[Code 1993, § 5.34(1)]
The purposes of this article are to establish regulations, standards
and controls relating to the type, use and installation of fire alarm
devices, whether such fire alarm devices are monitored by the Fire
Department, a private alarm company or any other person, and to establish
a Fire Department central alarm station and policies and procedures
for the development and use of a central monitoring station.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(2)]
The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this article,
shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where
the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
A signal from an alarm system, resulting in a response by
the Fire Department, when an emergency situation does not exist.
Any device which, when activated by a fire or other emergency
requiring Fire Department response, transmits a signal to a central
alarm system or directly to the Fire Department, or produces an audible
or visible signal designed to notify persons within audible or visual
range of the signal.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(3)]
A central alarm station shall be maintained in the safety building
at such location as the chief of the Fire Department may designate.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(4)]
The chief of the Fire Department shall determine the number
and type of alarm owners or alarm lessees which may be connected to
the Fire Department central alarm station. No person shall cause a
private alarm system to be connected to the Fire Department central
alarm station unless such proposed connection receives prior approval,
in writing, by the chief of the Fire Department. Any person denied
permission to connect to the central alarm station may appeal such
denial by filing a written notice to with the Clerk-Treasurer within
10 days of the date of denial. Such appeal shall be heard by the Village
Board within 30 days after filing such notice of appeal. The determination
of the Village Board shall be final.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(5)]
The chief of the Fire Department shall give priority for connection
to the Fire Department central alarm station to persons required by
state or federal law or regulation to maintain a fire alarm system
on their premises.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(6)]
(a)Â
All persons whose application for connection to the Fire Department
central alarm station is approved by the chief of the Fire Department
shall comply with the following conditions:
(1)Â
Pay all costs of installation and connection to the Fire Department
central alarm station.
(2)Â
Pay to the Village an annual monitoring fee as set by the Village
Board.
(3)Â
Use alarm equipment that meets minimum UL and NFPA 72 alarm
device standards.
(4)Â
Pay all costs of disconnection or termination of service, whether
such disconnection or termination is initiated by the chief of the
Fire Department or the alarm user.
(5)Â
Perform testing of the alarm system in accordance with rules
and procedures promulgated by the chief of the Fire Department or
his designee per NFPA 72.
(6)Â
Pay all expenses of termination and reconnection whenever the
location of the Fire Department central alarm station is changed.
(7)Â
Sign an agreement holding the Village and the Fire Department
harmless for any and all damages or losses resulting, directly or
indirectly, from an alarm connection terminating at the Fire Department.
(8)Â
In accordance with this article, cause such system to be periodically
inspected and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's
recommendations.
(b)Â
For various reasons, false alarms frequently occur. Each false alarm
requires response by public safety personnel involves unnecessary
expense to the Village, increases the risk of injury to persons or
damage to property and dilutes the overall public safety protection
to the Village. Such false alarms constitute a public nuisance and
must be abated. Persons connecting to central alarms systems in accordance
with this article shall pay to the Village a charge for false alarms
responded to by the Fire Department according to the following schedule
for each calendar year, for each premises connected:
|
(1)
|
First two false alarms
|
Written notice
|
|
(2)
|
Third false alarm
|
As set by the Village Board
|
|
(3)
|
Fourth false alarm
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As set by the Village Board
|
|
(4)
|
Fifth and subsequent false alarms
|
As set by the Village Board
|
(c)Â
This section is intended to impose a strict liability on the person
responsible for alarm connection to the Fire Department central alarm
station and applies regardless of the cause of the false alarm.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(7)]
Any person maintaining an audible or visual alarm system on his premises shall be subject to the provisions of § 34-246(b) under the same conditions as central alarm systems. Warnings or penalties issued under § 34-246(b) for audible or visual alarm systems may be appealed to the Village Board in accordance with the procedures under § 34-248.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(8)]
Failure to comply with any provision of this article, including
the nonpayment of the charges for false alarms or repeated false alarms
(more than five false alarms within a twelve-month period), shall
be cause for an alarm system to be disconnected from the Fire Department
central alarm station upon 30 days' prior written notice by the
chief of the Fire Department. Such disconnection shall be made at
the alarm holder's expense. An order of disconnection may be
appealed by filing a written notice of appeal with the Clerk-Treasurer
within 10 days of the date of the disconnection order. Such appeal
shall be heard by the Village Board within 30 days of the date of
filing the appeal. The Village Board may affirm, reverse or modify
the order of the chief of the Fire Department. An appeal which is
timely filed suspends the disconnection until the Village Board renders
its decision. Not later than 24 hours prior to the hearing, the Clerk-Treasurer
shall give written notice to the applicant of the time and place of
the hearing. The chief of the Fire Department may, at his discretion,
require the immediate disconnection of any alarm system connected
to the Fire Department central alarm station if technical failure
or defects of the system result in a continual or sporadic alarm.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(9)]
No person shall intentionally cause the activation of a fire
alarm device knowing that no emergency exists.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(10)]
No person shall sell, use or install a fire alarm which, upon
activation, emits a sound the same as, or similar to, emergency vehicle
sirens or civil defense sirens.
[Code 1993, § 5.34(11)]
Private fire alarm companies shall be responsible for the monitoring, maintenance and use of private central alarm stations and shall pay to the Village the false alarm charge prescribed in § 34-246(b) for false alarms responded to by the Fire Department if such response was the result of the actions of a private alarm company. The amount of such false alarm charge shall be based on the number of such Village fire responses to each business, commercial or residential premises. Any person owning, leasing or operating a private alarm system programmed to a central office shall also maintain a maintenance system during the hours that such system is in operation and shall dispatch a company representative to the location of any alarm transmitted upon request of the Fire Department so that such representative arrives within one hour of such request. Each premises shall be considered a separate entity for purposes of determining the number of false alarms under this section. Private alarm companies shall provide the chief of the Fire Department with a list of premises within the Village which are monitored by the alarm company, including the name of the subscriber and the address of each such premises. The private alarm company shall submit revisions to such list within 30 days following such changes of premises covered and the company shall also provide the chief of the Fire Department with a telephone number at which the maintenance service may be contacted at any time.
