[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of New Britain 10-8-1991 by Ord. No. 248. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Uniform construction codes — See Ch. 165.
For the purpose of this chapter, certain words and phrases are defined as follows:
Any mechanical, electrical or electronic device which is designed or used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility or for alerting others about the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure or facility or for alerting others about the existence of any other condition requiring response of police, fire or ambulance personnel; and which emits and/or transmits an audible and/or visual signal or message when actuated. "Alarm systems" include, but are not limited to, direct-dial telephone devices, audible alarms and subscriber alarms.
A device that emits an audible signal from the premises that it is designed to protect.
New Britain Borough.
A device that, when actuated, causes a recorded message to be transmitted, via telephone, to any emergency service, including, but not limited to, fire companies, ambulance, rescue squad and/or police departments serving any New Britain Borough residence or business, stating that emergency response is necessary.
That primary phone number advertised to the public for requesting emergency services.
An alarm signal, necessitating response by the emergency agency where an emergency situation does not exist. An alarm that has been activated by an external source that is beyond the reasonable control of the subscriber shall not be considered false.
Central Bucks Regional Police Department.
Audible alarms must be silenced within 30 minutes after a designated responsible person is notified to do so by the police, or the alarm system may be equipped with a timing device that will automatically silence the audible alarm within 30 minutes after it is actuated.
The direct-dial alarms shall not be connected to the emergency agency emergency phone number. A secondary phone may be provided by the responding agency for direct-dial alarms only. Direct-dial alarms must be equipped with a device that will prevent more than three repeated transmissions of an alarm for the same emergency.
Prior to installation of any alarm to any approved agency other than the Central Bucks Regional Police Department, the owner shall provide the Police Department with a letter signed by an authorized representative of the agency granting permission for such installation.
A.
It shall be the responsibility of all persons, entities, firms and corporations installing such systems within the Borough to prevent the transmission of false alarms through a program of training and periodic inspection and maintenance of the system. The maximum permissible number of false alarms from any one location shall be as follows:
B.
False alarms in excess of these standards shall be considered to be a violation of this chapter.
A.
Any owner, lessee or user found guilty of violating this chapter in a summary procedure before a Magisterial District Judge shall be liable to the a fine not exceeding $600, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment of such fine and costs, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 30 days. Failure to comply with any notice sent by New Britain Borough within three days of receipt shall be deemed an offense.
B.
False alarm violation. A person that owns, uses or possesses an alarm device or automatic dialing device may not, after causing or permitting three false alarms to occur in a consecutive twelve-month period, cause or permit a subsequent false alarm to occur in the same twelve-month period. A person violating this subsection commits a summary offense and shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300 pursuant to 18 Pa.C.S.A. § 7511, or such other amount as established by state law.
