[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
This Part shall be known as the "Canton Township Rapid Entry
System Ordinance of 2022."
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
The purpose of this Part is to require certain structures within
Canton Township to have a key lock box installed on the exterior of
the structure to provide for rapid entry into the buildings by the
Fire Departments responding in the Township during times of emergency.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
As used in this Part, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:
Pertaining to, or dealing with, agriculture; also, characterized
by or engaged in farming as the leading pursuit.
A device that automatically dials and relays a prerecorded
message to a central station or the Fire Department.
A system or assembly of piping, valves, controls and sprinklers
which are designed and installed to comply with the NFPA standards,
which utilize water, foam, CO2 or other gas to automatically react
to suppress fire.
Any structure used to or intended for supporting or sheltering
any occupancy.
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.
Township official (Fire Inspector, Codes Enforcement Official,
Police, etc.) or designee responsible for enforcement of this Part.
Relates to or is connected with trade and traffic or commerce
in general; is occupied with business and commerce.
Equipment which automatically actuates a fire alarm when
the detecting element is exposed to fire, smoke, abnormal rise or
decrease in temperature or activation of a sprinkler or extinguishing
system or manually activated device.
Fire Company contracted to provide fire/rescue protection
and services to Canton Township.
Lock that secures perimeter of fire access gates, sprinkler
systems and shut-off valves constructed of heavy-duty steel body with
weather-resistant cover that is opened by the Knox-Box® access
key.
A high security key vault, which is listed under the UL 1610,
and the UL 1037 standards, master, keyed with a Medeco Level 7 or
equivalent lock. Locks shall be keyed to the key configuration provided
by the Fire Department that provides contracted service in the Township.
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.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
All structures designated in § 7-405 of this Part and located within Canton Township shall be equipped with a key lock box. The key lock box shall be at a location approved by the Canton Township Code Official (hereby referred to as "Code Official"). The key lock box shall be a Knox-Box® type and size approved by the Code Official.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
1.
The following structures shall be equipped with an approved key lock
box at or near the main entrance or other such location as approved
by the Code Official:
A.
Commercial properties equipped with a fire alarm or suppression system.
B.
Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through
locked doors but have a common corridor for access to the living units.
C.
Schools, whether public or private.
D.
Governmental structures and nursing care facilities, unless the building
is staffed or open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
E.
Facilities storing bulk hazardous materials as defined by 49 CFR
171.8. These include quantities exceeding 119 gallons of wet product,
882 pounds of dry product, or 1,000 pounds of a gas product.
F.
Commercial properties with restricted access due to the installation
of a gate and/or fence.
2.
This Part shall not apply to owner-occupied one- and two-family dwellings
and individual townhouse units and/or agricultural buildings. For
the purpose of this Part, individual townhouse units are considered
single-family by unit. This Part includes any commercial or industrial
structures, or structures that have restricted access through locked
doors. This Part shall not apply to structures used for agricultural
purposes.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
When a property contains a building or structure that is protected
by a locked fence or gate, the Code Official may require a Knox padlock
to be installed at a location approved by the Code Official upon consultation
with first responding fire company.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
The owner of a structure subject to this Part is required at
all times to keep a key(s) in the lock box that will allow access
to the structure. The key boxes shall contain the following:
1.
Labeled keys to locked points of egress, whether in interior or exterior
of such buildings;
2.
Labeled keys to 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 any other area that may be required by the Code Official
after a written notice;
6.
A card containing the emergency contact people and phone numbers
for such building;
7.
Labeled keys to area of the building where fire alarm panels and
fire protection systems are located;
8.
An inventory of the keys is to be posted inside all lock boxes, as
per approval of the Code Official.
9.
In lieu of having interior keys in the exterior lock box, a second
lock box may be located within the main lobby of the building to hold
these keys.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
1.
All Knox-Box® access keys shall be kept in a Knox-Box® Key
Secure system installed in the fire apparatus and Township vehicles.
2.
No Fire Department personnel shall carry a Knox-Box® key for
use other than emergencies and inspections. Knox-Box® keys shall
be secured in the Knox-Box® at all other times.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
The lock box identified by the Code Official shall be installed
on the front of the building near the main entry door and between
six and eight feet aboveground unless approved at a higher or lower
level by the Code Official and/or first responding fire company. A
permit/registration with the Township is required prior to the installation
of the Knox-Box® in order to verify the proper mounting location
and installation of said Knox-Box®. If a permit registration fee
is required, the fee will be set in a corresponding resolution as
periodically amended.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022
The Township Code Official, upon consultation with the Volunteer
Fire Chief and/or his designee, shall be authorized to implement rules
and regulations for the use of the lock box system, shall designate
the type of key lock box system to be implemented within the Township,
and shall have the authority to require all structures to use the
designated system. All rules and regulations adopted hereto must be
approved by the Board of Supervisors at a public meeting.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
For each and every violation of the provisions of this Part,
any person or persons, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity
violating any of the provisions of this Part shall constitute a summary
offense and, upon conviction within the magisterial district which
includes Canton Township, be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than
$300, plus costs of prosecution, and, in default of payment thereof,
may be committed to the Washington County Correctional Facility for
a period not to exceed 90 days. Each and every day that a violation
of the provisions of this Part exists shall constitute a separate
and distinct offense under this Part and shall be subject to separate
and distinct penalties hereunder. The penalties provided herein shall
not be the exclusive method of enforcing compliance with the provisions
of this Part but shall be in addition to all other legal and equitable
remedies available to the Canton Township.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
Owners or applicants of one- and two-family dwellings and townhouse
units may utilize the lock box system upon consultation with an issuance
of proper permits/registration by the Township Code Official. The
key lock box shall be Knox® Brand of a type and size approved
by the Code Official. It is solely the discretion of owner of the
structures set forth in this section to implement the key lock box.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
1.
All new construction subject to § 7-405 of this Part shall have a key lock box installed and operational prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit. All structures in existence on the effective date of this section and subject to § 7-405 of this Part shall have six months from the enactment date of this Part to have a key lock box installed and operational.
2.
If the owner of an existing structure fails to install a key lock
box as required under this Part, the Township shall direct the owner
of said structure to install the key lock box as required. If the
owner fails to do so within 30 days of being directed to do so, the
Township shall be permitted to install the key lock box at the owner's
expense. The owner of the structure so designated to install a key
lock box can appeal that determination to the Township within 30 days
after notification to do so.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
1.
The owner of any structure of property required to have a key lock
box shall ensure that the keys contained within the lock box are up-to-date
and provide access to all required areas within the structure or property.
Whenever a lock is changed or new doors, gates or panels are installed
within a structure or property, the owner shall immediately notify
the Code Official to coordinate the placement of items within the
key lock box.
2.
The owner of any structure or property required to have a key lock
box shall provide the Code Official with up-to-date contact information
that includes the owner's name; addresses; and facsimile, telephone,
mobile phone, and email. Any change in this information must be provided
in writing to the Code Official at least 48 hours in advance of the
change occurring, along with the date such change will take place.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
Certain structures shall not be required to have a key lock
box rapid entry system upon certification by Canton Township or its
designee that the structure is open to the public at all times on
a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week basis; or is occupied by staff
personnel on a 24-hours-per-day, seven-days-per-week basis; or entrance
into the structure, unless evidence of fire is visible from the exterior
(when forcible entry by emergency personnel shall be utilized), is
precluded by valid, special security concerns. In the event that a
structure previously certified for exemption pursuant to this section
has its use altered so as to no longer qualify for the exemption specified
herein, such structure shall have a key lock box rapid entry system
installed therefor within 60 days of such alteration of use. Failure
to then install the required key lock box rapid entry system in such
event shall result in the revocation of the occupancy permit for the
structure by Canton Township and the imposition of the penalties hereafter
provided in this Part.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
Any ordinance, resolution or part thereof in conflict herewith
is hereby repealed.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
In the event that any provision, section, sentence or portion
of this Part shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect
or impair any of the remaining provisions of this Part, as the provisions
are severable and would have been enacted had not such invalid provision
been included herein. All ordinances or part of ordinances which are
inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.
[Ord. No. 1-2022, 10/12/2022]
This Part shall become effective five days after enactment.
