(A) Automatic deactivation; audible alarms. Audible residential alarms shall be equipped with an automatic shut-off mechanism capable of terminating the audible annunciator after activation within a maximum of 15 minutes. Audible commercial alarm systems shall be equipped with an automatic shut-off mechanism capable of terminating the audible annunciator with a maximum of 30 minutes. Those audible alarms installed prior to the effective date of this chapter will have 90 days to comply with annunciator shut-off requirements in accordance with this chapter.
(B) Maintenance notification. The alarm user shall notify the county’s Communications Center Supervisor prior to any service, test, repair, maintenance, alteration or installation of an alarm system which might produce a false alarm. Any alarm activated where the prior notice has been given shall not constitute a false alarm. Testing shall be held to the minimum required to ensure proper operation of systems.
(C) Power supply. Any alarm system which is subject to activation upon failure or interruption of normal electricity shall be equipped with an uninterruptible standby power supply. The power supply must be capable of at least four hours of operation.
(D) Repairs. When any false alarm caused by a malfunction of an alarm system has occurred, the alarm user shall cause the alarm system to be repaired to eliminate the malfunction. The alarm system annunciator or alarm panel termination shall be disconnected while repairs are made. Upon request by the Sheriff, the alarm user shall provide a written report describing the actions taken or to be taken to eliminate the cause of the false alarm(s). This report shall be submitted within ten days of the date of request by the Sheriff.
(E) Panel alarm connections to County Communications Center. Person(s) seeking alarm connections directly into the county’s Communications Center must first obtain the permission of the county’s Communications Department.
(F) Panic alarms. After the effective date of this chapter, no person shall install a panic alarm system for the purpose of contacting and summoning responses or emergency responses from Sheriff’s units. A panic alarm system is one which is manually activated and is designed to notify others of an emergency, but which does not identify what type of emergency information exists. The Sheriff’s Department shall have the right to refuse to respond to panic alarms. The purpose of this subchapter is to encourage the public to utilize the 9-1-1 Enhanced Emergency telephone system for reporting emergencies rather than using panic alarm systems.
(1966 Code, § 20-10) (Ord. 568, § 1(part))