[Adopted 10-9-2017 by Ord. No. 3097]
A.
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box (Knox
box) at or within six feet of the main entrance at a height between
four feet and five feet from the walking surface:
(1)
Commercial or industrial structures protected by an automatic alarm
system or automatic suppression systems, or such structures that are
secured in a manner that restricts access during an emergency;
(2)
Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through
locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units;
(3)
Governmental structures, schools, and nursing care facilities.
B.
All newly constructed structures subject to this section shall have
a key lock box (Knox box) installed and operational prior to the issuance
of an occupancy permit. All structures in existence on the effective
date of this article and subject to this section shall have one year
from the effective date of this article to have a key lock box (Knox
box) installed and operational.
C.
The Fire Chief shall designate the type of key lock box system (Knox
box) to be implemented within the Township and shall have the authority
to require all structures to use the designated system. Owners and
operators of structures subject to this section shall obtain an authorization
order form from the Township for the key lock box system (Knox box),
which must be completed to ensure compatibility of the key lock box
system (Knox box) with the Township's system.
A.
The owner or operator of the structure required to have a key lock
box (Knox box) shall, at all times, maintain the following items within
the key lock box (Knox box):
(1)
Keys, separately tagged and indexed to a floor plan to clearly and
quickly identify what doors or locks they operate to:
(a)
All locked points of access to the structure;
(b)
All locked points of access to common hallways or utility rooms
contained within such structure;
(c)
All locked mechanical rooms;
(d)
All locked electrical rooms;
(e)
All locked sprinkler control rooms;
(f)
All areas of the structure where fire alarm panels and fire
protection systems are located;
(g)
All locked elevator rooms and controls;
(h)
Any fenced or secured areas;
(i)
All other locked areas, other than individual apartments or
rented rooms; and
(2)
Name(s) and phone number(s) of individual(s) with access to the structure(s)
after hours (plant manager, owner, etc.).
B.
The labeling/tagging of keys and contact information contained within
the key lock box (Knox box) must be kept current.
C.
In lieu of having the interior keys in the exterior key lock box
(Knox box), a second key lock box (Knox box) may be located within
the main lobby of the building to hold these keys. If a second key
lock box (Knox box) is installed within the main lobby, it must be
located at or within six feet of the main entrance at a height between
four feet and five feet from the walking surface.
A.
The owner or operator of the structure required to have a key lock
box (Knox box) shall provide the following items to the Fire Chief
electronically by sending them to firechief@whitehalltownship.com:
(1)
Floor plans which include utility locations (gas, electric, etc.);
and
(2)
Copies of the material safety data sheets that are required to be
on file, as well as a floor plan or written description that indicates
the location(s) of the general areas of these materials within the
structure, if the structure contains a business that is required to
maintain material safety data sheets.
B.
The plans and the material safety data sheets provided to the Fire
Chief must be kept current.
The Fire Chief shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations
for the use of the key lock box system (Knox box).
Any person violating the provisions of this article, upon conviction
thereof, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of up to $1,000 for each
offense and the cost of prosecution and, in the event of default of
payment of each fine and cost, shall be subject to imprisonment for
not more than 90 days. Each day that a violation of this article continues
shall constitute a separate offense. Any person found guilty of violating
this article shall be assessed court costs and reasonable attorneys'
fees incurred by the Township in the enforcement proceedings.