Borough of Cresskill, NJ Article VI Rapid Entry System

§ 128-20 Minimum criteria.

The Division of Fire Prevention requires the following minimum standards for all rapid-entry systems devices required by this article. Devices that do not meet these criteria will be considered noncompliant. This will be considered as not meeting the terms of this article.

A. Lock and key minimum criteria.

(1) Locks must have the ability to be master-keyed to the lock code utilized by the Borough of Cresskill Fire Department.

(2) Lock cylinders must have a listing in accordance with UL 437, Safety Key Locks.

(3) System keys must withstand a minimum of fifty-inch-pounds of torque when fully inserted.

(4) System keys shall be cut using a biaxial pattern similar to a Medco Level 3 or better.

(5) Vendor must be able to provide official proof of UL listing.

(6) System keys must be able to be secured in an electronic retention device controlled from the Cresskill Fire Department.

B. Key vault minimum criteria.

(1) Key vaults must be listed in accordance with UL 1037, Anti-Theft Devices.

(2) Key vaults must have a minimum door and wall thickness of 1/4-inch plate steel.

(3) Key vaults must have a weatherproof gasket seal of neoprene or better around all openings.

(4) Key vaults must have a stainless steel dust cap or cover over lock cylinder.

§ 128-21 Security.

The Division of Fire Prevention realizes the need for exceptional security and control over the access to the system master keys. To provide the maximum level of protection, all system keys utilized by the Cresskill Fire Department will be secured in a locked retention system that will only release the key upon receipt of an encoded numeric PIN that two firefighters or one fire officer must enter. All key releases and returns will be logged with the time, date and which firefighter(s) accessed the key.

§ 128-22 Applicability.

The requirements of this article shall apply to all new and existing structures other than owner occupied one- and two-family houses used exclusively as residences.

§ 128-23 Installation.

The key vault shall be installed in compliance with the following requirements for installation criteria:

A. Installation cost shall be the sole responsibility of the building owner.

B. The key vault shall be installed in a prominent and viewable location near the main entrance of the building approved by the Division of Fire Prevention.

C. The key vault, when practical, shall be installed approximately six feet above grade and no more than eight feet above grade.

D. The building owner shall be responsible for installation of the key vault in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and specifications.

E. Buildings which (either due to size, design or occupancy) have multiple public entrances shall install the key vault at a location specified by the Division of Fire Prevention and shall place an approved reflective sticker on all remaining doors, indicating that the premises are equipped with a rapid-entry system.

§ 128-24 Key vault contents.

A. In any building with a rapid-entry system, the owners and/or occupants shall be required to provide at least the following keys or other access devices. All keys/access devices shall be adequately marked so as to identify their purpose.

(1) Main entrance door keys or access device.

(2) All exterior door keys.

(3) Keys to any utility rooms or areas containing the following controls or shutoffs: gas, electric, boilers/furnaces, water heaters, water, fire alarm systems, fire-suppression system controls, or elevator controls.

(4) Any common area halls, laundry facilities, storage areas and roof access doors/scuttles.

(5) In subdivided buildings, keys to access the individual areas occupied by various tenants.

(6) Any keys or combinations to locks securing fire alarm control panels, fire-suppression controls or utility panels/devices.

(7) Fire Department elevator service keys (a minimum of one for each elevator in the building).

B. It shall be the owner's/occupant's responsibility to notify the Cresskill Fire Prevention Bureau of any changes in keys or additional keys which are placed in the key vault. Penalties may be assessed in the event the box contents are not kept current.

§ 128-25 Key vault size.

It shall be the owner's responsibility to ensure that the key vault is of an appropriate size to accommodate the number of keys/access devices required for the building.

§ 128-26 Deadline for compliance.

All existing buildings required to participate in accordance with this article shall be in compliance within 60 days of receiving written notice from the Division of Fire Prevention. Buildings under construction or renovation shall be in compliance prior to any required fire subcode inspection and buildings shall be in compliance prior to the final building inspection. Penalties may be assessed in the event compliance is not met.

§ 128-27 Enforcement.

The provisions of this article shall be enforced by the Cresskill Fire Department's Division of Fire Prevention. The Division of Fire Prevention shall be responsible for serving all notices of violation pursuant to this article as well as collecting any assessed penalties.

§ 128-28 Violations and penalties.

Any building owner not in compliance with the installation requirements of this article within 60 days of being notified of such requirements for installation shall be fined an amount of not less than $250 and not to exceed $1,000. An owner/occupant who does not provide the required keys/access devices shall be fined in an amount of $50 for each day that the appropriate keys/access devices are not provided for installation. An owner/occupant who does not inform the Division of Fire Prevention of a new lock installation or key/access device change may be subject to a penalty of not less than $50 and not more than $500 per occurrence. These penalties may be reassessed for each day the violation continues. These penalties pertain to this article only and do not preclude any additional penalties issued under N.J.A.C. 5:70-1 et seq., or other ordinances of the Borough of Cresskill. Any penalty assessed shall be paid within 30 days of issue. Unpaid penalties shall be turned over to the Cresskill Municipal Court pursuant to the penalty collection statutes.