For purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply:
ALARM BUSINESS
A business which directly or indirectly sells, leases, provides,
maintains, monitors, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs
any alarm system.
ALARM SYSTEM
An assembly of equipment and devices [or a single device such as
a solid-state unit which plugs directly into an alternating current (AC) line
of 110 volts] arranged to signal the presence of a hazard to which public
safety agencies are expected to respond. In this chapter the term "alarm system"
shall include the terms "burglar alarm system," "fire alarm system," "holdup/panic
alarm system" and "smoke detection alarm system," as those terms are hereinafter
defined.
ALARM USER
Any person who uses or occupies a premises within the City of Hudson
in which an alarm system is used.
ANSWERING SERVICE
Any telephone answering service which receives emergency signals
from alarm systems and immediately relays a request by live voice to the County
Emergency Communications Center for a response.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE
Any device which automatically sends, over regular telephone lines,
by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message or coded signal
indicating an activated alarm or an emergency situation that the alarm system
is designed to detect.
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM
Any alarm system which signals an entry into a building or structure,
or portion thereof, protected by the system.
CENTRAL MONITORING STATION
Any office or facility to which remote alarm systems are connected,
which office or facility is staffed by operators who receive, record and/or
validate alarm signals and relay the occurrence of such signals, by live voice,
to the Emergency Communications Center.
DIRECT LINE
A telephone line loading directly from a central monitoring station
to the Emergency Communications Center used only to report emergency signals
on a person-to-person basis and also known as an "automatic ring-down line."
DIRECTOR
The Director of the Emergency Communications Center or the Director's
designated representative.
FALSE ALARM
The activation of an alarm system when an emergency situation does
not exist caused by:
A.
The accidental, negligent or intentional act of an alarm user or the
alarm user's employee, agent, licensee or invitee; or
B.
Improper manufacture, installation, monitoring, maintenance or repair.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM
Any system in which the alarm signal transmission is initiated automatically
or by the direct action of any individual to signal the presence of smoke,
heat or fire.
HOLDUP/PANIC ALARM SYSTEM
Any alarm system signaling the unauthorized entry of a person into
a premises which would reasonably be interpreted as a dangerous situation.
INTERCONNECT
To connect an alarm system to a voice-grade telephone line, either
directly or through a mechanical device, for the purpose of using the telephone
line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.
PERSON
Any individual, partnership, association, corporation or organization
of any kind.
PROPRIETARY SYSTEM
Any alarm system which directly terminates at a control center within
the protected premises, provided that the control center is manned by and
under the supervision of the proprietor or subordinates of the protected premises.
If the proprietary system includes a signal line connected directly or by
means of an automatic dialing device to a central monitoring station or answering
service, it thereby becomes an alarm system as defined in this chapter.
SMOKE DETECTION ALARM SYSTEM
Any system in which the alarm transmission is initiated automatically
or by the direct action of any individual to signal the presence of smoke.
No person shall interconnect, use or cause to be used any automatic
dialing device which automatically selects a public telephone number, including
911, of the county and relays a prerecorded message or coded signal indicating
the existence of an activated alarm system.
No alarm system shall be tested or demonstrated without first obtaining
approval from an alarm monitoring company and/or the telecommunicator on duty
at the Emergency Communications Center. No alarm system shall be tested to
determine the response time or adequacy of any public safety agency.
When the service provided by an alarm business to an alarm user is disrupted
for any reason by the alarm business or the alarm business becomes aware of
such disruption, it shall promptly notify the alarm user by telephone that
protection is disrupted. If, however, the alarm business has written instructions
from the alarm user not to make such notification by telephone during certain
hours, the alarm business may comply with such instructions.
The City of Hudson, its officers, employees or agents, disclaims any
liability or obligation to any alarm user or any other person for claims arising
from the installation of, maintenance of, operation of or defects in any alarm
system, any delays in or failure of transmission of any alarm system or for
responding to, delay in responding to or not responding to any alarm system
in the City of Hudson.