[Ord. No. 558, 3/4/2015]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated unless a different meaning clearly appears in the context:
Any false alarm which is not an intentional false alarm as
defined herein, or, not when an intrusion, crime, fire or other emergency
has actually occurred.
A communication to the Dauphin County 911 Dispatch Center
from a central monitoring station or other source indicating that
a fire, crime, or other emergency situation warranting immediate action
by the Fire Department or Police Department has occurred or is occurring.
A mechanical, electric, electronic or other device or system
designed to automatically transmit an alarm by wire, telephone, radio
or other means:
Directly to the Dauphin County 911 Dispatch Center.
To a central monitoring station or person who is instructed
to notify the Dauphin County 911 Dispatch Center of the alarm.
To activate an audible or visual device to be heard or seen
outside of a building which is intended to alert the police or others
to the existence of a fire, crime, or other emergency situation warranting
Police or Fire Department action.
The term includes all associated equipment and software including,
but not limited to, alarm panels, alarm indications, audible and visual
alarms, detectors, signage, door, damper, and window controls, and
automatic utility shutoff devices.
An Underwriters Laboratory approved facility, third-party
or otherwise, equipped, staffed, and qualified to receive alarms 24
hours a day, 365 days a year, and make notification to the appropriate
fire department and police department dispatching center. In Lower
Swatara Township, that dispatching Center is the Dauphin County 911
Dispatch Center.
Features such as, but not limited to, automatic sprinkler
systems, portable fire extinguishers, installed range hood extinguishing
systems, automatic gas shutoff valves or systems, fire dampers and
doors, standpipes and hoses, and Fire Department connections.
An alarm to which the Fire Department and/or Police Department
responds resulting from the activation of an alarm device when a fire,
crime, or other emergency warranting immediate action by the Fire
Department or Police Department has not in fact occurred.
A false alarm resulting from the intentional activation of
an alarm device by an individual under circumstances where that individual
has no reasonable basis to believe that a fire, crime, or other emergency
warranting immediate action by the Fire Department and/or Police Department
has occurred or is occurring.
A continuous and unobstructed path of vertical and horizontal
egress travel from any occupied portion of a building or structure
to a public way. The means of egress consists of three separate and
distinct parts: the exit access, the exit, and the exit discharge.
Means of egress shall also include items such as signage and emergency
lighting.
Any individual or individuals, public or private corporation
for profit or not for profit, association, partnership, firm, trust,
estate, board, organization, and any other group acting as a unit.
It shall include, also, an executor, administrator, trustee, receiver,
or other representative appointed according to law.
[Ord. No. 558, 3/4/2015]
The obligation for the maintenance, repair and upkeep of emergency
alarm devices and systems shall be the full responsibility of the
person having had the same installed or his successor utilizing said
equipment. Alarm devices must be maintained in good repair to assure
reliability of operation.
[Ord. No. 558, 3/4/2015]
1.
Intentional False Alarm. No person shall create an intentional false
alarm.
2.
Accidental False Alarm. Any individual, firm, or corporation causing
accidental false alarms for any reason, except for a grace period
of 30 days for new installations, shall pay to Lower Swatara Township
a charge for each and every false alarm to which police and/or fire
departments respond, in each calendar year, in such amounts as shall
be set by resolution of the Board of Commissioners.
[Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. AO)]
3.
When a false alarm occurs, the Police Department, within 10 days
from the date of the false alarm, shall notify the person having the
alarm device for which the false alarm emanated or other person causing
said false alarm that a false alarm charge is due and the amount thereof.
Such notice shall be in writing and mailed or delivered to the person
responsible for such alarm device or system or persons causing said
false alarm at his last known address by regular mail, postage prepaid.
4.
Failure of the Police Department to mail notice of assessment of
a false alarm charge within 10 days from the occurrence of a false
alarm shall preclude Lower Swatara Township from assessing a false
alarm charge for said false alarm.
5.
A false alarm charge shall be due and payable at the office of the
Police Department 30 days from the date of the mailing or delivery
of the notice of assessment of the charge.
[Ord. No. 558, 3/4/2015]
[Ord. No. 558, 3/4/2015]
1.
Extinguishing Systems and Devices. Extinguishing systems and devices
required by the codes, standards, and ordinances adopted and in effect
in Lower Swatara Township shall be tested, maintained, and repaired
in accordance with those codes, standards, and ordinances and manufacturer's
instructions. Such systems shall be fully operational at all times
except during testing, maintenance, and repair.
2.
Alarm Systems and Devices. Alarm systems and devices required by
the codes, standards, and ordinances adopted and in effect in Lower
Swatara Township shall be tested, maintained, and repaired in accordance
with those codes, standards, and ordinances and manufacturer's
instructions. Such systems shall be fully operational at all times
except during testing, maintenance, and repair.
3.
Means of Egress Features. Emergency egress features shall not be
inaccessible, obscured, damaged, removed, or inoperable in any manner
at any time.
4.
Fire Hydrants.
A.
Obstruction. In addition to state vehicle statutes regarding parking
adjacent to fire hydrants, no fire hydrant shall be obstructed by
plants, shrubbery or other vegetation, lawn furniture or ornaments,
signs whether temporary or permanent, or any other object. A clear
area of a minimum of three feet shall be maintained around any public
or private fire hydrant.
B.
No public or private fire hydrant shall be operated or modified without
the prior written approval of the public water utility. This prohibition
shall not apply to the Fire Department.
5.
Systems/Features Out of Service. Extinguishing, alarm, and egress
features and systems required to be out of service, inaccessible,
or unable to serve its intended purpose beyond the time required for
required routine testing and maintenance shall be reported to the
Township Code Enforcement Department. The Code Enforcement Department
will determine what, if any, compensatory action must be in place
for the duration of repairs.
[Ord. No. 558, 3/4/2015]
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any of the provisions of this Part shall be subject to the provisions of § 7-401, Penalties.
