§ 26-76. Definitions.

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

Alarm system means any burglar and/or holdup alarm system referred to in this article.

Audible alarm means an alarm that sounds audibly on the premises, whether or not connected as a direct alarm or a central station alarm.

Burglar alarm system means an alarm system signaling an entry or attempted entry into the area protected by the system and is connected as a direct alarm or a central station alarm.

Burglar and holdup alarm business means any business operated by a person for a profit which engages in the activity of altering, installing, leasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, selling, servicing or responding to a burglar or holdup alarm system, or which causes any of these activities to take place.

Central station means any premises, usually maintained by an alarm company, equipped to receive and displace signals from intruder alarm systems.

Communicator panel (remote supervising station) means the device that receives alarm signals from subscribers whose lines or radio frequency terminate at the city's remote supervising station.

Direct alarm means any hold up alarm running directly from a specific location to the city's remote supervising station, connected by a leased telephone line or wireless radio.

False alarm means activation or transmission of any alarm signal caused by human error, mechanical or electronic malfunction, negligence of the alarm user or alarm user's employee, whether or not the exact cause of the alarm activation is determined, or any other activation or transmission of any alarm signal where no actual or attempted burglary or robbery exists. Severe weather, power outages, transmission line malfunctions, acts of God, malicious acts of persons not under the control of the alarm user, or any other cause clearly beyond the control of the alarm user will be considered in determining if an alarm activation was false and whether or not any occurrence, fine, warning or other punitive action will be taken against the alarm user as provided for by this article.

Holdup alarm system means an alarm system signaling a robbery or attempted robbery and being permitted as a direct alarm only.

Interconnect means to connect an alarm system to a voice-grade telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.

Local alarm means an alarm that sounds audibly or activates other devices such as lighting on the premises signaling an entry or attempted entry into the premises and which is not connected as a direct alarm or a central station alarm.

Subscriber means a person who contracts for or receives service or maintenance with respect to any alarm system from an alarm business.

(Code 1968, § 15-60; Code 1996, § 26-76; Ord. No. F-0178, § 1, 10-20-1997; Ord. No. F-1498, § 3, 6-21-2010)