[HISTORY: Adopted by the Borough Council of the Borough of New Freedom as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 12-13-2021 by Ord. No. 2021-7]
This article shall be known and referred to as the "New Freedom Borough Key Box Ordinance."
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
BUILDING CODE OFFICER
The duly constituted municipal official designated to administer and enforce building and zoning within the Borough of New Freedom.
BUILDING OWNER
The record owner of any improved real estate within the Borough of New Freedom.
COMMERCIAL BUILDING
A building, structure or facility that is not a residential building.
FIRE CHIEF
The designated and appointed Fire Chief of Rose Fire Company No. 1, it's successors and their designated backups.
KNOX-BOX®
A high-security key box system manufactured by the Knox Company, designed to give firefighters and emergency service personnel immediate access to locked buildings and other secured areas.
MULTIFAMILY DWELLING
A building containing three or more dwelling units (such as apartment houses and condominium units).
A key box shall be required for all commercial, industrial, institutional, and multifamily residential structures, as well as any structure required by the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code. The key box shall be a Knox-Box® 3200 series, a Knox-Vault 4400 series, or other Knox-Vault as approved, in writing, by the Fire Chief. No other key box models or manufacturers shall be permitted. All key boxes shall utilize a swinging hinged door; drop doors shall not be permitted.
A. 
The key box shall be installed on the address side of the building, within sight of and no more than 10 feet from the main entrance.
B. 
The key box shall be mounted at a height of between five feet and six feet from finished grade to the center of the box.
C. 
The key box shall be attached to the building with through bolts and may be surface mounted or recessed on existing buildings. Recessed key boxes shall be installed on all new buildings.
D. 
The key box may have an optional tamper switch, wired on a separate zone that will activate a trouble alarm if anyone tampers with the box.
E. 
The key box shall contain all keys and/or access codes that may be required to gain entry into all locations within the building as well as emergency contact information. Emergency contact information shall be kept current.
F. 
The building owner(s) shall contact the Building Code Officer to schedule a site visit prior to installation.
G. 
Upon completion of installation, building owner(s) shall contact the Fire Chief for final approval and setup.
All applicable existing buildings and facilities shall install all required key boxes within 180 days from the enactment date of this article. All newly constructed structures subject to this article shall have the key box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit.
Any person who violates or permits a violation of this article shall, upon conviction in a summary proceeding brought before a Magisterial District Judge under the Pennsylvania Rules of Criminal Procedure, be guilty of a summary offense and shall be punishable by a fine of not less than $100 and not more than $1,000, plus all costs of prosecution, including, but not limited to, attorneys' fees, and in default of payment thereof, shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 30 days. Each day or portion thereof that such violation continues or is permitted to continue shall constitute a separate offense, and each section of this article that is violated shall also constitute a separate offense.
This article shall become effective five days after enactment.