Knox requirements are hereby adopted by the city regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property of buildings and premises as herein provided; providing for the issuance of permits and collection of fees therefore; and each and all of the regulation, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms on file in the office of the city are hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as fully set out in this section, with the addition, insertions, deletions and changes if any as amended, and as adopted as this section.
(A) Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
MAIN GATE. The gate and entry gate way designed as the primary entrance for guests, residents, deliveries, employees, patrons, and like, regardless of whether or not said gate is situated between private and public properties, or between two areas of private property.
OWNER. A person, corporation, partnership or any other similar entity.
PRIMARY DRIVE GATE TYPE. The primary drive gate type that may be installed across fire lanes shall be the sliding type. If the installation of a slide gate is not possible due to the layout of the property or building thereon, alternate types may be used with the approval of the Fire Marshal.
PRIMARY EMERGENCY ACCESS. The drive or access point designed as the primary point or one of several primary points of ingress/egress for emergency vehicles.
SECONDARY EMERGENCY ACCESS. The drive or access point designed as a secondary or back-up means of ingress/egress for emergency vehicles.
SECURITY GATE. Any vehicle access way from a public street to private property, which has an access gate that limits or controls vehicle access onto the property; or an access gate that limits or
controls access to a primary structure or structures on private property from another area of private property.
SYSTEM. A gate system includes each drive gate, pedestrian gate, operating mechanism, receiver, electrical system, chain, belt, pulley, all. hardware appliances and all other type equipment or items necessary for each gate to function as intended and herein described
(C) General requirements. All limited access drives from public streets shall be designed to accommodate emergency service vehicles (fire, police, and EMS). All limited access drives will be designated as either a primary or secondary emergency access way, as determined by the Fire Marshal. All primary emergency access gates shall be equipped to operate with an electric override key switch and a fail safe manual back-up or automatic release in the event of a failure of the electrical or mechanical system. The electric override switch shall be located on a keypad pedestal or call box as approved by the Fire Marshal. All automated secondary emergency access gates shall be equipped to operate with the electric override key switch mounted on a key pedestal.
(D) Specific requirements. All primary access gates shall be located on private property a minimum of 20 feet from the property line being crossed by the access drive or 40 feet from the nearest edge of the roadway, whichever is greater. The minimum clear opening width shall not be less than 24 feet and a minimum unobstructed height of 16 feet shall be maintained. Limited access gates shall be designed and constructed in a workman-like manner. Gate materials shall be approved by the Fire Marshal.
(E) Application for Knox devices. Every building and structure, either residential or commercial, that shall have limited access due to a vehicular gate, shall be required to make application to the Fire Marshal for the appropriate Knox devices. Upon issuance of an approved application, the Fire Marshal shall instruct the applicant how to acquire the device(s). The numbers used shall be consistent throughout the city and shall not be changed unless ordered by a written, notarized directive from the Fire Marshal.
(F) Primary system access—electric override switch. The gate shall normally be opened by means of the electric override switch that is mounted on the keypad or other approved location. Upon activation of the electric override switch, the affected gate shall automatically open to a locked open and disabled condition. The system will require manual reset to close the gates after emergency activation. In the event of power failure the gate shall open freely. It shall be capable of being opened manually by one person of average stature.
(G) Final system access (back-up)—electrical disconnect/chain access. In the event of electric override failure, the gate shall be opened by means of an electrical power disconnect switch in a weather proof box:
(1) The box shall be red.
(2) The box shall be mounted on the entry side of the gate within five feet of the gate.
(3) The box shall be at least five inches high and five inches wide.
(4) The box shall be clearly labeled “Fire Dept.” in white letters one inch tall with one-quarter inch stroke.
(5) A Knox padlock shall secure the box.
(6) The box must be clearly visible and accessible.
(H) Performance test. Gates and gate systems shall be tested upon completion of the installation of a gate or gate system or when required by the Fire Department. Failure of a gate or gate system test shall require all effected gates shall be chained and locked in the open position until repaired and re-tested. The Fire Marshal shall observe all required tests.
(I) Key lock box. A lock box shall be provided outside the main entrance to any buildings regulated hereunder, containing a key to allow access to all Fire Department areas, shall provide access to Fire Department control valves. The lock box shall be a standard brand and shall be approved by the Fire Marshal, and shall be clearly labeled “Fire Dept.” in white letters one inch tall with one-quarter inch stroke. The lock box shall be installed on all new nonresidential commercial construction during retrofit and shall be installed in existing buildings having monitored systems, or automatic suppression system. Each lock box installation location shall be approved by the Fire Marshal. Lock boxes shall be installed on existing buildings within one year of the adoption of this section.
(J) Locking FDC. A locking FDC (Fire Department connection) cap shall be provided on all sprinkler systems and standpipes equipped with an FDC. The cap shall be a standard brand and shall be approved by the Fire Marshal. The caps shall be installed on all new construction and shall be installed on existing structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system, or such structures that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency FDC within one year of the adoption of this section.
(K) Key lock boxes.
(1) The rapid entry key lock boxes shall be installed on all new nonresidential commercial construction during retrofit and on existing nonresidential commercial construction, commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm system or automatic suppression system, or such structures that are secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency; must contain at a minimum but not limited to:
(a) Keys to locked points of egress, whether in interior or exterior of such buildings;
(b) Keys to the locked elevator rooms;
(c) Keys to the locked mechanical rooms;
(d) Keys to the elevator controls;
(e) Keys to any fence or secured areas;
(f) Keys to any other areas that may be required by the Fire Marshal;
(g) A card containing the emergency contact people and phone numbers for such building.
(2) In addition, floor plan of the rooms within the building may be required. Elevator key boxes shall be installed in elevator lobby area.
(L) All newly constructed nonresidential structures subject to this section shall have the key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All nonresidential structures in existence on the effective date of this section and subject to this section shall have one year from the effective date of this section to have a key lock box installed and operational. Should owners change locks to any areas required to have emergency access keys within key lock boxes, shall contact the Fire Marshal to have new key placed in key lock box to replace old key.
(M) All other sections of this chapter shall remain in full force and effect save and except as amended by this section. This section shall be applicable and in force within the city limits and the ETJ of the city.
(Ord. 12-1063, passed 9-20-2012) Penalty, see § 10.99