San Joaquin County Municipal Code Ch. 2 Definitions

As used in this division the words hereinafter defined are used as to so define unless it is apparent from the context that a different meaning is intended. For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply and are listed below alphabetically:

"Alarm agent" means a person employed by an alarm company operator whose duties include selling on premises, altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, servicing, responding, or monitoring an alarm system, or a person who manages or supervises a person employed by an alarm company to perform any of the duties described in this division.

"Alarm company operator" means any person who, for any consideration whatsoever, engages in business or accepts employment to install, maintain, alter, sell on premises, monitor or service alarm systems, or who responds to alarm systems, except for any alarm agent. "Alarm company operator," however, does not include a business which merely sells from a fixed location or manufactures alarm systems unless the business services, installs, sells on premises, monitors or responds to alarm systems at the protected premises.

"Alarm system" means any device, whether known as a burglar alarm, robbery alarm or intrusion alarm, direct dial telephone device, audible or silent alarm or by any other name, which is used for the detection of an unauthorized entry into a building, structure or facility, or to signal the commission of an unlawful act or emergency to which the Sheriff's Department is expected to respond.

Alarm systems include those devices which emit a signal within the protected premises only, are supervised by the proprietor of the premises where located, and are otherwise known as "proprietary alarm systems." The following devices shall not constitute alarm systems within the meaning of this section:

(1) Auxiliary devices installed by a telephone company to protect telephone company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system;

(2) Devices which are not installed, operated or used for the purpose of reporting an emergency to the Sheriff's Department;

(3) Alarm devices affixed to motor vehicles, trailers or trailer coaches (as defined in California Vehicle Code Sections 415, 630 and 635), vessels (unless permanently located at a site), or aircraft. If, however, an alarm system on a motor vehicle is connected with an alarm system at a premises, the person using such a system is an alarm user;

(4) Alarm devices installed on a temporary basis by the Sheriff's Department.

"Alarm user" means any person using an alarm at his place of business or residence.

"Audible alarm" means a device designed to notify persons in the immediate vicinity of the protective premises by emission of an audible sound on an unauthorized entry on the premises or the commission of an unlawful act.

"Automatic calling/Direct dial" means a device which is connected to a telephone line and upon activation automatically dials a predetermined telephone number and transmits a message or signal indicating an emergency situation exists and there is a need for response.

"Central monitoring station" means any office, station or telephone answering service where person(s) monitor and/or receive emergency signals from alarm systems, and thereafter, relay messages from such signals by live voice to the San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department Communications (Dispatch) Center.

"Direct connect" means an alarm system which has the capability of transmitting system signals to, and receiving them at, an agency maintained by a local government entity such as the county at its San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department Communications (Dispatch) Center.

"False alarm" means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance or the negligence of the owner, lessee, or of his employees or agents, which necessitates response by the Sheriff's Department when an emergency condition does not exist; provided, however, alarms caused by acts of nature such as earthquakes, floods, tornadoes or other violent, uncontrollable acts of nature shall not be considered false alarms.

"Maintaining a public nuisance" means an alarm that generates six (6) or more false alarms within a twelve (12) month period.

"Nonpriority" means that Sheriff's Department response to the activation of an alarm shall not be given precedence over other calls and will be predicated upon availability of Sheriff's Department units and other service needs.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation or other entity.

"Proprietor alarm" means an alarm system which does not anticipate a Sheriff's Department response when activated. It is a device which is not designed or used to register an audible, visible or perceptible signal outside or away from the protected premises.

"Silent alarm" means any mechanical and/or electrical device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry on premises or for alerting another of the commission of an unlawful act which transmits a signal to a monitored, remote location.

"Siren" means any audible noise similar to that which must be sounded by an authorized emergency vehicle.

"Standby power backup" means any auxiliary, secondary or backup power source capable of supplying adequate power to property operate an alarm system should the primary power source be interrupted.

(Ord. 3711)