This chapter shall be known as and may be cited
as the "Hamilton Township Automatic Alarm System Ordinance."
The intent of this chapter is to:
A. Protect the emergency service of the Township from
misuse and provide for the maximum possible efficiency of service
to alarm system users.
B. Encourage the proper maintenance, care and management
of alarm systems within Hamilton Township.
C. Provide a record of alarm systems located within Hamilton
Township.
D. Promote the general peace, health, welfare and safety
of Hamilton Township.
The following terms, phrases and words shall
have the meaning given in this chapter, unless it is apparent from
the context that a different meaning is intended:
ALARM SYSTEM
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic device that is designed
or used for the detection of burglars, robbery, fire, smoke or need
for medical assistance within a building, structure or facility or
for alerting others to the commission of an unlawful act or hazard
within a building, structure or facility, or both, and which emits
a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated. Alarm systems
shall include, but are not limited to, direct dial telephone or other
electronic devices or audible alarms. Devices that are not designed
or used to register alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible
outside of the protected building, structure or facility are not included
within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by the
telephone company to protect telephone systems that might be damaged
or disrupted by the use of an alarm system. An alarm system includes
all of the necessary equipment designed and installed for the detection
of burglary, robbery, fire, need for medical assistance or other hazard
in a single building, structure or facility or for alerting others
to the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure
or facility, or both.
FIRE CHIEF
The Chief of Abbottstown Fire Company, East Berlin Fire Company,
New Oxford Fire Company and Hampton Fire Company.
[Amended 9-13-2004 by Ord. No. 108]
PERSON
Any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation.
TOWNSHIP
The Township of Hamilton, Adams County, Pennsylvania.
USER
The person in physical control of a premises including, but
not limited to, a tenant, owner, contract purchaser or trustee.
In order to offset the cost of inspection and administration, a fee as set from time to time by resolution of the Board of Supervisors shall be charged, payable to the Township of Hamilton, for each alarm system registered pursuant to §
38-4A of this chapter. No fee shall be required for registration filed pursuant to §
38-4B of this chapter.
The obligation for maintenance, repair and upkeep
of an alarm system shall be the full responsibility of the person
who shall, from time to time, have control of the building, structure
or facility where the alarm system is located.
Except as provided in §
38-4D of this chapter, all information submitted in compliance with the chapter shall be kept in confidence and shall be deemed a confidential record except from discovery to the extent permitted by law.
It shall be unlawful for any person, whether
or not an alarm system owner or user, to cause a false fire alarm
resulting in the dispatch of any fire company as a result of a test
or work on an automatic fire system without prior notification of
the Fire Chief that such a test or work will be conducted or undertaken.
Any alarm system, except sprinkler system water
flow bells, that is audible off the premises shall be equipped with
an automatic cutoff to silence the audible alarm after 15 minutes.
This chapter shall not create liability on the
part of Hamilton Township or any official or employee thereof for
any damages that result from reliance on this chapter or any registration
required hereunder or on any administrative decision lawfully made
hereunder, nor shall this chapter create any liability or responsibility
to maintain or inspect any alarm system or to respond to any alarms
communicated to the appropriate agency.