Chapter 8.10
ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
8.10.020 General system requirements.
8.10.030 Automatic dialer and digital communicator restrictions.
8.10.040 Training requirements.
8.10.050 Maintenance and repair responsibility.
8.10.070 Responsibility for alarm deactivation.
8.10.100 Permit application – Issuance.
8.10.120 Grounds for revocation.
8.10.010 Definitions.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning:
“Alarm system” means a device or system of interconnected devices, including hardware and related accessories, designed to give warning of a fire, burglary, robbery, medical emergency, or other hazardous conditions occurring on the protected premises, except residential smoke detectors which are not connected to a receiving panel at an alarm reception point and do not emit sound outside the residence or business.
“Automatic dialer” means a device programmed to select a telephone number and deliver a warning message or signal over standard telephone lines.
“Digital communicator” means an automatic dialer specially designed and programmed to deliver an alarm signal to compatible receiving equipment located at an alarm reception point by telephone line or comparable communications device.
“Emergency communications center” means the 911 public safety answering point, used to receive transmissions and general information from the public to be dispatched to the respective entities utilizing the center.
“False alarm” means any activation of any alarm system which results in the dispatch of police, fire, or emergency medical personnel to the protected premises where they are unable to discover any evidence of an emergency condition, but it does not include an alarm signal caused by conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not reasonably subject to control by the alarm user.
“Hard-wired system” means an alarm system that detects and transmits alarms using direct leased lines to a receiving panel at an alarm reception point.
“Local alarms” means systems or devices that sound audibly on the premises of the user, but are not connected to a receiving panel at an alarm reception point.
“Person” means any alarm user, be it a natural person, firm, partnership, association, corporation, company, or organization, profit or nonprofit, public or private.
“Protected premises” means all of that contiguous area including buildings protected by a single alarm system and under common ownership and use. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.01.]
8.10.020 General system requirements.
A. No alarm system shall be installed, used, or maintained in violation of any of the requirements of adopted provisions of the International Fire Code or any applicable statute, law, or administrative regulation of the state or of the city.
B. Any alarm user required by federal, state, county, or municipal statute, regulation, rule, or ordinance to install, maintain, and operate an alarm system shall be subject to this chapter.
C. Effective June 1, 1998, and thereafter, no alarm shall be installed, used or maintained which when activated sends a signal to any phone or alarm monitoring equipment located in the 911 communications center, except those alarms maintained for the specific purpose of protecting city property. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.02.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.030 Automatic dialer and digital communicator restrictions.
Any alarm system which incorporates an automatic dialer shall not be programmed to call any police, fire or emergency communications center phone line. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.03.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.040 Training requirements.
The holder of an alarm system permit shall be responsible for training and retraining of employees, family members, and other persons who make regular use of the protected premises and who may, in the normal course of their activities, be in a position to accidentally trigger an alarm device. Such training shall include procedures to avoid accidental alarms and steps to follow in the event the system is accidentally triggered. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.04.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.050 Maintenance and repair responsibility.
A. The holder of an alarm system permit shall, at all times, be responsible for the proper maintenance and repair of the system and for the repair or replacement of any component, method of installation, design feature, or like condition which may give rise to a false alarm.
B. In the event a fire alarm system temporarily fails, rendering it inoperable at a premises required to have a fire alarm system, the fire chief may require the building owner or person in control to provide standby personnel until the system is restored. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.05.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.060 Testing of systems.
All alarm system testing shall be conducted in accordance with the following: All service and tests of any alarm system that may result in transmission of alarm information to the emergency communications center shall be conducted only after notification to the emergency communications center of the intention to conduct such service or tests. Failure to so notify will result in a false alarm assessment. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.06.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.070 Responsibility for alarm deactivation.
All permit holders shall furnish and update names and phone numbers of at least two responsible persons having access to the premises who may be notified to assist personnel in the event the alarm is activated. Responsible persons must be capable of deactivating the alarm system. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.07.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.080 Sound limitations.
Local alarms other than fire alarms shall not make a sound similar to that of sirens on emergency vehicles or of civil defense warning systems. Owners of local alarms shall be responsible to maintain and turn the alarm system off in case of malfunction. No local alarm-sounding device shall sound for more than five minutes and shall incorporate an automatic cutoff. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.08.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.090 Permit required.
No person shall install, use, or maintain any alarm system without first obtaining a permit for such system from the city. Systems approved and installed prior to the adoption of this chapter shall be governed by such rules and regulations contained in this chapter. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.09.]
Penalty: See NMC 8.10.140.
8.10.100 Permit application – Issuance.
A. Each application for an alarm system permit shall be made on a form prescribed by the city.
B. Each permit application shall be accompanied by the fee prescribed in NMC 8.10.110.
C. Upon receipt of the permit application and fee, the city shall undertake such investigation as is deemed necessary. If it appears that the proposed system will comply with the provisions of this chapter and any other applicable rules and regulations, the city shall issue to the applicant a permit bearing an identifying number and specifying the type of alarm system for which it is issued. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.10.]
8.10.110 Fee schedule.
Application fees, annual permit fees and false alarm fees shall be set by resolution adopted by the city council. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.11.]
8.10.120 Grounds for revocation.
A. The following shall be grounds for revoking any permit issued pursuant to this chapter:
1. Any false or incomplete statement made on the permit application;
2. Substantial alteration of alarm-transmitting devices other than those approved at the time of the permit application;
3. Testing or deliberate activation of the alarm system without following the provisions set forth in NMC 8.10.060;
4. Failure to properly maintain the system;
5. Failure to pay a false alarm fee as prescribed in NMC 8.10.110 within 30 days of demand. Noncompliance shall subject the protected property to a lien on the property, as well as to the penalties prescribed in NMC 8.10.140.
6. Any permit for an alarm system that has 10 or more false alarms within a calendar year may be revoked and the system shall be disconnected.
B. An alarm user shall immediately discontinue use of the alarm upon being notified by certified mail of the revocation of the permit. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.12.]
8.10.130 Appeals.
Any person whose alarm system permit has been revoked under NMC 8.10.120 may appeal that action to the city council by giving written notice to the city manager within 30 days after notice of revocation. The filing of a notice of appeal shall stay the action appealed until disposition of the appeal by the city council. For the purpose of this section, mailing by certified mail of the revocation notice to the person and address listed on the permit application shall constitute notice of revocation. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.13.]
8.10.140 Penalty.
A violation of a provision of this chapter is punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.00. [Ord. 2490, 1-5-98. Code 2001 § 91.99.]