[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of
Greenville 7-8-2003 by Ord. No. 1417 (Ch. 13, Part 8, of the 2006 Code
of Ordinances.) Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Fire Department — See Ch. 30.
The purpose of this chapter is to establish regulations for
fire alarm systems and for the requirement of an alarm permit; to
establish fees and penalties for fire department responses to unnecessary
fire alarm system activations caused by system malfunction, negligence
or false intent and to adopt a permit fee for the installation, alteration
or removal of a fire alarm system.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The unintentional activation of a fire alarm system without
malicious intent.
A fire alarm system in which the operation of circuits and
devices are transmitted automatically to a supervising station that
has competent and experienced personnel who, upon receipt of a signal,
notifies the emergency service provider when necessary.
The intentional activation of a fire alarm by a person under
circumstances where that person has no reasonable basis to believe
that an emergency situation has occurred or is occurring.
Any mechanical or electrical device which is designed for
the detection of smoke, heat, flame or activation of a fire-suppression
system in a building, structure or facility; and which transmits a
signal or message when activated. Alarm systems include, but are not
limited to, direct-dial telephone alarm systems, audible alarm systems,
proprietary alarm systems, central station alarm systems and remote
station alarm systems.
A fire alarm system that employs a locally complete arrangement
of parts, initiating devices and annunciating devices which generates
an audible or visual signal inside the premises only and does not
make any notification to a supervising station. Alarm activation requires
the occupant to take action to contact and request response by emergency
service providers.
Any alarm caused by mechanical failure, malfunction, improper
installation or lack of proper maintenance, or any alarm activated
by a cause that cannot be determined.
Notice given by personal service upon the addressee, or given
by the United States Postal Service to last known address. Service,
postage prepaid, addressed to the person to be notified at his or
her last known address of such notice shall be effective upon completion
of personal service, or upon placing of the same in the custody of
the United States Postal Service.
A fire alarm system component such as a bell, horn, light,
speaker, siren or text display that provides audible, tactile or visible
outputs or any combination thereof.
An individual, individuals, corporation, partnership, incorporated
association, unincorporated association or other like or similar entity.
A fire alarm system installed on a premises that is monitored
by a supervising station occupying that premises at which trained,
competent personnel are in constant attendance.
The recipient of a contractual supervising station signal
service(s) of a fire alarm system or for the servicing or maintenance
of a fire alarm system from an alarm business.
A facility that receives fire alarm signals and at which
personnel are in attendance at all times to take action when such
signals are received.
All fire alarm systems shall meet the applicable standards of
the underwriters laboratories and/or the National Fire Protection
Association, and/or recognized industry standards, and shall be permitted
under this chapter if in conformity thereto. A fire alarm system which
does not meet any of the above standards or for which there is no
recognized industry standard shall require applicant for a permit
to submit such evidence of the reliability of suitability of the fire
alarm system. Any permit issued for such a fire alarm system which
does not conform to recognized industry standards shall be conditionally
subject to satisfactory performance of said fire alarm system after
installation. The applicant for a permit may be required to submit
to the Fire Chief subsequent evidence of the reliability and suitability
of the fire alarm system.
A.
Alarm system permit. No persons shall possess or use a fire alarm
system without first applying for and receiving a fire alarm system
permit therefor in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
Said fee shall be paid in full and accompany the completed alarm permit
application. The alarm permit application shall be available and provided
to any person requesting the same with the Fire Chief of the Greenville
Fire Department.
B.
System permit fee. The fee for a fire alarm system permit shall be
$10 or as may be established from time to time by the Council of the
Borough of Greenville. The fee shall not be prorated, regardless of
the time frame in which said permit is applied for. Said permit is
valid until such time as the system is removed, altered or replaced.
At such time as the system is removed, altered or replaced, a new
permit shall be required.
C.
Fire alarm system permit requirements. This permit is to be displayed
on the premises where the alarm system is located. The permit shall
be displayed so as to be available to any investigation officer. Each
permit shall be assigned a number for identification purposes. Every
person maintaining or operating a fire alarm system shall keep on
file at the office of the Fire Chief the current names and telephone
numbers of the persons to be notified to render repairs or service,
or secure the premises during any hour of the day or night that the
fire alarm system is actuated. The installation of an emergency access
key box on the exterior of any building, facility or structure shall
be required at the discretion of the Fire Chief.
A.
Application for all permits required hereunder shall be filed with
the Fire Chief of the Greenville Fire Department and shall be accompanied
by the requisite fee. No fee is established to cover the administration
of the permit issuance process. The Fire Chief shall prescribe the
form of the application and request such information as is necessary
to evaluate and act upon the permit application. The application for
fire alarm system shall require the name, address and telephone number
of the person who will render service or repair during any hour of
the day or night.
B.
The issuing and approving of all fire alarm system permits shall
be by the Fire Chief of the Greenville Fire Department.
A.
If any system in service on any premises or in any business or facility
within the Borough continually and repeatedly malfunctions or is activated
by negligence so as to cause invalid fire alarm activations, then
the Fire Chief is empowered to charge a fee for any invalid fire alarm
activation which is received after the issuance of an official notification.
Such notification will be made by the Greenville Fire Department in
writing to the owner of the premises or facility using the malfunctioning
fire alarm system or failure of the owner or his agent to prevent
a negligent or accidental activation of a fire alarm system. The fee
schedule for a negligent or accidental or unnecessary fire alarm activation
after three occurrences in a twelve-month period shall be as follows:
(1)
First occurrence (fourth activation): $50.
(2)
Second occurrence (fifth activation): $100.
(3)
Third occurrence (sixth activation): $300.
(4)
Fourth occurrence (seventh activation). Disconnection of system shall
be required until repairs are made and an inspection done by the Borough
of Greenville Fire Department.
B.
A person causing an intentional false activation of the fire alarm
system knowing there is no fire or emergency or knowing there are
not circumstances where the person has no reason or basis to believe
that an emergency situation has occurred or is occurring shall be
prosecuted as is permitted by law with a restitution being paid to
the Borough of Greenville Fire Department in an amount not less than
$300.
If it is necessary for any reason to disconnect a fire alarm
system, then, prior to the reconnection, the system shall be inspected
by the Fire Chief, the owner/operator of the property and the alarm
company representative. After the inspection has been conducted and
the malfunctions have been corrected, reconnection will be allowed.
Any and all charges which result from the disconnection and reconnection
will be the responsibility of the owner/operator of the property.
Any and all tests or inspections of a fire alarm system or fire
drill that requires the activation of a fire alarm system shall be
conducted with the prior knowledge of the Greenville Fire Department.
The information furnished and secured by pursuant to this chapter
shall be kept confidential in character and shall not be subject to
public inspection and shall be kept so that the content thereof shall
not be known except to persons charged with the administration of
this chapter or as an employee of the Borough responding to an activation
in a business, facility or structure set forth in this chapter.
Administration and enforcement of this chapter shall be functions
of the Borough of Greenville and shall include the following:
A.
Authority to accept or reject a permit application or revoke a permit
because of a misrepresentation or false statement contained in the
application for a permit, or failure to correct any deficiencies in
equipment or operation of a fire alarm system after receiving due
notice from the Borough, or not meeting other conditions and specifications
of this chapter.
B.
Authority to order the disconnection of a fire alarm system until
such system is made to comply with operational standards set forth
herein, but only when evidence when failure to comply with said standards
imposes a burden upon the Borough as a result of unnecessary fire
alarms.
C.
Authority, at reasonable times to enter any premises in the Borough
to inspect the installation and operation of a fire alarm system.
The issuance of a permit shall not constitute acceptance by
the Borough of any liability to maintain any equipment, to answer
alarms, or to otherwise render the Borough liable to any person or
persons for any loss or damage relating to the fire alarm system or
procedures.
Any person, firm, corporation or association who shall violate
any provision of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be sentenced
to pay a fine of not less than $50 nor more than $600 plus costs and,
in default of the payment of said fine and costs, for a term of imprisonment
not to exceed 90 days. Each day that the violation of this chapter
continues shall constitute a separate offense.
