§ 54-12.004. Definitions.

The following definitions shall apply to this chapter:

(1)

"Alarm business" means any business operated by a person or business entity which engages in the activity of altering, installing, leasing, maintaining, repairing, replacing, selling, servicing or responding to an alarm system. Public agencies are not included within this definition.

(2)

"Alarm system" means an assembly of equipment and devices designed to signal the presence of a hazard requiring urgent attention and to which police or fire agencies are expected to respond. "Alarm system" includes, but is not limited to, audible alarms, automatic dialing systems, commercial alarms, robbery alarm systems, intrusion alarm systems, manual holdup alarm systems, remote signaling systems, fire alarm systems, and alarm systems which monitor temperature, humidity, smoke or other products of combustion.

(3)

"Audible alarm" means any alarm system which generates a sound which is designed to be heard outside the building where the system is installed.

(4)

"Automatic dialing system" means an alarm system which automatically sends over telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a message or signal indicating the existence of an emergency situation.

(5)

"Commercial alarm" means an alarm installed on premises which are not primarily used for residential purposes.

(6)

"False alarm" means the activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, electrical failure, electronic failure, malfunction, improper installation or maintenance, or the negligence of the owner, lessee, or of his employees or agents. Such terminology does not include, for example, alarms caused by hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, or other violent, uncontrollable acts of nature.

(7)

"Intrusion alarm system" means an alarm system signaling an entry or attempted entry into the area protected by the system.

(8)

"Manual holdup alarm system" means an alarm system in which the signal transmission is initiated by the direct action of the person attacked or by an observer of the attack.

(9)

"Police alarm board" means an alarm- receiving center operated by the sheriff's department.

(10)

"Public agency" means and includes the state, county and any city or district therein, and any departments or officers thereof.

(11)

"Remote signaling system" means an alarm signaling system which, when activated by an alarm device, transmits a signal from an alarm signaling device to a central location, including, but not limited to, the police alarm board, where appropriate action is taken to investigate and respond to the signal.

(12)

"Robbery alarm system" means an alarm system signaling a robbery or attempted robbery.

(13)

"Sheriff" means the sheriff of Contra Costa County or his designated representative.

(14)

"Subscriber" means any person or business entity which owns, leases, rents or is entitled to possession of any premises on which an alarm system is installed. Public agencies are not included within this definition.

(Ord. 84-28).