A. Newly Installed Systems: The provisions of this section shall not apply to any newly installed fire alarm system for a period of forty five (45) days from the date of installation, but shall apply from and after the expiration of the initial forty five (45) day period following installation.
B. False Fire Alarm:
1. No fee shall be assessed for the first three (3) false fire alarms at the same premises responded to by the fire department during each calendar year. Thereafter, the owner shall pay the following fees for false fire alarms responded to by the fire department at the same premises during each calendar year, except when the fire alarm business is responsible for the false fire alarm per subsection B2 of this section.
2. The fire alarm business shall be assessed a fee if the Charleston fire department determines that a false fire alarm was directly caused by an on site employee or representative of the fire alarm business. In this event, no false fire alarm shall be counted against the owner.
3. False fire alarms activated by any components connected to the fire alarm system shall be included in computing the total number of false fire alarms for purposes of this subsection.
4. The activation of a fire alarm system will not be considered a false fire alarm if the alarm is activated due to malicious causes beyond the control of the owner.
5. The following fees shall be assessed for false fire alarms per calendar year:
1 - 3 false fire alarms | No fee shall be charged |
4 - 6 false fire alarms | $250.00 per occurrence |
7+ false fire alarms | $500.00 per occurrence |
C. Late Fee: Should any fee assessed pursuant to this chapter remain unpaid in excess of ninety (90) days from the date fee is billed, a late fee shall be assessed and shall be payable by the owner of the premises in addition to the original fee. (Ord. 16-O-41, 12-6-2016)