It is unlawful for any person to tamper with or to knowingly cut, break, deface or actuate any alarm device (including auxiliary alarm devices, wires or wire supports or appurtenances thereto) or to intentionally transmit an alarm of fire knowing that no emergency exists; provided, that this section shall not apply to the following:
A. 
Employees of the fire and emergency services department engaged in the performance of their official duties;
B. 
Representatives of a manufacturer of fire alarm equipment who, with the consent of the fire code official and in the presence of employees of the fire and emergency services department, are engaged in modifying, adjusting, altering, repairing or replacing any fire alarm system or device or any of its component equipment;
C. 
Insurance-rating engineers engaged in testing any alarm system or device with the consent of the fire code official.
(Ord. 55 § 1.02; Ord. 80-79 § 1.02; Ord. 01-11 § 1.04; Ord. 17-20 § 1)
Any person doing any work on a fire alarm system that may cause a signal to be transmitted shall notify the fire dispatch center before doing such work, stating the time and place thereof.
(Ord. 103; Ord. 80-79 § 1.03; Ord. 33-07; Ord. 01-11 § 1.04; Ord. 17-20 § 1)
A. 
Fees for False Alarms.
1. 
For purposes of this subsection, the term "false alarm" means the activation of an auxiliary alarm device or system transmitting a signal when such activation results from improper or inadequate maintenance, defective equipment, or failure to protect the system, and no fire or other emergency exists on the premises.
2. 
For a fire and emergency response to a false alarm, the fire code official may charge and collect from the person having and maintaining such auxiliary device or alarm on premises owned or occupied by him fees equal to the current State Chief's rate as follows:
a. 
For a response to premises at which no other false alarm has occurred within the preceding 90-day period, hereinafter referred to as a "first response," a fee may be charged if the system does not have a current confidence test on file and documented in the manner required by the fire code official.
b. 
For a second and all subsequent responses to premises within 90 days after a first response, a fee may be charged.
B. 
Ownership and Maintenance. Ownership and maintenance of auxiliary fire alarm devices, systems, and circuits shall remain and be the responsibility of the person owning or leasing the premises upon which such auxiliary device or system is located.
(Ord. 55; Ord. 80-79; Ord. 53-83; Ord. 35-95; Ord. 39-98; Ord. 19-04; Ord. 10-06; Ord. 33-07; Ord. 01-11 § 1.04; Ord. 17-20 § 1)
Except for RMC § 20.08.020, Tampering with alarm system, any person who has violated any provision of this chapter shall have committed a civil infraction subject to a civil penalty as set forth in RMC § 10.02.050(E).
Provided, if the same violator has been found to have committed an infraction violation for the same or similar conduct two separate times, with the violations occurring at the same location and involving the same or similar sections of the Richland Municipal Code or other similar codes, the third or subsequent violation shall constitute a misdemeanor, punishable as provided in RMC § 1.30.010 for criminal offenses.
A violation of RMC § 20.08.020, Tampering with alarm system, shall be prosecuted as a criminal misdemeanor under RMC § 1.30.010.
(Ord. 55 § 1.05; Ord. 210; Ord. 17-84; Ord. 53-84; Ord. 35-95; Ord. 06-10 § 1.38; Ord. 01-11 § 1.04; Ord. 17-20 § 1)