This article is adopted to aid the fire department to easily gain access to any unoccupied commercial structure that poses a safety threat due to an alarm or any other action as deemed necessary by the fire marshal or his designee in order to prevent damage from forcible entry into structures.
(Ordinance 668-2017 adopted 3/16/17)
For the purpose of this article, the following definitions shall apply:
Commercial structure.
Any building with more than 50 percent of its floor space used for commercial activities. Commercial structures include, but are not limited to: stores, offices, schools, churches, gymnasiums, libraries, museums, hospitals, clinics, warehouses, and jails. Government buildings shall be included.
FDC.
A fire department connection.
Fire district.
The area within the corporate city limits.
Fire lanes.
A road, designated area, or other passageway developed to allow passage of or access by fire apparatus.
Fire official.
The city fire chief or fire marshal.
Gated community.
A residential, commercial, or mixed use development, which is accessed through a gate or cross arm that impedes ingress through required fire lanes by means of a key, swipe card, or manual activations by a stationed guard.
Key box.
A Knox-Box in size and style approved the fire official that meets the requirements and uses the same security key code adopted by the city’s fire department.
Key switch.
A product of the Knox Company which is an electric override for perimeter gates, parking garages, and gated communities and uses the same security key code adopted by the city’s fire department.
Responsible party.
The property owner, business owner, or other person(s) charged with the responsibility for the use and occupancy of a commercial structure.
Security cap.
A fire department connection (FDC) plug and cap approved for use in the city by the fire official.
Security padlock.
A padlock approved by the fire official that utilizes the approved key code utilized by the city’s fire department.
(Ordinance 668-2017 adopted 3/16/17)
(a) 
Mandatory key boxes for all commercial structures.
Any commercial structure which does not yet have a certificate of occupancy located in the city shall be equipped with an approved key box, installed at a location approved by the fire official. The requirements of this article shall also apply to existing commercial structures which have a monitored fire alarm system, subject to subsection (J) herein. In cases where the commercial structure is very large or has unusual configurations, installation of additional key boxes may be required in the sole judgment of the fire official.
(b) 
Automatic gates.
When a commercial structure is accessed through a gate or cross arm that impedes ingress through required fire lanes by means of a key, swipe card, or manual activation by a stationed guard, it shall be equipped with a key switch to be installed at a location approved by the fire official. This requirement shall also apply to all gated communities.
(c) 
Security padlock.
When a commercial structure is located on a property that is protected by a locked fence or gate, it shall be equipped with an approved security padlock to be installed at a location approved by the fire official. It shall then be the responsibility of the responsible party to see that the fence or gate is secured properly so that the security padlock is accessible.
(d) 
Construction sites.
When a commercial structure under construction is to be secured by a locked fence or gate, that commercial structure shall be subject to subsection (c) herein, during the duration of construction or until said fence or gate is removed. The security padlock will be obtained by the responsible party at his expense. A fire official will explain the use of the security padlock to the responsible party and a construction company representative. It shall then be the responsibility of the construction company to see that the fence or gate is secured properly so that the security padlock is accessible.
(e) 
Security of fire department connections.
When a commercial structure is protected by an automatic sprinkler and/or standpipe system, the fire official shall require an approved security cap to be installed on all connections of the FDC.
(f) 
Nonapplicability to particular dwellings.
This article shall not apply to owner occupied one- and two-family dwellings. Owners of single- and two-family occupancies are encouraged to participate voluntarily utilizing a residential security box. The requirements of this article shall apply to multifamily residential structures which are equipped with common control valves, a sprinkler system, and which have a centralized control room containing the control valves for the sprinkler system connections. For such structures, the key box shall be required at the entrance to the control room.
(g) 
Key box contents.
The key boxes shall contain items designated by the fire official, including but not limited to:
(1) 
Labeled keys to locked points of egress, whether in interior or exterior of such buildings.
(2) 
Labeled keys to the locked mechanical rooms.
(3) 
Labeled keys to any fence or secured areas not covered in subsections (c), (d), or (e), herein.
(4) 
Labeled keys to any other areas that may be required by the fire official.
(5) 
The number or sets of keys shall be determined based on the following criteria:
(A) 
1-story building: 1 set.
(B) 
2-3 stories: 2 sets.
(C) 
4 or more stories: 3 sets.
(D) 
Large assembly (arenas and stadiums): Up to 5 sets.
(E) 
In some cases where the commercial structure is very large or has unusual configurations, additional set(s) may be required in the sole judgment of the fire official.
(6) 
A card containing the emergency contact people and phone numbers for each occupancy. This card should contain day/night contact information for not less than three (3) individuals. This card should contain the date of the last update or review.
(h) 
Alert decals.
Alert decals, approved by the fire official, to alert fire companies of the presence of security features covered by this article, will be displayed on any outside doors or windows as designated by the fire official.
(i) 
Compliance.
Compliance with the requirements herein shall be required prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy by the city building official. Issuance of a building permit for a commercial structure shall be conditioned upon compliance with subsection (d) herein regarding construction sites. The fire official or his designee shall provide notice of the requirements of this article to the responsible party of all existing commercial structures which shall be required to come into compliance no later than twelve (12) months from the enactment of this article. The cost of purchasing and installing, along with any cost associated with implementation of the requirements of this article at a specific property, will be paid by the responsible party.
(j) 
Location of key box.
Unless otherwise specified by the fire official, key boxes shall be installed adjacent to the main entrance to the commercial structure, and shall be installed at a height no less than 60" from walking grade and no greater than 80" from walking grade at the installation location. Additional key boxes may be required at other locations as determined by the fire official.
(k) 
Noncompliance.
Noncompliance with this article will subject the responsible party to citation or revocation of the certificate of occupancy by the building official.
(l) 
Ordering procedure.
To obtain a key box for a particular location, the responsible party or his designee, must request a form from the fire official. This form has the appropriate information to insure that the key box will be correctly keyed. Forms may be obtained by U.S. mail, by fax, or in person from the city fire official.
(m) 
Key placement procedure.
Upon proper installation as outlined in subsection (j) herein, the responsible party or his designee must call the city fire official to schedule a time when the appropriate item(s) outlined in subsection (g) herein can be secured inside the key box.
(Ordinance 668-2017 adopted 3/16/17)