The purpose of this article is to regulate and control fire detection and fire alarm systems utilizing external signaling means to alert the proper authorities, whether directly or indirectly.
The definition in § 9-3 does not apply to smoke detectors, nor carbon monoxide detectors, installed in buildings in accordance with Massachusetts State Building Code requirements for smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors solely intended to alert the inhabitants in the event of fire, smoke, or carbon monoxide gas buildup, and required by law for every new or modified dwelling.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
Those fire alarm devices installed in privately owned structures, residential, educational, religious, commercial, industrial, which, when activated, result in an alarm of fire being transmitted externally from the building. Such alarm transmittal may be by the sounding of an external alarm, alerting the general public; by automatic telephone call; by purchased or contracted third-party services; by personal telephone call; by direct connection; or by special internet application.
No fire detection and alarm system, as defined, shall be installed without obtaining a permit from the Fire Chief. Owners of existing alarm systems maintained in the Town shall, within 60 days of the enactment of this bylaw, file for a permit.
The owner/owners of the property in which the fire detection and alarm system is installed shall furnish, in writing, to the Fire Chief, telephone numbers (other than the protected premises) with the names of local individuals who are authorized by the owner(s) to respond to emergency calls and provide access to the structure. The owner of the property is responsible for keeping the list provided to the Fire Chief current and accurate.
No testing, repairing, altering, or other actions which might result in the transmittal of an alarm to the Fire Department shall be performed without prior notification to the alarm monitoring company, and the Fire Department, and the Fire Department dispatch center.
All installations will be inspected and internally tested prior to the permit being validated. Upon validation, the installation may be connected and wrap-around testing may be accomplished in accordance with requirement § 9-6 above.
Devices shall have lightning surge protection.
Devices shall not activate alarms because of power interruptions. Voice messages shall not exceed 15 seconds in duration. Devices shall not call more than twice for the same alarm. Automated devices shall hang up after leaving an alarm message in order to not block other calls.
Equipment shall be tested and serviced by a certified technician at least once every two years. Reports of such service shall be made in writing to the Chief of the Fire Department.
False alarms of fire are those alarms transmitted when no fire condition exists, and as a result of negligence such as dusty detectors, dead batteries, excess cooking or fireplace smoke; or defective equipment.
A.
The owner of any property from which a false alarm occurs shall incur penalties in accordance with the following schedule:
(1)
The first false alarm shall be free of charge and will result in a written warning, including the wording of this article, from the Fire Chief to the property owner.
(2)
The second false alarm (within 12 months of the date of first false alarm) will result in a fine of $100, which shall be assessed to the property owner and will be payable to the Town of Lanesborough for deposit in the General Fund.
(3)
The third false alarm will result in a fine of $200 and any subsequent false alarms (within 12 months of the date of the first false alarm) will result in a fine of $300, which shall be assessed to the property owner and will be payable to the Town of Lanesborough for deposit in the General Fund.
A.
When the Fire Department responds to an alarm of fire by a fire alarm activation where the premises are unoccupied, and the Department is unable to gain access to the structure, and is unable to contact any of the individuals listed for access, then the Fire Officer in command, if he/she has reasonable concern or suspicion that a fire or other emergency exists within the structure, may make a forcible entry into the building to determine whether or not such conditions exist.