City of Washington, PA Chapter 90 Alarm Systems

[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the City of Washington 8-6-2015 by Ord. No. 1869. Amendments noted where applicable.]

§ 90-1 Definitions; word usage.

A. As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context:

ACCIDENTAL FALSE ALARMS

Any false alarm which is not an intentional false alarm as defined herein or when an intrusion, crime, fire or other emergency has not actually occurred.

ALARM

A communication to the Police or Fire Department indicating that a crime, fire or other emergency situation warranting immediate action by the Police Department has occurred or is occurring.

ALARM DEVICE

A mechanical device designed to automatically transmit an alarm by wire, telephone, radio or other means directly to the Fire Department, to a person who is instructed to notify the Police or Fire Department of the alarm, or to activate a bell or sounding device to be heard outside a building which is intended to alert the police or others to the existence of a crime, fire, or other emergency situation warranting police action.

ALARM TECHNICIAN

An employee or appointed technician who is qualified to install and test any and all portions of the City of Washington fire communication device, or any other firesafety or life safety devices or apparatus.

[Added 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

CENTRAL RECEIVING STATION

The alarm or control panel or other device installed in the City headquarters for fire calls or alarms for the purpose of giving visual or audio response to direct alarm devices.

CITY OF WASHINGTON FIRE COMMUNICATION DEVICE

A device provided by the City of Washington Fire Department designed to communicate through telephone or data wires or wirelessly with the City of Washington Fire Department for the purpose of notification of a fire.

[Added 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

DIRECT ALARM DEVICE

An alarm device, other than a telephone dialer alarm device, designed to transmit an alarm directly to the Fire Department.

FALSE ALARM

An alarm to which to the Police or Fire Department responds resulting from the activation of an alarm device when a crime, fire or other emergency warranting immediate action by the Police or Fire Department has not in fact occurred.

FIRE CONTROL PANEL

A centralized control panel communicating with any and all alarm devices in a prescribed building or area. The fire control panel will signal the City of Washington fire communication device.

[Added 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

INDIRECT ALARM DEVICE

An alarm device designed to transmit an alarm to a person who is instructed to notify the Police or Fire Department of the alarm.

INTENTIONAL FALSE ALARM

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 crime, fire or other emergency warranting immediate action by the Police Department has occurred or is occurring.

NONRESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE

Any and all structures used for any purpose, unless designed and built to house a single family.

[Added 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

PERMIT HOLDER

A person to whom the Fire Department has issued an alarm device permit.

PERSON

An individual, corporation, partnership, incorporated association or other similar entity.

TELEPHONE DIALER ALARM DEVICE

An alarm device designed to automatically transmit a recorded message over or through telephone lines or other means directly to the Police or Fire Department or to a person or entity who is instructed to notify the Police or Fire Department of the alarm.

B. In this chapter, the singular shall include the plural, the plural shall include the singular, and the masculine shall include the feminine and the neuter.

§ 90-2 Permits and permit fees.

A. It shall be unlawful for any property owner, lessee of property, or any person or entity otherwise assuming occupation of any nonresidential building, premises or structure of any kind within the City to fail to apply for and install, if so required by the Fire Department, a City of Washington fire communication device.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

B. In order to apply for an alarm device permit, a person must submit an application to the Fire Department setting forth all information and documentation reasonably required by the City which shall include but shall not be limited to the following:

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

(1) His home address and business address and telephone number of each.

(2) The location at which the alarm device will be installed.

(3) The names, addresses and phone numbers of at least two individuals who have keys to the premises at which the alarm device is located, and are authorized to enter the premises at any time, but who do not reside at the premises at which City of Washington fire communication device is to be located.

(4) Required construction information.

(5) A general written description of the device other than schematics.

(6) If the device is to be leased or rented from or is to be serviced pursuant to a service agreement by a person other than the person making application for an alarm device permit, the name, address and telephone number of that person must be stated in the application for an alarm device permit shall submit a signed statement in the following form:[1]

"I (We), the undersigned applicant(s) for an alarm device permit, intending to be legally bound hereby, agree with the City that neither I (we) nor anyone claiming by, through or under me (us), shall make any claim against the City, its officials or agents, for any damages caused to the premises at which the alarm device, which is the subject of this application, is or will be located, if such damage is caused by a forced entry to said premises by employees of the City in order to answer an alarm from said alarm device at a time when said premises are or appear to be unattended or when in the discretion of said employees the circumstances appear to warrant a forced entry."

[1] Editor's Note: So in original.

(7) The or Fire Department or any agent authorized by the City shall furnish forms which any person wishing to apply for an alarm device permit shall submit with his application.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: So in original.

C. A person applying for an alarm permit for a nonresidential building shall submit the required application and upon review, provide the fee for the City of Washington fire communication device. The fee for this device, or any other fees identified in this chapter, shall be listed on the City of Washington Fee Schedule, and may be modified or adopted hereafter pursuant to a resolution of the Mayor and Council of the City of Washington.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

D. The Washington City Fire Department shall, within 30 days from receipt of an application and appropriate fee for a City of Washington fire communication device, send a written notification if the device is required or deemed not to be necessary.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892[3]]

[3] Editor's Note: Original Subsections 5 and 6, which immediately followed this subsection, were repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

E. If a device is found to be damaged, nonfunctioning or faulty, the occupancy permit can be revoked.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

F. An alarm device permit may be revoked for any lawful reason, including but not limited to the following reasons:

(1) Failure of an alarm device to conform to the operational standards set forth in § 90-3 of this chapter.

(2) Failure of a permit holder with a City of Washington fire communication device to pay the Fire Department for the maintenance fees as prescribed by the City of Washington Fee Schedule.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

(3) The occurrence of more than 12 false alarms from an alarm device during any calendar year.

(4) The occurrence of an intentional false alarm caused by the permit holder or by an individual over the age of 15 who resides on the premises where the alarm device is located.

(5) Failure of a permit holder with any direct alarm device or any alarm system or device to pay to the Fire Department installation or maintenance fees assessed to him under Section 5[4] of this chapter within 30 days of the due date thereof.[5]

[4] Editor's Note: Said Section 5 of Ord. No. 1869 was repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

[5] Editor's Note: Original Subsections 9 and 10, which immediately followed this subsection, were repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

G. If an alarm device is designed to transmit a recorded message directly to the City Central Receiving Station or Fire Department, the duration of such recorded message shall not exceed 60 seconds. The contents of the recorded message shall be intelligible and in a format approved by the City, Police and Fire Departments.

H. A tenant's supplied fire control panel need not contain a delay service which causes a delay to occur between the time the alarm device receives a triggering stimulus and the time the fire control panel transmits a signal to the City of Washington fire communication device.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892[6]]

[6] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 13, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

I. All alarm devices shall be designed, installed and maintained so that it interfaces with the central receiving station maintained by the City, to include the Fire Department. Notwithstanding any other term or provision set forth in this chapter, any and all alarm systems or devices of any kind installed in or upon any premises described herein, from and after the effective date of this chapter, shall link to the City of Washington fire communication device provided by the City of Washington Fire Department.[7]

[7] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 15, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

J. All alarm devices and systems of any kind as identified or referenced in this chapter shall meet the standards and specifications set forth herein as well as the applicable standards of Underwriters' Laboratories and/or the National Fire Protection Association, and/or other recognized industry standards, and shall be permitted under this chapter if in conformity thereto. Any alarm device or system which does not meet any or all of the above standards or for which there is no recognized industry standard shall require the applicant for a permit to submit evidence of the reliability or suitability of the alarm device, which may be approved or denied by the City. Any permit issued for such an alarm device or system which does not conform to the recognized standard may be conditionally subject to satisfactory performance of said alarm device or system after installation. The applicant for a permit may be required to submit evidence of the reliability and suitability of the alarm device.

K. The sensory mechanism used in connection with an alarm device must be adjusted to suppress false indication of fire or intrusions, so that the alarm device will not be activated by impulses due to transient pressure change in water pipes, short flashes of light, wind noises such as the rattling or vibrating of doors or windows, vehicular noise adjacent to the premises, or other forces unrelated to genuine alarm situations.

L. The alarm device must be maintained by the permit holder in good repair to assure reliability of operations.[8]

[8] Editor's Note: Original Subsection 19, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

§ 90-3 Alarm systems.

A. Connection fee.

(1) In addition to the terms set forth in this chapter, no individual, person, occupant, entity, homeowner, resident, business organization, nonprofit organization or charitable institution, as hereinafter defined shall pay the annual alarm monitor fee as listed on the City of Washington Fee Schedule, payable on or before March 1 of each succeeding calendar year.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

(2) There is no refund of fees or any portion of any fees for any reason.

(3) Any person, entity, homeowner, resident, business organization, nonprofit organization or charitable institution which fails to pay said annual rental fee by April 1 of each calendar year will be assessed an additional amount as specified by the City of Washington Fee Schedule, charged each month in which the payment is late or delinquent.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

B. Definitions. As used in this section, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

BUSINESS ORGANIZATION

Any proprietorship, partnership, corporation or any other form of business organization whatsoever doing business in the City of Washington.

CHARITABLE INSTITUTION

Organizations incorporated or otherwise whose purpose or purposes include the advancement of education, the advancement of religion, the promotion of health, governmental or municipal purpose and any other purpose which is beneficial to the community.

HOMEOWNER

Any person, corporation, partnership, proprietorship or any other form of business organization which owns a building in the City of Washington, designed or used exclusively as living quarters for one or more families.

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION

Any nonprofit corporation, nonprofit association or otherwise, which is in existence for a purpose or purposes not involving pecuniary profit, incidental or otherwise, to its member.

C. Connection procedure.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

(1) Before any individual, entity, business organization, nonprofit organization or charitable institution shall submit an alarm permit application and upon review associated fee to the City of Washington Fire Department. If drawings and/or schematics are requested, they shall be provided by the applicant to the City of Washington Alarm Technician.

(2) All devices, wires, connectors and other such apparatus installed upon the premises in order to connect to said fire alarm system with the City alarm system shall be color coded in red and shall be clearly designated as a fire alarm wire and/or other device. In addition, all devices, wires, connectors and other such apparatus shall be approved by the City Alarm Technician and the City Fire Chief. Furthermore, all individuals and entities to whom this chapter applies shall comply with all operation standards and requirements as set forth in this chapter.[1]

[1] Editor's Note: Original Subsection D, Connections at cost to connector, which immediately followed this subsection, was repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

D. Penalties. Any person, firm, entity or corporation who shall violate any provision of this section shall, upon conviction or a determination of liability thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 and/or to imprisonment not to exceed 90 days, in addition to any other remedies available to the City. Every day that a violation of this section continues shall constitute a separate offense.[2]

[2] Editor's Note: Original Section 4, False alarms, Section 5, Installation and monitoring fees for direct alarm systems, and Section 6, Change in location of Police or Fire Department, which immediately followed this subsection, were repealed 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892.

§ 90-4 Testing.

No person shall conduct or test any alarm device without first obtaining permission from the Fire Department. Where the equipment is keyed through an intermediary, no such permission is necessary unless the alarm or signal is to be relayed to the central receiving station.

§ 90-5 Liability of municipality.

The issuance of any permit shall not constitute acceptance by the City of any liability to maintain any equipment, to answer alarms, nor otherwise render the City liable to any person for any loss or damage relating to the alarm system or procedure.

§ 90-6 Administration and enforcement.

[Amended 4-6-2017 by Ord. No. 1892]

The administration and enforcement of this chapter is the function of the City of Washington and shall include the following:

A. Authority to refuse or revoke an occupancy permit because of a misrepresentation or false statement contained in any application, failure to correct any deficiencies in equipment or operation of an alarm device after receipt of due notice from the City, or not meeting other conditions and specifications of this chapter.

B. Authority, at reasonable times and upon written notice, to enter upon any premises within the City to inspect the installation and operation of any alarm device by a City employee or appointed representative.

§ 90-7 Right to appeal.

Whenever, under the provisions of this chapter, the Fire Department is empowered to make a decision with respect to the installation, operation or monitoring or maintenance of any alarm device, or with respect to the denial or revocation of any permit relating thereto, any applicant for a permit or permit holder aggrieved by such decision may, within 10 days following the decision, file written appeal therefrom with the City Council of the City of Washington, whereupon the City Council shall promptly conduct a hearing within 30 days of the appeal petition and affirm, modify or reverse the decision appealed from. The decision of the City Council shall be final.

§ 90-8 Violations and penalties.

Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate a provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction or a determination of liability thereof, be sentenced to pay a fine not less than $100 and not more than $1,000 and in default of payment, to imprisonment for a term not to exceed 30 days.