The intent of this chapter is to provide a regulatory framework for the purpose of providing effective public safety coverage throughout the city of Palm Springs for police and fire emergency services.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
The following words, terms, and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a differing meaning:
means an individual who is qualified/certified with a general radiotelephone operator license (GROL/PG); or journeyman wireless C.E.T.; or NARTE EMC technician; or NARTE EMC engineer; or equivalent, to review design plans and perform tests in affected structures to measure city of Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications.
means those specifications designed to provide optimum coverage and radio effectiveness within buildings and structures under the Palm Springs communication system, approved and amended from time to time by the fire chief and on file in the fire department.
means the fire chief of the city of Palm Springs or the fire chief's designee.
means the city of Palm Springs fire department.
means the radio system used by local law enforcement, fire, and public works departments within the city of Palm Springs for emergency and non-emergency radio communications.
means a certified technician who is approved by the city of Palm Springs to conduct acceptance testing.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
A.
Except as otherwise provided, each building or structure for which a building permit is issued on or after November 5, 2007, or any part thereof, shall be erected, constructed, and occupied in a manner consistent with the Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications.
B.
Owners shall maintain reliable radio communication within their buildings and structures in compliance with Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications.
C.
The provisions of this chapter shall not apply to any building or structure erected or built and occupied pursuant to a building permit issued on or before November 5, 2007, provided that any addition, alteration, or enlargement of twenty percent or more in total floor area of such building or structure, then such building or structure shall be retrofitted or otherwise modified to comply with the requirements of subsection A of this section.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
Test of radio coverage will be conducted pursuant to those specifications in the city of Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications as provided in this section.
A.
Acceptance Testing. Acceptance testing will be performed by a special inspector in accordance with test standards as listed in the city of Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications. A certificate of occupancy shall not be issued if said structure, or any part thereof, fails to comply with these test standards. Complete documentation of acceptance testing conducted and the results shall be forwarded to the fire department.
B.
Annual Tests. Annual tests will be administered by the fire chief in accordance with the test standards as listed in the city of Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
Buildings and structures that cannot support the required level of radio coverage shall be equipped with an amplification system as specified in the city of Palm Springs public safety radio system coverage specifications.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
This chapter shall not apply to the following:
A.
Elevators and elevator shafts;
B.
Structures that are three stories or less without subterranean storage or parking;
C.
Wood-constructed residential structures three stories or less without subterranean storage or parking. Should construction that is three stories or less include subterranean storage or parking, then this chapter shall apply only to the subterranean areas.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
The owner and property developer shall be responsible to hire and pay all costs for the certified technician who will be the special inspector. Any company or individual hired to perform special inspection work for the project may not be part of the construction or installation process. The certified technician may not be employed by or have a vested interest in the general contracting company, any subcontracting companies, building management, building ownership or any portion of structure construction. Payment of the special inspector's fee and costs shall not be made contingent upon the passage of the acceptance test.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)
After discovery of noncompliance, the building owner is provided three months to remedy the deficiency and gain compliance. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no certificate of occupancy shall be issued after discovery of non-compliance until the deficiency is corrected and the acceptance test is passed. It shall be unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to violate any provision or fail to comply with any of the requirements of this chapter. Any person, firm or corporation violating any provision of this chapter or failing to comply with any of its requirements shall be deemed guilty of an infraction, punishable by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars per day the violation continues. Each such person, firm or corporation shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each day during any portion of which any violation of any of the provisions of this chapter is committed, continued or permitted by such person, firm or corporation, and shall be punishable therefor.
(Ord. 1722 § 1, 2007)