§ 9-6. Failure to properly maintain installed fire alarm.

(a)

The activation of a fire alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, or lack of proper maintenance, or the negligence of the owner or lessee of the fire alarm system or of his employees or agents, shall be known as a false fire alarm. False fire alarms are a public nuisance and shall be unlawful.

(b)

Whenever fire department personnel respond to an activated fire alarm system, the incident commander shall determine if the response was caused by a false fire alarm and shall indicate that fact upon the incident report, and the report shall be provided to the owner or lessee.

(c)

The fire department shall regularly review incident reports to monitor the accumulation of false fire alarms at any one location. After three false alarms have occurred at the same location within any 365-day period, and the location is within the incorporated area of the city, the fire department shall notify the fire alarm user by letter, citing the location and date of each false fire alarm. The letter shall recommend that appropriate action be taken on the part of the fire alarm user to alleviate the cause of the false fire alarms and shall include a statement that subsequent false fire alarms within shall result in a charge for services.

(d)

When three false alarms have occurred at one location within any 365-day period, an assessment established by city council will apply for each call for service thereafter arising from false fire alarms. The assessment shall be billed to the property owner or lessee, and shall be payable within 30 days.

(e)

Unpaid assessments will be:

(1)

Referred to the city attorney for collections through lawful process; and

(2)

Reported to the business license division, and the business license may be subject to suspension or revocation under Chapter 11, section 11-35(6), or similar law as may be later enacted regarding the effect of unpaid debts to the city resulting in license suspension.

(f)

Appeals shall be in compliance with section 9-42.

(Ord. No. 2013-19, 3-26-13)