing and maintaining the requisite number of single station smoke detectors as required by the applicable edition of the International Fire Code.
[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
1. 
Existing fire alarm system installations shall conform to the installation requirement as outlined in the applicable editions of NFPA 70, the National Electric Code and NFPA 72, the National Fire Alarm Code.
2. 
Any fire alarm system installed prior to the effective date of this Part shall conform to the requirement of this Section. If such fire alarm system does not so conform, then the property owner shall have a thirty-day period from receipt of notice that the fire alarm system is nonconforming to bring the system into conformance.
3. 
Any fire alarm system installed prior to the effective date of this Part shall be registered with the Borough of Conshohocken Fire Code Official within 60 days of the effective date of this Section on forms supplied by the Code Official. The required information shall include:
A. 
The name(s) address, business and home telephone number of the owner, lessee, operator, manager or person in possession of the premises wherein the alarm system is installed;
B. 
The name, address and telephone number of a minimum of two persons who can be notified in the event of the activation of the alarm system. The individual(s) should be capable of responding to the premises within 30 minutes, and authorized to enter the premises;
C. 
The date of activation of the alarm system;
D. 
The name address and telephone number of the company contracted to service the alarm system;
E. 
When any of the information required in Subsection (A) or (B) has changed, it shall be reported to the enforcement official by the owner within 15 days of such change.
4. 
Existing residential fire alarm systems shall be inspected and tested by the Borough Fire Code Official to verify that the equipment has been installed in accordance with all applicable codes and is fully functional.
[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
All residential occupancies equipped with fire alarm systems/equipment capable of providing emergency forces notification shall be equipped with a residential Knox box key vault to allow for rapid Fire Department access to said occupancy.
[Ord. 11-2005, 10/12/2005]
1. 
The Borough shall maintain records for all false/nuisance residential fire alarms. In the event of a third false/nuisance alarm within a consecutive twelve-month period, the property owner shall be subject to civil fines for each successive false alarm within the twelve-month period according to the following schedule:
A. 
Fifty dollars for the fourth false alarm
B. 
One hundred dollars for the fifth false alarm
C. 
One hundred fifty dollars for the sixth and subsequent false alarm
2. 
The owner of a single- or two-family dwelling protected with a residential fire alarm system, including non-required systems, that has not been registered in accordance with § 13-1505(3) of this Part, shall be subject to a fine not to exceed 50% per day from the date of discovery until such time as the registration process is completed and the system approved for use by the Fire Code Official.
3. 
Failure to submit any required affidavit of service/repair in accordance with § 13-1507(1) shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50 per day until such time as the system is repaired and documentation has been received by the Fire Code Official.