When used in this article, unless a contrary intention clearly
appears, the following words shall have the meanings indicated:
Any device, such as smoke or heat detector, pull station
or sprinkler flow switch, that causes the alarm to sound.
A fire protection device that requires no manual operation
during activation.
A company equipped to receive a fire alarm signal from each
of its customers and which then transmits to the RFD the location
of any such alarm which the "central station operating company" receives.
A "false alarm" shall be defined as any and/or all of the
following:
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an
alarm system or his/her employees or agents.
Any signal or automatic dialing service transmitted to the RFD
requesting or requiring or resulting in a response on the part of
the RFD when a situation requiring response by the RFD does not in
fact exist.
For the purposes of this section, a "false fire alarm" shall
be defined to include any and/or all of the following:
The operation of a faulty smoke- or heat-detection device.
Faulty control panel or associated equipment.
A water pressure surge in automatic sprinkler equipment.
Accidental operation of an automatic sprinkler system.
An action by an employee of the owner or occupant of the protected
premises or a contractor employed by the owner or the occupant causing
accidental activation of the internal fire alarm system.
The electrical and electronic center of a system that detects
alarm conditions, sounds signals and provides power and supervisory
features.
A commercial firm that specializes primarily in the installation
and service of fire alarm devices.
Any heat-activated, smoke-activated, flame-energy-activated
or other such automatic device capable of transmitting a fire alarm
signal to either a central station operating company or directly to
the RFD by way of a master box.
An individual or entity who or which owns the title to and/or
has on his/her or its business or residential premises a fire alarm
system equipped to send a fire alarm signal to a central station operating
company or directly to the RFD by way of a master box.
The Chief of the RFD.
A Randolph firefighter having knowledge of fire safety rules
and regulations and having the ability and knowledge to properly sound
an alarm and one (1) who tours the property being protected in the
event of fire.
A fire alarm pull station or other device that requires manual
activation for operation.
An individual or entity who or which has, on his/her or its
business or residential premises, a fire alarm system equipped to
send a fire alarm signal directly to the RFD by way of a master box.
The Randolph Fire Department.
An individual having extensive knowledge in the repair and
maintenance of fire alarm systems, such as an electrician who specializes
in signaling systems.
The electrical circuit that connects and operates all fire
alarm system horns, bells or other devices.
A self-contained fire protection device equipped with all
features of a system within a small housing, such as a battery-operated
smoke detector (i.e., detector, power supply, signal).
Any alarm circuit that passes a small current through a device
and detects a fault on that circuit.
A total fire alarm system that includes detecting devices,
annunciator signals, power supply and control panel that sounds the
local signals at the structure being protected and trips a master
fire alarm box connected to the RFD.
Same as a Type I system, except that there is no direct connection
to the Fire Department.
C.
Before any fire alarm system is connected to the RFD, the master
box owner shall provide the Fire Chief with the following information:
(1)
The name, address, home and work telephone number of the master box
owner.
(2)
The street address where the master box is located.
(3)
The names, addresses and telephone numbers of the persons or businesses
protected by the fire alarm system connected to the master box.
(4)
The names, addresses and home and work telephone numbers of at least
two (2) persons other than the owner who can be contacted twenty-four
(24) hours a day who are authorized by the master box owner to respond
to an alarm signal and who have access to the premises in which the
master box is located.
(5)
Such other information as the Fire Chief may require.
D.
If, at the passage of this article, a fire alarm system has already
been connected to the RFD by way of a master box, the master box owner
shall comply with the requirements of this section within sixty (60)
days after the RFD has sent him or her notice, by first-class mail,
of the requirements of this section.
C.
Before any central station operating company is connected with the
RFD, it shall provide the Fire Chief with the following information:
(1)
The name, address and telephone numbers of the central station operating
company.
(2)
The names, addresses and home and work telephone numbers of at least
two (2) persons who can be contacted twenty-four (24) hours a day
who are authorized by the central station operating company to respond
to an alarm signal and who have access to the premises from where
the alarm signal is emitting to the central station operating company.
(3)
The name, address, home and work telephone numbers and location of
the premises of each customer of the central station operating company
who has a fire alarm system equipped to send a fire alarm signal to
the central station operating company.
(4)
Such other information as the Fire Chief may require.
D.
If at the passage of this article a central station operating company
already has a direct connection to the RFD, the central station operating
company shall comply with the requirements of this section within
sixty (60) days after the RFD has sent it notice, by first class mail,
of the requirements of this section.
A.
Every master box owner and every central station operating company
shall be responsible for updating the information herein required
to be provided to the Chief. If the information provided changes,
the master box owner and the central station operating company shall
provide the Fire Chief with the updated information and shall pay
the fee, if any, required by this article.
A.
If there is a fire alarm system false alarm, as defined herein, the
Fire Chief may assess a fine against a fire alarm system owner for
each false alarm per fiscal year in accordance with the Fine Schedule.[1]
(1)
First offense: no charge.
(2)
Second and third offense. Upon the recording of the second and third
offense by the RFD, the Fire Chief shall notify the owner of the building,
in writing, by certified mail, of such fact and at this time inform
the owner of the Department's policy with regard to charging
for false alarms. (A copy of the policy shall be sent at this time.)
B.
Private fire alarm systems connected to the RFD by other automatic
means or through a central station system shall be subject to the
above conditions.
C.
Any false fire alarm which is the result of the failure of the property owner, occupant or his/her agents to notify the RFD of repair, maintenance or testing of the internal fire alarm system within the protected premises shall cause a penalty to be assessed in accordance with Subsection A.
D.
Property owners will be billed once a month for the previous month's
malfunction activity.
E.
If the bill is not paid within thirty (30) calendar days, a second
notice will be sent. If the bill is not paid after another thirty
(30) calendar-day period, a final notice will be sent informing the
owner and/or occupant that the master box will be disconnected and
the insurance company notified.
Any fire alarm system owner who is aggrieved by an action taken
by the Fire Chief under this article may, within ten (10) days of
such action, file an appeal, in writing, to the Town Manager of the
Town of Randolph. After notice, the Manager shall hold a hearing,
after which he shall issue a decision in which he affirms, annuls
or modifies the action taken by the Fire Chief, giving his reasons
therefor. The Manager shall send its decision to the owner by first-class
mail within ten (10) days after the hearing. The decision of the Manager
shall be a final administrative decision. The owner shall have thirty
(30) days from the date of the written decision to seek judicial review
in the Norfolk County Superior Court.
The Fire Chief may promulgate such regulations as may be necessary
to implement this article. The Fire Chief is authorized to pursue
such legal action as may be necessary to enforce this article.
All fines assessed herein shall be payable to the Town of Randolph
Fire Department for deposit in the general fund.
The provisions of this article shall be deemed to be severable,
and if any of its provisions shall be held unconstitutional by any
court of competent jurisdiction, the decision of such court shall
not affect or impair any of the remaining provisions.
