For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALARM. The activation of an alarm system signal that produces either an audible sound which can be heard from the interior or exterior of the building causing the alarm system, or the emission of a signal to a direct monitoring service, which in turn notifies the Communications Center that the ALARM has been activated.
ALARM BUSINESS. The business by any individual, partnership, corporations or other legal entity of servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing any alarm system, or causing to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved or installed any alarm system in or on any building, structure or facility, and shall not include any other activity of the business.
ALARM INSTALLATION. Any alarm device or combination of devices installed for 1 or more buildings.
ALARM RESPONSE. The dispatch or response of fire or law enforcement personnel as the result of an alarm.
ALARM SYSTEM. Any electronic or mechanical device which emits any signal (electronic, visible, audible, silent, recorded or otherwise) which is designed, intended or used to detect fire or an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or premises, to signal a fire or attempted robbery or hold-up, or to alert others of a fire or the commission of an unlawful act in or around a building, structure or premises.
ALARM USER. Any person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship, governmental or educational entity owning or leasing an alarm system, or on whose premises an alarm system is maintained for the protection of the premises and/or persons.
AUTOMATIC DIALING DEVICE. Any type of device, which automatically sends signals over regular telephone lines as opposed to dedicated alarm lines (see definition in this section).
COMMUNICATIONS CENTER. The county central dispatch known as the Henderson-Vance County E-911 Communications Center.
COUNTY. Vance County, North Carolina, a political subdivision of the State of North Carolina.
DEDICATED ALARM LINE. A special leased telephone line circuit maintained for the sole purpose of transmitting alarm signals.
DIGITAL ALARM. An alarm system which automatically sends signals over regular telephone lines connecting to a digital receiving console, as opposed to a telephone handset.
DIRECT CONNECTING ALARM. An alarm utilizing dedicated alarm lines to connect to a remote receiving console.
FALSE ALARM.
(1) An electrical signal communicated to the Communications Center indicating that an unlawful entry or other crime is being committed or attempted or indicating the detection of a fire, whether to signal a fire or to alert others of a fire in or around a building, structure or premises when it is subsequently determined, after response to the alarm, that no unlawful entry, crime or fire was either committed or in existence, and that the alarm was activated in error due to the subscriber’s negligence or equipment malfunction.
(2) The alarm shall be considered a FALSE ALARM if it could have been prevented by the ordinary care of a competent subscriber or alarm business operator. An alarm transmitted during testing procedures approved in advance by the Communications Center shall not be deemed a FALSE ALARM.
LOCAL ALARM. An alarm or device that produces a signal not connecting in any way to any alarm monitoring centers, such as store or home burglar alarms actuating bell devices.
OFFICER. Either a sworn law enforcement officer or a member of any county or city fire department.
TAPE DIALER ALARM. An alarm system which automatically sends a signal over regular telephone lines and plays a prerecorded message.
(Ord. 34, passed 12-2-2002)