§ 10-31. Definitions.

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

Automated dialing device means a fire alarm system, which automatically sends, via telephone, a prerecorded voice message or coded signal indicating the existence of an emergency situation.

Cancellation of fire alarm response means the process by which a fire alarm company providing monitoring services verifies with the fire alarm operator or responsible party that there is not an existing situation at the fire alarm site requiring the fire department response and requests fire department officials to cancel the dispatch when such request occurs prior to the fire department's dispatch to the scene.

Commercial premises means any structure or area not otherwise defined in this section as governmental or residential premises.

Conversion means a transaction or process by which one fire alarm company begins monitoring and/or servicing either a previously unmonitored alarm system or a system previously monitored and/or serviced by another fire alarm company.

Deactivated fire alarm means a fire alarm system that has the primary and secondary power and the phone line disconnected at the fire alarm control panel.

Deterrent system means:

(1)

Fire alarm pull station with associated audio alarm;

(2)

Fire alarm pull station with associated ink identification;

(3)

Fire alarm pull station with photo identification;

(4)

Fire alarm pull station with associated video identification;

(5)

Other fire alarm systems with malicious pull deterrent features approved as effective, after inspection by fire rescue department.

(6)

Other fire alarm systems with malicious pull deterrent features, as described on the list of approved systems maintained by the fire rescue department.

False fire alarm means a fire alarm dispatch or other response by the fire department, when the responding unit(s) find no evidence of a fire or attempted fire offense after having completed an investigation of the site. Excluded from this definition are:

(1)

Fire alarms occurring as a result of lightning, wind, or other meteorological event, where there is clear evidence of physical damage to the fire alarm system verified by an alarm technician; or

(2)

Disruption of the telephone circuit beyond the control of the fire alarm operator or its agents, verified by written communication from the telephone company; or

(3)

An electrical power disruption or failure in excess of four hours.

(4)

Fire alarm activations on property through a registered fire alarm pull station with two or more deterrent systems where one or more of the deterrent systems have been utilized.

Fire alarm system means any device that emits, transmits or relays a signal intended to summon, or that would reasonably be expected to summon, fire department services to the fire alarm site. Fire alarm system does not include:

(1)

A device installed on a vehicle, unless the vehicle is permanently located on the site; or

(2)

A device designed to alert only the inhabitants of the device site, and that is not audible or visible from the exterior of the structure; or

(3)

A device designed for a purpose other than to alert for fire.

Fire alarm system contractor means a person licensed under F.S. ch. 489, as an electrical or fire alarm system contractor who installs, maintains, repairs, alters, services or monitors fire alarm systems for compensation.

Fire alarm administrator means a person or persons designated by the city manager to administer, control and review fire alarm applications, registrations and false fire alarm reduction efforts.

Fire alarm monitoring company means a person or entity performing the service of monitoring as defined in F.S. ch 489, for fire alarms, and having customers within the City of Gainesville.

Fire alarm operator means any owner, tenant or other person or entity that uses or is in control of a fire alarm system, including governmental entities.

Fire alarm operator awareness class means a class conducted by the designated authority for the purpose of educating alarm users about the responsible use and operation of alarm systems and problems created by false alarms.

Fire alarm review authority means the city manager or designee.

Fire alarm site means the individual location of each fire alarm system.

Governmental premises means a structure or area owned and maintained by a government entity.

Local fire alarm system means a fire alarm system that emits a signal at a fixed fire alarm site that is audible or visible from the exterior of the alarmed structure.

Panic alarm means an audible or silent alarm system signal generated by the manual activation of a device intended to signal a life threatening or emergency situation requiring law enforcement response.

Registration year means the period starting from the date of issuance of a fire alarm registration and ending one year from that date. At the discretion of the city manager or designee, the registration year for the initial registration period may be not less than 12 months nor more than 24 months.

Residential premises means any structure serving as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person or by two or more persons who maintain a common household.

Response fee means a fee charged by the city manager or designee when a fire response is determined by city manager or designee to be false.

Takeover means a transaction or process by which a fire alarm company takes over control of an existing fire alarm system previously controlled by another fire alarm company.

Verify means an attempt by the fire alarm monitoring company or its representative to contact the alarm site by telephone to determine the validity of the alarm.

(Ord. No. 021198, § 1, 5-23-05; Ord. No. 090529, § 1, 1-7-10; Ord. No. 150872 , § 1, 5-4-17)