The following definitions shall apply to the
interpretation and the enforcement of this chapter:
AUDIBLE ALARM
Any device, bell, horn or siren which is attached to the
interior or exterior of a building and emits a warning signal audible
outside the building and is designed to attract attention when activated.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE
An electronically operated or battery-operated instrument
composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware which automatically
transmits any form of fire alarm or signal, including but not limited
to a prerecorded voice alarm from the premises to a law enforcement
agency and/or fire company upon receipt of a stimulus from a sensory
apparatus that has detected a physical force or condition inherently
characteristic of fire.
FALSE ALARM
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device, any
audible alarm or any other kind of direct or indirect signal given
to a law enforcement agency and/or fire company to which police and/or
fire company personnel respond which is not the result of a fire or
similar emergency.
PERSON
Any person, firm, corporation or other entity.
[Added 8-9-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-10]
A. Key box requirement. All properties within the Township of Oldmans
having an automatic fire alarm system or a fire sprinkler system shall
be equipped with a key box. Residential property shall be exempt from
this requirement.
B. Key box type. The key box shall be of UL type and approved by the
Oldmans Township Emergency Management Coordinator. The key box shall
be installed in a location approved by the Oldmans Township Emergency
Management Coordinator.
C. Key box contents. The key boxes shall contain the following:
(1) Keys to locked points of egress, whether on the interior or exterior
of such buildings.
(2) Keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms.
(3) Keys to locked electrical rooms.
(4) Keys to elevator controls.
(5) Keys to other areas as directed by the Township Emergency Management
Coordinator.
D. Time for compliance. All existing buildings shall comply within 12
months of the effective date of the ordinance codified in this article.
All newly constructed buildings, not yet occupied, or buildings currently
under construction shall comply immediately.
E. Penalties. Any building owner violating this section after notice
from the Oldmans Township Emergency Management Coordinator shall be
subject to a fine of $100.
All automatic protection devices which are connected
to audible alarms shall be equipped with timing devices which shut
off the audible alarms after a maximum period of 15 minutes. Audible
alarms without such a timing device will be unlawful in the Township
and must be disconnected by the owner or lessee within 60 days from
the effective date of this chapter.
No person shall conduct any test or demonstration
of an automatic protection device without first obtaining permission
from the Fire Chief of the fire company nearest to the facility when
the test or demonstration will be performed.
[Amended 8-9-2017 by Ord.
No. 2017-10]
A. For the purpose of defraying the costs to the Township of Oldmans of responding to false alarms, the owner or lessee of an automatic protection device shall pay the Township $300 for each alarm in excess of two within a calendar year. This sum shall be a civil claim by the Township of Oldmans and does not affect the penalty provisions prescribed by §
48-7 hereof.
B. Any owner, lessee, or user of an automatic protection device which emits two or more false alarms within a period of 30 days shall be in violation of this chapter and subject to the penalty provisions prescribed by §
48-7 hereof. Any penalty assessed pursuant to §
48-7 shall be in addition to the civil claim assessed under §
48-6.
Any person adjudged to be guilty of a violation
of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 or
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days, or both. Each violation
of this chapter shall subject the offender to a separate penalty.