Sec. 9-201. Definitions

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.