[Ord. 665, 8/14/2013]
1.
The Board of Commissioners of Collier Township finds that:
A.
Improper installation, defective equipment, lack of maintenance or
other reasons may cause any fire alarm system to malfunction.
B.
Each time a volunteer fire company or other municipal department
responds to a fire alarm activated because of a malfunction, the cost
to the Township and the volunteer fire company is significant.
C.
In addition to the financial cost, each malfunction requires that
emergency personnel respond, thus decreasing the number of personnel
available to respond to an actual fire or other emergency.
D.
False fire alarms jeopardize the safety of emergency personnel as
well as the general public.
E.
The First Class Township Code has vested the Board with the power
to regulate the foregoing pursuant to 53 P.S. §§ 56502,
56516 and 56552.
[Ord. 665, 8/14/2013]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Any device designed for the detection of fire and that issues
an alert to the existence of a fire and that, when activated, transmits
a signal or causes to be transmitted a signal.
Any fire alarm signal which is not the result of an actual
or potential fire. False alarms shall include, but not be limited
to, negligently or accidently activated signals; signals which are
the result of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained
equipment; signals which are purposely or accidently activated to
summon fire response in nonfire emergency situations; and alarm fire
signals to which the actual cause is not determined.
[Ord. 665, 8/14/2013]
For the purpose of this Part, all persons, including individuals,
groups, associates, corporations and other entities shall be deemed
responsible to maintain all portions of the "alarm system" which they
own, or over which they may have control or custody, in such condition
and in such a manner that will prevent the activation of a "false
alarm," and such person shall prevent the existence of any external
conditions which may cause the activation of a "false alarm."
[Ord. 665, 8/14/2013]
From and after the date of this Part, any person having ownership,
custody or control of an alarm system which issues a false alarm shall
be in violation of this Part. Each false alarm issued shall constitute
a separate violation.
[Ord. 665, 8/14/2013]
1.
For the first three false alarms which occur in any one twelve-month
period from each alarm system, there shall be no charge. For each
false alarm thereafter during such twelve-month period, the penalty
shall be payable to the Township Treasurer, within 30 days of notification,
in the following amounts:
2.
Any person violating this Part by failing to timely pay the penalty
due hereunder shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $1,000 per
violation and to imprisonment to the extent permitted by law for the
punishment of summary offenses. Enforcement of this Part shall be
by action brought before the District Justice in the same manner provided
for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules
of Criminal Procedure. In addition to any other remedy available under
law, the Township may enforce this Part by an action in equity. The
initial determination of violation of this Part and the service of
notice of violation are hereby delegated to the Township Chief Building
and Fire Code Officials.
