Whenever the following words and terms are used in this chapter, they shall have the meanings herein ascribed to them:
ADOPTED CODE(S): The international fire prevention code and the National Fire Protection Association life safety code 101.
ALARM INITIATING DEVICE: A device that is designed to respond either manually or automatically to smoke, fire, or activation of a fire suppression system.
CHARLESTON FIRE DEPARTMENT: The fire chief or his designated representative.
FALSE FIRE ALARM: The activation of any fire alarm system which results in a response by the fire department and which is caused by the negligence or intentional misuse of the fire alarm system by the owner, its employees, agents or any other activation of a fire alarm system not caused by heat, smoke, fire, or acts of God, exclusive of a nuisance fire alarm.
FEE: The assessment of a monetary charge payable to the city of Charleston, authorized pursuant to this chapter, to defray the expenses of responding to a false fire alarm or nuisance fire alarm.
FIRE ALARM ACTIVATION REPORT: A document issued by the Charleston fire department indicating that the activation was deemed to be the result of fire alarm activation due to fire, a nuisance fire alarm, or a false fire alarm.
FIRE ALARM BUSINESS: Any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity that is appropriately licensed in the state/jurisdiction and installs, causes to be installed, permits to be installed, alters, maintains, repairs, replaces or services (including runner services) any fire alarm system.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: A system or portion of a combination system consisting of components and circuits arranged to monitor and/or exterior annunciate the status of a fire alarm or supervisory signal initiating devices and to initiate the appropriate response to those signals.
FIRE WATCH: A Charleston fire department approved person or persons assigned to the premises for the purpose of protecting the occupants from fire or similar emergencies. A fire watch may involve at least some special action beyond normal staffing, such as assigning an additional security guard(s) to walk the premises, specially trained in fire prevention and in the use of fire extinguishers, in notifying the fire department, in sounding the fire alarm system located on the premises, and in understanding the particular fire safety situation.
MONITORED SYSTEM: The process by which a fire alarm business receives signals from a fire alarm system and notifies emergency forces.
NUISANCE FIRE ALARM: The activation of any fire alarm system, which results in a response by the fire department, caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, lack of proper maintenance or any other response for which the fire department personnel are unable to determine the apparent cause of the alarm activation.
OWNER: Any person who owns the premises in which a fire alarm system is installed or the person or persons who lease, operate, occupy or manage the premises.
PREMISES: Any building, structure or combination of buildings and structures which serve as dwelling units such as single-family, multi-family or any other area within a building, structure or combination thereof used for any purpose, wherein a fire alarm system is installed.
QUALIFIED FIRE ALARM TECHNICIAN: Any person who inspects, installs, repairs or performs maintenance on fire alarm systems. This person shall be: a) factory trained and certified; b) National Institute Of Certification In Engineering Technologies (NICET) fire alarm level II certified; or c) licensed or certified by state or local authority.
REPORT OF SERVICE/REPAIR: Appropriate documentation in a format acceptable to the Charleston fire department that verifies proper repairs or maintenance has been performed by both the fire alarm business and the owner. (Ord. 16-O-41, 12-6-2016)