[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Braintree 12-7-2010 by Ord. No.
10-040 (former Ch. 8.08 of the Town Bylaws, which
derived from prior code Ch. 67, adopted ATM 5-8-1989 by Art. 22).
Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Burglar alarm systems — See Ch. 8.100.
Present requirements relating to fire alarms and fire alarm
systems are nonexistent, creating Town-wide problems with Fire Department
personnel gaining access to buildings with such fire alarm systems
to either reset them or shut off the alarm. The practice of carrying
keys for all buildings with alarm systems is no longer practical due
to the great numbers of systems. Forced entry is not reasonable unless
there are visible signs of fire or other emergency. The need to regulate
abuses is due to the numerous number of false alarms from private
alarm systems and the growing increase of homeowners' or renters'
alarm systems that are connected to the Fire Department's emergency
telephones.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:
Any device such as a 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.
The activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure,
malfunction, improper installation or negligence of the user of an
alarm system or his employees or agents; or
Any signal or automatic dialing device transmitted to the Braintree
Fire Department requesting, or requiring, or resulting in a response
on the part of the Braintree Fire Department.
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.
An assembly of equipment and devices, or a single device
such as a solid state unit, which plugs directly into a 110 volt AC
line, arranged to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent
attention to which the Fire Department is expected to respond. Also,
any system which is designed to monitor temperature, smoke, humidity,
or any other conditions directly related to the detection of fire
or explosion hazards.
A Braintree firefighter having knowledge of fire safety rules
and regulations and having the ability and knowledge to properly sound
an alarm, and one 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 having extensive knowledge in the repair and
maintenance of fire alarm systems, such as an electrician who specialized
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 and signal).
An emergency power supply in case of loss of commercial power
to the fire alarm panel.
Any alarm circuit that passes a small current through a device
and detects a fault on that circuit, such as a ground open or short.
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 Braintree Fire Department.
The same as Type I, except no direct connection to the Fire
Department is required.
The Chief of the Fire Department shall be vested with the authority
to inspect all buildings and premises for the purpose of eliminating
fire or explosion hazards. If any building or premises contains a
condition that, in the judgment of the Chief of the Fire Department,
can be classed as fire or explosion hazards, he shall forthwith issue
a written order for the elimination of such fire and explosion hazards
as may exist.
All special fire alarm signal services which provide direct
contact, including telephone, to the Braintree Fire Department shall
be regulated by permit under the jurisdiction of the Fire Chief. The
fee for such permit shall be $50.
[1]
Note: This section was previously amended ATM 5-14-1991 by
Art. 30.
Users of such special fire alarm signal services shall provide
access to the Braintree Fire Department only via connections to telephone
lines approved by the Fire Chief. In no case shall direct access be
provided via the Fire Department emergency telephone numbers.
To regulate the use of Braintree Fire Department emergency telephone
lines by unauthorized special fire alarm signal services or by homeowners/renters,
the following provides a system of fines to reduce and control false
alarms through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation
or negligence of the user of a fire alarm system which may occur over
a twelve-month period:
Any residential building of six or more units, or any business
or commercial property which has a fire alarm system or other fire
protection system that transmits a signal through a private central
station alarm company or directly to the Braintree Fire Department
through the Fire Department alarm system, shall provide a secure key
box installed in a location accessible to the Fire Department in case
of emergency. This key box shall contain keys to fire alarm control
panels and other keys necessary to operate or service fire protection
systems. The key box shall be a type approved by the Chief of the
Braintree Fire Department and shall be located and installed as approved
by the Chief. Any building owner violating this section after receiving
due notice by the Fire Department shall be subject to a fine of $50.
A.
All fire alarm cables and fire alarm equipment installed in new subdivisions
shall be placed underground.
B.
Such installation is to be done at the expense of the developer and
the work performed under the supervision of the Fire Chief who shall
notify the Planning Board, in writing, upon satisfactory completion
of such installation.
For inspections and related services not covered by statutory
law, the following fees, based on a Department-certified inspection
form, shall apply for those uses listed below:
A.
Lumberyards: $50 per year.
B.
Junk or salvage yards: $50 per year.
C.
Theater inspection: $50 per year.
D.
Inspection of commercial garages: $50 per year.
E.
Gasoline stations: $50 per year.
F.
Review of sprinkler and/or fire protection plans and specifications:
$30 per hour.
G.
On-site inspections/fire protection inspections:
(1)
Single-family: $25 as prescribed under MGL c. 148; reinspection
or call-back visit: $25 each.
(2)
Multiple dwelling: $25; additional units: $10 each.
(3)
Commercial: $50 per zone of fire protection system.
(4)
Reinspection or call-back visit, multiple dwelling or commercial:
$25 per zone of fire protection system.
I.
Clinics/HMOs: $50 per licensing certificate of inspection.
J.
Kindergartens: $50 per licensing certificate of inspection.
K.
Private schools: $50 per licensing certificate of inspection.
N.
Reinspection for licensed facilities or those requiring quarterly
inspections: $50.
O.
Underground storage tanks, removal or relocation. Any underground
storage tank which has been used for keeping or storage of gasoline
or hazardous chemicals, as prescribed by the Environmental Protection
Agency or the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection,
shall not be removed or relocated unless a permit has been obtained
from the Chief of the Braintree Fire Department, i.e., a permit to
remove or relocate an underground storage tank under the provisions
of MGL c. 21O, § 1, and 527 CMR 9:00 and 502 CMR 3:00, as
amended.[2]
(1)
Permit fee: $200 (all steel, fiberglass UST and gasoline and
heating fuel).
(2)
Fuel oil tank under 1,100 gallons removal permit: $25 (heating
fuel No. 2 only).
[2]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch.
1.10, Adoption of Code).
P.
General Laws Chapter 21E inquiry and record review: $25 per hour.
Q.
All other permits not addressed by statute: $25.
[1]
Note: This section was previously amended ATM 5-14-1991 by
Art. 30.
A.
All buildings that are required to be equipped with Type I or Type
II fire alarm systems as determined and described by the Massachusetts
State Building Code Regulations, Massachusetts Fire Prevention Regulations
or Town of Braintree ordinances shall have all fire alarm system devices
tested no less than two times each calendar year by a qualified fire
alarm service company. Lodging homes having 13 or more tenants shall
be equipped with a Type I system. Lodging homes having 12 or fewer
tenants shall be equipped with a Type II system. Devices to be tested
are all alarms (automatic or manual), signaling, supervisory circuits,
standby battery supplies and other system and single station units
within the structure installed for the purpose of fire protection.
The building owner shall be responsible for maintaining proper written
records of the tests, indicating dates, time and signature of the
qualified tester, and such records shall be available to be viewed
by any public safety representative employed by the Town. The Chief
of the Braintree Fire Department, his representative or the Braintree
Assistant Superintendent of Fire Alarm Systems shall determine the
qualifications of the fire alarm service organization or individual.
The owner shall have written proof of a maintenance contract or agreement
with a qualified fire alarm company, and such agreement or contract
shall indicate that the service company is on twenty-four-hour call
and will respond within 24 hours for maintenance or repair of the
fire alarm system.
B.
Should a fire alarm system require maintenance or repair, it is the
responsibility of the owner or his representative that such system
be repaired and placed back into service within 24 hours of the discovery
of the fault by the owner, service company, or Braintree public safety
official. Notification of such fault to the owner or his representative
may be written or verbal.
C.
Should the system provide protection for a structure where a life
hazard exists, including, but not limited to, apartments (six units
or more), hotels, motels, lodging houses, hospitals, nursing homes,
schools, day-care centers or nurseries, it is the responsibility of
the owner to have the system in proper operation within the twenty-four-hour
period or, at his expense, provide a Braintree firefighter during
the nighttime hours or when a life hazard exists. Those failing to
comply shall be considered in violation of this chapter. The Chief
of the Fire Department shall determine when a life hazard exists.
When such condition exists, the Chief of the Fire Department or his
representative shall determine when the fire watch will be removed.
D.
Any owner to be found in violation of this chapter shall be fined
the sum of no more than $300 per day for each day of violation until
the fire alarm system is placed in service to the satisfaction of
the Chief of the Fire Department or his representative. All residential
structures of five units or fewer are exempted from the requirement
to procure a formal maintenance contract. However, it is the responsibility
of the owner of such structure to properly maintain and keep in good
working order all fire protection and fire alarm devices.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Amended at time of adoption of Code (see Ch.
1.10, Adoption of Code).
E.
The name and emergency telephone number of both the owner and the
qualified service organization shall be posted in a conspicuous place,
preferably on the fire alarm control panel.
