6F.04 Area Separation and Decreases

6F.04a Area Separation. Portions of buildings which are separated by fire walls rated as two hours or greater and with protected openings constructed in accordance with the Building Code are allowed to be considered as separate fire areas.

6F.04b Decreases. A reduction in required fire flow is allowed where the building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system. When the sprinkler system water demand and any required outside hose demand is satisfied by using either a municipal or a private water system or a combination of the two, the fire-flow requirement is considered to have been satisfied.

6F.05 Fire Flow Requirements for Buildings

6F.05a One-and Two-family Dwellings. The fire flow requirements for one-and two-family dwellings shall be 500 gallons per minute, except as modified. Flow duration for one and two-family dwellings shall not be less than 30 minutes.

6F.05b Buildings Other Than One and Two-family Dwellings. The minimum fire flow and flow duration for buildings other than one and two-family dwellings shall be as specified in Table 6-3: Minimum Required Fire Flow and Flow Duration for Non-Sprinklered Buildings, except as modified. The maximum required water supply is 3500 gpm.

Table 6-3: Minimum Required Fire Flow and Flow Duration for Non-Sprinklered Buildings

Fire Area (square feet)					Fire Flow (GPM) {a}	Flow Duration (hours)
Type IA and IB{a}	Type IIA and IIIB{a}	Type IV and V -A{a}	Type IIB and IIIB{a}	Type V-B{a}
-22,700	0-12,700	0-8,200	0-5,900	0-3600	500	0.5
22,701-30,200	12,701-17,000	8,201-10,900	5,901-7,900	3,601-4,800	750	1
30,201-38,700	17,001-21,800	10,901-12,900	7,901-9,800	4,801-6,200	1000	1
38,701-48,300	21,801-24,200	12,901-17,400	9,801-12,600	6,201-7,700	1250	1
48,301-59,000	24,201-33,200	17,401-21,300	12,601-15,400	7,701-9,400	1500	1
59,001-70,900	33,201-39,700	21,301-25,500	15,401-18,400	9,401-11,300	1750	1
70,901-83,700	39,701-47,100	25,501-30,100	18,401-21,800	11,301-13,400	2000	2
83,701-97,700	47,101-54,900	30,101-35,200	21,801-25,900	13,401-15,600	2250	2
97,701-112,700	54,901-63,400	35,201-40,600	25,901-29,300	15,601-18,000	2500	2
112,701-128,700	63,401-72,400	40,601-46,400	29,301-33,500	18,000-20,600	2750	2
128,701-Greater	72,401-Greater	46,401-Greater	33,501-Greater	20,601-Greater	3000	3
{a} Types of construction are based on the International Building Code. {b}Measured at 20 psi.

 

6G Knox Box Key Control Program

6G.01 General

The Knox Box, a proprietary system used by the Asheville Fire-Rescue Department, is a program designed to expedite entry and eliminate property damage caused by the forcible entry required for evaluation of an emergency situation, and allows the Fire Department to re-secure the building when leaving.

6G.02 Knox Box Defined

A Knox Box is a highly secure, UL listed steel vault used for the storage of entry keys and alarm panel or mechanical system keys for use only by the Fire Department. The keys to access the Knox Boxes are located in locked boxes inside the emergency response apparatus and cannot be duplicated.

6G.03 Scope

•   The enforcement of use of the Knox Boxes is through the City of Asheville Fire Code, which adopted the NC Fire Code. Section 506.1 reads:

“Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire-fighting purposes, the code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an accessible location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain access as required by the code official.”

All buildings which contain automatic fire alarm systems or fire suppression sprinkler systems shall provide a key box and the required keys for access to the building. An important reason for this is the real possibility of an alarm occurring when the business is locked and vacant. The availability of a key allows firefighters to safely enter the building, without causing any damage, evaluate the conditions present and secure the premises.

•   Your Knox Box shall be installed as designated on your fire department approved plans. If the location of the Knox Box is not indicated on the approved plans, have the fire inspector approve the location prior to installation.

•   Boxes may be ordered on line at “www.knoxbox.com”. Enter “28801” as the Zip Code for the Asheville Fire Department.

•   The Knox Box shall be installed between 4’ - 6’ from the ground unless otherwise approved by the Fire Marshal.

•   The Knox Box shall not be blocked from plain view by any obstructions (landscaping, etc.).

•   If you are unsure or have questions, call your fire inspector prior to installing this Knox Box.

•   The box will arrive unlocked from the factory so it can be installed.

•   Once the Knox Box is mounted and you are ready to lock the keys in, call [phone] to request a fire inspector to come out to lock the box.