Irvine Municipal Code Div. 20 Fire Alarms

Footnotes:

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Cross reference— Fire generally, § 4-4-101 et seq.

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

Automatic fire alarm communication device: Any electrical, electronic or mechanical device capable of being programmed to send a prerecorded message over a telephone line and which, when activated, indicates the existence of a fire or potential fire.

False fire alarm: A signal transmitted by a fire alarm system which results in a response by the Fire Department where an emergency situation does not exist. This shall include mechanical failure, accidental tripping, misoperation, malfunction, misuse, or neglect of the fire alarm system by the owner or lessee of the fire alarm system, or by the owner's or lessee's employees or agents. It shall not include signals transmitted by a fire alarm system caused by earthquakes, high winds, verifiable utility failures, or external causes beyond the control of the owner or lessee of the fire alarm system.

Fire alarm central station business: Any person in the business of receiving signals from fire alarm systems and transmitting the information received to an emergency response agency, such as the Fire Department.

Fire alarm subscriber: Any person that owns or leases a fire alarm system that is connected to a fire alarm central station business.

Fire alarm system: Any device, including automatic fire alarm communication devices, designed for the detection of a fire on or in any building, place or premises, or for alerting any person of the existence of a fire on or in any building, place or premises, or both, which when activated emits a sound or transmits a signal or message.

Fire alarm user: Any person that owns or leases a fire alarm system not connected to a fire alarm central station business.

Fire Department: The Orange County Fire Department.

Notice: All notifications pursuant to this division shall be made by first class United States mail. For purposes of this division, notice shall be deemed complete upon deposit in the United States mail.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-101; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

It shall be the duty of the City Manager or his or her delegated representative to enforce each provision of this division. The Fire Department's Fire Chief or designee shall render assistance in enforcement as may be required.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-102; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

All fire alarm systems operating within the City of Irvine shall, after activation, limit the generation of audible sound to a maximum of 15 minutes when the system is protecting residential premises, and 30 minutes when the system is protecting any other premises. This limitation shall be incorporated into the equipment at the protected location. Each fire alarm system may include an automatic resetting device causing the fire alarm system to rearm upon automatic shutoff.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-103; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

A. No automatic fire alarm communication device operating within the City of Irvine shall be programmed to the "911" emergency line.

B. No automatic fire alarm communication device operating within the City of Irvine shall be connected to an emergency response agency except with permission of the emergency response agency.

C. No person shall lease, maintain, install or use within the City of Irvine any fire alarm system that automatically direct dials the telephone number of the Fire Department.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-104; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

A. Every audible fire alarm system connected to a fire alarm central station business shall have a sign or notice posted on or near the audible device with the name and telephone number of the fire alarm central station business. The notice shall be posted in such a position as to be readable from the ground level outside and adjacent to the structure upon which the audible device is attached.

B. Every audible fire alarm system not connected to a fire alarm central station business shall have a sign or notice posted on or near the audible device with the name and telephone number of the fire alarm user. The notice shall be posted in such a position as to be readable from the ground level outside and adjacent to the structure upon which the audible device is attached.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-105; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

On an annual basis, any person that leases, installs, maintains, monitors, or otherwise operates a fire alarm system in the City of Irvine, including the operator of any fire alarm central station business, shall provide accurate and complete instructions regarding the proper use and operation of each system to each person within the City of Irvine to whom it leases a fire alarm system or for whom it installs, maintains or monitors a fire alarm system. Specific emphasis shall be placed on methods to avoid false fire alarms.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-106; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

A. Each fire alarm subscriber and user within the City of Irvine shall maintain its fire alarm system and all related equipment in proper working order at all times.

B. All fire alarm system equipment, installations and repairs shall comply with rules and regulations promulgated by the Fire Department regulating the times and conditions under which such installations or repairs may be made or tested.

C. When a fire alarm system has been activated for a fire alarm subscriber, the fire alarm central station business providing service to that subscriber shall arrange for one of its representatives to be present at the location at which the alarm was activated within one hour after being requested to be present by the Fire Department.

D. When a fire alarm system not connected to a fire alarm central station business is activated, the fire alarm user or its representative shall be present at the location at which its fire alarm system was activated within one hour after being requested to be present by the Fire Department.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-107; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

Any fire alarm central station business operating in the City of Irvine, or receiving signals from any location within the City of Irvine, shall be required to receive a permit from the Fire Department. Said permit shall be reviewed annually.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-108; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

A. A service fee determined to approximate the cost for the Fire Department's response shall be charged any time the Fire Department responds to a false fire alarm within the City of Irvine.

B. The service fee to be charged for the Fire Department's response to a false fire alarm in the City of Irvine shall be determined by resolution of the Irvine City Council, which may be amended from time-to-time.

C. The service fee for a false fire alarm will be charged to the owner of record of the premises upon which a fire alarm system emits what is determined to be a false fire alarm.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-109; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

A. Required. Payment of false fire alarm service fees shall be due within 30 days following notice being given to the owner of record of the premises from which a fire alarm system emits a false fire alarm. Service fees for false fire alarms shall become a debt payable to the City of Irvine.

B. Additional charge. Any person who fails to remit payment of the false fire alarm service fee to the City of Irvine within 30 days of notice that said fee is due shall be subject to a late penalty in an amount established by resolution of the City Council which may be amended from time-to-time.

C. Interest. In addition to the aforesaid penalty, any person who fails to remit any fee due under this division shall pay interest at the rate of one-half of one percent per month, on the amount of the fee due, exclusive of penalties, from the date on which the remittance first became due until paid.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-110; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)

A. If a false fire alarm service fee is disputed by the record owner of a premises within the City of Irvine, said owner may appeal to the City's Chief Building Official by filing a written notice of appeal with the Irvine City Clerk within 30 days of notice being given that a false fire alarm service fee is due.

B. If the record owner of a premises from which a false fire alarm is emitted by a fire alarm system disputes the decision of the City's Chief Building Official with respect to an appeal referenced in Subsection A, said owner may appeal that decision to the Irvine City Council by filing a notice of appeal with the Irvine City Clerk within 15 days of notice being given of the decision of the City's Chief Building Official. The decision of the Irvine City Council shall be final.

(Code 1976, § IV.R-111; Ord. No. 91-11, § 1, 6-11-91)