[Amended 9-22-2020 by Ord. No. 2037-2020]
A.
Purpose. The Council of the Galloway Township N.J. determined that
the health, welfare and safety of the citizens and business owners
of the Galloway Township are promoted by requiring certain structures
to have a key box installed on the exterior of the structure to aid
the Galloway Township Volunteer Fire Department in gaining access
to or within gaining 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.
B.
KEY BOX
SYSTEM ADMINISTRATOR
Definitions. For the purpose of this article, the following definitions
apply:
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 Township Fire Official, Fire Chief, or Building
Official. All boxes shall be UL (Underwriters' Laboratories)
certified and approved by the Township Fire Official or Fire Chief.
A member of the Fire Department who is recommended by the
Fire Department with confirmation by the Mayor and Council of the
Galloway Township who is in charge of the key box program.
C.
Structures requiring key lockbox system; time limit for installation.
(1)
The following structures shall be equipped with a key box, of a UL
type and size approved by the Township Fire Official, Fire Chief,
or system administrator:
(a)
New commercial or industrial structures.
(b)
Existing commercial buildings equipped with an automatic fire
detection and/or suppression system.
(c)
Existing commercial buildings making improvements. All existing
commercial buildings constructing improvements that require Planning
Board approval shall install a key box prior to the issuance of the
final certificate of occupation.
(d)
Multifamily residential structures, subject to inspection by
the Department of Community Affairs.
D.
Installation requirements.
(1)
It will be the responsibility of the Township Fire Official, Township
Fire Chief, or system administrator to approve all purchases of key
box systems from the key box manufacturer.
(2)
The size and model of the key box installed shall be determined by
the number of keys to be placed in the box and the specifications
set forth by the key box manufacturer.
(3)
The number of keys in the key box cannot exceed the maximum number
recommended by the box manufacturer.
(4)
All key boxes shall be installed to the side of the main business
door.
(5)
All key boxes shall be mounted 50 inches to 60 inches from the ground
and shall be kept free of any obstructions, including snow and ice.
(6)
In the event that the key box cannot be installed at the aforesaid
location and/or height, the Township Fire Official or Township Fire
Chief may designate in writing a different location and installation
specifications.
(7)
All key boxes may have a tamper switch installed in the building
as an intrusion/burglar alarm.
(8)
Purchase and installation of the key box will be the sole responsibility
of the building owner.
E.
Notification of changes. The operator of the building shall immediately
notify the Township Fire Official or Township Fire Chief when any
locks are added, changed or rekeyed which cannot currently be opened
by the current key set in the key box. Additional keys shall be added
to the key box immediately.
F.
Contents of lock box.
(1)
The contents of the lock box shall include (but not be limited to)
the following:
(a)
Keys to locked points of ingress or egress, whether on the interior
or exterior of such buildings.
(b)
Keys to all mechanical rooms.
(c)
Keys to all locked electrical and utility rooms.
(d)
Keys to elevators and their control rooms.
(e)
Keys to the fire alarm panels and fire suppression systems.
(f)
Keys to reset pull stations or other fire protective devices.
(g)
Building access cards, devices, or methods as needed.
G.
Fire Department responsibilities.
(1)
Access to the key box master key will be limited to the Galloway
Township Volunteer Fire Department personnel and the system administrator.
(2)
No fire personnel shall carry a key box master key unless at an emergency
scene.
(3)
All fire personnel having access to the key box master key will be
subject to a comprehensive background check annually or until they
have relinquished the position and no longer have access to the key.
(4)
All fire personnel with access to the key box master key must notify
the Township Fire Official, Township Fire Chief or system administrator
immediately of any charges pending, whether civil or criminal, or
any other event that would jeopardize their ability to have access
to the key.
(5)
All key box master keys shall be installed in a key box secure® or similar system installed in the fire apparatus.
