El Segundo Municipal Code Ch. 22 False Fire Alarms

This chapter is adopted in accordance with California Constitution article XI, § 7 to protect public health, safety, and well-being by reducing the waste of City Fire Department resources in responding to excess false fire alarms and establishing a mechanism for reasonable City cost recovery to safeguard City resources. Pursuant to California Constitution article XIIIC, § 1(e)(3), the fees authorized in this chapter do not constitute a "tax" as they concern City regulation enforcement and investigation performance associated with a regulatory program. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)

For purposes of this chapter:

ALARM: The giving, signaling, or transmission to the Department, or any Department employee or designee, whether by telephone, e-mail, or other medium, information to the effect that a fire or emergency situation exists at or near the place indicated by the person giving, signaling, or transmitting such information.

AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM: An integrated system of underground and overhead piping designed in accordance with fire protection standards that is activated by hear from fire, or other similar mechanism, and discharges water over the fire area.

CHIEF: The El Segundo Fire Department Chief.

DEPARTMENT: The El Segundo Fire Department.

FALSE ALARM: An alarm requiring Department response where a fire or emergency situation does not exist.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: A system designed to detect and announce the presence of fire or fire byproducts.

NOTICE: Written notice, given by personal service upon the addressee, or given by the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the person to be notified. at the last known address. Service of such notice will be effective upon the completion of personal service, or upon the placing of the same in the custody of the United States Postal Service.

PERSON: Any company, firm, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, unincorporated organization, corporation, corporation, government agency, or natural person. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)

Any person that owns or operates a business in the City must notify the Department of any installation of any automatic fire sprinkler system or fire alarm system. Such notice must be in writing, delivered to the City within ten (10) days of installation, and include the following information: name, address, and telephone number of the associated alarm business or its agent and the name, address, and telephone number of the best contact person for the business. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)

A person must notify the Department at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to any service, test, repair, maintenance, adjustment, alterations, or installations of an automatic fire sprinkler system or fire alarm system that may activate a false alarm. Any alarm activated where such prior notice has not been duly given to the Department will constitute a false alarm for this chapter's purposes. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)

The owner or lessee of any premises containing an automatic fire sprinkler system or fire alarm system will be assessed a fee under this chapter for each false alarm more than two, occurring within any calendar year. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)

The City Council will, by resolution, establish the amount of all fees imposed under this chapter. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)

It is the Department's duty to collect fees pursuant to this chapter. (Ord. 1640, 10-18-2022)