[Adopted 8-8-2022 by Ord. No. MC 3794]
A. 
The health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of the Township of Irvington is requiring certain structures to have a key lock box installed on the exterior of the structure to aid the Township Fire Department in gaining access to the structure when responding to calls for emergency service. Many buildings are equipped with automatic systems that may cause the Township Fire Department to be summoned at a time of emergency when the building or business is not occupied or when the occupant is not available to provide the Township Fire Department entry into the building.
B. 
The key lock box emergency access system will eliminate costly damage from forcible entry into buildings equipped with automatic systems by the Township Fire Department checking for fire or other dangerous conditions. The Township Fire Department can reduce the potential for rapid expansion of fire and other hazardous conditions by quick access and decrease dangers for firefighters.
C. 
The key lock box emergency access system has been adopted by Section 506 of the International Fire Code 2006, New Jersey Edition, and the key lock box emergency access system will operate on a controlled master key basis by the Township Fire Department.
D. 
The Township is authorized to pass this article pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-2, and pursuant to the Township's police powers.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former § 307-25, Smoke and carbon monoxide detector inspection fees, added 8-6-2013 by Ord. No. MC 3497, was repealed 4-10-2018 by Ord. No. MC 3641.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:
AUTOMATIC DIALER
A device that automatically dials and relays a prerecorded message to a central station or the Fire Department.
AUTOMATIC FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
A system or assembly of piping, valves, controls, and sprinklers, which are designed and installed to comply with the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards, which utilize water, foam, carbon dioxide, or other gas to automatically react to suppress fire.
CENTRAL STATION
An office of a private company to which remote alarm and supervisory signaling devices are transmitted and where personnel are in attendance at all times to supervise the circuits and investigate signals.
FIRE OFFICIAL
The Fire Chief or his/her designee.
KEY LOCK BOX
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 Fire Official and Construction Official. All boxes shall be UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certified, Knox-Box® brand, and approved by the Fire Official and Construction Official.
STANDPIPE SYSTEM
A wet or dry system of piping, valves, outlets and related equipment designed to provide water at specified pressures and installed exclusively for the fighting of fires.
Unless otherwise determined in writing by the Fire Official, the following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box of a type and size and at a location approved by the Fire Official and Construction Official:
A. 
All new commercial buildings shall be equipped with a key lock box prior to the issuance of the certificate of occupancy.
B. 
All existing commercial buildings constructing additions, major renovations, or changes of use that require Township Zoning or Planning Board approval shall be equipped with a key lock box prior to the issuance of any necessary permits.
C. 
All existing commercial buildings with new occupancies by tenants shall be equipped with a key lock box prior to the issuance of a certificate of continued occupancy.
D. 
Each building protected by an automatic fire suppression and/or standpipe system and not manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
E. 
Each building protected by an automatic fire alarm system (automatic dialer, central station, external audible/visual alarm) and not manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
F. 
Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through locked doors but have a common corridor for access to the living units, including but not limited to condominium buildings.
G. 
Schools, whether public or private.
H. 
Governmental structures and nursing care facilities, unless the building is staffed or open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A. 
The property owner is required at all times to keep a key(s) in the key lock box that will allow access to the structure. The key lock box shall contain, but not be limited to, the following items as designated by the Fire Official:
(1) 
Labeled keys to locked points of ingress and egress, whether in interior or exterior of such buildings;
(2) 
Labeled keys to the locked mechanical rooms;
(3) 
Labeled keys to locked elevator rooms and controls;
(4) 
Labeled keys to any fence or secured areas;
(5) 
Labeled keys to areas of the building where fire alarm panels and fire protection systems are located;
(6) 
Labeled keys to any other areas that may be required by the Fire Official;
(7) 
A card containing the emergency contact names and phone numbers for such buildings and code to alarm system;
(8) 
Floor plans of the rooms within the building showing locations of shutoffs;
(9) 
Hazardous materials information; and
(10) 
An inventory of the keys.
B. 
The property owner shall notify the Township Fire Department when any or all of the locks or keys have been changed and shall keep the immediate area of the key lock box free and clear of any and all obstructions.
The property owner shall apply for a registration for a key lock box on forms provided by and obtained from the Fire Official. A registration is required prior to the installation of a key lock box in order to verify the proper size, mounting location and installation of said key lock box. The key lock box shall be installed at a location approved by the Fire Official and the Construction Official. No key lock box shall be installed, voluntarily or otherwise, without first obtaining the approval of the Fire Official and the Construction Official. The property owner shall be responsible for the cost to purchase, install, and maintain the key lock box. There is a one-time fee of $100 for Knox-Box® registration and product lookup.
All existing buildings required to have a key lock box shall comply with this article one year from its effective date. All newly constructed buildings not yet occupied or buildings currently under construction and all buildings or businesses applying for a certificate of occupancy shall comply immediately upon passage of this article. In any event, the owner of any structure in the Township shall comply with this article within 60 days from receipt of written notice from the Fire Official. The cost of purchasing and installing, along with any cost associated with implementation of the program at a specific property, will be borne by the property owner.