For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall mean:
Alarm Agent:
alarm business employee who: sells, leases, services, repairs, maintains, alters, replaces, monitors, relocates, or installs any alarm system for any premises; responds to alarms, investigates causes of alarms, or notifies the police or fire authority of alarms; or provides any similar related service. Persons who engage in the manufacture or sale of alarm systems exempt from this chapter are not alarm agents for the purposes of this chapter.
Alarm Business:
act of, or causing the act of selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, monitoring, relocating or installing any alarm system for any premises; responding to, investigating the cause of, or notifying the police or fire authority of the alarm; or providing any similar related service.
Alarm System:
burglar alarm system, fire alarm system or both. "Alarm system" includes without limitation, indirect dial telephone devices, audible alarms and direct alarms.
Alarm User:
owner or lessee of an alarm system.
Answering Service:
service that receives signals from alarm systems for the purpose of relaying the message to the police or fire authority.
Audible Alarm:
device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry upon premises and that generates an audible sound on the premises when activated.
Automatic Communication Device:
electrical, electronic, mechanical or other device that transmits a prerecorded message to the police or fire authority.
Burglar Alarm:
device signaling entry, attempted entry or intrusion upon premises.
Burglar Alarm System:
system designed or used for the detection of unauthorized entry upon premises or for alerting of the possible commission of an unlawful act therein, or both; and that emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated.
Central Station:
centralized location controlled by an alarm business, in which the operations of electrical protection circuits and devices are transmitted to, recorded in, maintained and supervised.
Direct Alarm:
alarm system connecting an authorized source to the police or fire authority by any direct line that terminates at an independent terminal monitor module at the police or fire authority.
False Alarm:
activation of any alarm system because of malfunction, mechanical or electrical defect, or improper activation where no emergency response by the police or the fire authority is required. False alarm shall not include alarms caused by earthquakes, violent winds or external causes beyond the control of the alarm user.
Fire Alarm:
device transmitting signal that a fire or other emergency exists that requires the response of the fire authority.
Fire Alarm System:
system that emits a sound or transmits an alarm, message or signal warning of a threat to life or property from heat, smoke, fire or hazardous materials, or a medical emergency.
Fire Authority:
Orange County Fire Authority.
Indirect Alarm:
any device, other than a direct alarm, designed to transmit a signal to summon the police, fire authority or an alarm business to a location.
Intrusion:
unauthorized entry upon premises.
Police:
Seal Beach Police Department, its designee and any dispatch service used by the department.
Premises:
any structure, building or facility.
Subscriber:
person who contracts with or hires an alarm business to monitor or service an alarm system.
Telephone Provider:
company that furnishes telephone services.
Terminal Monitor Module:
device installed at the governmental facility to which direct alarms are transmitted.
(Ord. 1515)
No alarm business or alarm agent shall engage in an alarm business in the city unless it: has all necessary state licenses; and is registered with the police in the case of a burglar alarm system, or with the fire authority in the case of a fire alarm system. Further, each individual shall file a copy of his or her state identification card with the police.
(Ord. 1515)
No person shall connect a direct alarm to the police without first obtaining a permit. No person shall connect a direct alarm to the fire authority unless that person applies for and obtains a permit pursuant to the rules and regulations adopted by the fire authority.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
Any person desiring to obtain a direct alarm permit shall file a written application therefor on a form supplied by the police, with the police or its designee. The application shall include:
1. 
The applicant's name, address and telephone number.
2. 
The address and telephone number of the premises.
3. 
Evidence showing that all necessary arrangements with a telephone provider have been made.
4. 
A complete set of written specifications adequately describing the equipment and placement of such alarm systems.
5. 
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least 2 persons to be contacted in the event of an emergency.
6. 
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least 2 persons authorized to respond to and open the premises. The applicant's alarm business may be included as one of these persons.
B. 
The permit applicant shall pay an annual fee to the city or its designee. The annual fee for a direct alarm shall be set by city council resolution. The permit shall be effective from July 1st through June 30th of each calendar year.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
All material and labor necessary to make the installation at the permittee's premises shall be furnished by the permittee at the permittee's sole expense. All materials and labor necessary to make the connection between the private system and the terminal monitor module at the police shall be furnished by the permittee or the police's designee.
B. 
After installation, no change, modification or alteration of the equipment shall be made without written authorization from the police.
C. 
If malfunctions should develop in a direct alarm system connected to the police that could jeopardize the proper operation of any other terminal facilities or communication system, or, if excessive or chronic false alarms are transmitted by any such direct alarm system, service shall be disconnected and shall not be reactivated until the malfunction or the cause of the false alarms is corrected by the permittee at the permittee's expense. The permittee shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify the city, its elected and appointed officers and its employees from any loss or damage resulting from the malfunction of such alarms or for failure to respond to the alarms for whatever reason.
D. 
The permittee shall keep current all information contained in the permittee's application and shall notify the police of any changes to information contained in the application within 10 days of such change.
E. 
The permittee shall assure the responsiveness of persons listed as "authorized to respond" in the application.
F. 
The permittee shall keep alarm equipment in good order at all times. Such equipment, installations and repairs shall comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the police regulating the times and conditions under which such installations and repairs may be made.
G. 
The police may issue, conditionally issue or deny a direct alarm permit. A permit may be denied, inter alia, if the make or model of the device listed in the application has, in the experience of the police, proved to be deficient by reason of malfunction, false alarm, or failure to activate on a significant number of occasions, or if the application does not comply with the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(Ord. 1515)
No person shall install or maintain an indirect burglar alarm system on such person's premises without first having obtained a permit to do so as provided in this chapter. Any person desiring to obtain an indirect fire alarm permit shall file a written application therefor, on a form supplied by the fire authority, with the fire authority.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
Any person desiring to obtain a permit for an indirect burglar alarm system shall file a written application therefor, on a form supplied by the police, with the police. The application shall include:
1. 
The applicant's name, address and telephone number.
2. 
The address and telephone number of the premises.
3. 
The make, manufacturer and model number of the device.
4. 
The place of purchase, and the alarm business that will service it.
5. 
The exact location of the device(s).
6. 
The name, address and telephone number of a person to be notified in the event of an emergency.
7. 
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of 2 persons authorized to respond and open the premises. The applicant's alarm business may be included as one of these persons.
B. 
The permit applicant shall pay an annual fee to the city or its designee. The annual fee for an indirect alarm shall be set by city council resolution. The permit shall be effective from July 1st through June 30th of each calendar year.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
The permittee shall furnish complete information and specifications when required, relating to the system to be provided. The information shall include specific data relating to the prevention of false alarms and testing procedures.
B. 
The permittee shall keep current all information contained in the application.
C. 
The permittee shall assure the responsiveness of persons listed as "authorized to respond" in the application.
D. 
The permittee shall maintain equipment in good condition and repair.
E. 
The permittee shall prevent excessive or chronic false alarms caused by faulty equipment, installation or human error.
F. 
The permittee shall defend, hold harmless and indemnify the city, its elected and appointed officers and its employees from any loss or damage resulting from the malfunction of such alarms or for failure to respond to the alarms for whatever reason.
G. 
The police may issue, conditionally issue, or deny an indirect alarm permit. A permit may be denied, inter alia, if the make or model of the device listed in the application has, in the experience of the police, proved to be deficient by reason of malfunction, false alarm, or failure to activate on a significant number of occasions, or if the application does not comply with the terms and conditions set forth herein.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
Central stations shall first apply for and obtain a permit from the police prior to receiving signals from a burglar alarm system and transmitting that information to the police. Such permit shall have a one year term and may be renewed annually upon submittal of a proper application by the applicant.
B. 
Central stations shall first apply for and obtain a permit from the fire authority prior to receiving signals from a fire alarm system and transmitting that information to the fire authority.
(Ord. 1515)
Any person owning or leasing an automatic communication device may have the device interconnected to a telephone line transmitting directly to a central station, the alarm user's residence or secondary place of business, or a licensed answering service. The relaying of messages of intermediate services to the police or fire authority shall be over a public telephone, except that the central stations may relay messages over a direct line. Automatic communication devices shall not be programmed to the 911 emergency line.
(Ord. 1515)
The contents of the recorded message to be transmitted by an automatic communication device must be intelligible and in a format approved by the police or fire authority as appropriate for the type of emergency being reported. The sensory apparatus and hardware comprising the device shall be maintained by the owner or lessee in a physical condition that will minimize false alarms.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
Every person maintaining an audible alarm shall post a notice containing the names and telephone numbers of the persons to be notified to render repairs and service and secure the premises during any hour of the day or night during which the alarm system is, or may be, activated. Notice shall be posted near the alarm in such a position as to be legible from the ground level adjacent to the building, structure, or other facility or premises where the alarm system is located.
B. 
The user of a fire alarm system that is not connected to an alarm business or central station shall designate a person to be available to respond to the protected property within one hour after being requested by the fire authority.
C. 
All audible fire alarm systems shall limit the audible sound generated upon activation to a maximum of 15 minutes when the system is protecting residential premises, and 30 minutes when the system is protecting any other premises. This limit shall be incorporated into the equipment at the protected premises. Audible systems may include an automatic resetting device causing the fire alarm system to rearm upon automatic shutoff.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
All alarm systems shall utilize equipment and methods of installation approved by Underwriters Laboratories or otherwise approved by the police in the case of burglar alarm systems, or the fire authority in the case of fire alarm systems.
B. 
In those instances where Underwriters Laboratories has not established standards for categories of equipment or where new equipment is undergoing field testing, the police in the case of a burglar alarm system, or the fire authority in the case of a fire alarm system, may require that the alarm system be inspected, at the expense of the alarm business or alarm user, by a professional electrical engineer who shall certify whether the alarm system appears to be safe and reliable.
C. 
The central control unit of the alarm system shall be protected by a key locking device and intrusion sensing mechanisms.
D. 
Reasonable precautions shall be taken to reduce power noises and alarm power supply surges that may cause false alarm activation.
E. 
Early warning devices shall be installed in those systems where the alarm user's procedures or environment warrant such protection from indiscriminate alarm activations.
F. 
The alarm system shall be completely separate from all other alarm systems reporting any other hazard not authorized by this chapter.
G. 
All fire alarm systems shall at a minimum meet the standards established by the fire authority, including National Fire Protection Association Codes 72A and 72C, and any other regulations that may be adopted by the county. All fire alarm systems, equipment, installations and repairs, and all fire and other emergency tests or drills shall comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the fire authority with respect to the times and conditions under which such installations, repairs, tests or drills may be made.
(Ord. 1515)
The police chief shall have the authority, at reasonable times and upon reasonable oral notice, to enter any premises in or upon which a burglar alarm system or alarm business subject to this chapter is located, to inspect the installation or operation of the alarm systems or alarm businesses. The fire authority shall have the same authority with respect to fire alarm systems and alarm businesses.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
Each alarm business shall provide the police, in the case of a burglar alarm system, or the fire authority in the case of a fire alarm system, with the address of each building, structure, place or premises within the city for which the permittee sells or installs an alarm system. This information shall include the name of the person at that location, the type of alarm system, and other general information that may be required by the police or fire authority to assist in responding to the location for an alarm activation.
B. 
Each alarm business providing or monitoring a fire alarm system shall provide to the fire alarm system user accurate and complete instructions as to the proper use and operation of the system. Instructions shall place specific emphasis on avoiding false alarms.
C. 
When a fire alarm system has been activated, a representative of the alarm business or central station shall be present at the location of an alarm within one hour after being requested by the fire authority.
(Ord. 1515)
Each alarm business shall maintain a complete record of inspection and service on each separate subscriber's installed alarm system listing the nature of malfunctions found and corrective measures taken. Each business shall display to the police or fire authority, upon request, its record of inspection and repair for any subscriber's alarm system.
(Ord. 1515)
A. 
If an inspection reveals any violations of this chapter, a written report detailing such violations shall be promptly sent to the alarm user and its alarm business. Such report shall require correction within 30 days after receipt of the notice of the violation, and shall state that a failure to comply may result in the revocation of the alarm user's permit in accordance with this chapter.
B. 
In addition, any person who violates or willfully fails to comply with this chapter shall be subject to an administrative citation, except where expressly provided, and shall be punished by a fine in accordance with a schedule set by city council resolution.
C. 
Any person knowingly causing or creating a false alarm in a fire alarm system shall be subject to an administrative citation.
(Ord. 1515)
No alarm system designed to transmit emergency messages directly or by relay to the police or fire authority shall be tested or demonstrated without first obtaining permission from the applicable permitting agency.
(Ord. 1515)
It shall be unlawful for any person to knowingly cause or create a false alarm. This section does not apply to the testing of an alarm, if done with the permission of and in accordance with, applicable police or fire authority rules and regulations.
A. 
When any emergency message is received by the police or fire authority that evidences a failure to comply with the requirements of this chapter or a permit issued hereunder, the police or fire authority is authorized to require that the owner or lessee of the alarm system initiating the messages, or the alarm user's representative, disconnect the alarm system until it is made to comply with the requirements herein. The police or fire authority may require that the owner or lessee submit a written report within 15 days describing the actions taken or to be taken in order to comply. If, however, the alarm user, by reason of absence from the city or on any other reasonable basis requests an extension of time to file the report, the 15-day period may be extended.
B. 
The alarm user shall be assessed a fee for any false alarms based upon the following schedule:
1. 
The first 2 false alarms in a 12-month period shall be considered accidental and no penalty fees charged. The alarm user shall be notified in writing by the police after the occurrence of the second false alarm that any further false alarms may result in penalty assessments.
2. 
The alarm user shall be assessed penalty fees for any false alarms above the initial 2 false alarms in a 12-month period. The false alarm penalty fees shall be set forth by city council resolution.
3. 
After the police have recorded 5 false alarms within any consecutive 12-month period from any alarm system, it shall notify the alarm user in writing by first class mail, of such fact and require that the alarm user submit a report to the police within 15 days after receipt of such notice, describing efforts to discover and eliminate the causes of the false alarms. If, however, the alarm user by reason of absence from the city or on any other reasonable basis requests an extension of time to file the report, the police may extend the 15-day period for a reasonable period. If the alarm user fails to submit such a report within 15 days or within any such extended period, or if the efforts taken to discover and eliminate defects are deemed insufficient, the police may place the alarm system on "no emergency response status." Under such circumstances, the police shall notify the alarm user and the alarm business in writing by first class mail, and the city manager of such action. Commencing 10 days after such action, the alarm system shall be disconnected, and if not disconnected, the police will not respond to the activation of the alarm system. This shall continue until corrective measures have been taken and certified by the police or its designee.
(Ord. 1515)
It shall be unlawful for any person to tamper with, render inoperative or maliciously damage any alarm system. This section does not apply to any person performing approved maintenance or repair work on an alarm system.
(Ord. 1515)
The police in the case of burglar alarm systems, and the fire authority in the case of fire alarm systems, shall promulgate rules and procedures as may be necessary to implement this chapter and to determine grounds for clerical suspension, or revocation of any license or permit required by this chapter.
(Ord. 1515)
The foregoing sections in this chapter are not applicable to:
A. 
Alarms affixed to motor vehicles.
B. 
Fire and police call boxes.
C. 
A public telephone utility whose only function is to furnish telephone service pursuant to tariffs on file with the California Public Utilities Commission.
D. 
Devices installed by a telephone company to protect its own systems.
E. 
Alarm systems that protect property of the city and other public property.
F. 
Persons or firms engaged solely in the manufacture or sale of alarm system components from a fixed location and who do not install, maintain, service or plan the alarm system for a specific location.
G. 
Alarm systems that do not alert law enforcement agencies or others outside the protected facilities.
H. 
Fire alarm systems exempted by the director or other authorized designee of the fire authority if it is determined that the system does not create a substantial danger of generating false alarms.
(Ord. 1515)
Decisions involving permits issued pursuant to this chapter shall be subject to the administrative review procedure of Chapter 1.20 of this code. The city manager shall be the hearing officer for purposes of such procedure.
(Ord. 1515)