[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Meeting of the Town of Old Saybrook 3-13-2002.
Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to provide minimum standards for the
use, installation and maintenance of emergency alarm systems installed and
utilized in buildings or structures within the Town of Old Saybrook.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any device which, when activated, summons emergency personnel and/or
agencies.
Dispatch agencies for the Old Saybrook Fire Department, Old Saybrook
Ambulance Association, or the Old Saybrook Police Department.
Activation of an alarm device through mechanical failure, malfunction,
improper installation/testing, or negligence on the part of the property owner/agent;
excludes weather-related problems, municipal power failures, and telephone
utility failures.
A.
All alarm systems shall be registered with the Old Saybrook
Office of the Fire Marshal, in accordance with established procedures.
B.
Automatic dialers are not prohibited.
C.
All educational related facilities and convalescent facilities
are considered critical response centers, and all such alarms are to be monitored
by the Old Saybrook Emergency Dispatch Center or a recognized regional emergency
dispatch center.
D.
Exterior alarm signals of the audible type, are to be
restricted to thirty-minute duration, without reset, unless otherwise restricted
by code or law.
A.
The owner/agent is responsible to properly maintain an
alarm system and maintain proper recordkeeping.
B.
Alarms to be tested periodically. In accordance with
their specific code, prior to testing, the emergency dispatch center must
be notified. All testing shall be limited to normal business hours.
A.
Administration and enforcement of this chapter shall
be the responsibility of the Old Saybrook Office of the Fire Marshal and the
Old Saybrook Police Department.
B.
Alarm systems, which have malfunctioned must be taken
off line until proper maintenance is performed, so long as public safety is
not an issue, in which case the occupancy in question is required to have
an operating fire alarm system at all times per the Connecticut State Fire
Safety Code. The Old Saybrook Police and Fire Dispatch and the Fire Marshal
must be notified as soon as possible or within four hours whichever comes
first if an alarm system is taken off line.
A.
A third false alarm within a twelve-month period would
be considered a violation of this chapter. The twelve-month period is to be
established on the calendar year.
B.
Any person who violates any of the provisions of this
chapter shall be subject to a notice in writing via certified mail. A mandatory
meeting with the Chief of Police or his designate and the Fire Marshal or
his designate will be required to discuss the false alarm issues and viable
solutions to such problem. If it is discovered that maintenance or servicing
the alarm will rectify the false alarm issue, the responsible parties (building,
business or property owner) must take proper action to do so within five days
or as deemed necessary by the Fire Marshal or the authority having jurisdiction.