ARTICLE 30
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS, REGISTRATION AND REGULATIONS
A. Definitions: For the purpose of this By-Law, 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 in the plural number include the singular number and words in the singular number include the plural number. The word "shall" is always mandatory and not merely directory.
1. The term "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 AC line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which Fire Department is expected to respond.
2. The term "False Alarm" means:
a. The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an alarm system or of his employees or agents,
b. An incident in which the Fire Department is dispatched to the alarmed premises due to any signal or oral communication transmitted to the Fire Department requesting or requiring a response on the part of the Fire Department when in fact there has been no real cause for the alarm. For the purposes of this definition, activation of alarm systems by acts of God, including, but not limited to, power outages, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, and similar weather or atmospheric disturbances shall not be deemed to be a false alarm.
B. Interconnection of Automatic Dialing Devices:
1. No automatic dialing device shall be interconnected to any telephone numbers at the Fire Department after the effective date of this ordinance.
2. Within six (6) months after the effective date of this ordinance, all automatic dialing devices interconnected to any telephone numbers at the Fire Department shall be disconnected therefrom. The user of each such device shall be responsible for having the device disconnected upon notification by the Fire Chief and/or his designee.
C. Control and Curtailment of Signals Emitted by Alarm Systems:
1. Every alarm user shall submit to the Fire Chief and/or his designee the names and telephone numbers of at least two other persons who are authorized to respond to an emergency signal transmitted by an alarm system and who can open the premises wherein the alarm system is installed.
2. All alarm systems installed after the effective date of this ordinance which use an audible horn or bell shall be equipped with a device that will shut off such horn or bell within fifteen (15) minutes after activation of the alarm system.
3. Any alarm system emitting a continuous and uninterrupted signal for more than fifteen (15) minutes between 7:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. which cannot be shut off or otherwise curtailed due to the absence or unavailability of the alarm user or those persons designated by him under subparagraph 1 of this paragraph, and which disturbs the peace, comfort, or repose of a community, neighborhood or of a considerable number of inhabitants of the area where the alarm system is located, shall constitute a public nuisance. Upon receiving complaints regarding such a continuous and uninterrupted signal, the Fire Chief and/or his designee shall endeavor to contact the alarm user, or member of the alarm user's family, or those persons designated by the alarm
user under paragraph C.1. of this Section in an effort to abate the nuisance. The Fire Chief and/or his designee shall cause to be recorded the names and addresses of all complainants and the time each complaint was made.
D. Penalties
1. Upon receipt of more than three (3) false alarms within a calendar year, the Fire Chief and/or his designee may: order the user to discontinue the use of the alarm.
2. Before any repairs, testing, cleaning by any maintenance personnel is to be done on any fire alarm system, they shall notify the Fire Department; whoever violates any provision of this section shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $100.00 for each violation.
3. Any user who fails to comply with Paragraph B.2. regarding disconnection of automatic dialing
devices will be subject to a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00).
4. All users shall be assessed fifty dollars ($50.00) as a false alarm service fee for each false alarm more than three occurring within a calendar year. All fees assessed hereunder shall be paid to the Town of Sharon, Treasurer-Collector, for deposit in the general fund.
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