The Council of the Borough of Wharton determined that the health,
welfare and safety of the citizens and business owners of the Borough
of Wharton are promoted by requiring certain structures to have a
key Knox-Box® installed on the exterior of the structure to aid
the Wharton Volunteer Fire Department in gaining access to or within
a structure when responding to calls for an emergency service, and
to aid access into or within a building that is secured or into which
it is unduly difficult to gain entry due either to being unoccupied
or to the occupants being unable to respond.
For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions apply:
KNOX-BOX
A secure rapid entry system that is designed to be used by
Fire Department personnel in the event of an emergency to gain entry
into a structure by using the enclosed owner-provided key(s). This
box is usually mounted on the exterior of the building in a location
that is specified by the Borough Fire Official, Fire Chief, or Building
Official. All boxes shall be UL (Underwriters' Laboratories)
certified and approved by the Borough Fire Official or Fire Chief.
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
A member of the Fire Department who is recommended by the
Fire Department with confirmation by the Mayor and Council of the
Borough of Wharton who is in charge of the Knox-Box® program.
The operator of the building shall immediately notify the Borough
Fire Official or Fire Chief when any locks are added, changed or rekeyed
which cannot currently be opened by the current key set in the Knox-Box®.
Additional keys shall be added to the Knox-Box® immediately.
Any person who is convicted of a violation of this chapter shall be punishable as provided in Chapter
1, General Provisions, Article
I, General Penalty.