[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township of Warrington 4-7-1987 by Ord. No. 87-6 (Ch. 13, Part 3, of the 1995 Code of Ordinances). Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Tickets for certain offenses — See Ch. 38, Art. II.
Police Department — See Ch. 57.
This chapter shall be known and cited as the "Automatic Fire Protection Device Regulations."
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUDIBLE ALARM
Any device, bell, horn or siren which is attached to the exterior or interior of a building that emits a warning signal audible outside the building designed to attract attention when activated, requiring fire department response.
AUTOMATIC PROTECTION DEVICE (hereinafter referred to as "APD")
Electronically operating instruments composed of sensory apparatus and related hardware, which automatically transmits a prerecorded voice or other alarm signal over regular telephone lines by direct or indirect connection to the Bucks County Communications Center or other emergency center upon receipt of a stimulus from sensory apparatus that has detected a fire. Indirect connection shall include answering services and all other persons monitoring and relaying the information to the Bucks County Communications Center, or other emergency center.
FALSE ALARM
Any signal activated by an automatic protection device or any audible alarm or other kind of direct or indirect signal given or caused to be given the Bucks County Communications Center or other emergency center and firemen respond, which is not the result of a fire, or similar emergency.
MAINTENANCE OR REPAIR PERSON
Persons or persons responsible for maintaining and repairing the fire alarm system. Such person or persons shall be knowledgeable of the operation, maintenance and installation of fire alarm systems. Such person or persons shall be knowledgeable of all codes regarding operation, maintenance and installation of fire alarm systems.
SUBSCRIBER
Any resident, person, corporation, institution, or company keyed to an automatic protection device in the Township to a designated or direct trunk line.
USER
Any resident, person, corporation, institution or company which has installed an audible or other alarm system designed to alert firemen and require their response.
[Amended 2-21-1995 by Ord. No. 95-3]
A. 
Within 90 days after the effective date of this chapter, every subscriber or user of an automatic protection device for fire detection shall register in writing with the Township of Warrington and provide such information as may be required, which shall include, though not be limited to, the following:
(1) 
The name, residence and telephone number of the user.
(2) 
The address where the device is installed and the telephone number of that address.
(3) 
The name, address, and telephone number of at least two persons who are authorized to gain entry into the protected premises, and who are available to respond within 20 minutes of notification.
(4) 
The name, address, and telephone number of the fire alarm equipment supplier and person responsible for maintenance and repair of the automatic protection device or audible alarm.
B. 
All information furnished pursuant to this section shall be kept confidential and shall be for the exclusive use of the Township pursuant to this chapter.
C. 
The Township shall establish a fee for registration by the subscriber or user.
D. 
Each subscriber shall enter into an agreement with the Township whereby the Township shall be held harmless for any damage or breakage caused by the Township while making forced entry to answer an alarm, whether false or authentic.
E. 
Each subscriber or user shall, upon registration, agree to pay to the Township such sums for false or accidental activation of fire alarms to which firemen respond as are then currently set forth in the Township Schedule of Fees and, further, shall agree to pay such sums as they may, from time to time, be increased by resolution of the Board of Supervisors.
F. 
Upon registration, the Township shall issue a permit to the subscriber or user. A permit is required for the use or operation of any alarm system. Use or operation without first obtaining a permit is unlawful. The permit may be revoked by the Township for noncompliance with any provision of this chapter.
G. 
The Township shall notify the subscriber or user, in writing, upon receipt of the third false or accidental alarm within any twelve-month period. Said notice shall be sent via U.S. first-class mail. Notice of fees due shall be sent for each false alarm in excess of three in any twelve-month period.
H. 
The subscriber or user shall have 10 days to pay the fee charged from the date of the notice.
I. 
Failure of the subscriber and/or user to respond to the notice sent or refusal to pay the fee required shall constitute a violation of this chapter, subject to the penalties provided in this section.
J. 
If, due to weather conditions, electrical failure, or other malfunction, three or more false alarms from unrelated locations are received within 30 minutes of each other, the fee or penalty shall not be assessed nor shall that alarm be counted for enforcement purposes.
K. 
It shall be unlawful to intentionally activate a fire alarm to summon the firemen except for the reporting of a fire.
All automatic protection devices must be maintained by the user in good repair to ensure maximum reliability of operation. For the purposes of this chapter, any alarm transmitted or activated without any physical evidence of a fire shall be construed as a false alarm.
A. 
Automatic dialers shall only transmit a message approved by the Township Fire Marshal. Said equipment shall be designed so as not to transmit more than two messages arising out of the same fire, to the Bucks County Communications Center, or other emergency center. The message shall be no longer than 15 seconds in duration, and shall not be repeated more than twice.
B. 
The equipment shall not be keyed to the primary telephone lines of the Fire Department but shall only be keyed to designated phone numbers.
Audible alarms shall be designed to deactivate after 20 minutes of operation. Each subscriber or user shall have 90 days following the effective date of this chapter to comply with these regulations. Thereafter, all audible alarms not in compliance shall be unlawful and must be disconnected, and shall remain disconnected until brought into compliance with this chapter.
This chapter, nor any agreement resulting therefrom, shall not constitute acceptance by Warrington Township of any liability to maintain any equipment, to answer any alarm or any other occurrence in connection therewith.
[Amended 2-21-1995 by Ord. No. 95-3; 2-10-1998 by Ord. No. 98-2; at time of adoption of Code (see Ch. 1, General Provisions, Art. I)]
Any person, firm or corporation who shall violate any provision of this chapter, upon conviction thereof in an action brought before a Magisterial District Judge in the manner provided for the enforcement of summary offenses under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than $300 plus costs and, in default of payment of said fine and costs, to a term of imprisonment not to exceed 90 days. Each day that a violation of this chapter continues or each section of this chapter which shall be found to have been violated shall constitute a separate offense. This chapter/article may be enforced initially by violation ticket (citation); see Chapter 38, Ordinance Enforcement Procedures, Article II, Tickets for Certain Offenses.