(A) The following structures shall be equipped with a rapid entry system utilizing the Knox Box rapid entry key box system (“Knox Box”) at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Fire Department having jurisdiction over the structure:
(1) All commercial and industrial building. Commercial and industrial buildings shall mean buildings where any industry, trade or business is carried on or where any process or operation, directly or indirectly related to any industry, trade or business, is carried on and where any person is employed by another for direct or indirect gain or profit.
(2) Multi-family residential structures comprised of more than 4 units in which access to the building or common areas or mechanical or electrical rooms within the building is denied through locked doors.
(3) Any building or facility containing a quantity of hazardous materials, which would require compliance with Title III of SARA (Superfund Amendment Reauthorization Act).
(4) Governmental structures.
(5) Nursing care facilities.
(6) Educational facilities.
(7) All places of assembly.
(B) All newly constructed structures subject to this section shall have the Knox Box installed and operational prior to final inspection and occupancy. All existing structures subject to this section shall have the Knox Box installed and operational within 1 year after the effective date of this section.
(C) The Fire Department having jurisdiction over the structure shall designate the type of Knox Box system to be implemented and shall have the authority to require all structures to use the designated system.
(D) The owner or operator of a structure required to have a Knox Box shall at all times, keep keys in the Knox Box that will allow for access to the following:
(1) Keys to locked points of ingress and egress, whether on the interior or exterior of such structures;
(2) Keys to locked mechanical or equipment rooms;
(3) Keys to locked electrical rooms;
(4) Keys to elevator controls; and
(5) Keys to the other areas as directed by the Fire Department having jurisdiction over the structure.
(E) The owner of a structure is responsible for ordering and for the cost and expense of installing the Knox Box.
(F) The Fire Department having jurisdiction over the structure shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the Knox Box system.
(G) All Knox Boxes shall be mounted onto the building/structure at a height of not less than 6 feet above the ground (surface grade) nor more than 8 feet above the ground (surface grade). All Knox boxes shall be located on the front of the building structure near the main entry door, on the right-hand side.
(Ord. 2006-05, passed 2-14-2006) Penalty, see § 150.99