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15.08.220 – Commercial building - Intrusion detection devices

  1. If it is determined by the enforcing authority of this chapter that the security measures and locking devices described in this chapter do not adequately secure the building, he/she may require the installation and maintenance of an intrusion detection device (burglar alarm system).
  2. Extent of premises protection.
    1. Individual alarm systems on mercantile premises, stockrooms are classified as installation Nos. 1, 2 or 3. Installation No. 1 does not apply to local alarms. (Established in compliance with Underwriters' Laboratory requirements);
    2. Installation No. 1. Completely protecting all windows, doors, transoms, skylights and other openings leading from the premises, and all ceilings, floors, halls, party partitions are building walls which are exposed to street or public highway and except that part of any building wall which is at least two stories above the roof of an adjoining building or grade level, whichever is less;
    3. Installation No. 2. Completely protecting all accessible windows, doors, transoms, skylights, and other openings leading from the premises; with contacts only, all inaccessible windows; and also protecting all ceiling and floors not constructed of concrete and all hall, party and partition walls, enclosing the premises, or:
      1. Protecting with contacts only all movable openings leading from the premises, and providing a system of invisible radiation to all sections of the enclosed area so as to detect four-step movement,
      2. Protecting with contacts only all movable openings leading from the premises, and providing a sound detection system in all sections of the enclosed area,
      3. Completely protecting all accessible windows, doors, transoms, skylights, and other openings leading from the premises; with contacts only, all inaccessible windows; and providing a network of invisible beams to subdivide the floor space of each floor or separate section of the protected area into three approximately equal areas, and more where necessary to provide at least one subdivision per one thousand square feet of floor space. When merchandise is concentrated in wall cases, the beam arrangement shall provide for spanning the entire front of the wall cases in addition to accomplishing the required subdivision. The requirement for subdivision shall not apply to washrooms, lavatories, clothes closets, dressing and alteration rooms, furnace and coal room, basements and other portions of the premises where valuables are not stored;
    4. Installation No. 3. Completely protecting all accessible windows, doors, transoms, skylights, and other openings leading from the premises, or:
      1. Protecting with contact only, all movable accessible openings leading from the premises and providing one or more invisible rays or channels of radiation, with the minimum overall length of the rays or radiation equivalent to the longest dimensions of the area or areas to detect movement through the channel,
      2. Protecting with contacts only, all doors leading from the premises and providing a system of invisible radiation to all sections of the enclosed area, so as to detect four-step movement,
      3. Protecting with contacts only, all movable openings leading from the premises, and providing a sound detection system around the perimeter of the area, with additional microphones located near fixed and movable floor and ceiling openings,
      4. Any area irregular in shape, other than a simple rectangle or approximation thereof, shall, for the purposes of applying this rule, be divided into two or more sections approximatingrectangles as closely as possible and covering the entire area to be protected. The minimum overall length of rays or channels of invisible radiation shall be taken as the sum of the longest dimensions of all such sections.
  3. Establishments having specific-type inventories shall be protected by the following minimumtype alarm service:
    1. Alarm with a direct line to the police station or central station, Installation No. 2:
      1. Jewelry store (mfg. wholesale and retail),
      2. Gun shop,
      3. Wholesale liquor,
      4. Wholesale drugs,
      5. Wholesale tobacco,
      6. Banking establishments and currency exchanges;
    2. Alarm with a direct line to the police or to a central station, Installation No. 3:
      1. Liquor store,
      2. Electronic equipment,
      3. Clothing (new),
      4. Coins and stamps,
      5. Industrial tool supply house,
      6. Camera stores,
      7. Precious metal storage facility;
    3. Local alarm, Installation No. 3:
      1. Antique dealers,
      2. Art galleries,
      3. Service stations.
  4. Dial alarm receiving equipment.
    1. No automatic protection device that automatically or electronically selects a telephone line connected to a central alarm station or police headquarters and reproduces a prerecorded voice message to report a criminal act or other emergency requiring police response, commonly known as "dial-alarms" or "dialers" shall be installed by any person on premises of any kind in the city.
    2. Digital type nonvoice dialers will be allowed on residential installation only and provided the receiving station is a commercial central station.
  5. Residential alarm system, while not requiring certification, do require all components be Underwriters' Laboratory listed for residential installation.
(1978-M-48: § II Art. 19)