Owner Pays High Fine for False Alarms

Late last year, the Fire Department issued two violation notices to a building owner for failing to maintain the building's fire alarm system. The building's fire alarm had gone off unnecessarily on two occasions, once from construction activities and another time for reasons unknown. The owner didn't deny that the alarm went off, but argued that it shouldn't be penalized. The administrative law judge ruled against the owner and fined it $2,500.

The owner appealed and lost. The Environmental Control Board ruled that the owner was properly charged under applicable violation categories and Fire Department rules for failing to maintain the fire alarm system by not preventing unnecessary alarms [ECB App. No. 1101382 (4/26/12)].