[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of Upper
Moreland Township 11-10-2008 by Ord. No. 1569 (Title 7, Ch. 14, of
the 1977 Code). Amendments noted where applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A fire alarm system component designed to allow a power-down
period (processing delay) of not more than 15 seconds, during which
time the detection of smoke is verified at least once before an automatic
detection device is activated.
The Fire Marshal shall direct the installation of an alarm
verification feature on all new and existing automatic fire detection
systems, as he shall deem necessary, in order to reduce the occurrence
of unfounded alarm activations.
Any device, bell, horn or siren which is attached to the
interior/exterior of a building or a vehicle and emits an audible
warning signal outside the building and designed to attract attention
when activated by a criminal act or other emergency requiring police
and/or fire personnel to respond.
An electrically operated instrument, composed of sensory
apparatus and related hardware, which automatically transmits a prerecorded
voice alarm over regular telephone line by direct or indirect connection
to the Police and/or Fire Department upon receipt of a stimulus from
a sensory apparatus that has detected a physical force or condition
inherently characteristic of a fire or intrusion.
The Chief of the Upper Moreland Township Police Department.
The Willow Grove Fire Company, or any such additional fire
companies hereafter organized as the Board of Commissioners may by
ordinance or resolution receive into the Department, or any other
fire company responding pursuant to any mutual aid agreement.
The Fire Marshal of Upper Moreland Township.
Any person or persons, male or female, corporation, partnership,
association, company, individual, owner, occupant, lessee or any agency,
organization or other entity recognized by law as the subject of rights
and duties.
The Township of Upper Moreland Police Department or any other
police department responding pursuant to an intermunicipal police
agreement.
The Township of Upper Moreland, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device, any
audible alarm or any other kind of direct or indirect signal given
the Police and/or Fire Communications Center to which Police and/or
Fire Department respond, which is not the result of a fire, smoke,
hazardous gas, burglary, robbery or attempted burglary or robbery
or similar emergency and where the responding department was not properly
notified prior to dispatch of a signal activation. Such notice shall
be to the dispatch center for the responding emergency department.
Persons must equip audible alarms with a timing mechanism that
will disengage the audible alarm after a maximum period of 15 minutes.
Audible alarms without such a timing mechanism shall be unlawful in
the Township. Failure of the alarm to silence within 15 minutes shall
be considered a violation of this chapter. Excepted from this requirement
are fire-suppression systems with audible alarms activated by the
flow of water.
The Fire Marshal shall direct the installation of an alarm verification
feature on all new and existing automatic fire detection systems,
as he shall deem necessary, in order to reduce the occurrence of unfounded
alarm activations.
No person shall conduct any test or demonstration of an automatic
protection device without first obtaining permission from the Chief
of Police or Fire Marshal. Where the equipment is keyed through an
intermediary, no such permission is necessary unless the alarm or
signal is to be relayed to the Police and/or Fire Departments.
A.Â
Every subscriber or user of an alarm device (except for vehicle alarms)
shall register with the Police Department on a form provided by the
Township, which shall include the following information:
(1)Â
The name, residence, and telephone number of the user.
(2)Â
The address where the device is installed and the telephone number
of that address.
(3)Â
The name, address and telephone number of at least two persons who
are authorized to gain entry into the protected premises, who are
available to respond within 30 minutes of notification, and who are
qualified to silence and/or reset the alarm.
B.Â
All information furnished pursuant to this section shall be kept
confidential and shall be for the exclusive use of the Chief of Police
and the Fire Marshal.
A.Â
Any person, subscriber or alarm agent who causes in excess of three
unfounded alarms within any period of 12 consecutive months shall
be liable to pay civil penalties in accordance with the following
schedule:
|
False Alarms
|
Penalty
| |
|---|---|---|
|
4th
|
$25
| |
|
5th
|
$50
| |
|
6th
|
$100
| |
|
7th and each subsequent alarm
|
$200
|
B.Â
In the absence of an apparent evidence of fire, unlawful entry, or
other emergency/extraordinary occurrence beyond the control of the
alarm owner, the alarm shall be deemed to be unfounded. The alarm
owner shall have the burden of proof to establish extraordinary occurrence
beyond the control of the alarm owner, and in any proceeding to enforce
the imposition of these civil penalties, the Township can establish
the facts of response from police reports compiled in the normal course
of business.
This chapter shall in no way modify, alter or diminish the requirements
pursuant to any other Township or state ordinance, statute or regulation
with respect to the installation, maintenance, permitting or licensing
of fire protection systems.
Failure of any person, subscriber or alarm agent to comply with
the requirements of this chapter or comply with written notice of
a violation, including failure to pay unfounded alarm penalty, shall
constitute an offense punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000,
plus cost of prosecution and penalty.
