§ 118.01 DEFINITIONS.

   For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

   ALARM SYSTEM. Any mechanical, electrical, or electronic device that is arranged, designed, or used to signal the occurrence in the city of a fire, life hazard, or medical emergency or a burglary, robbery, or other criminal offense. ALARM SYSTEMS include, but are not limited to, those by which public safety personnel of the city are notified directly of such signals by automatic recording devices, or are notified indirectly by way of third persons who monitor the alarm systems and who report such signals to public safety personnel. ALARM SYSTEMS also include those designed to register a signal which is so audible, visible, or in other ways perceptible outside a protected building, structure, or facility as to notify persons in the neighborhood beyond the lot where the signal is located, who in turn notify public safety personnel of the city of the signal. ALARM SYSTEMS do not include those affixed to automobiles, or auxiliary devices installed by telephone companies to protect telephone equipment, or systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of any alarm system.

   FALSE ALARM.

      (1)   Any signal created by an alarm system, including but not limited to alarm signals initiated by human error, which directly or indirectly notifies public safety personnel of the city of the occurrence of a fire, life hazard, or medical emergency, or a burglary, robbery, or other criminal offense, when either of the following circumstances is present:

         (a)   No such emergency, hazard, or offense has occurred or, as the case may be, is occurring; or

         (b)   Fire, law enforcement, or emergency medical personnel are not needed to respond to such emergency, hazard, or offense.

      (2)   False alarm shall not include, for purposes of this chapter, a signal activated by fire, lightning, tornado winds, flooding or earthquake, or by telephone or power line malfunction verified in writing by the telephone company or power supplier seven days after the alarm.

   FIRE ALARM. Any communication, or attempted communication, whether in person or by a mechanical, electrical, or electronic device, that is intended or is designed to elicit a prompt response by the Fire Department of the city.

   OWNER or LESSEE. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity who or which purchases, leases, contracts for, or obtains an alarm system.

   POLICE ALARM. Any communication, or attempted communication, whether in person or by a mechanical, electrical, or electronic device, that is intended or is designed to elicit a prompt response by the Police Department of the city.

   PUBLIC SAFETY PERSONNEL. The officers and other members of the Fire Department, Volunteer Fire and Rescue Squad, and Police Department, respectively.

   VENDOR. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, or entity associated with an alarm business or company either indirectly or directly, whose duties include, but are not necessarily limited to, any of the following: selling, replacing, moving, repairing, maintaining, or installing an alarm system on or in any structure, building, or facility.

(Prior Code, § 6-801) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)

§ 118.02 SYSTEMS MUST COMPLY WITH LAW.

   No alarm system shall be installed, maintained or used in violation of any of the requirements of this chapter, or any applicable statute, law, or administrative regulation of the United States of America or the state, provided that every alarm system existing on the effective date of this chapter shall be made to comply with the requirements of this chapter, including a permit, within 90 days after the date.

(Prior Code, § 6-802) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)

§ 118.03 UNIVERSAL REQUIREMENTS.

   All burglar alarm systems shall incorporate a device:

   (A)   That allows an adequate delay before the time at which activation of the system will directly or indirectly signal public safety personnel, or signal other parties who in turn might be expected to notify public safety personnel. The delay time shall be such as will permit the owner or lessee to stop a false alarm from being transmitted; or

   (B)   That limits any exterior signal to a period of time not to exceed 15 minutes in duration, and that causes the alarm system automatically to cease emitting a signal at the expiration of the maximum time permitted.

(Prior Code, § 6-803) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)

§ 118.04 ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT.

   The provisions of this chapter concerning fire alarms and fire alarm systems shall be administered by the Fire Chief, and the provisions concerning police alarms and police alarm systems shall be administered by the Police Chief.

(Prior Code, § 6-813) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)

AUTOMATIC DIALING AND CALLING DEVICES

§ 118.15 DIRECT INTERCONNECTION PERMITTED.

   (A)   Persons owning or leasing an automatic dialing or calling device situated on premises within the city, upon obtaining a permit therefore as provided in this chapter, may, if authorized as provided in this chapter, have the device interconnected to a telephone line transmitting directly to:

      (1)   A privately-owned central alarm panel or station;

      (2)   An answering service; or

      (3)   The Fire Department or Police Department of the city as designated by the department.

   (B)   An automatic dialing device also may be interconnected to one or more telephone numbers available to the owner or lessee.

   (C)   No automatic dialing or calling device shall be interconnected to any emergency telephone trunkline terminating in the Fire or Police communication center except as authorized in this chapter, and no device shall be connected to any telephone line or other office or department of the city except telephone line or lines as may be designated by the city for the specific purpose of receiving signals from alarm systems. The owners or lessees of all automatic dialing devices interconnected to such a trunkline on the effective date of this chapter shall cause the devices to be disconnected therefrom within 90 days after this date.

(Prior Code, § 6-804) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)

§ 118.16 RECORDED MESSAGE REQUIREMENTS.

   Alarm systems that automatically dial or call a telephone line that has been designated by the city as provided in this chapter shall comply with the following requirements:

   (A)   The total length of the recorded message being transmitted to the Fire or Police Department, including repetition of message, shall not exceed 30 seconds duration;

   (B)   The recorded message transmitted shall be repeated not less than two nor more than three times;

   (C)   The recorded message being transmitted shall incorporate language specifically identifying the message, identifying by street number and name the location of the emergency and the nature of the event which caused the alarm system to activate. If the location of the event signaled by the alarm system is in a multi-family building or a multi-unit office or commercial building, the message shall also identify by number and floor the particular dwelling unit, office unit or commercial unit in which the event occurred or is occurring; and

   (D)   The recorded message being transmitted shall be appropriate for the purpose for which the alarm system was installed, and the message in its entirety shall be intelligible and spoken in the English language.

(Prior Code, § 6-804.01) (Ord. 93-2173, passed 8-30-1993)

PERMITS