The intent and purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards and regulations for users and installers of burglar, holdup and automatic telephone dialer alarms within boundaries of the Town of Harwinton, and to provide penalties for noncompliance. Also, to encourage the installation of protective alarm systems in all dwellings and commercial structures.
[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town of Harwinton 3-30-1992 by Ord. No. 90, effective 4-29-1992. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:
An assembly of equipment and devices or a single device arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention, and to which police, fire and/or ambulance personnel or any other personnel are expected to respond. This includes all burglar, holdup and automatic telephone dialer alarms. This does not include smoke detectors and local alarms that do not signal outside the premises by telephone lines or radio signals or alarm systems on motor vehicles.
Any person, firm or corporation on whose premises any alarm system is maintained within the Town.
An alarm system which automatically sends over radio waves or telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or the negligent carelessness of the owner or lessee of an alarm system or his employees or agents. This terminology does not include, for example, alarms caused by hurricanes, tornados or earthquakes, or other normally infrequent violent conditions or acts of God. Excluded from this chapter are false alarms that are transmitted with a criminal, malicious or mischievous intent. Such violations will be prosecuted under the applicable General Statutes of the State of Connecticut.
A.
Any person, firm or corporation installing an alarm system within the Town shall register the system prior to installation. The following procedure is to be followed:
(1)
The applicable registration form and self-addressed envelope may be obtained from the Fire Marshal.
[Amended 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 159, effective 12-24-2022]
(2)
The registration form is to be filled out and returned to Town Hall. The envelope shall be addressed as follows:
Office of the Fire Marshal Town of Harwinton 100 Bentley Drive Harwinton, CT 06791 |
(3)
These returned forms will be date stamped and put into the Fire Marshal's mailbox.
(4)
The Fire Marshal will distribute to the following as part of his monthly highlights: HVFD, HWVFD, HAA, LCD.
B.
All existing alarm systems shall be registered with the office of the Fire Marshal within 60 days of the effective date of this chapter. The above procedure shall be followed.
C.
No alarm system shall be installed by anyone other than a licensed person or persons meeting the requirements set forth in the Building and Electrical Codes of the State of Connecticut. No alarm system shall be installed unless an electrical permit to install an alarm system has been obtained from the Town Building Official or his designated representative as is required by the Building and Electrical Codes of the State of Connecticut.
A.
Alarm users having existing automatic telephone dialing devices shall comply with § 7-282b of the Connecticut General Statutes.
B.
No automatic telephone dialing devices shall be programmed to dial 911 except those allowed by the State of Connecticut by special permit.
C.
No person, firm or corporation shall install an automatic telephone dialing device within the Town of Harwinton terminating at any public safety answering point (PSAP), public building, Fire Department or ambulance building.
All alarm systems as defined in this chapter which sound an audible signal that may be heard outside of the protected premises shall be equipped with a device which shall limit the duration of such audible signals to not more than 30 minutes in length in accordance with § 22a-69-5.1 of the administrative regulations of the Department of Environmental Protection.
[Amended 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 159, effective 12-24-2022]
A maximum of three false alarms per twelve-month period shall be allowed from any alarm system of any person, firm, or corporation. Upon receipt of a fourth false alarm, and for each false alarm thereafter during the twelve-month period, a user fee shall be assessed by the Town of Harwinton in the amount of $100. User fees shall be collected and enforced by the Fire Marshal. Alarms originating from any building owned by the Town of Harwinton, the Fire Departments, or ambulance service shall be exempt from the user fees.
[Amended 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 159, effective 12-24-2022]
Any person, firm, or corporation found to be in violation of the § 148-4B or C shall be fined $100 per violation in addition to any state penalties. Fines and user fees shall be enforced by the Fire Marshal. Any person, firm, or corporation who shall fail to pay a user fee which has been assessed as provided in § 148-6 of this chapter within 30 days of the date of notice of assessment shall be responsible for all attorney's fees, court costs, and legal fees incurred by the Town of Harwinton to enforce collection of said fees.
[Amended 12-6-2022 by Ord. No. 159, effective 12-24-2022]
All residential and commercial alarm system users shall provide, upon registration of the alarm system, the names and telephone numbers of any and all key holders to the Fire Marshal.