(a) Rapid Entry Key Boxes Required.
(1) The Village of Edgar encourages the use of rapid entry lock box devices and associated equipment (Knox Box System) for all commercial, industrial and residential buildings which have a fire sprinkler system and/or alarm systems with an annunciator panel. The Fire Department utilizes a key box system ("Knox Box") requiring the installation of miniature vaults on the exterior of buildings, gateposts, and/or other applicable locations to facilitate entry into such places in a timely manner during an emergency. Contained within these vaults are the keys necessary to gain entry into the facility and/or also keys to gain access to any locked equipment rooms or hazardous locations. Pertinent property information may also be contained in the vaults.
(2) Key boxes are recommended in all new public buildings, places of employment, and multi-family residential buildings that contain a fire alarm or a combination of fire alarms as well as any detection and/or fire suppression systems. Key boxes may be required on buildings that do not contain any of the above equipment by order of the Fire Chief or Building Inspector if the type of occupancy has contents or processes that warrant immediate access during an emergency when it would be impractical or unsafe to wait for a key holder. Gated facilities may also be required to install a padlock compatible with the key box system master key. In such cases the padlock could be double locked along with facility's padlock so as not to disrupt their normal operation. Required equipment shall be purchased by the owner/occupant.
(b) Rapid Entry Key Boxes Recommended. The Village of Edgar recommends the use of lock box devices and associated equipment as described in Subsection (a) above in the following types of buildings; where building owners elect to provide such rapid entry box devices to facilitate access by the Fire Department, such devices and associated equipment shall be provided by a commercial vendor and be of the type authorized by the Fire Department:
(1) In all commercial and/or industrial buildings other than those described in Subsection (a) above.
(2) In all multi-family residential structures containing three (3) or more living units, other than those described in Subsection (a) above, that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units or mechanical rooms.
(3) In any other building where lack of access may result in loss of life or significant property or environmental damage, based on factors including, but not limited to, fire load, occupancy, exposures, type of building construction, building age, and storage or use of hazardous materials (single and two-family dwellings are exempt from this requirement).
(c) Retroactivity. Participation in this key box system for existing occupancies that would be covered under this Section will be voluntary, except that businesses that have a change of occupancy or a change of use will be required to comply with this Section. Any keys that the Fire Department currently has in its possession will be returned to the rightful owner. The Fire Department will no longer accept or carry loose keys. Occupancies wishing to participate in the key box system master key. In such cases th padlock could be double locked along with the facility's padlock so as not to disrupt their normal operation. Required equipment shall be purchased by the owner/occupant.
(d) Special Circumstances/Multiple Residential False Alarms. The Fire Chief or Building Inspector may require the installation of a key box system on a private dwelling that contains a monitored fire alarm or fire suppression system where multiple false alarms have occurred.
(e) Location.
(1) The key box shall be installed in an accessible location approved by the Fire Department. The key box shall be mounted not less than five (5) feet or more than seven (7) feet above ground level immediately below the installation.
(2) Depending on the type and size of the occupancy, the Fire Chief or Building Inspector may require one or more key boxes to be placed on the structure. Public buildings that contain multiple occupancies may be required to have separate vaults for each separate occupancy. The key box will typically be placed near the main entrance to the occupancy. The mounting location of the box must be approved. The type and size of the key box to be installed must also be approved. The only acceptable equipment will be from the Knox Company. In most cases a Knox 4400 series box will be required. In certain cases where it may be necessary to keep MSDS, Hazmat data or building plans in the vault, a larger box may be required. For smaller occupancies and multi-family residential occupancies required storage for less than ten (10) keys, a Knox 3200 series box bill be required.
(f) Security. Security will be maintained through the use of Key Secure master key retention systems. All vaults will be keyed alike utilizing a master key that is proprietary to the Edgar Volunteer Fire Department. The Edgar Volunteer Fire Department will be the sole agency that has access to the vault. The master key can only be released after entering a PIN code. All activity will be recorded electronically to add to the security of the system. Boxes shall only be accessed for fire or EMS emergencies, during routine fire inspections, or to update contents.
(g) Vault Contents. The key box vault shall contain keys for the following: the main entrance, all locked points of access in the interior of the building, mechanical rooms, alarm rooms or panels, sprinkler rooms, electrical rooms, elevators and elevator control rooms, and any other locked areas that may be determined by the Fire Chief. Buildings containing hazardous processes and/or hazardous materials may also be required to place information regarding these hazards within the vault. This information shall be, at a minimum, the MSDS for all products, a list of responsible parties and emergency contact numbers, the list of hazards and quantities and their location within the facility, and any other information requested by the Fire Chief.
(h) Owner's Responsibility.
(1) Building owners are required:
a. To purchase an approved key box by contacting the Fire Department and obtaining the necessary authorizations.
b. To provide to the Fire Department the proper keys for the required access.
c. To notify the Fire Department when the locks or keys have changed.
d. To keep the immediate area of the key box free and clear of any obstructions.
(2) The owner or occupant of buildings utilizing the key box system shall ensure that the keys and any other information contained within the vault will be kept up to date. The keys and any other contents will be verified and/or tested at the time of installation and also during regular fire inspections. If at any time the keys or information contained with the vault become outdated, or items must be added to the vault, arrangements must be made with the Fire Department to gain access to place the updated items in the vault.
(i) Violations. It shall be unlawful to tamper with or remove any key box without the permission of the building owner and Fire Department.