[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Summit Hill 9-4-1990 by Ord. No. 3-1990. Amendments noted where
applicable.]
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated, unless a different meaning clearly appears from
the context:
Any device designed or used for detection of smoke, fire,
medical emergency, unlawful entry into the building or facility, or
for alerting persons in the attempt or commission of a crime and which
is directly connected to an audible alarm or the transmission of a
related signal or message which is used to evoke an emergency response
to any address or separate component of any system.
Any device which can be programmed to automatically dial
a telephone number and, upon having that number answered, deliver
a prerecorded message or other signal, which conveys to the answering
party information about some event the automatic telephone dialer
is designed to monitor, such as fire, burglary, the proper operation
of machinery, equipment, or medical emergency. In operation, the automatic
telephone dialer would sense the presence of smoke or fire, unlawful
entry, the improper operation of equipment or medical emergency and
automatically dial a preprogrammed number and report to the party
answering exactly what was taking place.
The activation of any alarm system or automatic telephone
dialer alarm due to other than the said purpose for which the alarm
system is designed. Any activation of any alarm system or automatic
telephone dialer alarm that is caused by violent natural catastrophic
conditions, including electrical storms or power outages or conditions
beyond the control of the permit holder, will not constitute a nuisance
alarm.
A person to whom the Summit Hill Borough Secretary has issued
an alarm device permit.
An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association,
or other similar entity.
A.
Application requirements.
(1)
Every property owner wishing to install an alarm system or automatic
telephone dialer alarm on the premises they own situated in Summit
Hill Borough shall file with the Summit Hill Borough Secretary a written
application stating:
(a)
The name, address and telephone number of the property owner/applicant.
(b)
A description of the property where the proposed alarm system
or automatic telephone dialer alarm shall be installed.
(c)
The location and street address of the property.
(d)
A description of the type of alarm system or automatic telephone
dialer alarm to be used including the name and model number of the
manufacturer.
(e)
The name of the person who will install the system at the location.
(f)
The name, address and phone number of at least three people
to be contacted in the event of an alarm activation.
(2)
In the case of more than one building site in which the alarm system
shall be installed, the applicant must provide the Borough Secretary
with information concerning how the alarm system for each building
shall be distinguishable from the other alarms in said buildings.
In the event that any of the above information changes, the applicant
must within five days notify the Borough Secretary of such changes.
The property owner or his designee, upon request of any official,
Police Department, Fire Department personnel, or medical personnel
shall be required to be present at the alarm location within a reasonable
length of time after being advised that the emergency department has
received an alarm activation.
(3)
Alarm permits shall not be transferable from one individual to another,
or from one location to another, without the express written permission
of the Borough Secretary. In the event that the building/property
in which an alarm system is installed is to be transferred to another
person, it shall be the responsibility of the permit holder to notify
the Borough Secretary of such changes within five days.
(4)
Any person who obtains title to premises in which an alarm system
has been installed and permit issued shall notify the Borough Secretary
within five days of such action to reapply for a permit and to update
information.
(5)
Every person applying for an alarm permit will be charged a one time
fee as set by resolution of the Borough Council to obtain an alarm
permit prior to the installation of the new alarm system on their
premises.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(6)
Any person who presently owns or obtains title to premises in which
an alarm system has already been installed, shall pay the one-time
fee as set by resolution of the Borough Council to register information
concerning the alarm system.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
(7)
All fees to be made payable to "Summit Hill Borough."
B.
Permits.
(1)
No person shall install an alarm system or automatic telephone dialer
alarm unless an alarm permit has been obtained from the Borough Secretary.
(2)
In the event that the permit holder receives written notice from
the Borough Secretary that three nuisance alarms have occurred on
the premises within 12 months, the alarm permit shall be suspended.
Suspension of permit will be lifted when the permit holder gives proof
that the alarm system has been properly repaired so that the cause
of the previous nuisance alarms have been eliminated.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General
Provisions, Art. I)]
A.
Any person who, after receiving notice that an emergency department
has responded to three nuisance alarms, as defined in this chapter,
within 12 months and that their permit has been suspended shall, upon
proof thereof and conviction by a Magisterial District Judge, pay
a fine of not more than $600 per nuisance alarm thereafter, plus court
costs and reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the
enforcement proceedings.
B.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this chapter shall,
upon conviction in a summary proceeding under the Pennsylvania Rules
of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be
punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000, plus court costs and
reasonable attorneys' fees incurred by the Borough in the enforcement
proceedings. Upon judgment against any person by summary conviction,
or by proceedings by summons on default of the payment of the fine
or penalty imposed and the costs, the defendant may be sentenced and
committed to the Borough correctional facility for a period not exceeding
10 days or to the county correctional facility for a period not exceeding
30 days. Each day that such violation exists shall constitute a separate
offense, and each section of this chapter that is violated shall also
constitute a separate offense. In addition to or in lieu of enforcement
under this section, the Borough may enforce this chapter in equity
in the Court of Common Pleas of Carbon County.
A.
All automatic telephone dialers installed will be required to dial
directly to the Carbon County Telecommunications Center.
B.
The recorded content of the automatic telephone dialers shall be
"This is an emergency; please stand by." This phrase to be repeated
three times followed by "This is a recorded message reporting the
fire/smoke/burglar/medical alarm system has been activated at (complete
address to be inserted in recorded message)."
C.
No more than one call shall be made to the Carbon County Telecommunications
Center as a result of a single activation of the automatic telephone
dialer alarm system. The message portion of the automatic telephone
dialer may be repeated three times, after which the automatic telephone
dialer will disconnect.
D.
The sensory mechanism used in connection with any alarm system must
be adjusted to suppress false or nuisance alarms. Also the alarm systems
must be adjusted as not to be activated by impulses due to fleeting
pressure changes in water pipes, short flashes of light, the rattling
or vibrating of doors and windows, vibrations to the premises caused
by the passing of vehicles or any other force not related to alarms.
E.
All components comprising such devices must be maintained by the
permit holder in good repair to assure maximum reliability of operation.
F.
All permit holders and their contact people shall be aware of operation
of all alarm systems that are installed for disconnection or resetting.
G.
All alarm systems other than dialer alarms will utilize dedicated
telephone lines issued by the local telephone company or any long-distance
carrier. The fees required for such dedicated telephone lines are
the sole responsibility of the permit holder. Type of alarm signal
from alarm system is up to the discretion of the Carbon County Telecommunications
Center. The Carbon County Telecommunications Center must be contacted
to make arrangements for connection of alarm system into the Carbon
County Telecommunications Center.
H.
The permit holder shall be solely responsible for the payment of
fees set by and payable to the Carbon County Telecommunications Center
for the privilege of having the permit holder's automatic telephone
dialer or alarm system connected directly with the Carbon County Telecommunications
Center.
