CHAPTER 117:  EMERGENCY ALARM SYSTEMS

Section

     117.01     Definitions

     117.02     Alarm user permit required

     117.03     Alarm user permit application, term, transfer, fee, exemptions, renewal

     117.04     Revocation of alarm user permit

     117.05     Alarm dealer permit, required

     117.06     Alarm dealer permit, application, issuance, term, transfer, fee, renewal

     117.07     Alarm dealer conditions

     117.08     Revocation, alarm dealer permit

     117.09     Examination of applicant

     117.10     System standards

     117.11     Malfunctioning audible alarm systems

     117.12     Excessive false alarms

     117.13     False alarm determination

     117.14     Appeal of false alarm determination

     117.15     Reinstatement of revoked permits

     117.16     Liability of city

     117.17     Severability

     117.18     Fees, terms

     117.99     Penalty

§ 117.01  DEFINITIONS.

     For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.

     ALARM AGENT. Any person employed by or working as an independent contractor for an alarm dealer, who sells, repairs, services, alters, replaces, removes, designs, maintains, or installs, alarm systems, on/in the premises of the alarm user.

     ALARM DEALER. Any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity that sells, leases, monitors, maintains, services, repairs, alters, replaces, moves or installs any alarm system; or causes to be sold, leased, monitored, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved, or installed, any alarm in or on any building, structure or facility. (This shall include owners of proprietary alarm systems). ALARM DEALER shall not include electrical and building contractors licensed by the city who do not advertise or otherwise represent themselves as being in the business of alarm dealers nor retail stores where the selling of alarm systems or components is not the store's primary business.

     ALARM SYSTEM. Any assembly of equipment, mechanical, audible or electrical, designed to signal any fire or occurrence of an illegal entry or other illegal activity requiring emergency response by the police or fire division, but does not include alarms installed in motor vehicles, or security devices carried on the person.

     ALARM USER. Any person, partnership, corporation, or any other entity who purchases, leases, contracts for, otherwise obtains or uses an alarm system in a facility that lies within the jurisdiction of the division of fire or police.

     AUTOMATIC DIALER. Any alarm system which is designed to emit its signal directly to the police division or fire division by means of dialing a telephone number and giving a pre-recorded message.

     COOPERATE. Work with the alarm owner and alarm vendor to correct problems and prevent malfunctions of alarm systems and reduce false alarm trips of all alarm equipment.

     EMERGENCY CONTACT PERSON. A person listed on the alarm permit application by the alarm user, who has a key or other access to the alarm user's property and who will respond, if necessary, when the alarm system is activated.

     FALSE ALARM. An alarm signal requesting an emergency response by the police or fire division when an emergency situation does not exist. False alarms do not include signals caused by tornadoes, blizzards or other catastrophic acts of God;

     INSPECTOR. Shall be defined as in the Ohio Fire Code 1301:7-1 FM 102.1.

     PERMIT YEAR. Each 12-month period following the issue date of a permit.

     REVOCATION. That period of time when all rights and privileges of a permit have been abolished for noncompliance with provisions of this chapter. Reinstatement of the permit shall occur when all provisions of this chapter have been met.

     SERVICE FEE. Penalty charges assessed for false alarms.

     TERM.  Length of permit validity.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.02  ALARM USER PERMIT REQUIRED.

     (A)     No alarm user shall operate an alarm system, monitored or audible, without first having been issued a valid alarm user permit from the department of public safety, license section.

     (B)     The property owner shall obtain a permit for any operational alarm system housed in vacant property.

     (C)     No posting of the alarm user permit is required; however, the permit shall be made available immediately upon the request of any police officer, firefighter or the Safety Director.

     (D)     The issuance of a false alarm notice by the police or fire division pursuant to § 117.13(B) shall be prima facie evidence that an alarm system is in use, and for the purpose of determining the number of false alarms per year, the date of that false alarm shall be used as the date the permit is issued.

     (E)     Alarms presently in use on the effective date of this chapter shall comply within six months of the effective date.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.03  ALARM USER PERMIT APPLICATION, TERM, TRANSFER, FEE EXEMPTIONS, RENEWAL.

     (A)     Applications for alarm user permits shall be made on forms provided by the Safety Director's Office. This shall include a minimum of two contact persons in addition to the alarm permit holder with pass codes and security access to reset alarms. All requested information shall be accurately completed and all agreement and permission statements signed.

Any change in application information as provided shall be reported to the license section within 14 calendar days of such change.

     (B) All alarm user permits shall be valid for two years from date of issue.

     (C)     An alarm user permit may be transferred by named users to their new location during a permit period.

          (1)     Said permit is not transferable from one user to another user.

     (D)     Permit fees, as provided in § 117.18, shall be paid prior to issuance of permit, except that no permit fee shall be imposed upon any federal, state, county or municipal government agency.

     (E)     All permits shall be renewed prior to their date of expiration.

          (1)     Users shall be invoiced for renewal fees;

          (2)     Renewal invoices shall also request any change in permit information currently on file.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.04  REVOCATION OF ALARM USER PERMIT.

     (A)     An alarm user permit may be revoked for any one of the following reasons:

          (1)     Any false alarms in excess of six false alarms in a permit year;

          (2)     Failure to remit the service fee required by § 117.18, within 30 calendar days of receipt of invoice, or within 30 calendar days of a final determination of liability, if appealed, as allowed under §§ 117.17(A), (B);

          (3)     Failure to remit renewal fee and information change required by § 117.03, within 30 days of invoice date shall result in an automatic revocation of an alarm user permit.

          (4)     Falsification of any information on an alarm user permit application;

          (5)     Failure to appear at any hearing as provided in this chapter;

          (6)     Failure to notify the license section of changes in permit information as required by § 117.03(A);

          (7)     Use of any automatic dialer programmed to connect directly to the Wadsworth police division or fire division;

          (8)     Programming any dialer to connect with the 911 emergency system;

          (9)     Failure to cooperate with inspectors inspecting alarm systems;

          (10)     Failure to disconnect or reset an alarm system when ordered to do so by the director of public safety or designee.

     (B)     A hearing shall be conducted by the Director of Public Safety to determine if an alarm user permit should be revoked. The holder of the alarm user permit shall be notified by certified mail or personal service at least 14 calendar days in advance of such hearing. The holder of the alarm user permit shall have the right to present evidence and testimony.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.05  ALARM DEALER PERMIT, REQUIRED.

     No person, company, corporation, partnership, or other entity shall sell, lease, monitor, install, activate; or cause to be sold, leased, monitored, installed or activated, an alarm system unless such person, company, corporation, partnership or other entity is first in possession of a valid alarm dealer permit.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.06  ALARM DEALER PERMIT, APPLICATION, ISSUANCE, TERM, TRANSFER, FEE, RENEWAL.

     (A)     Alarm dealer applications shall be made on forms provided by the license section. All requested information shall be accurately completed.

          (1)     Any change in application information shall be reported to the license section within 14 calendar days of such change.

     (B)     Permits shall expire one year from date of issue.

     (C)     Permits are nontransferable.

     (D)     Permit fees, as provided in § 117.18, shall be paid prior to issuance of a permit.

     (E)     All alarm dealer permits shall be renewed prior to their date of expiration.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.07  ALARM DEALER CONDITIONS. 

     (A)     Alarm dealers shall not:

          (1)     Employ any person to sell, install, or service an alarm system as outlined in the Ohio Building Code or otherwise act as an alarm agent unless such person has a valid certification as issued by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal.

          (2)     Contract for monitoring of an alarm system with any person or company not holding an alarm dealer permit.

     (B)     Alarm dealers shall provide to the City of Wadsworth in format approved by the section:

          (1)     Information on new installations and customers as they occur;

          (2)     An accurate listing of all names and identification numbers of alarm systems located within the City of Wadsworth and Wadsworth Township or other alarm dealers for whom they currently monitor (monitor customer), prior to obtaining their own alarm dealer permit; and

               (a)     Any change in current monitor customer permit information as it occurs;

               (b)     Any new monitor customer information by the end of the last business day of each month;

               (c)     Any deletion in monitor customer listings by the end of the last business day of each month.

     (C)     Alarm dealers shall also:

          (1)     Provide company identification cards for alarm agents, which shall include, company name, agent name, agent photograph.

          (2)     Completely test each alarm system after installation in accordance with the applicable codes or standards.

          (3)     Instruct all customers in writing of procedures for testing the system.

     (D)     Alarm dealers shall list each company that monitors its alarms. This list shall be used when the monitoring company requests service from the City of Wadsworth police division or fire division. If changes to monitoring company the City of Wadsworth shall be notified within seven days.

          (1)     This list shall be provided when the alarm dealer permit is issued.

     (E)     Alarm dealers shall also conform to all city codes, including, but not limited to building and fire codes, as well as the state and federal laws applicable thereto.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.08  REVOCATION, ALARM DEALER PERMIT.

     (A)     An alarm dealer permit may be revoked for any of the following reasons:

          (1)     Falsification of any information on permit application;

          (2)     Failure to notify the license section of changes in permit information as required in § 117.06(A)(l).

          (3)     Installation of any automatic dialer programmed to connect directly to the City of Wadsworth police division or fire division;

          (4)     Programming any dialer to connect with the 911 emergency system;

          (5)     Failure to cooperate with certified fire safety inspectors certified in accordance with R.C. § 3737.34 when inspecting alarm systems;

          (6)     Violation of any other provision of this chapter.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.09  EXAMINATION OF APPLICANT.

     No permit shall be issued to any alarm dealer who has been convicted of theft or any felony within the past five years, nor to any person on parole for a felony at the time of application.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.10  SYSTEM STANDARDS.

     (A)     Alarm systems capable of being activated by any failure in the electrical current are prohibited.

          (1)     Systems shall be equipped with a secondary power source which shall hold the alarm readiness for a minimum of 15 minutes or shall be rendered inoperable by such power interruption.

     (B)     Audible alarm systems which do not have an automatic cutoff within 15 minutes after initial activation shall be prohibited.

     (C)     The sensory mechanisms used in connection with alarm systems shall be adjusted so that the device will not be activated by forces unrelated to genuine alarms, including but not limited to the following:

          (1)     Short flashes of light;

          (2)     Wind noises, such as the rattling or vibrating of doors or windows;

          (3)     Vehicular noise adjacent to the installation.

     (D)     No automatic dialers shall be programmed to dial the 911 emergency response system.

     (E)     Use of any automatic dialer systems programmed to connect directly with the City of Wadsworth police division or fire division is prohibited.

     (F)     All fire systems, must at all times remain within the standards set forth by the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of State Fire Marshal.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.11  MALFUNCTIONING AUDIBLE ALARM SYSTEMS.

     Alarm users, and alarm dealers shall cooperate with the safety director by supplying information that may be necessary to disconnect or reset any system that does not conform to § 117.10(B) above.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.12  EXCESSIVE FALSE ALARMS.

     Excessive false alarm occurrences may result in on-site inspections or in consultations conducted by the director of public safety. Alarm users and their responsible alarm dealers may be required to be in attendance. Excessive false alarms shall mean four or more false alarms in a 12-month period.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.13  FALSE ALARM DETERMINATION.

     (A)     When a police officer or firefighter responds to the scene of an emergency alarm signal, it shall be the responsibility of that officer or firefighter to determine the validity of the emergency signal.

     (B)     If the responding police officer or firefighter determines the emergency signal to be false, that officer or firefighter shall make a report of the false alarm and forward it to the department of public safety. This officer or firefighter shall determine if the false alarm is the responsibility of the owner or the dealer servicing or installing the system and indicate this on the alarm notice. A notification of the false alarm report shall be immediately delivered to the address of the false alarm occurrence. In the case the responsibility is with the alarm dealer or their agent the notice shall be issued to that party on site at the time of alarm if possible. A notice served or posted at the front entrance to the facility shall meet requirements of this section.

     (C)     Each false alarm notice shall constitute a separate violation of this chapter.

     (D)     If alarms occur within a 48-hour period while the system is being installed or repaired, this will only constitute one false alarm record.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.14  APPEAL OF FALSE ALARM DETERMINATION.

     (A)     Upon receipt of any false alarm report, the alarm user may appeal by submitting a written explanation as to the actual cause of the alarm within 14 calendar days from the date of the false alarm to the Director of Public Safety.

     (B)     False alarms may be dismissed under the following conditions:

          (1)     Equipment malfunctions, with written verification from the alarm company that such malfunctioning equipment has been repaired;

          (2)     Burglary, attempted burglary, or vandalism if proper police report has been filed.

     (C)     False alarms will not be dismissed for the following reasons:

          (1)     Low battery in alarm back-up system;

          (2)     Premises left unsecured;

          (3)     Defective locks;

          (4)     Loose fitting windows and doors;

          (5)     Improper use of alarm system by the user;

          (6)     Repetitive service orders for alleged equipment malfunctions.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.15  REINSTATEMENT OF REVOKED PERMITS.

     (A)     All permits named in this chapter that have been revoked for any reason shall be assessed a reinstatement fee as provided in § 117.18.

     (B)     In addition to the reinstatement fee, all outstanding service fees shall be paid prior to reinstatement.

     (C)     In addition to divisions (A) and (B) above, a corrective action plan submitted by the alarm user, may also be required by the director of public safety prior to reinstatement.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.16  LIABILITY OF CITY.

     The issuance of any permit in conjunction with this chapter shall not constitute acceptance by the city of any liability for anything in connection therewith. All information contained on the alarm user permit shall be for use only by City of Wadsworth Safety Forces and will be treated as confidential.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.17  SEVERABILITY.

     If any portion of this chapter, or any portion of a section is declared to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, such declaration of invalidity shall be limited to that portion and be declared invalid. This declaration of invalidity shall not affect or impair the remainder of this chapter, and to this end, the provisions are severable.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)

§ 117.18  FEES, TERMS.

     (A)     The following schedule sets forth applicable fees and terms for alarm dealers and users:

     (B)     All fees, once processed, shall be nonrefundable.

§ 117.99  PENALTY.

     (A)     Whoever violates Section § 117.02 shall be guilty of a minor misdemeanor and shall be fined not more than $150. Upon subsequent conviction, such person shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be fined not more than $500.

     (B)     Whoever violates §§ 117.05 and 117.08 shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree and shall be fined not more than $500. Any violation shall constitute a separate offense for each successive day continued.

(Ord. 05-044, passed 5-3-05)