For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates, or requires, a different meaning.
ALARM BUSINESS. Any business in which the owners or employees engage in the activity of altering, installing, leasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, selling, or servicing alarm systems.
ALARM SYSTEM. An assembly of equipment and devices or single device such as a solid state unit which plugs directly into 110-volt AC line or otherwise receives electrical energy arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which the Police or Fire Departments is expected to respond. In this chapter, the term ALARM SYSTEM shall include the terms AUTOMATIC HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEMS, BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEMS, HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEMS, and MANUAL HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEMS as those terms are hereinafter defined, and fire alarm systems which monitor temperature, humidity, or any other condition directly related to the detection of fire. Excluded from this definition and from the coverage of this chapter are ALARM SYSTEMS used to alert or signal persons within the premises in which the ALARM SYSTEM is located of an attempted, unauthorized intrusion or holdup attempt, or fire.
ANNUNCIATOR. The instrumentation of an alarm console at the receiving terminal of a signal line through which both visual and audible signals show when an alarm device at a particular location has been activated or which, in the event of malfunction, may also indicate line trouble.
ANSWERING SERVICE. A telephone answering service providing among its services the service of receiving on a continuous basis through trained employees emergency signals from alarm systems, and thereafter immediately relaying the message by live voice to the dispatch center of the Police or Fire Department.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE. An alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines by direct connection or otherwise a prerecorded voice message or coded signal indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.
AUTOMATIC HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM. An alarm system in which the signal transmission is initiated by the action of the robber.
BURGLAR ALARM SYSTEM. An alarm system which signals an entry or attempted entry into the area protected by the system.
CENTRAL STATION. An office to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling devices are connected, where operators supervise the circuits.
DIRECT CONNECT. An alarm system which has the capability of transmitting system signals to the Police or Fire Departments.
FALSE ALARM. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or the negligence of the owner or lessee of an alarm system, or of his or her employees or agents, or other undetermined cause. FALSE ALARM does not include alarms caused by tornadoes or other violent climatic conditions.
INTERCONNECT. To connect an alarm system to a voice grade telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.
MANUAL HOLDUP ALARM SYSTEM. An alarm system in which the signal transmission is initiated by the direct action of the person attached or by an observer thereof.
PRIMARY TRUNK LINE. A telephone line leading directly into the dispatch center of the Police or Fire Departments that is for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person-to-person basis, and which is identified as such by a specific number included among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory or numbers in sequence therewith.
SUBSCRIBER. A person who buys or leases or otherwise obtains an alarm system and thereafter contracts with or hires an alarm business to monitor and/or service the alarm system.
(Prior Code, § 5-4-3)