San Marino Municipal Code Art. 02 Fire Alarm Systems

The following words and phrases, when used in the context of this article, shall have the following meanings:

ALARM OWNER: The person who owns, leases, rents, uses or makes available for use by his/her agents, employees, representatives or family, any alarm system.

FALSE ALARM: An alarm signal activated to the fire department, either directly or indirectly, by causes other than a need for emergency service from the fire department. "False alarm" shall also include an activation as a result of servicing, testing, maintenance, adjustments or installations necessitating a response by the fire department where an emergency situation for which the alarm was designed does not exist. An alarm signal activated by violent conditions of nature or other extraordinary circumstances not subject to the control of the alarm owner shall not constitute a false alarm.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: A device used for the detection of fire, smoke or heat in a residence or building. It shall include those devices which emit a signal on the property or a direct dial service which is connected to a telephone line and, upon activation, automatically dials a predetermined number and transmits a message to the fire department either directly or indirectly. (Ord. 0-07-1194, 10-10-2007)

For every alarm, the alarm owner or user thereof shall post the names and telephone numbers of persons to be notified to render repairs and service during any hour of the day or night during which the alarm is operated. An audible alarm shall terminate its operation, or the audible alarm shall automatically reset, within fifteen (15) minutes of its being activated.

Direct dial alarms will be programmed to telephone numbers only as designated by the fire chief. (1954 Code §14.27)

No person shall knowingly turn in a false alarm. This section does not prohibit a test of an alarm system as permitted in advance by the fire department. (1954 Code §14.28)

Any alarm system which generates more than two (2) false alarms in any twelve (12) month period shall constitute a public nuisance due to the inordinate response time and risk attributable thereto. No person shall own, use or operate any alarm system classified as a public nuisance hereunder. (1954 Code §14.29)

Upon the first false alarm in a twelve (12) month period, the fire chief or designee shall serve written notice upon the alarm owner. The notice shall describe the violation of section 14.02.04 of this article and state that the causes of the violation shall be corrected within ten (10) days of the date of service. If the fire chief determines that the causes of the false alarms have been removed or fully corrected within ten (10) days, the fire chief shall take no further action. (Ord. 0-07-1194, 10-10-2007)

Any alarm owner or user that operates an alarm that generates more than one false alarm within a twelve (12) month period shall be subject to an administrative citation pursuant to chapter I, article 06 of this code. (Ord. 0-07-1196, 10-10-2007)