§ 25-56. Definitions.

For purposes of this article, the following definitions shall apply unless the context requires a different definition:

(a)

Alarm system means any mechanical or electrical device which is used to protect buildings or premises from criminal acts, unauthorized entries, and fires by warning persons of a fire, crime or unauthorized entry through the emission of a sound or the transmission of a signal or message. For purposes of this article, unless otherwise specifically noted, an alarm system shall not include:

(1)

An alarm installed on a vehicle unless the vehicle is permanently located at a site.

(2)

Alarm systems that monitor temperature, humidity, or any other condition not directly related to the detection of an unauthorized entry into a premises, attempted robbery at a premises, or a fire.

(3)

Proprietary alarm systems not designed or intended to alert law enforcement or fire agencies or others outside the protected building, structure, or facility, but which are designed solely to alert the inhabitants, security personnel, or others directly connected with or employed by the owner or operator of the protected building, structure or facility.

(4)

An alarm installed upon premises occupied by the United States Government, the State of Texas, the City of San Antonio, or Bexar County.

(b)

Alarm notification means a notification intended to summon the police or fire department, which is designed either to be initiated purposely by a person or by an alarm system that responds to a stimulus characteristic of unauthorized entry or fire, to include smoke and heat.

(c)

Alarm site means a single premises or location (one street address including apartment number, suite number, etc.) served by an alarm system or systems that are under the control of one owner.

(d)

Answering service means a telephone answering business providing among its services receiving, on a continuous basis through trained employees, emergency signals from alarm systems, and thereafter immediately relaying the message by live voice to the communication center of the police or fire department.

(e)

Applicant means the person, individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization or similar entity, who is applying to be permit holder.

(f)

Automatic alarm notification means an alarm notification sent over telephone lines, by direct connection or otherwise, including a prerecorded voice message, synthesized voice message, or coded signal indicating the existence of the emergency situation that the alarm system is designed to detect.

(g)

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

(h)

Central station means a system or group of systems operated for its customers by any person, in which the operations of electrical protection circuits and devices are transmitted to, recorded in, maintained and supervised from a central location having trained operators and/or trained service technician or guards in attendance or on call at all times that have the duty to take appropriate action upon receipt of a signal or message, including the relaying of messages by live voice to the communications center of the police and fire departments.

(i)

Chief means the chief of police or fire department of the city or his designated representative.

(j)

False alarm notification means an alarm notification to the police or fire departments, for which the responding officer or firefighter finds no evidence of criminal activity or fire, smoke or heat for which the alarm system was designed to give notice.

(k)

Interconnect means to connect an alarm system to a voice-grade telephone line, either directly or through a mechanical device that utilizes a standard telephone, for the purpose of using the telephone line to transmit an emergency message upon the activation of the alarm system.

(l)

Local alarm means an alarm system that emits a signal at an alarm site that is audible or visible from the exterior of a structure.

(m)

Modified central station means an office to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling devices are connected, where operators supervise the circuits.

(n)

Permit holder means the person designated in the application as required in section 25-57 who will be responsible for the proper maintenance and operation of the alarm system and payment of the fees assessed under this article.

(o)

Person means an individual, corporation, partnership, association, organization or similar entity.

(p)

Primary trunkline means a telephone line leading directly into the communication center of the police or fire departments that is for the purpose of handling emergency calls on a person-to-person basis, and which is identified as such by a specific number included among the emergency numbers listed in the telephone directory issued by the telephone company.

(q)

Special trunkline means a telephone line leading into the communication center of the police or fire department which has as its primary purpose the handling of emergency signals or messages originating either directly or through a central location from automatic dialing devices.

(r)

Unauthorized entry means entry of any type, whether intentional or accidental, not authorized by the owner.

(s)

Victim means a person who is the subject of an offense under the Texas:

(1)

V.T.C.A., Family Code §§ 71.004 (family violence) or 261.001(1) (child abuse); or

(2)

V.T.C.A., Penal Code §§ 22.011 (sexual assault), 22.021 (aggravated sexual assault) or 42.042 (stalking).

(Ord. No. 76472, § 1, 9-10-92; Ord. No. 2015-06-18-0563 , § 1, 6-18-15)

Note— Subsection (s) shall take effect October 1, 2015.