The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Alarm system means a device or an assembly of equipment which emits an audible response which is intended to alert persons outside a premises to the existence of a hazard or emergency, or which is intended to alert emergency agencies by automatically dialing an emergency agency, or which is connected to a private answer point for the purpose of reporting such alarms to emergency agencies, or which is directly connected to the emergency communications center or other emergency agency. "Alarm system" does not include any such device on a motor vehicle.

Avoidable alarm means any activation of an alarm system except alarms activated by violent conditions of nature such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or any other similar cause beyond the control of the user of an alarm system. Notwithstanding any language to the contrary, the defective installation of an alarm system, the failure to repair or cause to be repaired an alarm system, the use of defective equipment in connection with an alarm system, shall not constitute an extraordinary circumstance beyond the reasonable control of the alarm user. Activation of an alarm system under any circumstances which the activator reasonably believes that an emergency situation exists is not an avoidable alarm.

Emergency agency means any police department, fire department or ambulance company.

Local alarm system means a signaling system which, when activated, causes an audible signaling device to be activated outside the premises within which the system is installed.

Private answering point means a business which offers the service of receiving emergency signals, monitoring said signals, and relaying them to an emergency agency.

Proprietary system means an alarm, sounding and/or recording within the premises protected by the alarm, which is not intended to and does not alert persons outside of the premises on which the alarm system is located of a possible hazard and not intended to alert an emergency agency.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 1)

Cross reference— Definitions and rules of construction generally, § 1-2.

All emergency alarm systems which terminate in modules at the communications center must be electrically wired with a reversing relay at the subscriber's residence or place of business so that the alarm will be properly transmitted at the module.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 2)

All at-scene audible alarm systems must be installed with a time-out timer which will discontinue the signal after a predetermined length of time in order to prevent unnecessary harassment of area residents when it is impossible to locate someone to turn off the alarm.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 3)

Any dialer type of alarm system will be programmed to dial a representative of the subscriber as well as the communications center's assigned number.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 4)

Alarm systems which are interconnected or otherwise transmit signals directly to the emergency communications center shall be subject to the laws, rules, regulations and penalties adopted by the county relating to such systems.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 5)

All local alarm systems shall become deactivated and silenced automatically after a period of time not to exceed fifteen (15) minutes. Police and/or fire officials may disable an audible alarm signal that has not been silenced prior to the expiration of the fifteen-minute period, and shall not be liable for any damage that may result.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 6)

(a)

It shall be unlawful for the owner or lessee of any local alarm system to transmit or have transmitted on his system an avoidable alarm.

(b)

It shall be unlawful for any person to transmit on any local alarm system an avoidable alarm.

(c)

It shall be unlawful for the owner or lessee of any local alarm system to have a defective alarm system or malfunctioning alarm system.

(L.L. No. 11 of 1987, § 7)