[Adopted 3-13-1990 (Title 7, Ch. 7.13, of the 1986 Code)]
[Amended 6-25-1996; FCB 11-27-2006]
For the purpose of this article, the words set out in this section
shall have the following meanings:
An assembly of equipment and devices, or a single device
such as a solid state unit which connects directly into a 110 volt
AC line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard involving fire,
smoke or a related change in temperature requiring urgent attention
and to which the Fire Department is expected to respond. Alarm systems
on motor vehicles and police alarm systems which are directly related
to an unauthorized intrusion into a premises or an attempted robbery
at a premises are specifically excluded from the provisions of this
article.
Any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained
within the City. Excluded from this definition are:
The Pioneer Valley Transportation Authority, Springfield Library
and Museums Association and the Department of Facilities Management;
Central station personnel; and
Persons who use alarm systems to alert or signal persons within
the premises in which the alarm system is located of a possible fire.
However, if such an alarm system employs an audible signal or flashing
light outside the premises, the user of such an alarm system shall
be within the definition of "alarm user" and shall be subject to this
article.
An office to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling
devices are connected where operators supervise circuits or where
guards are maintained continuously to investigate signals.
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation, or negligence of the user of the
alarm system or his employees or agents. Excluded from this definition
are activations of alarm systems caused by power outages, hurricanes,
tornadoes, earthquakes and similar conditions.
The head of the Fire Department of the City of Springfield,
or his designated representative.
The City of Springfield Fire Department, or any authorized
agent thereof.
Any alarm system in which the alarm or signal registers in
the protected premises. It is primarily for the notification of the
occupants and shall consist of detectors, horns, bells and a control
panel.
Emergency signaling devices hard-wired to a central station.
Anything which annoys, injures or endangers the comfort,
repose, health or safety of any person(s) or of any community or neighborhood.
Emergency signaling devices that transmit radio signals to
a receiver located at a central station.
The Fire Chief may promulgate such rules as may be necessary
for the implementation of this article.
A.
Every alarm user shall submit to the Fire Chief the names, addresses
and telephone numbers of the user and at least two other persons who
can be reached at any time, day or night, and who are authorized to
respond to an emergency signal transmitted by the alarm system, and
who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed. The
list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of the responders must
be kept current at all times by the alarm user and shall be submitted
during the first month of each year.
B.
All alarm systems which use audible bells or horns shall be equipped
with an automatic shut-off device which will deactivate the alarm
within 10 minutes. All alarm users with an audible bell or horn must
comply with this subsection within 90 days of the adoption of this
article.
C.
All alarm systems which fail to comply with the above Subsection B and emit a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than 30 minutes which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due the absence or unavailability of the alarm user or those persons designated by him under Subsection A of this section, and which disturb the peace, comfort or repose of the community or neighborhood of an area where the alarm system is located, shall constitute a public nuisance. Upon receiving complaints regarding such a continuous and uninterrupted signal, the Fire Chief shall endeavor to contact the alarm user, or members of the alarm user's family, or those persons designated by the alarm user under Subsection A of this section in an effort to abate the nuisance. The Fire Chief shall record the time each complaint was made.
D.
In the event that the Fire Chief is unable to contact the alarm user, or members of the alarm user's family, or those persons designated by the alarm user under Subsection A of this section, or if the aforesaid persons cannot or will not curtail the audible signal being emitted by the alarm system, and the Fire Chief is otherwise unable to abate the nuisance, he may direct a police officer or fire fighter or qualified alarm technician to enter upon the property outside the home or building in which the alarm system is located and take any reasonable action necessary to abate the nuisance.
E.
After an entry upon the property has been made in accordance with
this section and the nuisance abated, the Fire Chief shall have the
property secured, if necessary. The reasonable costs and expense of
abating a nuisance in accordance with this section may be assessed
to the alarm user, said assessment not to exceed $100.
[Added FCB 11-27-2006; amended FCB 11-20-2008]
A.
No master box shall be installed in the City of Springfield after
the adoption of this section.
B.
Any construction underway before or after the adoption of this article
calling for the installation of a master box shall instead have a
City-approved radio box installed.
C.
All master boxes located in the City of Springfield must be replaced
with a City-approved radio box by April 30, 2009. The owner(s) of
the property where the master box is located shall be responsible
for any and all costs of compliance with this section.
No alarm system designed to transmit emergency messages directly
to the Fire Department shall be worked on, tested or demonstrated
without obtaining permission from the Fire Department Communication
Section. Permission is not required to test or demonstrate alarm devices
not transmitting emergency messages directly to the Fire Department.
An unauthorized test shall constitute a false alarm.
[Amended FCB 11-27-2006; FCB 4-9-2009]
The following acts and omissions shall constitute violations
of this article punishable by the fines as herein provided:
A.
An alarm user whose alarm system transmits or otherwise causes more
than three false alarms in the twelve-month period between July 1
and June 30 shall be assessed a fine according to the following schedule:
B.
An alarm user who fails to comply with any of the requirements of § 100-3 of this article relative to control and curtailment of signals emitted by alarm systems shall be punished by a fine of $50.
C.
An alarm user who fails to comply with any of the requirements of § 100-5 of this article relative to testing of equipment shall be punished by a fine of $50.
D.
No alarm user and/or person may disconnect, destroy, meddle with,
tamper with, remove or shut off any local smoke detection system without
first notifying the Fire Department with the reason for the shut down,
how long the alarm system will be shut down, and the alarm user and/or
person shall thereafter notify the fire department when the system
is back in operation. Any alarm user and/or person who violates a
local smoke detection system or any part or thing connected therewith
shall be punished by a fine of $300.
[Amended 8-7-1995; 6-25-1996; 12-2-2002; 2-25-2005; FCB 11-27-2006; 3-25-2011; 11-20-2014]
For inspections and related services not covered by statutory
law, the following fees, based on the Fire Department certified inspection
form, shall apply for those uses listed below:
A.
Installation, removal, slurry and leasing of underground storage
tanks, permit and inspection:
|
Tank Capacity
(gallons)
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Up to 1,500
|
$75
| |
|
1,501 to 5,000
|
$100
| |
|
5,001 to 7,500
|
$150
| |
|
7,501 and over
|
$250
|
B.
Installation and removal of aboveground storage tanks, permit and
inspection:
|
Tank Capacity
(gallons)
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
Up to 1,500
|
$75
| |
|
1,501 to 5,000
|
$100
| |
|
5,001 to 7,500
|
$150
| |
|
7,501 and over
|
$250
|
D.
Storage and inspection of flammable and combustible gases, liquids
and solids, permit and inspection: $75.
E.
Oil-burning equipment permit and inspection: $75.
F.
Propane storage permit and inspection:
|
Tank Capacity
(gallons)
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 100
|
$75
| |
|
101 to 1,000
|
$125
| |
|
1,001 and over
|
$225
|
H.
Lumber yards and forest products, permit and inspection (two-year
permit): $100.
I.
Fuel oil, gasoline and diesel fuel storage permit and inspection
(annual):
|
Tank Capacity
(gallons)
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 500
|
$50
| |
|
501 to 2,500
|
$75
| |
|
2,501 and over
|
$150
|
J.
New gas service station plan review and final inspection: $100.
K.
Annual service station inspection: $150.
L.
Propane tar kettle (roofing): $50.
M.
Propane heating unit (roofing): $50.
N.
Fumigating permit: $50.
O.
Blasting permit: $50. A fire watch detail shall be required at the
owner's or applicant's expense, the cost of which shall
be determined by the Fire Department in accordance with applicable
collective bargaining agreements.
P.
Alarm systems.
(1)
Annual fee for radio box: $300.
(2)
Private fire alarm test with radio box: $75.
(3)
Private alarm system test: $50.
(4)
New fire alarm system installation permit, plan review and inspection:
|
System Size
(square feet)
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 5,000
|
$125
| |
|
5,001 to 7,500
|
$175
| |
|
7,501 and over
|
$200
|
(a)
A reinspection fee of $75 will be assessed where a follow-up
inspection is needed after a failed test or inspection or where the
systems are not ready or available for inspection at the scheduled
inspection time.
(b)
An inspection and permit fee of $75 will be charged for alarm
system modifications.
Q.
Annual inspections: $75.
S.
Fireworks permit: $100. A fire watch detail shall be required at
the owner's or applicant's expense, the cost of which shall
be determined by the Fire Department in accordance with applicable
collective bargaining agreements.
T.
New sprinkler system installation permit, plan review and inspection:
|
System Size
(square feet)
|
Fee
| |
|---|---|---|
|
0 to 5,000
|
$125
| |
|
5,001 to 7,500
|
$175
| |
|
7,501 and over
|
$200
|
(1)
A reinspection fee of $75 will be assessed where a follow-up inspection
is needed after a failed test or inspection or where the systems are
not ready or available for inspection at the scheduled inspection
time.
(2)
An inspection and permit fee of $75 will be charged for sprinkler
system modifications.
U.
Dumpsters six yards or greater in the aggregate: $50 per dumpster
(annual fee).
V.
Fire protection systems shutdown fee: $50. A fire watch detail may
be required at the owner's or applicant's expense, the cost
of which shall be determined by the Fire Department in accordance
with applicable collective bargaining agreements.
X.
Cutting and welding permit and inspection fee: $75.
Y.
Tire storage permit and inspection fee: $75.
Z.
Fire drill requests: $50 per drill.
AA.
Special inspections: $75.
BB.
Records search and Chapter 21E site assessment fee: $25.
CC.
Unvented gas-fired space heater permit and inspection fee: $75.
DD.
Ammunition storage permit and inspection fee: $75.
EE.
Cannon and mortar firing permit and inspection fee: $75.
FF.
Covered mall building permit and inspection fee: $75.
GG.
Construction heater (salamander) permit and inspection fee: $75.
HH.
Compressed natural gas container and system permit and inspection
fee: $75.
II.
Hazardous material processing permit and inspection fee: $50.
JJ.
A fee for fire watch details for places of assembly shall be assessed
by the Fire Department in accordance with applicable collective bargaining
agreements. An administrative fee of 10% of the cost of the detail
shall also be assessed.
KK.
Annual life safety/code compliance permit and inspection fee (including
first reinspection):
(1)
Fees.
(a)
Commercial, industrial, mercantile with fire protection systems:
$150.
(b)
Commercial, industrial, mercantile without fire protection systems:
$75.
(c)
Residential buildings, six units to 12 units, units with fire
protection systems: $100.
(d)
Residential buildings 13+ units with fire protection systems:
$150.
(e)
Restaurant inspection (under 100 occupancy): $75.
(2)
The cost of the first reinspection is included in the fees designated
in this section.
(3)
The cost of subsequent inspections shall be $50.
Whoever violates any provision of this article or any rule,
order or regulation adopted and published by the Fire Department shall
be punished by a fine not exceeding $300. Each day on which the violation
exists shall be deemed to be a separate offense.
