§ 2.5-2. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, whenever any of the following words or terms are used herein, they shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section:

Alarm system: Any electrical device, signaling device, or combination of electrical devices used to signal or detect a burglary, fire, robbery, or medical emergency.

Alarm system contractor: A person whose business includes the execution of contracts requiring the ability, experience, science, knowledge, and skill to layout, fabricate alarm systems for compensation, including but not limited to all types of alarm systems for all purposes.

Alarm user: Any person using an alarm or occupying and controlling premises or building, or a portion of a premises or building, served by an alarm.

Audible alarm: An alarm that sounds a warning bell, buzzer, or other sounding device that can be heard for fifty (50) feet or more beyond the protected premises.

Class "A" alarm: An alarm activated by:

(a) Unauthorized intrusion;

(b) Criminal activity;

(c) Fire;

(d) The need for emergency medical response; or

(e) An act of nature not contributed to by faulty design, maintenance, installation or use.

Commercial: Any business, multiple dwelling unit, storage facility, that has a fire alarm system to monitor flow, tamper, manual initiation devices and audible notification.

False alarms: Any alarm that is not determined to be a "Class A alarm", including but not limited to alarms activated through:

(a) Inadvertence;

(b) Neglect;

(c) Accident;

(d) Alarm testing;

(e) Faulty installation;

(f) Lack of maintenance;

(g) Improper maintenance;

(h) Excessive vibrations; or

(i) Power failure.

In the absence of a determination by the Police Department or the Fire Department that an alarm is a Class "A" alarm, a rebuttal presumption is established that an alarm is a false alarm. A property owner can rebut the presumption by submission of proof that the alarm was a Class "A" alarm and not a false alarm.

Fire alarm system agent: Any person who is employed by a licensed fire alarm contractor or certified unlimited electrical contractor that is performing duties which are an element of an activity that constitutes fire alarm system contracting requiring certification under this part: and whose specific duties include any of the following: altering, installing, maintaining, moving, repairing, replacing, servicing, selling, or monitoring a fire alarm system for compensation. All associated work and personnel shall comply with F.S. Chapter 489, specifically F.S. §§ 489.505, 489.518, and 489.5185.

Government: Any direct agency of any federal, state, county, or city government including schools and the U.S. Postal Service.

Person: Shall mean any natural person, individual or any firm, partnership, association, limited partnership, sole proprietorship, corporation, apartment complex, condominium association, or any business entity whatsoever.

Premises: Shall mean the building or structure and adjoining property which is protected by and upon which is installed an emergency alarm or alarm system.

Residential: Any single-family dwelling that has a burglar alarm system that may or may not have smoke detectors attached to the system.

UL certified installation: A "Certificated Alarm System" is one that the certificate issuing alarm company declares that the system is in compliance with standards. It is equivalent to a manufacturer whose name appears in a UL Product Directory choosing to place a UL Mark on a specific production product. A certificated alarm system is subject to random audit by UL alarm system auditors to countercheck compliance, just as a product with a UL Mark is subject to random audit.

(Ord. No. 88-36, § 2, 7-19-88; Ord. No. 90-43, § 1, 9-18-90; Ord. No. 98-46, § 1, 12-1-98; Ord. No. 07-011, § 2, 6-19-07; Ord. No. 07-033, § 2, 11-13-07)