[Adopted 8-28-2018 by Ord. No. 2018-28]
The purpose is to require installation of an updated secure rapid entry system to be used by emergency personnel in the event of a fire or other emergency in commercial and certain multifamily buildings to gain entry by using owner provided keys in a specified location approved by the Town Fire Official to increase efficiency of access and assist in preventing forced entries, thus minimizing possible property damage and responder injury. The KnoxBox shall be of a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) type and size approved by the Secaucus Fire Official for the stated purpose.
A. 
All new commercial buildings shall have a KnoxBox of a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) type and size approved by the Secaucus Fire Official installed in a location specified by the Secaucus Fire Official prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
B. 
All existing commercial buildings with an automatic fire-detection and/or fire-suppression system shall have a KnoxBox of a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) type and size approved by the Secaucus Fire Official installed in a location specified by the Secaucus Fire Official within nine months of the effective date of this article.
All multifamily residential structures, as defined by the Uniform Fire Code as structures with three or more units, that have restricted access through locked doors and have a common corridor for access to the living units shall have installed a KnoxBox of a UL (Underwriters Laboratories) type and size approved by the Secaucus Fire Official installed in a location specified by the Secaucus Fire Official within nine months of the effective date of this article.
All KnoxBoxes shall contain clearly labeled keys to provide access into the property, building(s) and to any locked areas within said building(s) as the Secaucus Fire Official may direct. This may include, but is not limited to, keys or an access method to the following:
A. 
Any door adjacent or leading to the KnoxBox.
B. 
Fire alarm control room and fire sprinkler control room.
C. 
Fire panel.
D. 
Elevator machine room and/or other mechanical rooms.
E. 
Locked spaces within the building, with the permission of any tenant or lessee.
The property or building owner shall immediately notify the Secaucus Fire Official when any lock(s) is changed or rekeyed. New key(s) or access mechanism(s) shall be secured in the KnoxBox by the Secaucus Fire Official.
A. 
The property or building owner shall be responsible for all costs associated with the acquisition, installation and maintenance of the KnoxBox at their location.
B. 
All KnoxBox systems shall be registered with the Secaucus Bureau of Fire Prevention on a form designated by the Fire Official. There shall be a registration fee of $100 to the Town of Secaucus.
The Secaucus Fire Official or their designee shall enforce the terms and provisions of this article.
Any property or building owner failing to comply with or in violation of the terms of this article after notice from the Secaucus Fire Official shall be subject to a fine of $500.
All ordinances or parts of ordinances inconsistent herewith are repealed as to such inconsistencies.
If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase or portion of this article is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, such portion shall be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the validity of the remaining portions thereof.