[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
The purpose of this chapter is to encourage alarm users and
alarm companies to properly use and maintain operational effectiveness
of alarm systems in order to prevent and reduce or eliminate false
alarms. The Fire Division responses by the use of fire alarm systems
by regulating the duration of the sound of the alarm, by preventing
unnecessary false alarms and by requiring that such alarms be disconnected
promptly when they are malfunctioning.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
As used in this section:
Shall mean any equipment of any kind, designed or constructed
to signal the occurrence or alarm user: shall mean a person, firm,
partnership, association, corporation, company or organization of
any kind in possession or control of any business, building, structure
or facility where an alarm system is maintained.
Shall mean an alarm which automatically selects a telephone
trunk line connecting directly to the Fire Division, public safety
answering point (PSAP) or emergency services agency with a pre-recorded
message alerting of a person or persons trapped in an elevator.
Shall mean an alarm eliciting a response by the Fire Division
when no evidence of any fire or fire emergency exists after completing
a timely investigation of the alarm site.
Shall mean a system that has a single or a number of devices
working together to detect and warn people through visual and audio
appliances when smoke, fire, carbon monoxide or other emergencies
are present. These alarms may be activated automatically from smoke
detectors, and heat detectors or may also be activated via manual
fire alarm activation devices such as manual call points or pull stations.
Shall mean the Chief of the Fire Division of the City of
Newark or his/her designated representative.
Shall mean an attempt by a monitoring company, or its representative,
to contact the alarm site and or alarm user by telephone and or other
electronic means, whether or not actual contact with a person is made,
to determine whether they are responding to operate codes for the
alarm system and has authority to approve repairs and or maintenance
to the alarm system.
Shall mean an alarm system which provides direct connection
by a telephone lease line from a specific location to an alarm register
with a visible or audible signal.
Shall mean a license issued by the State of New Jersey to
an alarm installation company or monitoring company to sell, install,
monitor, repair or replace alarm systems.
Shall mean the process by which a monitoring company receives
alarm signals and alarm system condition signals from alarm systems
and relays alarm notifications to the Newark Fire Division and to
other emergency response agencies.
Shall mean an alarm which automatically selects a telephone
trunk line and then reproduces a pre-recorded message to a special
telephone device rather than to the alarm panel or alarm register.
Shall mean an alarm system that automatically alerts a person,
beyond the limits of the property served, who is engaged in the business
of relaying information by telephone to the Fire Division or reacting
independently of the Fire Division.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
a.
No fire alarm and or fire alarm system or device shall be maintained
and allowed to emit a sound from any business, building, structure
or facility which does not deactivate within 30 minutes after being
activated, nor shall it be allowed to emit sound intermittently for
any period in excess of a total of 30 minutes after being activated.
b.
Failure of alarm to deactivate.
1.
For the first occurrence, the Newark Fire Division and or its representative
shall notify the alarm user in writing that his/her alarm did not
deactivate after 30 minutes.
2.
For the second occurrence, the Newark Fire Division and or its representative,
shall:
(a)
Notify the alarm user in writing that his/her alarm did not
deactivate after 30 minutes;
(b)
Notify the alarm user in writing that he/she is in violation
of this section;
(c)
The owner or alarm user shall be required to submit to the Newark
Fire Division and or its representatives, within 72 hours, evidence
that he/she has taken the necessary steps to correct the fire alarm
or fire alarm system and comply with this section; and
(d)
The owner or alarm user shall receive a summons and complaint
for a violation of this section.
3.
Upon a third occurrence of a fire alarm emitting sound for over 30
minutes, the owner or alarm user shall receive a summons and complaint
for a violation of this section.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
An alarm may utilize a bell, horn, siren or other noise-making
instrument located on the property where the device is installed.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
a.
In the event within one year of a second fire alarm emitting a sound
or message resulting in a response by the Newark Fire Division when
a situation requiring a response by firefighting personnel does not
in fact exist, the owner or alarm user shall be notified by the Newark
Fire Division and or its representatives to complete a written report
to the Newark Fire Division setting forth: (1) the cause of the false
alarm if known; (2) the corrective action taken; (3) whether the alarm
system has been inspected by an alarm service company; and (4) such
other information as the Newark Fire Division and or its representatives
may reasonably require. The owner or alarm user's failure to
return this report shall be a violation of this section.
b.
It shall be a violation of this section for the owner or alarm user
to allow two false alarms within 12 months.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
No tape dialer system or lease line system shall be connected
to any Fire Division telephone line without the express permission
of the Director of Public Safety of the City of Newark and without
complying with the regulations promulgated by his/her office.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
The owner or alarm user of any fire alarm and or fire alarm
system or device at any premises in the City of Newark shall provide
to the Director of Public Safety of the City of Newark the names and
telephone numbers of at least three persons who can respond to the
premises where the alarm occurred at any time with the keys to the
premises and the alarm system; and, possesses sufficient information
to identify the type of alarm system, the location of the alarm system
and the location of any other defensive system or systems on the premises
as well as any other information required by the Director of Public
Safety of the City of Newark and its regulations.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
Upon complying with the registration requirements of this chapter,
a permit shall be issued to the owner and or alarm user by the Division
of Tax Abatement and Special Taxes for the alarm system for each property,
business, building or other facility and no permit shall be transferred
or assigned.
An annual fee of $50 shall be charged for each permit. However,
owner occupied one to three family residential units shall be exempt
from the annual fee requirement.
It shall be a violation of this chapter to install or use a
fire alarm or fire alarm system without a permit issued pursuant to
this section.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
Any permits issued pursuant to this chapter may be revoked or
suspended by the Manager of the Division of Tax abatement and Special
Taxes after a hearing for good cause shown.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
Any person aggrieved by the action of the Manager of the Division
of Tax Abatement and Special Taxes in respect to the operation of
any alarm equipment shall have the right to appeal to the Business
Administrator of the City of Newark. The appeal shall be taken by
the filing with the Administrator, within 14 days after the notice
of the action complained of has been mailed to the person's last
known address, a written statement setting forth fully the grounds
for appeal. The Administrator shall set a time and place for a hearing
or the appeal, and notice of the hearing shall be given to the appellant
by certified mail to his/her last known address at least five days
prior to the date set for the hearing. The decision of the Manager
shall be affirmed, modified or reversed and the reasons therefor shall
be set forth in a decision that shall be sent to the appellant.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
The Director of Public Safety of the City of Newark is authorized
and empowered to issue such regulations as he/she may deem reasonably
necessary to carry out the purpose of this chapter, insure the proper
function of private alarm systems and provide for the safety and convenience
of the Fire Division, other responding emergency units, and the public.
Such regulations shall be in writing and shall be given to each registrant
at the time of the acceptance of his/her registration or at the time
of the amendment thereof. It shall be a violation of this chapter
to violate the regulations of the Director of Public Safety of the
City of Newark.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
Neither the City of Newark nor its agents or employees assume
any obligation whatsoever concerning the adequacy, operation or maintenance
of any private alarm system. Neither the City of Newark nor its agents
or employees assume any liability whatsoever for any failure of any
private alarm system, failure to respond to any such alarm system,
or for any omission or commission relating to any such alarm system.
[Added 5-6-2020 by Ord.
No. 6PSF-B, 05-06-2020]
Any person found to be violating any of the provisions of this
chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be subject to a fine not to
exceed $1,000 or by imprisonment for a term not to exceed 90 days
or both.
