(A) Installation. Any commercial building built after May 15, 1991 that is protected by an automatic alarm system and/or sprinkler system, and access to, or within a structure, or an area on that property is unduly difficult because of secured openings, and where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving or firefighting purposes, the City Fire Official may require a key box to be installed in an approved location. This request will be made in writing on City Fire Department letterhead and hand delivered to the owner of the business of whom the request is being made. If the owner of the business refuses to install a City Fire Department approved key box for entry to his or her establishment he or she must acknowledge the refusal in writing to the City Fire Department Code Enforcement Division. In this case the City Fire Department and its officers are not responsible for any damage caused to the structure and/or contents if entry into the structure is deemed necessary by members of the City Fire Department. Any new structures that were constructed after May 15, 2003 are required by the City Fire Department to have an approved key box installed in an approved location.
(B) Contents. The key box shall contain:
(1) Keys to locked points of ingress whether on the interior or exterior of the buildings;
(2) Keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms;
(3) Keys to locked electrical rooms;
(4) Keys to elevator controls;
(5) Keys to other areas as directed by the fire official;
(6) Keys to post indicator valves controlling the water supply for fire sprinkler systems; and
(7) Fire alarm control panels.
(C) Alert decals. Alert decals, approved by the City Fire Chief, to alert fire companies to the presence of security features covered by this chapter, shall be displayed on any outside doors or windows designated by the fire official. In the case of residential occupancies when residents use oxygen, the appropriate warning decals should be prominently displayed to indicate oxygen usage.
(D) Compliance; voluntary compliance. This section is intended to apply to any new commercial construction within the city. All existing buildings built prior to May 15, 1991 are requested to voluntarily comply with this section and, to that end, the Fire Marshal of the city is instructed to meet with all existing commercial structure owners or occupants for the purpose of informing them of the public health, safety and welfare benefits of the establishment of a key box on their premises. Notwithstanding this provision, any existing building, which is remodeled or structurally altered in any way hereafter, shall comply with the terms and provisions of this section.
(E) Security padlocks. When a property is protected by a locked fence or gate and where immediate access to the property is necessary for life saving or firefighting purposes, the City Fire Marshal may require a security padlock to be installed at a location approved by the Fire Marshal. The padlock shall be manufactured by the Knox Company and keyed to the City Fire Department Knox key.
(Ord. 2009-10, passed 11-30-2009)