Inspection, Testing and Maintenance Reporting
Great Falls Fire Rescue is very pleased to have partnered with Inspection Reports Online (IROL) to be the City of Great Falls 3rd party Inspection, Testing and Maintenance vendor. If you are a contractor who works with fire sprinkler systems, fire alarm systems, fire suppression systems or other forms of life safety systems, register for IROL here: https://inspectionreportsonline.net.
Per City of Great Falls Ordinance 3237: All inspection, testing and maintenance reports shall be submitted to the City’s online reporting vendor within the following time frame:
No deficiencies found: within 10 days of the date the inspection, testing or maintenance took place;
Deficiencies found: within 7 days of the date the inspection, testing or maintenance took place; or
Critical issues found: Immediately following the inspection, testing or maintenance, along with immediate notification to the Fire Marshal.
15.9.050 Inspection, Testing, Maintenance and Records.
A. All system inspections, tests and maintenance that are required by applicable IFC standards shall be performed by qualified individuals who are licensed to perform work in the City of Great Falls and written reports of such inspections, tests and maintenance shall be kept on the premises for a minimum of three years.
B. All inspection, testing and maintenance reports shall be submitted to the City’s online reporting vendor within the following time frame:
No deficiencies found: within 10 days of the date the inspection, testing or maintenance took place;
Deficiencies found: within 7 days of the date the inspection, testing or maintenance took place; or
Critical issues found: Immediately following the inspection, testing or maintenance, along with immediate notification to the Fire Marshal.
C. Inspections, tests and maintenance that do not comply with the provisions in this Chapter shall result in the inspected or serviced system being deemed non-compliant with the provisions of this Chapter.
D. Non-compliance with this Chapter will be addressed as set forth in 15.9.060 and/or by Title 5, Chapter 2, Safety Inspections.
(Ord. 3237, 2021).
15.9.060 Violation—penalty.
A. Unless otherwise specified in this Chapter, any person who violates or fails to comply with any of the provisions of the IFC as adopted, or any of the provisions of this Chapter, is guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a term not to exceed six (6) months in jail, a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00), or both.
B. A property that contains a violation of the IFC, or any other violation of this Chapter, is hereby declared a Nuisance as defined by OCCGF Title 8, Chapter 49.
(Ord. 3237, 2021, Ord. 3189, 2018).
Article 6 ALARMS AND ALARM SYSTEMS
Sections:
5.3.6.010 Definitions.
Unless otherwise specified, the following words and phrases when used in this article shall have the following meanings:
A. "Alarm agent" means any person who is directly or indirectly employed by an alarm business, whose duties include any of the following: selling, maintaining, leasing, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving or installing any alarm system on or in any building, structure or facility.
B. "Alarm business" means any individual, partnership, corporation, or other entity engaged in selling, leasing, maintaining, servicing, repairing, altering, replacing, moving, or installing any alarm system or causing to be sold, leased, maintained, serviced, repaired, altered, replaced, moved, or installed any alarm system in, or on, any building, structure, or facility.
C. "Alarm system" means any mechanical or electrical device which is designed, or used for:
i. the detection of an unauthorized entry into or fire or hazardous condition within a building, structure, or facility; and/or
ii. alerting others of the commission of an unlawful act within a building, structure, or facility; and which emits a sound or transmits a signal or message when actuated. Devices that are not designed or used to register alarms that are audible, visible or perceptible outside of the protected building, structure, or facility are not included within this definition, nor are auxiliary devices installed by a telephone or telecommunication company to protect company systems which might be damaged or disrupted by the use of an alarm system. Alarm systems include, but are not limited to:
1. direct dial telephone devices; and
2. audible alarms and proprietor alarms.
D. "Audible alarm" means a device designed for the detection of unauthorized entry, fire or hazardous conditions on premises which generates an audible sound on the premises when it is actuated.
E. "False alarm" means an alarm signal actuated by error, mistake, inadvertence, negligence, or unintentional act necessitating response by the public safety personnel, including but not limited to Great Falls Police Department, Great Falls Fire Rescue, and/or ambulance services, including alarms caused by the malfunction of the alarm system, except the following:
1. alarms caused by repair of telephone or communication equipment or lines;
2. alarms caused by earthquakes, flood, windstorm, thunder, and lightning;
3. alarms caused by an attempted illegal entry or analogous causes of which there is visible evidence; and
4. alarms caused by power outages.
F. "Proprietor alarm" means an alarm which is not serviced by an alarm business.
G. "Subscriber" means any person who purchases, leases, contracts for, or otherwise obtains an alarm system or for the servicing maintenance of an alarm system from an alarm business.
(Ord. 3233, 2021; Ord. 3168, 2017).
5.3.6.020 Audible alarm requirements.
A. Every person maintaining an audible alarm shall notify the Police Department and/or Great Falls Fire Rescue with names and telephone numbers of the persons to be notified to render repairs of service, and secure the premises, during any hour of the day or night that the alarm is actuated.
B. Whenever any change occurs relating to the required written information, the applicant shall give written notice thereof to the Great Falls Police Department and/or Great Falls Fire Rescue of such change.
(Ord. 3233, 2021; Ord. 3168, 2017).
5.3.6.030 Alarm Agent license required.
A. All persons engaged in alarm business to repair, service, alter, replace, remove, design, sell, lease, maintain, or install alarm systems, shall obtain an Alarm Agent license from Planning and Community Development in accordance with the provisions of this title.
B. The Alarm Agent licensee shall have in their possession an Alarm Agent license while engaged in alarm related business or activities.
(Ord. 3233, 2021; Ord. 3168, 2017).
5.3.6.040 Exemptions.
A. The provisions of this chapter are not applicable to audible alarms affixed to automobiles.
B. The provisions of this chapter do not include a person who engages in the manufacture for sale of an alarm system from a fixed location, and who neither visits the location where the alarm system is to be installed nor designs the scheme for physical location and installation of the alarm system in a specific location.
(Ord. 3168, 2017).
