[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Warrington 4-7-1987 by Ord.
No. 87-6 (Ch. 13, Part 3, of the 1995 Code of Ordinances).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Automatic Fire
Protection Device Regulations."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any device, bell, horn or siren which is attached to the
exterior or interior of a building that emits a warning signal audible
outside the building designed to attract attention when activated,
requiring fire department response.
Electronically operating instruments composed of sensory
apparatus and related hardware, which automatically transmits a prerecorded
voice or other alarm signal over regular telephone lines by direct
or indirect connection to the Bucks County Communications Center or
other emergency center upon receipt of a stimulus from sensory apparatus
that has detected a fire. Indirect connection shall include answering
services and all other persons monitoring and relaying the information
to the Bucks County Communications Center, or other emergency center.
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device or
any audible alarm or other kind of direct or indirect signal given
or caused to be given the Bucks County Communications Center or other
emergency center and firemen respond, which is not the result of a
fire, or similar emergency.
Persons or persons responsible for maintaining and repairing
the fire alarm system. Such person or persons shall be knowledgeable
of the operation, maintenance and installation of fire alarm systems.
Such person or persons shall be knowledgeable of all codes regarding
operation, maintenance and installation of fire alarm systems.
Any resident, person, corporation, institution, or company
keyed to an automatic protection device in the Township to a designated
or direct trunk line.
Any resident, person, corporation, institution or company
which has installed an audible or other alarm system designed to alert
firemen and require their response.
[Amended 2-21-1995 by Ord. No. 95-3]
A.
Within 90 days after the effective date of this chapter, every subscriber
or user of an automatic protection device for fire detection shall
register in writing with the Township of Warrington and provide such
information as may be required, which shall include, though not be
limited to, the following:
(1)
The name, residence and telephone number of the user.
(2)
The address where the device is installed and the telephone number
of that address.
(3)
The name, address, and telephone number of at least two persons who
are authorized to gain entry into the protected premises, and who
are available to respond within 20 minutes of notification.
(4)
The name, address, and telephone number of the fire alarm equipment
supplier and person responsible for maintenance and repair of the
automatic protection device or audible alarm.
B.
All information furnished pursuant to this section shall be kept
confidential and shall be for the exclusive use of the Township pursuant
to this chapter.
C.
The Township shall establish a fee for registration by the subscriber
or user.
D.
Each subscriber shall enter into an agreement with the Township whereby
the Township shall be held harmless for any damage or breakage caused
by the Township while making forced entry to answer an alarm, whether
false or authentic.
E.
Each subscriber or user shall, upon registration, agree to pay to
the Township such sums for false or accidental activation of fire
alarms to which firemen respond as are then currently set forth in
the Township Schedule of Fees and, further, shall agree to pay such
sums as they may, from time to time, be increased by resolution of
the Board of Supervisors.
F.
Upon registration, the Township shall issue a permit to the subscriber
or user. A permit is required for the use or operation of any alarm
system. Use or operation without first obtaining a permit is unlawful.
The permit may be revoked by the Township for noncompliance with any
provision of this chapter.
G.
The Township shall notify the subscriber or user, in writing, upon
receipt of the third false or accidental alarm within any twelve-month
period. Said notice shall be sent via U.S. first-class mail. Notice
of fees due shall be sent for each false alarm in excess of three
in any twelve-month period.
H.
The subscriber or user shall have 10 days to pay the fee charged
from the date of the notice.
I.
Failure of the subscriber and/or user to respond to the notice sent
or refusal to pay the fee required shall constitute a violation of
this chapter, subject to the penalties provided in this section.
J.
If, due to weather conditions, electrical failure, or other malfunction,
three or more false alarms from unrelated locations are received within
30 minutes of each other, the fee or penalty shall not be assessed
nor shall that alarm be counted for enforcement purposes.
K.
It shall be unlawful to intentionally activate a fire alarm to summon
the firemen except for the reporting of a fire.
All automatic protection devices must be maintained by the user
in good repair to ensure maximum reliability of operation. For the
purposes of this chapter, any alarm transmitted or activated without
any physical evidence of a fire shall be construed as a false alarm.
A.
Automatic dialers shall only transmit a message approved by the Township
Fire Marshal. Said equipment shall be designed so as not to transmit
more than two messages arising out of the same fire, to the Bucks
County Communications Center, or other emergency center. The message
shall be no longer than 15 seconds in duration, and shall not be repeated
more than twice.
B.
The equipment shall not be keyed to the primary telephone lines of
the Fire Department but shall only be keyed to designated phone numbers.
Audible alarms shall be designed to deactivate after 20 minutes
of operation. Each subscriber or user shall have 90 days following
the effective date of this chapter to comply with these regulations.
Thereafter, all audible alarms not in compliance shall be unlawful
and must be disconnected, and shall remain disconnected until brought
into compliance with this chapter.
This chapter, nor any agreement resulting therefrom, shall not
constitute acceptance by Warrington Township of any liability to maintain
any equipment, to answer any alarm or any other occurrence in connection
therewith.
[Amended 2-21-1995 by Ord. No. 95-3; 2-10-1998 by Ord. No. 98-2; at time of adoption
of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense. This chapter/article may be enforced initially by violation ticket (citation); see Chapter 38, Ordinance Enforcement Procedures, Article II, Tickets for Certain Offenses.
