§ 9-16-8. Qualification and standards for monitoring stations or central stations.

A.

Monitoring stations. In addition to any other requirements imposed by this chapter and chapters 2-28 through 2-36, an alarm business shall not be granted a license to operate a monitoring station or central station unless the metro alarm review board finds that the monitoring station, if operated, will meet the following minimum standards:

1.

The premises from which the services are performed must meet any applicable local and state fire regulations;

2.

The premises from which the services are performed must be secured to prevent entry by unauthorized persons;

3.

A large enough number of operators must be on duty at all times to assure that all emergency messages received will be relayed immediately to the law enforcement officers;

4.

Emergency messages from police emergency alarm systems shall be given priority over all other messages received by the monitoring station, except that fire alarm signals shall be given priority over all other emergency signals;

5.

The monitoring station or installing company shall have or cause a competent repairman available within 24 hours to conduct repairs and maintenance on police emergency alarm systems which are reported in need of service by the metro alarm administrator. Should it be determined by the metro alarm administrator and the alarm business/contractor that the system should not be serviced, the metro alarm administrator shall assist the alarm business/contractor in gaining entrance to disable the offending alarm system.

B.

Monitoring procedures. No alarm system dispatches shall be accepted from anyone other than a monitoring facility properly licensed by the state alarm contractor's board for monitoring. If the monitoring facility is not required to be licensed under the Tennessee Alarm Contractor's Act, then the facility shall comply with the metro alarm review board licensing requirements under this chapter and chapters 2-28 through 2-36. An alarm business performing monitoring services shall:

1.

Not request dispatch for law enforcement response during the first week after installation of an alarm system, but rather use that week to train the alarm user on proper use of the alarm system unless extenuating circumstances necessitate immediate requests for response as determined by the alarm administrator. The monitoring station shall verify addresses and telephone numbers prior to placing an account on line;

2.

Report alarm signals by using telephone numbers designated by the alarm administrator;

3.

Attempt to verify every alarm signal, except a duress, panic, or holdup activation, before requesting a police response to an alarm signal;

4.

Communicate alarm dispatch requests to the city police or Shelby County sheriffs office in a manner and form determined by the metro alarm administrator; communicate verified cancellations of alarm dispatch requests to the city police or Shelby County sheriff's office in a manner and form determined by the metro alarm administrator;

5.

Ensure that all alarm users of alarm systems equipped with duress alarm, hold up, or panic alarm, are given adequate training as to the proper use of these alarms;

6.

Communicate with the alarm dispatch center as to the parties that will meet the law enforcement officer and their estimated time of arrival.

C.

User instructions. Every business selling, leasing or furnishing to any user an alarm system or any equipment or components shall furnish the alarm user with written instructions that provide information to enable the user to operate the alarm system properly and to obtain service of the alarm system at any time. Each alarm user shall have a working knowledge of the use of the system and general troubleshooting techniques.

(Code 1985, § 28-133; Ord. No. 4640, § 1, 1-19-1999)