The purpose of this article is to provide standards and regulations for various types of fire alarm devices whether by direct line, radio, telephone or other means actuating a device at the Police Department of the Borough of Norwood or by indirect or transfer of notice of an alarm requiring response thereto by the Fire Department or other municipal agencies.
The provisions of this article shall apply to any person who operates, maintains or owns any alarm device or local alarm designed to summon, directly or indirectly, the Fire Department or other municipal agencies to any location in response to any type of alarm.
As use in this article, the following definitions shall have the meanings indicated:
FALSE ALARM
Any alarm or signal of any alarm actuated by inadvertence, carelessness, negligence or intentional or unintentional act of a person, and including as well alarms caused by mechanical failure, malfunctioning or improper installation of the alarm system and related equipment.
FIRE OFFICIAL
The Borough of Norwood Fire Official or his designated representative (as defined in N.J.A.C. 5:18, Uniform Fire Code).[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 002-1998, Chapter 18, Uniform Fire Code, was recodified as N.J.A.C. 5:70, effective July 1, 1998.
A. 
This article shall be enforced by the Borough Fire Official.
B. 
In the event of any occurrence of a false alarm, the alarm user shall, within three days after written notice to do so, file a complete written report to the Fire Official, setting forth the cause of the false alarm, the corrective action taken, a statement as to whether the alarm system has been inspected by an alarm service company and such other information as the Fire Official may require on the designated forms.
C. 
Any person testing the alarm system shall notify the Police/Fire Department immediately prior to and after the testing is completed. Failure to do so shall constitute a false alarm.
D. 
If, upon the arrival of the Fire Department at the location of an activated fire alarm, the premises are found locked with no one in attendance, forcible entry shall be used to gain entrance to inspect the interior to determine the cause of the alarm.
E. 
The Fire Official shall, from time to time, promulgate rules and regulations supplementing this article in order to provide for the efficient management of the same. Said rules shall be subject to the approval of the governing body.
A. 
First false alarm. A written notice of violation will be issued by the Fire Official. Said notice will require a written response in accordance with § 127-25 of this article.
B. 
Second false alarm. A written notice of violation will be issued by the Fire official. Said notice will require a written response in accordance with § 127-25 of this article and a mandatory inspection of the alarm system by the alarm service company.
C. 
Subsequent false alarms. A written notice of violation will be issued by the Fire Official. Said notice will require a written response in accordance with § 127-25 of this article and a mandatory inspection of the alarm system by the alarm service company, and the following penalties shall be assessed by the Fire Official in accordance with N.J.A.C. 5:18 Uniform Fire Code.[1]
(1) 
Third false alarm: $100.
(2) 
Fourth false alarm: $200.
(3) 
Fifth false alarm: $300.
(4) 
Each subsequent false alarm: $500.
[1]
Editor's Note: Pursuant to Reorganization Plan No. 002-1998, Chapter 18, Uniform Fire Code, was recodified as N.J.A.C. 5:70, effective July 1, 1998.
D. 
Failure to comply. Failure to submit the written response and/or conduct the mandatory inspection of the alarm shall result in a penalty of $100.
E. 
After a period of 12 consecutive months without a transmission of a false alarm, the procedure for the enforcement of violations will revert to § 127-26A of this article and proceed as described in § 127-26 et al.
It shall not be the responsibility of the Fire Department, Fire Official and/or Fire Prevention Bureau to reset any alarm.
For violation of any chapter or article and whenever no specific penalty is provided in this Code or any other ordinance of the Borough for punishment of an act that is prohibited or that is declared to be unlawful, or any offense or for the nonperformance of any act that is required to be done, the violation of any such provisions shall be punished by a fine not exceeding $1,000 or by punishment in the county or Borough jail for a term not exceeding 90 days, or both; provided, however, that in lieu of a sentence of imprisonment, the Court may, in its discretion, impose a sentence of community service for a term not exceeding 90 days.