Council holds first readings to move fire-alarm rules to Chapter 50 and add penalties for repeated false alarms
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Summary
On first reading, the council proposed moving fire-alarm provisions from Chapter 42 to Chapter 50 and adding Article 4 to impose escalating penalties for five or more false fire alarms in a calendar year (starting at $100 and rising to $500). The ordinances were presented for a vote next week.
The Gadsden City Council on Nov. 25 heard first readings of two related ordinances that reorganize the city code’s alarm provisions and create a new fire alarm article.
Under the proposal, references to fire alarms would be removed from Chapter 42 (Emergency Services, Article 2 — Alarm Systems) and consolidated into Chapter 50 (Fire Prevention and Protection). Chapter 42 would retain burglary-alarm language. The proposed Article 4 in Chapter 50 would establish a fire-alarm ordinance intended to reduce false alarms and encourage proper maintenance.
The ordinance text presented on first reading specifies that after five false fire alarms within a calendar year enforcement would begin with a $100 penalty for the first offense and escalate up to $500 for subsequent violations. Council members were informed these measures are intended to reduce or eliminate false alarms and promote proper alarm maintenance by businesses and alarm users.
These ordinances were presented for a first reading only; the council recorded the first reading and scheduled a vote on the ordinances for the following week.