A.
Where required. In all buildings regardless of use or occupancy,
which are protected by an automatic alarm system and/or a fire sprinkler
system, the owners and/or management agents shall install a key box,
of a type and in a location approved by the Fire Official. The following
are exempt from this requirement: multiple-family dwellings containing
six or fewer individual occupancies; and single-family homes.
[Amended 7-20-2023 by Ord. No. 2023-32]
B.
For all buildings where installation is not required under the provisions of Subsection A, such installation shall be permissible but not required. If the owner or management agent of a property which is not required to install a key box elects to do so, said owner or management agent shall be obligated to meet all criteria specified for buildings where key box installation is required.
C.
Upon examination of the physical condition and characteristics of
any property subject to this section, and upon written notice to the
owner and/or principal occupant thereof, the Fire Official may require
a key box to be installed in a specific location whenever access to
or within a structure or an area is unduly difficult because of secured
openings or where immediate access is necessary for life saving or
firefighting purposes.
D.
Cabinet-style vaults shall be required when deemed necessary by the
Fire Official at premises containing hazardous materials which require
material safety data sheets (MSDS), site plans, and floor plans.
E.
Owners and operators of controlled vehicle parking areas which use
mechanical parking gates to control motor vehicle ingress and egress
shall install and maintain an emergency override control on each gate.
Said emergency override control devices shall contain a master key-operated
type switch approved by the Fire Official.
A.
Key boxes shall include two separate sets of keys. Each set shall
contain the following individually labeled keys:
(1)
Keys to the locked point of egress whether on the interior or exterior
of such buildings;
(2)
Keys to locked mechanical rooms;
(3)
Keys to locked electrical rooms;
(4)
Keys to fire alarm panels;
(5)
Keys to elevator controls, if elevators are present and equipped
with a fire department bypass switch;
(6)
Keys to other areas in the building as directed by the Fire Official.
B.
In addition, the key box shall contain the following:
The Division of Fire and the Bureau of Fire Prevention shall
adopt procedures for protecting the integrity and security of the
master keys/system which allow access to key boxes. Procedures shall
include, but not be limited to: a definition of authorized uses and
users of the system; specific means of access to the system; protection
against unauthorized or uncontrolled use of master keys or master
key systems; secure storage systems for master keys; a system for
release and control of master keys; the recording of individuals having
access to the master key, including date, time and location of access;
and protections and safeguards against unauthorized duplication of
master keys or access systems.
A.
In the event that locks on the subject building are changed after
the installation of the key box, the Fire Official shall be notified
of such change and a key(s) to the new lock(s) shall be provided immediately.
Failure to provide notification and new key(s) may result in the imposition
of a fine of not less than $250.
B.
Any building owner who knowingly and intentionally violates this
section after receiving written notice from the Fire Official may
be subject to a fine of not less than $250 per violation.
C.
Enforcement of this section shall be performed by the Fire Official
and/or the Chief of the Division of Fire pursuant to the provisions
of N.J.A.C. 5:70-1.2 et seq.
