CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Waive the first reading and pass the ordinance amending Section 10-6B-8 of the Naperville Municipal Code to require use of radio communication for fire alarms (requires 6 positive votes)
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
SUBMITTED BY: Benjamin DeAnda, Community Risk Reduction Manager
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
Commercial fire alarm systems within the City of Naperville, with one exception, are required to be monitored either by: (i) direct communication with the Fire Department through the City's Public Service Answering Point ("PSAP"); or (ii) by private monitoring agencies that notify the Fire Department of the alarm through PSAP.
Currently the Naperville Municipal Code allows private monitoring agencies to communicate fire alarms through PSAP using a variety of methods in addition to radio including Internet (IP), cellular communications, and telephone land lines.
Fire staff has researched current alarm technology and determined that the use of radio communication is the most secure and reliable means to receive fire alarm notifications.
Radio communication utilizes a mesh network. This means that all radios within the mesh maintain a solid communication to the monitoring station. In contrast, IP uses the Internet and has a high probability of security issues. Further, cellular communications can result in dropped calls and land line telephone for alarm purposes is being phased out by telephone companies and is rarely, if ever, used by private monitoring companies.
DISCUSSION:
Staff recommends passing the ordinance amending Section10-6B-8: Methods For Communicating Fire Alarm Signals of the Naperville Municipal Code. It specifies that radio communication is the only allowable method of communicating fire alarm signals. There will be minimal impact to fire alarm companies or business owners within the City since a large percentage of fire alarm monitoring is currently done by radio.
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