[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
This Part 2 shall be known and cited as an "Ordinance Regulating
Fire Alarms."
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
As used in this Part 2, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any business operated by a person, partnership, corporation,
or other business entity for profit which engages in the activity
of altering, installing, leasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing,
selling, servicing, or monitoring of fire alarm systems or which causes
these activities to take place.
Any device, bell, horn, or siren which is attached to the
exterior or interior of a building that emits a warning signal audible
inside and/or outside of a building, designed to attract attention
when activated and results in the Fire Department response.
Electronically operated instruments, composed of sensory
apparatus and related hardware, which may automatically transmit a
prerecorded voice or other alarm signal over regular telephone lines
by direct or indirect connection to the Bucks County Communication
Center or other emergency center upon receipt of a stimulus from sensory
apparatus that has automatically detected a fire and activate audible
and/or visual notification devices within the building. "Indirect
connection" shall include answering services and all other persons
monitoring and relaying the information to the Bucks County Communication
Center or other emergency center.
Any signal activated by an automatic or manual protection
device which is not the result of a fire or similar event which may
result in a fire.
Any signal activated by an automatic or manual protection
device which is not the result of a fire or similar emergency and
is the result of a malfunction, failure, alteration, repair, vandalism,
testing, or demonstration of the fire alarm system.
Shall be either the Warminster Fire Department or Hartsville
Volunteer Fire Co. No. 1.
The dispatching of a Fire Department by the Bucks County
Communication Center to provide emergency service within Warminster
Township.
Shall be the Fire Marshal of the Warminster Township Fire
Marshal's Office or other Deputy of the Warminster Township Fire
Marshal's Office authorized by the Fire Marshal.
Electronically operated instruments, composed of sensory
apparatus and related hardware, that require manual activation by
occupants, which automatically transmits a prerecorded voice or other
alarm signal over regular telephone lines by direct or indirect connection
to the Bucks County Communication Center or other emergency center
upon receipt of a stimulus from sensory apparatus that has been manually
activated to alert the detection a of fire or other similar emergency
and activate audible and/or visual notification devices within the
building. "Indirect connection" shall include answering services and
all other persons monitoring and relaying the information to the Bucks
County Communication Center or other emergency center.
Any resident, person, corporation, institution, or company
which has installed an audible or other alarm system designed to alert
the Fire Department and require their response.
Any device, strobe light, or flashing light, which is attached
to the exterior or interior of a building, that emits a warning signal
visible either inside and/or outside of a building designed to attract
attention when activated and results in the Fire Department response.
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
1.
Any individual who intends to install, alter, or modify any alarm
device shall not do so without first obtaining a permit and final
approval from the Township Department of Licenses and Inspections
and/or the Fire Marshal's office as required by Pennsylvania
Act 45 of 1999, the Uniform Construction Code, and all applicable
standards contained within.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. §§ 7210.101 through
7210.1103.
2.
The Fire Marshal shall enforce the provisions of this Part 2.
3.
The Fire Marshal's office shall notify, in writing, the subscriber
or user upon receipt of each false or faulty alarm within the calendar
year. Said notice shall be sent via United States first-class mail.
Notice of fees due shall be sent for each violation beyond two permitted.
4.
Fees shall be assessed to the user for all activations following
the two permitted activations as shown in the Township Fee Schedule.
The fees shall be subject to change from time to time by resolution
of the Board of Supervisors.
5.
The user shall have 30 days to pay the fee charged from the date
of the notice.
7.
If, due to weather conditions or electrical failure, three or more
false alarms from unrelated locations are received within 30 minutes
of each other, the fee or penalty shall not be assessed, and the alarm
shall not be counted for enforcement purposes.
8.
It shall be unlawful to intentionally activate any alarm to summon
the Fire Department, except for the reporting of the specific occurrence
intended by the alarm.
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
1.
The sensory mechanism used in connection with any alarm system must
be adjusted to suppress false indications so that the device will
not be activated by impulses due to the fleeting pressure changes
in water pipes, flashes of light, the rattling or vibration of doors
and windows, the vibrations to the premises caused by passing vehicles,
or any other force not related to genuine alarms. All such devices
must be maintained by the user in good repair to insure maximum reliability
of operation as regulated by applicable standards.
3.
Automatic dialers, where a recorded voice message is received, shall
transmit a message approved by the Fire Marshal. Said equipment shall
not make more than two telephone calls to the Bucks County Communications
Center. The message shall be no longer than 15 seconds in duration
and shall not be repeated more than twice.
4.
The equipment shall not be keyed to the primary telephone lines of
the Fire Department or the 911 system but shall only be keyed to designated
phone numbers.
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
1.
All persons operating an alarm business within Warminster Township
shall obtain a permit from the Fire Marshal and shall pay a fee, to
be established from time to time by resolution by the Board of Supervisors.
2.
It shall be unlawful for any person operating an alarm business to
represent to any customer, user, or subscriber that the Fire Marshal,
Warminster Fire Department or the Hartsville Volunteer Fire Department
endorses, recommends, or otherwise approves of his/her service or
equipment. It shall be unlawful to represent that the Fire Department
or Fire Marshal furnished the name, address or any other information
to said alarm business or agent thereof.
3.
It shall be unlawful to conduct a test or demonstration of any equipment
installed or being installed without the permission of the Fire Marshal,
unless required by the Warminster Township Fire Code. No such permission
is required unless the alarm or signal may cause the response of fire.
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
This Part 2 shall not apply to detached single-family or detached
duplex residential dwelling units.
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
This Part 2, nor any agreement resulting therefrom, shall not
constitute acceptance by Warminster Township for any liability to
maintain any equipment or to answer any alarm or any other occurrence
in connection therewith.
[Ord. 672, 2/14/2008, § 1]
Any person, firm, or corporation who shall violate any provision of this Part 2, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $1,000, plus costs, and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this Part 2 continues or each section of this Part 2 which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Original Part 3, Responsible Building Contractors, which previously followed this section, was relocated to Ch. 4, Buildings, Part 1, at the request of the Township. Original Part 4, Property Maintenance and Housing Standards, and original Part 5, Fire Prevention and Life Safety Standards, have been redesignated as Parts 3 and 4, respectively.
