Alarm Ordinance

CHAPTER 30.  ALARMS GENERALLY.

Sec. 30-10. Statement of purpose.

(a) It is declared to be the intent of the town to promote an environment free from criminal behavior that jeopardizes the health and welfare of the citizens of the town and degrades the quality of life in this community.  The purpose of this chapter is to establish standards for the control of alarm systems in the town and by providing guidelines for their operation and use.

(b) In accordance with the statement of intent in subsection (a) of this section, it shall be unlawful for any person to violate any of the provisions or regulations as set forth in this chapter.

SECTION 34. SECURITY ALARMS.

Sec. 34-51. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm installation means the design, installation, repair, alteration and maintenance of systems causing an alarm to be sounded if a burglary or robbery occurs.

Alarm user means any person on whose premises an alarm system is maintained within the town, except for alarm systems on motor vehicles or proprietary alarm systems.

Answering service means a telephone answering service which provides the service of receiving emergency signals from alarm systems, and thereafter immediately relaying the message by live voice to the police department.

Central alarm station means any facility which is privately owned, that owns or leases alarm systems, whose facility is staffed by employees who receive, record or validate alarm signals and relay the information of such signals to the police department by any means.

Dial alarm means an alarm system which automatically selects a telephone line connected to the police department and reproduces a prerecorded voice message or coded signal indicating the existence of an emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

Emergency alarm system means an assembly of equipment and devices, or a single device, arranged to signal a hazard or intrusion requiring urgent attention and to which police are expected to respond. The term "emergency alarm system" includes the terms, "dial alarm," "direct alarm" and "local alarm," as those terms are defined in this section.

False alarm means any activation of an alarm system to which the police respond which is not the result of a robbery, burglary, attempted robbery or attempted burglary.  A false alarm shall not mean activation as the result of extraordinary acts of nature (severe weather activity causing a breach of the premises), or extraordinary utility failures (electrical surges originating from a public utility or natural act).

Local alarm means any alarm system not connected to a central station or answering service, which when activated causes an audible and/or visual signaling device at the premises within which the alarm system is installed.  

Manual alarm means any alarm in which the activation of the alarm is initiated by the direct action of the alarm user or his agents or employees and is installed to elicit a police response to a burglary, attempted burglary, robbery or attempted robbery.

Proprietary system means all alarm systems sounding and/or recording alarm and supervisory signals at a control center located within the protected premises, the control center being under the 24-hour supervision of the proprietor of the protected premises or the employees or agents. If a proprietary alarm system includes a signal line connected directly or by means of a dialing device to the police communications center, a central station or answering service, it thereby becomes an emergency alarm system as defined in this section.

Sec. 34-52. Standards.

All alarms installed in the town pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the standards set forth in state law, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publications, the National Electrical Code and the codes published by the International Building Code (IBC).

Sec. 34-53. Permit required.

The police chief is authorized to issue a permit to any owner of property located within the town or the lessee thereof to maintain, install and modify a burglary, holdup or intrusion alarm system upon application, subject to the following:

  1. The alarm user applying for the permit shall state on the application the name, address, and telephone number and, for a corporation or legal entity, the name, address, and the telephone number of the person responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and operation of the alarm system; and any other information that the police chief may deem necessary.
  2. Dialer-type alarms that are operated by a prerecorded message machine are not authorized to be used at the police department. Alarms which monitor temperature, humidity and any other condition not directly related to the detection or notification of emergency personnel are specifically excluded from this chapter.

Sec. 34-54. Permit fees.

There shall be no fee for the alarm system installation permit issued by the police department.

Sec. 34-55. Operating without permit.

It shall be unlawful for any person or alarm user to maintain or operate an alarm system, as defined by this chapter, without first obtaining a permit as required in this chapter. Any person or alarm user who does maintain or operate an alarm system without a permit shall be accessed a penalty as defined in sections 34-57 and 34-61.

Sec. 34-56. Denial, suspension, revocation of permit.

(a)   Failure to comply with any of the sections of this chapter may constitute grounds for the police chief to deny the issuance of a permit.

(b)   Upon receipt of a notice of intent to revoke or suspend an alarm user's permit, pursuant to this chapter, the alarm user may, within five days of such receipt, submit a written request for a hearing before the police chief, setting forth the reasons why the user's permit should not be revoked or suspended.

(c)   At the hearing before the police chief, the holder of the permit shall have the right to present evidence, to cross examine witnesses, and to be represented by counsel. Such a hearing shall be informal and shall not be subject to the rules of evidence or formal courtroom procedure. After the hearing, the police chief may either issue an order or a revocation, withdraw the notice of revocation, or suspend the permit until such time that the police chief is satisfied that the permit has been obtained or the cause of the false alarms has been eliminated.

(d)   An alarm user whose permit has been revoked is not precluded under this chapter from applying for a new permit. The police chief, however, shall not be required to issue a new permit unless the police chief is satisfied that the user's system has been properly serviced and its deficiencies corrected. The police chief may also impose reasonable restrictions and conditions upon the user before issuing a new permit. These restrictions and/or conditions shall appear on the permit and shall provide for automatic revocation on the occurrence of four false alarms within twelve (12) months of the permits original revocation date.

Sec. 34-57. False alarm prevention, payment of costs.

(a)   For use in this section, a first permit year shall be eleven (11) calendar months plus the remainder of the month in which the alarm permit was issued, and twelve (12) calendar months thereafter.

(b)   Any owner or lessee of property having an alarm system on the premises and any user of alarm services or equipment designed and installed with the intent of eliciting an emergency response shall pay to the town a service charge as set forth in section 34-61, Penalties.

(c)   Any central station, answering service or proprietary system that in any manner notifies the police department of an alarm signal from an alarm system of an alarm user who does not possess an alarm user's permit or whose permit has been suspended, revoked or denied shall be charged a fee as set forth in section 34-61, Penalties, for each notification made to the town.

Sec. 34-59. Appeals to fines.

(a)   Any alarm user, owner or lessee who possesses an alarm user's permit may appeal false alarm service charges in writing to the police chief within ten (10) days after receipt of the notice of penalty.

(b)   The police chief may waive assessment of the service charge when, in the police chief's judgment, reasonable attempts are being taken to discover and eliminate the cause of the false alarms.

Sec. 34-60. Liability of town limited / Police Department.

The police department shall take every reasonable precaution to ensure that the alarm signals received by the police department are given appropriate attention and are acted upon with dispatch. Nevertheless, the police department shall not be liable for any defects in the operation of alarm devices, for any failure or neglect to respond appropriately upon receipt of an alarm from such source, nor for the failure or neglect of any person in connection with the installation and operation of alarm systems or their components, the transmission of alarm signals or the relaying of such signals and messages. If the police department finds it necessary to disconnect an alarm device after exhausting all other sections of this chapter, the town shall incur no liability by such action.

Sec. 34-61. Penalties.

Penalties for violations of chapter 34 shall be as follows:

  1. Operating an alarm without a valid permit . . . $100.00
  2. Operating an alarm when a permit has been suspended or revoked . . . $100.00
  3. False alarm penalties:
    1. Fourth alarm in a year . . . $50.00
    2. Fifth alarm in a year . . . $75.00
    3. Sixth and successive alarms in a year . . . $100.00
  4. Central Station, answering service or proprietary system notification of an alarm not possessing a valid permit . . . $100.00

SECTION 35. FIRE ALARMS.

Sec. 35-91. Standards.

All alarms installed in the town pursuant to this chapter shall conform to the standards set forth in state law, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) publications, the National Electrical Code and the codes of the International Building Code (IBC).

Minimum requirements for the installation of alarm initiating equipment in the town shall be as provided in this chapter.

Sec. 35-92. Permit required.

The fire chief is authorized to issue a permit to any owner of property located within the town or the lessee thereof to maintain, install and modify a fire, smoke, or medical alarm system upon application, subject to the following:

  1. The alarm user applying for the permit shall state on the application the name, address, and telephone number and, for a corporation or legal entity, the name, address, and the telephone number of the person responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and operation of the alarm system; and any other information that the police chief may deem necessary.
  2. Dialer-type alarms that are operated by a prerecorded message machine are not authorized to be used at the fire department. Alarms which monitor temperature, humidity and any other condition not directly related to the detection or notification of emergency personnel are specifically excluded from this chapter.

Sec. 35-93. Permit fees.

There shall be no fee for the alarm system installation permit issued by the fire department.

Sec. 35-94. Operating without permit.

It shall be unlawful for any person or alarm user to maintain or operate an alarm system, as defined by this section, without first obtaining a permit as required in this chapter. Any person or alarm user who does maintain or operate an alarm system without a permit shall be accessed a penalty as defined in sections 35-116 and 35-118.

Sec. 35-95. Denial, suspension, revocation of permit.

(a)   Failure to comply with any of the sections of this chapter may constitute grounds for the police chief to deny the issuance of a permit.

(b)   Upon receipt of a notice of intent to revoke or suspend an alarm user's permit, pursuant to this chapter, the alarm user may, within five days of such receipt, submit a written request for a hearing before the police chief, setting forth the reasons why the user's permit should not be revoked or suspended.

(c)   At the hearing before the police chief, the holder of the permit shall have the right to present evidence, to cross examine witnesses, and to be represented by counsel. Such a hearing shall be informal and shall not be subject to the rules of evidence or formal courtroom procedure. After the hearing, the police chief may either issue an order or a revocation, withdraw the notice of revocation, or suspend the permit until such time that the police chief is satisfied that the permit has been obtained or the cause of the false alarms has been eliminated.

(d)   An alarm user whose permit has been revoked is not precluded under this chapter from applying for a new permit. The police chief, however, shall not be required to issue a new permit unless the police chief is satisfied that the user's system has been properly serviced and its deficiencies corrected. The police chief may also impose reasonable restrictions and conditions upon the user before issuing a new permit. These restrictions and/or conditions shall appear on the permit and shall provide for automatic revocation on the occurrence of four false alarms within twelve (12) months of the permits original revocation date.

Sec. 35-96. General requirements for installations.

(a)    Before the installation of any interior fire alarm system, master box, or street boxes for new rights-of-way is begun, the company responsible for the proposed system installation shall submit a detailed set of plans, blueprints, specifications, etc., outlining the system and its components to the fire department for review and approval.

(b)   A permit shall be obtained from the fire department for the installation of any master box. A fee as set forth in the schedule of fees in appendix B to this Code shall be paid upon application for the permit.

(c)   Installation of a Knox Box shall be required at all locations where a fire alarm system is being installed or is currently in use. Applications are available at the fire department.

(d)   All fire alarm equipment shall be new and shall be furnished and installed by the owner of the property protected and/or by the developer of the new right-of-way.

(e)   If trouble or faults develop in any part of a private system, it shall be the prerogative of the fire department to disconnect any part or all of the private system from the municipal circuits. The owner or agent of the protected property shall be notified of the disconnection.

(f)   Any or all parts of existing fire alarm systems in a building undergoing renovation shall conform to the requirements for new installations.

(g)   All installations shall conform to the requirements of NFPA, IMSA, IBC, or any applicable code in effect.

(h)   Access to the protected property shall be made available to the fire department.

(i)    Code wheel numbers for all master boxes shall be approved by the fire department.

(j)    A service charge per calendar year shall be assessed for each master box connected to the municipal circuit. This shall include existing and new master boxes. New systems installed shall be charged a pro rata amount per month or part of a month, until December 31 of the installation year, after which the annual fee will take effect on January 1. The charges required in this subsection are as set forth in the schedule of fees in appendix B to this Code.

Sec. 35-97. Smoke detectors.

(a)   Smoke detectors installed within the protected property and attached to the fire protection system shall be of any approved type and shall bear the label of the Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. All detectors within a single system shall be of the same design and manufacture.

(b)   Detectors shall be installed and spaced in accordance with NFPA 72-E and the recommendations of the fire department.

(c)   Smoke detectors shall have an alarm-indicating light which shall illuminate upon activation of that detector.

(d)   Detector operating current shall be supervised. A trouble signal shall sound at the control panel if power loss occurs to the system.

Sec. 35-98. Heat detectors.

(a)   Heat-detection devices shall be of the combination rate-of-rise and fixed-temperature type, except in locations where it is normal for rapid changes in temperature to exist, such as areas housing ovens, heating coils, boilers, furnaces, etc. These locations shall use a fixed-temperature detector approved for the location.

(b)   Heat-detection devices shall be installed and spaced in accordance with NFPA 72-E, the manufacturer's specifications and the recommendations of the fire department.

(c)   All heat-detection devices shall bear the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.

Sec. 35-99. Pull stations.

(a)   All fire alarm pull stations installed within the protected property shall be an approved type and shall be consistent.

(b)   Pull stations shall bear the label of Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc. and shall be installed and spaced in accordance with NFPA 72-E and the recommendations of the fire department.

(c)   Pull stations shall be red and shall have the instructions for operation clearly shown on the face of the station.

(d)   Access to the interior of the pull station for the purpose of resetting or testing shall be gained with the use of an ordinary screwdriver. An Allen-type screw or other screw with a special head shall be replaced with a slotted head screw prior to installation.

(e)   No pull station shall be acceptable to the fire department if it requires the replacement of a flangible disc, glass rod, or other such device upon which the station is dependent for resetting. This requirement shall not rule out the use of glass rods or other such attachments with the intention of deterring false alarms.

Sec. 35-100. Audible signal devices.

(a)   All fire alarm systems within the town shall have some method of warning the occupants of the protected property if the system activates.

(b)   Warning devices shall consist of audible alarms, audiovisual units, or other types approved for use by the fire department.

(c)   There shall be one or more audible/visual signaling devices approved for the purpose installed on each floor of the protected property, so located that their operation will be clearly heard and seen regardless of the maximum noise level under normal conditions. Each section of a floor divided by a fire separation may be considered as a separate floor.

(d)   Installation of audible signal devices shall conform to NFPA 72-A.

Sec. 35-101. Supervisory control panel.

(a)    A supervisory control panel shall be installed with the fire alarm system for the purpose of identifying location, resetting and/or disabling alarms. Panel locks shall be keyed for "CAT-60" or "Simplex B" key.

(b)    The supervisory control panel shall feature the following:

(1)    Zone indication.

(2)    Alarm silence switch.

(3)   System reset switch.

(4)   Trouble buzzer and light.

(5)   Trouble silence switch.

(6)   Ring back feature.

(c)   All controls shall be secured from use by occupants of the protected property.

(d)   In an installation where the fire alarm system is installed in (i) more than one building or (ii) more than one floor, an annunciator panel shall identify the location of all originating signals. Normally, one zone per floor is adequate. The fire department may require more zones depending on building size, occupancy or hazard protected. An annunciator shall be required in a multizoned property near the main fire department access to the property. This may either be the alarm control panel or a remote annunciator panel with no control functions. In an installation where an additional fire alarm system is installed in new building additions and connected to the existing approved system in the original building, an annunciator panel shall be installed on the inside of the new building addition or at a location designated by the fire department. Adjacent to each annunciator panel there shall be a detailed floor plan identifying zone locations.

(e)   The supervisory control panel shall conform to the requirements of NFPA 72-A and the following fire department requirements:

(1)   Access to the control functions of the alarm system by fire department and alarm service personnel only.

(2)   When the panel is indicating zone trouble, activation of a pull station shall initiate the alarm.

(3)   Upon activation of a detector or pull station, the panel shall lock on the initiating circuit with audible and visual indication. Silencing the audible shall not cause the panel to reset.

Sec. 35-102. Wiring.

(a)   All fire alarm system wiring components shall conform to the National Electrical Code, NFPA 70, and shall be approved for use by the fire department.

(b)   All exposed wiring shall be installed in conduit or approved tubing.

(c)   All wiring used with the installation of street boxes on rights-of-way shall conform to IMSA requirements and NFPA 72 and 73.

Sec. 35-103. Power supply.

(a)   Power for the fire alarm system shall be a designated AC circuit from the property light and power service.

(b)   The system shall be designed so that loss of operating current will not activate the system, and the system shall not lose its effectiveness.

(c)   The secondary power supply shall conform to the provisions of NFPA 72-A.

Sec. 35-104. Connection to municipal circuits--Master box.

(a)   The fire alarm master box for connection to municipal circuits shall be by Gamewell, either new or factory reconditioned, as approved by the fire department.

(b)   The master box shall be located in a position approved by the fire department and must be easily accessible at all times.

(c)    The master box shall be mounted at a minimum of 42 inches and a maximum of 54 inches, measured vertically, from the finished grade to the activating handle or lever of the box.

(d)   The master fire alarm box shall be of the local energy type with the following features:

(1)   Noninterference.

(2)   Quick succession.

(3)   Automatic grounding under open municipal circuit.

(4)   Telegraph key.

(5)   Tap bell.

(6)   Lock and key (fire department specification).

(7)   Code wheel index (fire department specification).

(8)   Manual actuating level.

(9)   Timing one-half second.

(e)   Flush-mounted boxes shall be weatherproof.

(f)    A red light of no less than 25 watts shall be mounted above the master fire alarm box. This light shall flash upon activation of the interior fire protection system. Installation of these units will be at the discretion of the fire department.

Sec. 35-105. Same--Street boxes.

(a)   Fire alarm street boxes for connection to municipal circuits shall be installed at locations approved by the fire department in accordance with NFPA 1221.

(b)   Street boxes shall be mounted on new or existing utility poles or on pedestals.

(c)   The street box shall be mounted at a minimum of 42 inches and a maximum of 54 inches, measured vertically, from the finished grade to the activating handle or lever of the box.

(d)   Utility pole banners, with vertical letters stating "fire/emergency," shall be attached to all utility poles with installed fire alarm boxes at a height of ten feet above the finished grade to the bottom of the banner. In addition, the designation "fire/emergency" shall be attached to both sides of each street box.

(e)   Street boxes shall have the same operating features as master boxes.

Sec. 35-106. Same--Aerial connection.

Standards for aerial connections to municipal fire alarm circuits shall be as follows:

  1. Provide a minimum of one-half inch EMT terminated with a weatherhead, located a minimum of 16 feet above the finished grade from the master box.
  2. Provide a utility grade eyebolt or similar approved device next to the weatherhead, properly secured to support the aerial cable.
  3. The maximum allowed span for aerial cable is 200 feet. For distances from the weatherhead to the utility pole exceeding 200 feet, additional poles will be required.
  4. Install two #12 AWG, THWN solid conductors from the master box to the weatherhead. These wires may not be the same color.
  5. The path for the aerial service may not cross over buildings or through trees. Branches shall be cut to provide clear spaces for the aerial cable.

Sec. 35-107. Same--Underground (direct burial) connections.

Standards for underground (direct burial) connections to municipal fire alarm circuits shall be as follows:

  1. The connection shall be four conductor, #12 AWG solid conductor, shielded polyethylene jacket, ISMA certified, direct burial cable, in one unspliced length from the master box to the utility pole or splice box designated by the fire department.
  2. Provide rigid steel conduit from 12 inches below the finished grade to the master box as protection for the cable. A bushing shall be used at the end of the conduit to protect the cable.
  3. Provide a sweep ell of rigid steel and one ten-foot length of rigid steel conduit at the utility pole.
  4. Extend the cable up the pole using schedule 40 PVC electrical grade conduit to a height approximately 18 inches above existing telephone cables. Terminate it using a weatherhead.
  5. Provide a schedule 40 PVC sleeve under all traveled ways, including walkways, parking lots, driveways and patios.
  6. The cable shall be bedded in screened sand completely surrounding the cable, a minimum of six inches on the top, bottom and sides.
  7. The minimum depth of the cable below the finished grade shall be 24 inches.

Sec. 35-108. Same--Underground (buried conduit) connections.

Standards for underground (buried conduit) connections to municipal fire alarm circuits shall be as follows:

  1. Provide an IMSA certified four conductor #12 AWG solid conductor polyethylene jacket duct cable installed in one-inch minimum schedule 40 PVC.
  2. Conduit shall be cemented at all joints.
  3. Conduit shall be buried to a depth of 18 inches minimum below the finished grade.
  4. Termination of the conduit at the master box shall comply with section 34-103(2).
  5. Provide a sweep ell of schedule 40 PVC and one ten-foot length of rigid steel conduit at the utility pole.
  6. Extend conduit up the pole and terminate it per section 34-103(4).

Sec. 35-109. Same--Lightning protection.

(a)   Lightning protection for connections to the municipal fire alarm service shall be provided by the contractor consisting of a TII model 317A located inside the master box.

(b)   Additional protection at the utility pole will be installed at the direction of the fire department as required.[Marker]

Sec. 35-110. Same--Grounding.

(a)   The fire alarm box and the lightning arrestor for connections to municipal circuits shall be grounded as follows:

(1)   A common ground for both devices is acceptable.

(2)   Ground wire shall not be run in the same conduit as fire alarm wire.

(3)   An unenclosed no. 8 copper wire or equivalent shall be used to connect the ground terminal of the master box and/or street box to the suitable ground in order to provide mechanical strength.

(4)   If enclosed in metal pipe, a no. 12 wire may be used.

(b)   Suitable grounds are as follows:

(1)   Underground metallic water piping system.

(2)   Ground rod not less than one-half inch in diameter and eight feet long driven into permanently wet soil.

(c)   The resistance of a ground connection shall not exceed 250 ohms.

(d)   Power company neutral conductors are not acceptable grounds.

Sec. 35-111. Same--Testing.

(a)   The fire alarm system and its components shall be tested, in its entirety, by the person responsible for the installation. This test shall be conducted in the presence of a member of the fire department prior to the connection of the master box to the municipal circuit.

(b)   It shall be the responsibility of the owner of the protected property to completely test the fire alarm system once a year. This test shall be reported in writing to the fire department.

(c)   The owner/developer of any protected property connected to a monitoring system by a master fire alarm box shall notify the fire department for disconnection prior to testing of the system.

(d)   All master boxes and street boxes shall be tested for operation no less than once every 60 days by the fire department during regularly scheduled work shifts.

Sec. 35-112. Same--Responsibility.

(a)   It is understood that the owner/developer of the property shall be responsible for all fire alarm line construction, whether aerial or underground, from the fire alarm box to a fire alarm circuit designated by the fire department. This is to include all appropriate pole hardware and connection devices.

(b)   All costs of equipment and installation, including extension of the municipal service, shall be the responsibility of the owner/developer at the time of installation and connection to the municipal system.

(c)   Aerial extensions of the municipal service shall be installed by the fire department alarm bureau and shall be charged to the owner/developer on a time-and-material basis.

(d)   Underground extensions of the municipal service shall be installed in accordance with the specifications of the fire department by the owner/developer.

(e)   Upon completion of a satisfactory test of the fire alarm system by the fire department, the system shall be tied into the municipal fire alarm. No one shall make these tie-ins but the fire department.

(f)   After the tie-in is made, the new line then becomes the property and responsibility of the fire department.

Sec. 35-113. Exceptions.

It is intended that the requirements in this chapter provide a basis for providing a reliable, cost effective means of meeting the protection goals of the town. It is expected that requests for clarification and for specific variances to this chapter may be made from time to time. Requests for clarifications and/or variances should be made in writing to the fire department. Every effort will be made by the fire department to provide solutions to individual problems. The fire department welcomes any input which may improve the system's reliability or provide an equal system at reduced cost. Such adjustments as may be made to this chapter will be made at the discretion of the fire chief.

Sec. 35-114. Liability.

The town or any of its employees shall not, under any circumstances, be held liable for the failure of any of the equipment to operate during the transmission of a fire alarm to the fire department console. It is understood that the fire department will do all that is possible to render trouble-free, reliable service.

Sec. 35-115. Disconnection.

(a)    Fire alarm boxes.  It shall be unlawful for any person to disable or alter the mode of operation of any fire alarm box connected with the municipal fire alarm system. If it becomes necessary for any user of the municipal fire alarm services to access any fire alarm box connected to the municipal fire alarm system in order to alter the mode of operation or disable any so-connected fire alarm box, application shall be made to the fire department.

(b)   Penalties.  For penalties, see section 35-112 (b) and 35-114 pertaining to penalties and citations for violations of this Code.

Sec. 35-116. False fire alarms.

(a)   Definitions. The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this section, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this subsection, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Accidental alarm   means any activation of an alarm system to which the fire department responds which is the result of an unintentional occurrence or mishap. This includes burned food, steam from showers, and good-faith assumptions of a fire condition.

False alarm  means any activation of an alarm system to which the fire department responds which is not the result of a fire, emergency call for assistance or accidental alarm. This includes alarms improperly or maliciously sounded or alarms that turn out to be groundless or system malfunctions.

(b)   Prevention, payment of costs. Any owner or lessee or person in control of property having an alarm system on the premises and any user of alarm services or equipment designed and installed with the intent of eliciting an emergency response shall pay to the town a service charge of $250.00 for each and every false alarm to which the fire department responds after the initial response within a seven-day period. It shall be the responsibility of the property owner to correct any and all problems resulting in the activation of false alarms. If the fire department finds it necessary to disconnect an alarm device or system due to repeated activations, a fire watch may be ordered posted on the premises until such time that the protection provided by the system or device can be restored.

(c)   Appeals. Any alarm user, owner, or lessee may appeal false alarm service charges in writing to the fire chief within ten days after receipt of the notice of the service charge. The fire chief may waive assessment of the service charge when, in his judgment, reasonable attempts are being taken to discover and eliminate the cause of the false alarms.

Sec. 35-117. Liability of town limited / Fire alarms.

The fire department shall take every reasonable precaution to ensure that alarms received are given appropriate attention and are acted upon with dispatch. Nevertheless, the fire department shall not be liable for any defects in the operation of alarm devices, for any failure or neglect to respond appropriately upon receipt of an alarm from such a source, nor for the failure or neglect of any person in connection with the installation and operation of alarms and systems.

Sec. 35-118. Penalties / Fire alarms.

Penalties for violations of chapter 35 shall be as follows:

  1. Operating an alarm without a valid permit . . . $100.00
  2. Operating an alarm when a permit has been suspended or revoked . . . $100.00
  3. False alarm penalties:
    1. Fourth alarm in a year . . . $100.00
    2. Fifth alarm in a year . . . $200.00
    3. Sixth and successive alarms in a year . . . $300.00
  4. Central Station, answering service or proprietary system notification of an alarm not possessing a valid permit . . . $100.00
  5. Other fine provisions as outlined in Sec. 35-116