[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Board of the Town of Sheboygan as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 3-15-2016 by Ord. No. 3152016]
This article is enacted pursuant to the authority provided by §§ 60.55 and 60.555, Wis. Stats. The purpose is to establish standards and controls for the intentional or negligent transmission of false alarms resulting in unnecessary response of emergency personnel and resources. Alarm systems subject to this article include fire and smoke detection systems, water-flow alarms, carbon monoxide or gas alerts, and other types of alarm devices which require an emergency response by the Town of Sheboygan Volunteer Fire Department (Fire Department) or Emergency Medical Service (EMS) responders.
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
Any person, corporation, or other entity that owns or leases a system of alarm devices that is staffed by operators who receive, record or validate alarm signals and relay validated signals to the Fire Department or EMS.
Any fire and smoke detection system, water flow alarm, carbon monoxide or gas alert, and other types of alarms designed to be activated by a fire or other emergency at a specific location either as an automatic response or activated by an occupant.
Any signal transmitted by an emergency alarm to which the Fire Department or EMS respond, which is not the result of an emergency.
A.
Any person who intentionally or negligently cause a false alarm shall be subject to the fees set forth in this article.
B.
Any person, corporation, or other entity that performs work in a building protected by an alarm system that intentionally or negligently causes the alarm to falsely activate shall be subject to the fees set forth in this article.
C.
Any person, corporation, or other entity that fails to provide protective covering according to the manufacturer's specifications for a smoke detection system, which causes an activation due to sanding or dust buildup, shall be subject to the fees set forth in this article.
D.
Any person, corporation, or other entity that maintains an alarm or alarm system without providing appropriate maintenance per the National Fire Protection Association Code 72 (National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code) to ensure proper operation of that alarm/alarm system shall be subject to the fees set forth in this article.
E.
False alarm fees shall be calculated based on the number of false alarm incidents that the Fire Department and/or EMS respond to in any 365-day period of time for each location. The Fire Department and EMS shall record and maintain a record of the number of false alarms that they respond to for any 365-day period of time for each location in the Town of Sheboygan. The Fire Department and EMS shall submit to the Town Clerk a copy of the false alarm report for each location that the Fire Department or EMS responded as a result of a false alarm.
Any owner, lessee, or person having control of property having an alarm device or system shall pay to the Town of Sheboygan a fee for each false alarm and each subsequent false alarm that occurs within any 365-day period of time to which the Fire Department and/or EMS respond as follows:
A.
First false alarm: no charge.
B.
Second false alarm: residential property, $100; commercial property, $250.
C.
Third false alarm: residential property, $250; commercial property, $500.
D.
Fourth false alarm: residential property, $350; commercial property, $750.
E.
Fifth and each subsequent false alarm: residential property, $500; commercial property, $1,000.
F.
An invoice, due and payable to the Town of Sheboygan within 30 days, for any false alarm fee, as described above, shall be generated by the Fire Department or EMS. The invoice shall be mailed by first-class mail to the owner, lessee, or person having control of property at the address listed on the real estate tax bill for the property with a copy filed with the Town Clerk.
G.
Any invoice not paid or appealed within 30 days of the date of the invoice shall be levied and imposed as a special charge on the property pursuant to §§ 60.55(2)(d) and 66.0627, Wis. Stats.
A.
Any owner, lessee, or person having control of property who believes the false alarm fees were issued in error or otherwise disputes the fees may appeal to the Town Board by filing a written appeal with the Town Clerk and providing a copy to the Fire Department or EMS within 30 days of the date of the invoice.
B.
The written appeal shall set forth the factual basis or other reasons why the appellant believes that the fees are not proper.
C.
The Town Board shall conduct a review of the matter and give both the appellant and the Fire Department and/or EMS an opportunity to present information about the charges within 60 days of the date of the filing of the appeal.
D.
Notice of the Town Board meeting shall be mailed to the appellant and the Fire Department and/or EMS not less than 10 days before the meeting.
E.
The Town Board may, after considering the appeal, confirm the fees, reduce the fees, or take such other action as the Board determines appropriate. The decision of the Town Board shall be final.
None of the provisions of this article shall apply to an alarm device or devices installed in a motor vehicle.
[Adopted 11-19-2019 by Ord. No. 111919-1; amended in its entirety 12-21-2021]
The purpose of this article is to allow emergency responders quick and efficient access to structures in an emergency and to allow (when possible) the structure to be secured after said emergency.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
A serious, unexpected, and often dangerous situation requiring immediate action or any such time that emergency responders are required to act by law.
Fire Department, first responders and law enforcement officers.
The Sheboygan Volunteer Fire Department Fire Chief or his/her designee.
Shall be defined as a business whose primary office or place of employment is in the owner's home (primary residence) and has no employees other than direct family.
An approved lock box which allows emergency responders to gain access to secured buildings and perimeters without forceful entry. Only the lock box brands approved in writing by the Fire Chief will be permitted by the Town of Sheboygan.
The following structures shall be equipped with a lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location approved by the Fire Chief or his/her designee:
A.
Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system.
B.
Multifamily residential structures with five or more units that have restricted access through locked doors or have a common corridor for access to the living units.
C.
Governmental structures, nursing care/assisted living centers and day care facilities.
D.
All public and private educational facilities.
E.
All commercial buildings over 5,000 square feet or with more than two doors to the exterior.
F.
All newly constructed structures subject to this section shall have the lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit.
G.
Structures that are secured in a manner that restrict rapid access during an emergency.
The following structures shall not be required to comply with this article:
A.
All lock boxes shall be flush or surface mounted five feet high from the grade and within five feet from the main entrance.
B.
In the event the lock box cannot be installed at the aforesaid location and/or height, the Fire Chief or his/her designee may designate, in writing, a different location and installation instructions.
C.
All realty and/or property with an electric security gate shall have the lock box installed outside the gate.
D.
The window decal that is included with the lock box shall be placed on the exterior access door to alert the fire department that a key box is provided.
E.
The Fire Chief must approve any changes in the installation.
A.
The owner or operator of a structure required to have a lock box shall, at all times, keep keys in the box that will allow for access to the following:
(1)
Locked points of ingress or egress, whether on the interior or exterior of such buildings.
(2)
All locked mechanical rooms.
(3)
All locked electrical rooms.
(4)
Elevators' controls and control rooms.
(5)
Rooms containing fire-control systems.
(6)
Other areas as directed by the Fire Chief.
(7)
In addition to keys, the lockbox should include codes and instructions to reset fire alarm systems.
B.
Each key shall be legibly labeled to indicate the lock that it opens in such a manner as is approved by the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
C.
A floor plan (layout) of the building/rooms within the building may be required to be provided to the Fire Department at the discretion of the Fire Chief or his/her designee.
A.
The Fire Chief or his/her designee shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the lock box system.
B.
The Fire Chief or his/her chain of command shall have authority over all lock box keys.
C.
Authorized lock box key users shall include the emergency responders.
D.
Upon written request, the Fire Chief shall furnish the names of all persons with access to the lock box keys.
E.
All authorized users shall be required to have an annual background check.
F.
Inspection of lock boxes shall be performed during normal business hours.
G.
At the discretion of the Fire Chief or his/her designee, any business must number or letter their doors (and windows, when required by the Fire Chief or his/her designee). Numbering/lettering must be no less than four inches in size, reflective and a contrasting color to the door. Numbers/letters shall be placed on each door starting at the main entrance and progressing around the building clockwise. Number/letters must be at least five feet above ground level. Where double doors or a grouping of doors exists close together, they may be numbered as one.
H.
The owner or occupant of the building shall immediately notify the Fire Department and provide new keys when a lock is changed or rekeyed. These keys will be put into the lock box.
A.
After the effective date of this article, all newly constructed building, not yet occupied or buildings currently under construction and all building or businesses applying for an occupancy permit shall comply.
B.
Existing building that are not in compliance on the effective date of this article shall comply with requirements of the article within two years of the effective date of this article. Any person who owns or operates a structure subject to this article shall be subject to the penalties set forth in § 149-15 for any violation of this article.
Any person who violates any provision of this article shall be subject to a forfeiture of $10 per day for up to 90 days and then $20 per day thereafter until the violation is corrected, plus costs, fees and such charges imposed under Chapter 814 of the Wisconsin Statutes.
