Columbia Definitions ordinance (§ 13-254)

The following definitions apply to this division:

Alarm system. A device or devices or an assembly of equipment intended to signal the presence of a hazard requiring a police or fire department response, including, but not limited to, burglar alarms, fire alarms, hold-up alarms, mechanical failure alarms, environmental alarms, digital communicators and automatic telephone dialer alarms, but does not include smoke detectors which do not signal outside the premises or alarm systems on motor vehicles.

Automatic telephone dialing device. An alarm system which automatically sends over regular telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, a prerecorded voice message indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

Central alarm system company. Any person engaged in the business of monitoring alarm systems to report hazards to the Joint Communications and Information Center for a police or fire department response.

False alarm. An activation of an alarm system through mechanical failure, malfunction, improper installation, human error or alarms caused by acts of nature which result in an audible alarm or which results in the notification of emergency services personnel when in fact no emergency exists.

Non-monitored alarm system. An alarm system that is not monitored by a central alarm system company.