(A) The alarm installation company shall provide written and oral instructions to each of its alarm users in the proper use and operation of their alarm systems. Such instructions will specifically include all instructions necessary to turn the alarm system on and off and to avoid false alarms.
(B) Upon the effective date of the ordinance adopting this chapter, alarm installation companies shall not program alarm systems so that they are capable of sending One Plus Duress Alarms. The alarm installation company shall remove the One Plus Duress Alarm feature from alarm systems whenever an alarm technician is at the alarm site or otherwise accessing the panel for reprogramming purposes.
(C) Upon the effective date of the ordinance adopting this chapter, alarm installation companies shall not install a device to activate a holdup alarm, which is a single action, non-recessed button.
(D) Upon the effective date of the ordinance adopting this chapter, the alarm installation companies shall use only ANSI/SIA CP-01 listed alarm control panels on all new installations and panel replacements or upgrades.
(E) An alarm installation or monitoring company shall not use automatic voice dialers.
(F) After completion of the installation of an alarm system, an alarm installation company employee shall provide and review with the alarm user a checklist for the prevention of false alarms in the form approved by the City's Alarm Administrator.
(G) The alarm installation or monitoring company shall not make an alarm dispatch request of a law enforcement agency in response to a burglar alarm signal, excluding panic, duress and holdup signals, during the first seven days following an alarm system installation. The Alarm Administrator may grant an alarm user’s request for an exemption from this waiting period based upon a determination that special circumstances substantiate the need for the exemption.
(H) A monitoring company shall:
(1) Report alarm signals by using telephone numbers designated by the Alarm Administrator.
(2) Verify every alarm signal, except a duress, panic or holdup alarm activation, before initiating an alarm dispatch request.
(3) Communicate alarm dispatch requests to the city in a manner and form determined by the Alarm Administrator.
(4) Communicate alarm cancellations to the city in a manner and form determined by the Alarm Administrator.
(5) Ensure that all alarm users of alarm systems equipped with a duress, holdup or panic alarm are given adequate training as to the proper use of the duress, holdup or panic alarm.
(6) Communicate any available information (north, south, front, back, floor, etc.) about the location on all alarm signals related to the alarm dispatch request.
(7) Communicate nature of alarm (i.e., burglary, robbery, panic, duress, silent, audible, interior or perimeter).
(8) After an alarm dispatch request, promptly advise the Police Department if the alarm installation or monitoring company knows that the alarm user or other responder is on the way to the alarm site.
(9) Attempt to contact the alarm user or other responder within 24 hours via mail, fax, telephone or other electronic means when an alarm dispatch request is made.
(10) Within 90 days of the effective date of the ordinance adopting this chapter, the alarm installation or monitoring company (whichever is applicable) must maintain for a period of at least one year from the date of the alarm dispatch request, records relating to alarm dispatch requests. Records must include the name, address and telephone number of the alarm user, the alarm system zone(s) activated, the time of alarm dispatch request and evidence of an attempt to verify that the alarm was legitimate. The Alarm Administrator may request copies of such records for individually named alarm users. If the request is made within 60 days of an alarm dispatch request, the monitoring company shall furnish requested records within three business days of receiving the request. If the records are requested between 60 days to one year after an alarm dispatch request, the monitoring company shall furnish the requested records within 30 days of receiving the request.
(I) An alarm installation company and/or monitoring company that purchases alarm system accounts from another person or company shall notify the Alarm Administrator of such purchase and provide details as may be reasonably requested by the Alarm Administrator.
(J) Each alarm installing company and alarm monitoring company must designate one individual as the Alarm Response Manager (ARM) for the company who will manage alarm related issues and act as the point of contact for the Alarm Administrator. The appointed individual must be knowledgeable of the general provisions of this chapter, as well as have the knowledge and authority to deal with false alarm issues and respond to requests from the Alarm Administrator. The name, phone number, and email address of the designated ARM must be provided to the Alarm Administrator.
(K) An alarm installation company and/or monitoring company shall provide the Alarm Administrator with a customer list in a format acceptable to the Alarm Administrator, upon request, to assist the Alarm Administrator with creating law enforcement tracking data. The city shall endeavor to maintain this customer information as confidential subject to the limitations set forth in the California Public Records Act.
(L) A monitoring company may not process alarm dispatch requests to an alarm site after notification by the Alarm Administrator that the alarm permit for the alarm site has been suspended or revoked.
(M) If an inspection is required at an alarm site, no employee or contractor of the alarm installation company shall knowingly make a false statement concerning the inspection of an alarm site or the performance of an alarm system.
(Ord. 1608, passed 4-4-12)