[Prior code § 25-1; amended by Ord. 91-21 § 1, 1991]
For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases,
words and their derivations shall have the meanings given in this
section:
Any device designed, when actuated, to produce or emit a
sound or transmit a signal or message for the purpose of alerting
others to the existence of an emergency situation requiring immediate
investigation by alarm, police, fire or other agent, except that this
definition shall not include residential battery-operated smoke alarms
not connected with an outside source or location.
The Borough clerk or any other person authorized by the Borough
council to be responsible for the enforcement of this chapter and
the performance of any administrative duties regarding the regulation
and control of alarm business, agents and systems in the Borough.
The activation of the alarm system by causes other than those
to which the alarm system was designed or intended to respond.
The volunteer fire company or companies located within the
Borough of Ship Bottom.
[Prior code § 25-2; amended by Ord. 91-21 § 1, 1991]
A.
The Borough alarm administrator or his or her representative is authorized
at reasonable times and upon oral notice, to enter any premises in
the Borough to inspect the installation and/or operation of any alarm
device as official municipal business.
B.
All locations having fire alarms must submit in writing the names,
address and emergency numbers of persons to contact, in the event
that the alarm is activated, to the Borough alarm administrator within
one week after installation of the alarm system and on or before January
31st of each year. The Borough alarm administrator shall maintain
a compilation of such information and shall update and amend that
information on a monthly basis. This list is confidential and shall
be used by the police, fire or other emergency officials when necessary
to make contact due to official business.
[Prior code § 25-3; amended by Ord. 91-21 § 1, 1991]
A.
The Borough alarm administrator shall keep a written record (the
police event/dispatch card) of all false alarms which summon an investigation.
B.
After two false alarms within any calendar year, the Borough alarm administrator shall charge the owner or lessee of such alarm an administrative inspection fee as outlined in Section 8.04.040 of this chapter.
C.
Involuntary Disconnection.
1.
The Borough alarm administrator is authorized to have any alarm device
that has been connected to the Borough offices or the fire department
disconnected in the event that such alarm device or person in control
of such alarm device is in violation of this chapter or in the event
of more than 10 false alarms in one twelve-month period. Oral notice
followed by written confirmation shall be provided by the Borough
alarm administrator in the event of such disconnection to the first
name, address and phone number submitted pursuant to Section 8.04.020(B)
of this chapter.
2.
Neither the Borough, the police department, the fire company or any
other emergency-activated entity shall be liable for such disconnection,
nor for failing to respond to any alarm.
3.
In order to reconnect to the Borough offices or the fire department, the alarm subscriber must submit, in writing, to the Borough alarm administrator, proof that the problem with the alarm has been corrected. Approval may be given for reconnection on a sixty-day trial basis upon such written proof and, in the discretion of the administrator, further investigation, and in the event that the administrator has good cause to believe that no further false alarms will occur. Should such approval be granted and no further false alarms have occurred within the sixty-day probation period, the connection may remain conditioned upon continued compliance with this chapter. Any such approval shall be subject to payment of reconnection fees as set forth in Section 8.04.040 of this chapter.
4.
The owner or lessee of any alarm system or business may appeal any
adverse decision of the Borough alarm administrator to the full Borough
council upon written notice at least 10 days prior to the regular
governing body meeting at which the appellant wishes his or her appeal
to be considered.
[Prior code § 25-4; amended by Ord. 91-21 § 1, 1991; Ord. No. 2016-30, § 2, 11-22-2016]
A.
The following administrative inspection fees shall be applicable
as a result of the excessive false alarms:
B.
An additional fee of $100 will be paid to the fire department for
the cost of responding with equipment and trained firefighters to
each false alarm after the third alarm to the same business or residence
within the calendar year.
