Fee assessment for false alarms

Notwithstanding references in this section to false alarms being activated within a period of 12 consecutive months, there shall be a six-month grace period following the issuance of an initial or temporary certificate of occupancy by the department of fire-rescue. Computation of the period of 12 consecutive months shall not include this initial grace period in order to permit the correction or adjustment of a newly installed alarm system in a building which has just been constructed. Following the completed installation of a new alarm system in a previously constructed building, there likewise shall be a six-month grace period commencing on the date such newly completed installation, after inspection by the department of fire-rescue, receives final approval of said department.

(1)

It is hereby found and determined that more than two false alarms within a period of 12 consecutive months is excessive and constitutes a public nuisance and creates a prima facie presumption that the involved alarm system is malfunctioning.

(2)

The activation of three or more false alarms in a period of 12 consecutive months will result in the following:

a.

The third and fourth false alarms shall result in a charge of $250.00 per incident. This fee shall be payable to the city upon receipt of said invoice by the alarm user. The alarm user shall submit, within 30 days from the invoice date is mailed to the alarm user, a letter from a certified fire alarm company to the fire prevention bureau, certifying the alarm system is operating properly.

b.

The fifth and any subsequent false alarm after that shall result in a charge of $500.00 per incident. This fee shall be payable to the city upon receipt of said invoice by the alarm user. The alarm user shall also submit, within 30 days from the date the herein charge invoice is mailed to the alarm user, a letter from a certified fire alarm company to the fire prevention bureau, certifying that the alarm system is operating properly. The alarm user will also be given written notice that the occurrence of another false alarm may be cause for revocation of any certificate of occupancy issued in connection with said building.

c.

If there is a sixth or subsequent false alarm, the certificate of occupancy may be revoked unless an inspection of the alarm system by a fire prevention bureau representative, and a certified fire alarm company representative results in the finding by the chief of the fire prevention bureau that the alarm system is working properly.

(Ord. No. 10073, § 4, 1-23-86; Code 1980, § 3.5-44; Ord. No. 13142, § 3, 2-11-10; Ord. No. 13196, § 2, 9-27-10)