[Adopted 8-25-2008 by Ord. No. 11-2008 (Ch. 54A, Part 2, of the 1993 Code)]
A. 
Buena Vista Township recognizes the importance and need of providing the Fire Department rapid entry into locked buildings. Delays in the Fire Department gaining rapid entry reduces the occupants' chances of survival in a fire, the chances for substantial property damage increases because of delays in gaining entry to the structure, and fire fighter safety and survival may be compromised because of said delays.
B. 
To assist the Fire Department in gaining entry into locked/secured facilities/structures, Buena Vista Township hereby adopts a rapid entry system ordinance utilizing the Knox-Box®.
[Amended 10-9-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012; 7-22-2019 by Ord. No. 78-2019]
A. 
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at or near the main entrance or such other location required by the Township:
(1) 
All buildings or facilities containing hazardous or flammable materials.
(2) 
All buildings that contain fire protection devices that a representative is unable to respond to within a reasonable amount of time, thirty-minute response time as per Chapter 64, Alarms, Article II, Fire Alarms.
(3) 
All buildings that have elevators.
(4) 
Educational facilities with an occupant load of more than 50, public or private.
(5) 
Places of assembly as designated by the state and the District Fire Chief (excluding places of worship).
B. 
All newly constructed structures subject to this Part 2 shall have the key lock box installed and operating prior to final inspection and occupancy.
C. 
The Township, through the Clerk's Office shall designate the type of key lock box to be implemented within the Township and shall have the authority to require all structures to use the designated system.
D. 
The owner or operator of a structure required to have a key lock box shall, at all times, keep keys in the lock box that will allow for access to the following:
(1) 
Keys to locked points of egress, whether on the interior or exterior of such buildings.
(2) 
Keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms.
(3) 
Keys to locked electrical rooms.
(4) 
Key to elevator controls.
(5) 
Keys to the other areas as directed by the Township's Fire Department.
(6) 
List of representatives and phone numbers with knowledge of the building layout.
(7) 
Copy of building layout with points of interest clearly marked on building plans.
E. 
The Township, through the Clerk's Office shall be authorized to implement rules and regulations for the use of the lock box system.
All Knox-Boxes shall be mounted into the building/structure at a height of not less than six feet above the ground (surface grade) or not more than seven feet above the ground (surface grade).
[Amended 7-22-2019 by Ord. No. 78-2019]
Enforcement of this Part 2 shall be accomplished through citation issued by the Township Code Enforcement Officer.
[Amended 10-9-2012 by Ord. No. 4-2012]
Any violation of this Part 2 shall be punishable as provided in Chapter 1, General Provisions, § 1-15. Each day the violation exists/continues shall be considered as a separate offense.
[Amended 7-22-2019 by Ord. No. 78-2019]
A. 
The Township, through the Clerk's Office will be issued a Knox-Box® master key and will be the Knox-Box® Coordinator for Buena Vista Township. The Township, through the Clerk's Office will assist Fire Departments and property owners in implementing the Knox-Box® master keys.
B. 
The Fire Chief of each station shall be responsible for his/her issued Knox-Box® master key. Further security measures, including fire vehicle security devices, will be decided on by all Fire Chiefs and officials responsible for the Knox-Box® master keys.
C. 
Fire department staff shall advise the dispatch (911) center when using the Knox-Box® key to gain access to properties having the Knox-Box® system.