Present requirements relating to fire alarms and fire alarm
systems are nonexistent, creating Town-wide problems with Fire Department
personnel gaining access to buildings with such fire alarm systems
to either reset them or shut off the alarm. The practice of carrying
keys for all buildings with alarm systems is no longer practical due
to the great numbers of systems. Forced entry is not reasonable unless
there are visible signs of fire or other emergency. The need to regulate
abuses is due to the numerous number of false alarms from private
alarm systems and the growing increase of homeowners' or renters'
alarm systems that are connected to the Fire Department's emergency
telephones.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
ALARM ACTUATING
Any device such as a smoke or heat detector, pull station
or sprinkler flow switch that causes the alarm to sound.
AUTOMATIC DEVICE
A fire protection device that requires no manual operation
during activation.
FALSE ALARM
A.
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an
alarm system or his employees or agents; or
B.
Any signal or automatic dialing device transmitted to the Braintree
Fire Department requesting, or requiring, or resulting in a response
on the part of the Braintree Fire Department.
FIRE ALARM CONTROL PANEL
The electrical and electronic center of a system that detects
alarm conditions, sounds signals, and provides power and supervisory
features.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices, or a single device
such as a solid state unit, which plugs directly into a 110 volt AC
line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent
attention to which the Fire Department is expected to respond. Also,
any system which is designed to monitor temperature, smoke, humidity,
or any other conditions directly related to the detection of fire
or explosion hazards.
FIRE WATCH
A Braintree firefighter having knowledge of fire safety rules
and regulations and having the ability and knowledge to properly sound
an alarm, and one who tours the property being protected in the event
of fire.
MANUAL DEVICE
A fire alarm pull station or other device that requires manual
activation for operation.
SERVICE INDIVIDUAL
An individual having extensive knowledge in the repair and
maintenance of fire alarm systems, such as an electrician who specialized
in signaling systems.
SIGNALING CIRCUIT
The electrical circuit that connects and operates all fire
alarm system horns, bells, or other devices.
SINGLE STATION UNIT
A self-contained fire protection device equipped with all
features of a system within a small housing, such as a battery-operated
smoke detector (i.e., detector, power supply and signal).
STANDBY BATTERY
An emergency power supply in case of loss of commercial power
to the fire alarm panel.
SUPERVISORY CIRCUIT
Any alarm circuit that passes a small current through a device
and detects a fault on that circuit, such as a ground open or short.
TYPE I SYSTEM
A total fire alarm system that includes detecting devices,
annunciator, signals, power supply and control panel, that sounds
the local signals at the structure being protected and trips a master
fire alarm box connected to the Braintree Fire Department.
TYPE II SYSTEM
The same as Type I, except no direct connection to the Fire
Department is required.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall be vested with the authority
to inspect all buildings and premises for the purpose of eliminating
fire or explosion hazards. If any building or premises contains a
condition that, in the judgment of the Chief of the Fire Department,
can be classed as fire or explosion hazards, he shall forthwith issue
a written order for the elimination of such fire and explosion hazards
as may exist.
All special fire alarm signal services which provide direct
contact, including telephone, to the Braintree Fire Department shall
be regulated by permit under the jurisdiction of the Fire Chief. The
fee for such permit shall be $50.
Users of such special fire alarm signal services shall provide
access to the Braintree Fire Department only via connections to telephone
lines approved by the Fire Chief. In no case shall direct access be
provided via the Fire Department emergency telephone numbers.
To regulate the use of Braintree Fire Department emergency telephone
lines by unauthorized special fire alarm signal services or by homeowners/renters,
the following provides a system of fines to reduce and control false
alarms through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation
or negligence of the user of a fire alarm system which may occur over
a twelve-month period:
A. First offense: no charge.
D. Fourth offense and each subsequent offense: $200.
Any residential building of six or more units, or any business
or commercial property which has a fire alarm system or other fire
protection system that transmits a signal through a private central
station alarm company or directly to the Braintree Fire Department
through the Fire Department alarm system, shall provide a secure key
box installed in a location accessible to the Fire Department in case
of emergency. This key box shall contain keys to fire alarm control
panels and other keys necessary to operate or service fire protection
systems. The key box shall be a type approved by the Chief of the
Braintree Fire Department and shall be located and installed as approved
by the Chief. Any building owner violating this section after receiving
due notice by the Fire Department shall be subject to a fine of $50.
For inspections and related services not covered by statutory
law, the following fees, based on a Department-certified inspection
form, shall apply for those uses listed below:
A. Lumberyards: $50 per year.
B. Junk or salvage yards: $50 per year.
C. Theater inspection: $50 per year.
D. Inspection of commercial garages: $50 per year.
E. Gasoline stations: $50 per year.
F. Review of sprinkler and/or fire protection plans and specifications:
$30 per hour.
G. On-site inspections/fire protection inspections:
(1)
Single-family: $25 as prescribed under MGL c. 148; reinspection
or call-back visit: $25 each.
(2)
Multiple dwelling: $25; additional units: $10 each.
(3)
Commercial: $50 per zone of fire protection system.
(4)
Reinspection or call-back visit, multiple dwelling or commercial:
$25 per zone of fire protection system.
H. Nursing and convalescent homes, quarterly inspections:
(1)
Twenty-five beds or fewer: $50.
I. Clinics/HMOs: $50 per licensing certificate of inspection.
J. Kindergartens: $50 per licensing certificate of inspection.
K. Private schools: $50 per licensing certificate of inspection.
L. Hotels/motels, quarterly inspections:
(1)
One hundred rooms or fewer: $100.
M. Master box:
(1)
Initial connection: $250.
N. Reinspection for licensed facilities or those requiring quarterly
inspections: $50.
O. Underground storage tanks, removal or relocation. Any underground
storage tank which has been used for keeping or storage of gasoline
or hazardous chemicals, as prescribed by the Environmental Protection
Agency or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,
shall not be removed or relocated unless a permit has been obtained
from the Chief of the Braintree Fire Department, i.e., a permit to
remove or relocate an underground storage tank under the provisions
of MGL c. 21O, § 1, and 527 CMR 9:00 and 502 CMR 3:00, as
amended.
(1)
Permit fee: $200 (all steel, fiberglass UST and gasoline and
heating fuel).
(2)
Fuel oil tank under 1,100 gallons removal permit: $25 (heating
fuel No. 2 only).
P. General Laws Chapter 21E inquiry and record review: $25 per hour.
Q. All other permits not addressed by statute: $25.