§ 57-2. Definitions.

For the purpose of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

ALARM BOARD

A facility within the communications center located within the County dispatch center which is designed to receive direct signals from alarm systems.

ALARM SYSTEM

An assembly of equipment and/or devices arranged to signal the presence of an emergency requiring urgent attention and to which police, firefighters or other emergency personnel are expected to respond.

ALARM USER

The person who has primary control over the residence or commercial premises in which an alarm is installed or the person who contracts for such alarm services.

AUDIBLE ALARM

A device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry or fire on protected premises which generates an audible sound when it is activated.

AUTOMATED DIALING

A device which is interconnected to a telephone line and is programmed to a selected and predetermined telephone number and which transmits by prerecorded voice message or signal the existence of an emergency requiring urgent attention and to which police, fire fighters or other emergency personnel are expected to respond.

BANK

A financial institution which is required by federal law or regulation to maintain an alarm system or other device for notification of criminal activity related to robbery or burglary.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR

The appointed Chief Administrative Officer of Shenandoah County or his designee.

FALSE ALARM

Any communication generated by an alarm system, sent directly or indirectly to police, fire fighters or other emergency personnel for the purpose of securing their response when, in fact, there is no emergency requiring urgent attention from either the police, fire fighters or other emergency personnel. "False alarms" include negligently or accidentally activated signals; signals which are the result of faulty, malfunctioning or improperly installed or maintained equipment; signals which are purposely activated to summon emergency assistance when requirement for such assistance does not exist; and signals for which the actual cause is not determined. "False alarms" shall not include signals activated by unusually severe weather conditions or other causes which are identified and determined by the appropriate authority to be beyond the control of the user.

FIRE ALARM

A signal from an alarm system denoting the existence of fire on the protected premises, or such alarm system.

FIRE CHIEF

The chief of a fire department or his designee.

FIRE MARSHAL

The Fire Marshal of Shenandoah County or his designee.

PERSON

Any individual, group of persons, firm, partnership, association of any kind, company or corporation.

PROTECTED PREMISES

The premises upon which an alarm system has been placed for the purpose of detecting an emergency as described in this chapter.

SHERIFF

The Sheriff of Shenandoah County or his designee.

USER

Any person using an alarm system regardless of whether the person owns the premises on which the alarm system is located.