For the purpose of this Division, the following words, terms, and phrases shall have the meaning given herein: Alarm Business means any business which sells, installs, leases, maintains, repairs, replaces, alters, services, monitors, or responds to an alarm system. Alarm Signal means the activation of an alarm system. Alarm Site means a single premises or location served by an alarm system. Each tenancy, if served by a separate alarm system, in a multitenant building shall be considered a separate alarm system. Alarm System means a device or series of devices, including, but not limited to, systems interconnected with radio signals, which are designed to emit or transmit a remote or local audible, visual, or electronic signal indicating an alarm condition. Alarm system includes devices activated automatically, such as burglar alarms, and devices activated manually, such as holdup and duress alarms. Alarm System does not include Fire Alarm Systems and Alarm Systems which monitor temperature, humidity or any other condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized intrusion into a premises or an attempted robbery at a premises; an alarm installed on a vehicle; or an alarm designed to alert only the inhabitants of a premises that does not have a sounding device which can be heard on the exterior of the premises. Alarm user means the person who uses an alarm system at the person's alarm site. Automatic Dialing Device means any device which is interconnected to a telephone line and is programmed to select a predetermined telephone number, then transmit a prerecorded voice or code message signaling the existence of entry or criminal activity at the protected premises. Central Monitoring Station means a commercial company whose primary business is monitoring alarm signals and performing contracted services for alarm users. Certification or Certified means the system has been inspected by a licensed burglar and holdup alarm contractor or technician licensed in Maryland and/or Prince George's County and that the system meets all the requirements of this Code and all other applicable national or local codes. Chief of Police or Chief means the Chief of the Prince George's County Police Department or designee. Control Panel means the central processing unit designed to manage and control an alarm system. Direct Connection (hard-wired) means an alarm system, either silent or audible, that transmits an alarm signal via interconnecting wires to a remote location dedicated to that purpose. Dual Technology Sensor means a single device that is manufactured to require two simultaneous inputs by two different technologies to cause alarm activation. Duress Alarm means the deliberate activation of a silent alarm by entering at a touchpad a code different from the normal arm/disarm code, or by a separate deliberate act at other device(s). False Alarm means any request for immediate Police Department assistance which is not in response to actual or threatened criminal activity or activation of an alarm system which results in an emergency response by the police to an alarm site for which the responding police officer finds no evidence of a criminal offense or attempted criminal offense at the alarm site. An emergency response to an alarm signal which is cancelled by the alarm user or alarm business prior to the time the responding police officer reaches the alarm site shall not be considered a false alarm. False alarms include negligently or accidentally activated signals; signals which are the result of faulty, malfunctioning, or improperly installed or maintained equipment; or signals which are purposely activated to summon the police in nonemergency situations. Holdup Alarm means a silent alarm generated by the deliberate activation of a holdup device. License or permit means a license or permit issued to an alarm business or an alarm system user by the Chief of Police. Local means an alarm system that sounds audibly at the protected premises. Nonresidential or Commercial Alarm User means any alarm user that is not a residential alarm user. Panic Alarm means the deliberate activation of an audible alarm. Police Connection means direct connection in which the remote location is a police facility. Residential Alarm User means the occupant of any dwelling unit with an alarm system. Silent Alarm means an alarm system that has no audible sound at the protected premises. Touchpad means a device that allows control of an alarm system by the manual entering of a coded sequence of numbers or letters. Wireless System means those types of systems which transmit electromagnetic waves or messages through the air from remote sensor devices to the control panel to indicate a condition exists for which an alarm signal should be sounded or from a control device to arm/disarm the system, activate the alarm signal or reset the system.

All burglar and holdup alarm systems shall be installed and serviced only by persons licensed as burglar and holdup alarm contractors. The contractor shall have a Master Electrician's License or a Master Electrician's License, Limited, in addition to an Alarm Business License. Prior to requesting final inspection approval of an alarm system, the burglar and holdup alarm contractors shall certify that each new burglar and holdup alarm system has been installed in accordance with the provisions of Sections 9-118 and 9-203; that it has been inspected and found to be operating normally; and that the alarm user has been instructed with regard to the system operation. Each alarm installation shall be thoroughly inspected by a licensed contractor upon request of the Chief after a false alarm has occurred and there is no explainable reason for the false alarm. Where an alarm system is malfunctioning, the alarm user shall either turn the alarm system off or have it repaired promptly by a licensed contractor.

In addition to the requirement set forth in the National Electrical Code, alarm systems shall be subject to the following requirements. Where there is a conflict with the most recently adopted edition of the NEC, the most stringent requirement will apply. Power Supply. Every alarm system must have standby power sufficient to operate the system in a non-alarm status (without being the cause of an alarm activation) for a minimum of four hours. Every alarm system must have a U.L. 1449 listed (or better) surge protector installed between the transformer and: The 110 voltage source used to supply power to the master control panel; and Any power device connected to the system but powered separately. Any alarm system that has a multiphase power service and a dedicated transformer to that premises (building) only does not require surge protection as described above. Every residential alarm system control panel must have either: Push on/pull off connectors to the battery and a description of the transformer location permanently affixed to the inside of the control panel; or An on/off switch that disconnects the battery and the transformer from the central processing unit inside the control panel. Transformers must be affixed to an electrical outlet. Every alarm system must have a supervised standby power supply that causes a local annunciation when standby power falls below the manufacturer's recommended specifications. Grounding. Every alarm system must be grounded under NEC (National Electrical Code), NBFAA (National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association), U.L. 681, or manufacturers' standards. Sensors, Actuators, and Signal Devices. Any door or window contact installed for the purpose of activating the alarm system must be hermetically sealed if used on solid state control panels. Any holdup alarm (requiring push button activation) must use simultaneous two-button activation or a keyed manual reset after activation. Any panic or medical/emergency alarm activation must cause an audible alarm. All audio detection devices must be either volumetric sound detectors with operator analysis or detectors that require two different inputs within one-half second (or less) to generate an alarm. Any residential alarm system with an audible alarm must have a sufficient number of sound generating devices to alert or awaken all normal hearing occupants within the alarm user's premises that an alarm has been activated. Every alarm system using a digital communicator must have a proper phone interface device as required by FCC accessible to the alarm user and mounted within 24 inches of the control panel. Any audible alarm must automatically silence the annunciator within 30 minutes after activation. Alarm Housings and Control Units. All alarm system equipment shall be either Underwriters Laboratory or Factory Mutual listed. All alarm system equipment shall be used only for the purpose intended by the manufacturer and installed per manufacturers' specification. Any alarm system that has a touchpad or other device designed to allow the user to activate the alarm (when in the disarm mode) must be configured as follows: AUDIBLE SILENT (a) Panic (d) Duress (b) Fire (e) Holdup (c) Medical/Emergency Wiring. All alarm system wiring must meet NEC (National Electrical Code) standards and be a minimum of 22 gauge, or meet manufacturer's specifications (whichever is the higher standard). Wiring run through plenum ceilings must be plenum rated. Any wire splice must be "hot" soldered and taped, or "B" connected according to manufacturers' specifications. "B" connectors must not be crimped with other than a tool recommended by the manufacturer.