The following definitions shall apply in the interpretation
and enforcement of this chapter:
ACTIVATION
The setting in motion, whether intended or not, of any audible
alarm system or alarm device or any direct or indirect signal given
a public safety agency to which police or firefighters respond.
ALARM
A communication to a public safety agency indicating that
a crime, fire or other emergency warranting immediate action by that
public safety agency has occurred or is occurring.
ALARM ACTIVATION REPORT
A written report on a form provided by the Township and completed
by or on behalf of an alarm user in the event of a false alarm at
the alarm user's premises. The report shall contain a certification
that any malfunctioning alarm system that generated the false alarm
has been serviced and repaired.
ALARM DEVICE
A device designed to automatically transmit an alarm directly
to an intermediary that is instructed to notify the public safety
agency of the alarm.
ALARM EQUIPMENT INSTALLER
Any person or entity who installs alarm systems, but does
not include an individual who installs an alarm system in his or her
personal residence.
ALARM MONITORING SERVICE COMPANY
A person or entity that offers a service whereby trained
employees, in attendance at all times, receive emergency messages
from alarm devices reporting an emergency at a stated location and
have the duty to relay immediately any such emergency message to a
public safety agency.
ALARM SYSTEM
Any alarm device or audible alarm system. This chapter recognizes
two types of alarm systems: a fire alarm system, which is designed
to give notice of a fire, and a security alarm system, which is all
others.
ALARM USER
Any individual, partnership, unincorporated association,
corporation, trust or other legally recognized entity which is the
owner, tenant or entity in control of any premises having an alarm
device or an audible alarm system.
AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEM
A bell, horn, whistle, siren or other noisemaking device
and its activating components which is attached to the interior or
exterior of a structure, either nonresidential or residential with
three or more residential living units, and which emits a warning
signal audible outside the structure designed to attract attention
to an emergency occurring on the premises requiring the response of
a public safety agency. Such audible warning signal does not include
one emitted by a device installed to service a single residential
unit.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
A device which is interconnected to a telephone line and
preprogrammed to transmit the coded signal of an alarm to a dedicated
telephone trunk line or to dial a predetermined telephone number to
a public safety agency without the use of an intermediary.
CHIEF FIRE OFFICER
The Chief of the Fire Department of the Township of Lower
Merion and Fire Marshal.
CONTRACTOR
A person or entity, and any agent thereof, who contracts
with an alarm user to perform work in and about a premises where an
alarm system is installed.
EMERGENCY CONTACT
An individual who may be contacted at any time who is authorized
to respond to an alarm activation and open the premises if requested.
FALSE ALARM
The activation of an alarm device or audible alarm system
to which a public safety agency responds when a crime, fire or other
emergency has not occurred.
INTERMEDIARY
An alarm monitoring service company, as herein defined.
PERMIT
Written permission duly granted to an applicant by the Township
upon payment of the required fee.
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY
The Montgomery County Emergency Dispatch Center ("911 Center"),
the Police Department or the Fire Department.
SECRETARY
The Secretary of the Township of Lower Merion.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Lower Merion, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania.
For the purpose of enforcing this chapter and as a condition
to installing and maintaining an alarm system, an alarm user shall
execute a consent, in such form as may be prescribed by the Secretary,
which will authorize the Township to enter upon the alarm user's
premises within the Township, at reasonable times and upon reasonable
notice, to inspect the installation and operation of an alarm system.
Alarm equipment installers and intermediaries of alarm systems
shall furnish at or prior to the time of contracting and at their
expense a copy of this chapter to prospective alarm users.