For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM BUSINESS. The business of any person, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged in selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, monitoring, responding, or installing of any alarm system or in causing any alarm system to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed in or on any building, structure, facility or enclosed area.
ALARM CANCELLATION. The verification by a monitoring company with an alarm user that a false alarm has occurred which requires cancellation of police or fire response prior to their arrival at the location.
ALARM MONITORING COMPANY. A person or entity whose business includes receiving signals from security alarm systems for the purpose of relaying related information to third parties, including law enforcement, for the purpose of initiating a response thereto.
ALARM SIGNAL. The audible sound or a transmission of a signal or message as the result of the activation of an alarm system or an audible alarm.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any mechanical, electronic or electrical device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a private building, structure, facility or enclosed area, or for the signaling of the occurrence of a fire or medical emergency or other activity requiring the urgent attention of the Police or Fire Departments, and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when activated. ALARM SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, telephone alarm devices, audible alarms, proprietor alarms and “silent” alarms which are not audible, visible or perceptible outside a building, structure, facility or enclosed area that register at a remote location and personal medic alert alarms not within licensed care facilities. Excluded from the definition of ALARM SYSTEMS are auxiliary devices installed by telephone companies to protect telephone systems from damage or disruption of service and audible alarms installed in motorized conveyances.
ALARM USER. A person who owns, leases, possesses or controls any building, structure, facility, enclosed area or portion thereof and utilizes an alarm system on the premises.
AUDIBLE ALARM. A device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry, the presence of smoke or fire, or a medical emergency on the premises which generates an audible sound when it is activated.
CENTRAL STATION HOOKUP. An alarm system that, upon being activated, transmits a signal to another station such as an alarm business which then notifies the Police or Fire Department.
CONTRACTOR. A person who has a certificate of competency as required by Broward County to install an alarm system.
FALSE ALARM. Any alarm signal, audible or otherwise, responded to by the Police or Fire Department, which is not in response to actual or threatened danger to persons, a medical emergency or damage to property, and includes the activation of an alarm signal through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance, and negligence of the person owning, leasing or having control over an alarm system or his employees or agents.
NOTICE. Written notice, given either by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by personal service upon the addressee.
('72 Code, § 22-23) (Ord. O-79-18, passed 5-2-79; Am. Ord. O-85-21, passed 5-1-85; Am. Ord. O-85-26, passed 6-19-85; Am. Ord. O-94-03, passed 1-19-94; Am. Ord. O-2008-30, passed 12-3-08)