For the purpose of this chapter, the following terms, phrases, words and their derivations shall have the meanings given herein. When not inconsistent with the context, words used in the present tense include the future; words used in the plural number include the singular number. "Shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
(a) "Alarm system" means an assembly of equipment and devices or a single device such as a solid state unit which plugs directly into a 110 volt A.C. line arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which the Fire Department is expected to respond.
(b) "Alarm user" or "user" means any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the City. Included in this definition and under coverage of this section are central station alarm systems.
(c) "Automatic dialing device" means 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.
(d) "Central station" means any private alarm office to which alarm and supervisory signaling devices are maintained continuously to investigate signals.
(e) "City" means the City of Warren, Ohio.
(f) "Fire Alarm Office" means the City fire alarm headquarters that monitors all fire alarms with instrumentation on an alarm console at the receiving terminal of a signal line through both visual and audible signals.
(g) "Direct connect" means an alarm system which is tied into the Fire Alarm Office.
(h) "False alarm" means:
(1) The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an alarm system or his employees, agents or tenants; or
(2) Any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Fire Alarm Office requesting, requiring or resulting in a response on the part of the Fire Department when, in fact, there has been no fire or adequate reason to summon the Fire Department. The determination of whether there has been adequate reason to summon the Fire Department shall be made by the Senior Fire Officer responding to the alarm. The determination shall be documented in the Fire Officer's written report. A malfunction of the system, as determined by such Senior Fire Officer, shall be considered a false alarm.
Excluded from this definition are activations of alarm systems caused by outside sources, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and similar conditions.
(i) "Fire Chief" means the Chief of the City Fire Department or his designated representative.
(j) "Interconnect" means to connect an alarm system to a voicegrade 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.
(Ord. 9778/87. Passed 4-8-87.)