[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
The Mayor and Township Council find that alarm systems that
do not contain automatic cutoff systems permit the continuing emission
of loud alarm signals without termination exist within the Township
of West Orange. In the event of the unavailability of those able to
control and terminate the alarm, persons in the vicinity are exposed
to these loud noises for lengthy, indefinite periods without means
of obtaining relief; that this condition is inimical to the public
health and welfare and to the well-being of persons within the Township;
and that lengthy emission of alarm signals is not necessary to the
legitimate purposes of the property owner or occupant. The Mayor and
Township Council further find that many residents and commercial entities
have installed burglar, robbery, panic, fire, medical and other electronic
devices within their properties and/or vehicles and that false alarms
from these devices requiring Police, Fire, and EMS response cause
unnecessary expense to the Township and the unproductive diversion
of emergency personnel and equipment from their public safety function
within the Township.
[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
The purpose of this section is to provide standards and regulations
for various types of emergency alarm systems that require response
by governmental emergency service agencies.
[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
The provisions of this section shall apply to any person who
operates, maintains, or owns any alarm device designed to summon governmental
emergency services to any location in response to an alarm signal.
All fire alarm devices shall conform to the National Fire Protection
Association Codes.
[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
For purposes of this section:
Shall mean a device that emits an audible signal from a premises
or vehicle that it is designed to protect.
Shall mean any type of alarm that is received by telephone
at the Township's Emergency Communications Center from a subscriber's
designated alarm company.
Shall mean any alarm actuated by inadvertence, negligence,
or unintentional act of someone other than a person committing a criminal
act, and shall include alarms caused by malfunctioning of any type
of alarm system or other relevant equipment.
Shall mean any type of alarm that is purposely or knowingly
activated when a true emergency does not exist.
Shall mean any natural person, partnership, corporation,
association, or other legal entity.
Shall mean that the emergency service responder is satisfied
that the alarm condition was caused by a circumstance beyond the control
of the alarm subscriber, including but not limited to weather disturbances,
nearby construction, etc.
[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
a.
(Reserved)
b.
Silencing of External Audible Alarms. All external audible alarms
on one family residences shall be equipped with a timing device that
will automatically silence the external audible alarm within 15 minutes
after it is activated. There shall be no such timing device on alarm
systems for commercial establishments, multifamily dwellings, nursing
homes, and hospitals. Further, all vehicles with alarm systems shall
also be equipped with a timing device that will automatically silence
the audible alarm within 15 minutes after it is activated.
The Fire Department is authorized to disconnect and/or silence
the outside audible signal of an alarm on a one family residence that
does not reset in accordance with this section when the audible alarm
creates a nuisance to neighbors and where the owner and/or key holder
cannot be located or cannot respond within a reasonable time. This
section does not apply to audible alarm signals that sound wholly
within the one family residence. The Chief of Police is authorized
to impound a vehicle where the audible signal of an alarm has sounded
in excess of 15 minutes and where the owner/operator cannot be located
to disable/disconnect the audible alarm.
c.
False Alarms.
1.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons maintaining any alarm
system within the Township to prevent the transmission of false alarms
through a program of training and periodic inspection and maintenance
of the system.
2.
In the case of a false alarm, any person having knowledge thereof
shall immediately notify the Police Department.
3.
The activation of an alarm system, where a peril does not exist,
may constitute a false alarm.
4.
A false alarm can only be void if the subscriber contacts their alarm
company with the appropriate security code and the alarm company cancels
the notification to the Police Department prior to the dispatch of
police personnel.
5.
The Chief of Police is authorized to enforce the provisions of this
section.
6.
The Fire Chief is authorized to enforce the provisions of this section
pertaining to false fire alarms.
d.
Intentional Activation of False Alarm. No person shall purposely
or knowingly activate a false alarm.
e.
Notification to Police Department of Alarm Repairs. Persons having
an alarm device that is being tested or repaired shall ensure that
the Police and/or Fire Department does not receive false alarm signals.
f.
Adjustment of Sensory Mechanisms on Alarm Systems to Prevent False
Alarms. The sensory mechanism of all types of alarm systems shall
be adjusted to the degree possible so as to suppress false indications
and not be activated by impulses due to pressure changes in water
pipes, short flashes or light, wind, noises, rattling or vibration
of doors and windows, or other forces unrelated to general alarms.
g.
Compliance with Additional Regulations Required. All fire alarm devices
shall be installed in accordance with the requirements of applicable
Township ordinances, Fire Prevention Codes, and Fire Department regulations.
h.
Security of Premises. Persons with alarm systems should be continually
aware that any activation of the alarm system would typically result
in a response by one or more public safety employees. Exterior areas
of the premises should be easily accessible to public safety responders
to permit safe inspection of the property, building, premises, or
other structure. Persons with alarm systems, upon notification of
an alarm condition at their premises, who do not respond to the premises
to verify whether the alarm was false or not, do so at their own peril.
The Police Department should provide an escort to persons verifying
alarm activations, upon request and staffing levels permitting.
[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
The Township Administration, Director of Police or Township
of West Orange Fire Prevention Bureau may promulgate rules and regulations
supplementing this section in order to provide for record keeping
and efficient management of the system; provided that the Township
Council shall first approve the rules or any changes thereto by appropriate
resolution.
[Ord. No. 1901-03 § II]
a.
False Alarms.
1.
For the first false alarm without satisfactory reason in any twelve-month
period, a written warning shall be issued.
2.
For the second false alarm without satisfactory reason in the same
twelve-month period, a fine of $50 shall be paid to the Township.
3.
For the third or subsequent false alarm without satisfactory reason
in the same twelve-month period, a fine of a $100 shall be paid to
the Township.
4.
When deciding to issue a summons for violations of this section,
the emergency service worker should consider the time period between
activations in order to allow the alarm subscriber time to effect
repairs to the systems.
