[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Supervisors of the Township
of Dallas 5-22-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-2. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose and intent of this chapter is to ensure that when
fire breaks out or any other emergency situation exists within a structure,
firefighters are not blocked or delayed from combating the fire or
addressing the emergency by locked doors or gates. To help reduce
these types of delays, the Township has adopted this chapter establishing
a key lock box system for certain structures or properties within
the Township to provide firefighters access for these structures while
still ensuring the privacy and security of the owners and occupants
of such a structure.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
The BMR Chief and/or the KFA Chief. The BMR Chief shall exercise
authority and discretion under this chapter where appropriate, in
its designated coverage area within the Township and the KFA Chief
shall exercise authority and discretion under this chapter where appropriate,
in its designated coverage area within the Township.
Any person or entity which owns, leases, manages, and/or
is in control of a structure, building, facility, or property, which
shall include the agent of such person or entity designated, in writing,
and delivered to the Fire Chief and the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.
Any building, facility, or man-made object.
The Dallas Township Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.
A.
The following structures shall be equipped with a key lock box at
or near the main entrance or such other location as may be jointly
required by the Fire Chief and the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer:
(1)
Commercial or industrial structures.
(2)
Multifamily residential structures that have restricted access through
locked doors but have a common corridor for access to the living units.
(3)
Schools, colleges, and universities, whether public or private.
(4)
Commercial, industrial, and governmental structures and/or properties
where access to or within a structure or area is restricted because
of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for lifesaving
or firefighting purposes.
(5)
Such other structure as the Township may determine to be necessary
and advisable in connection with a subdivision or land development
plan.
B.
Owners of existing structures or properties which are subject to
the requirements of this chapter shall have one year from the effective
date hereof to comply with the requirements. Persons or entities who
construct structures and/or develop properties which would be subject
to the requirements of this chapter shall comply with the requirements
at the time of construction and/or development.
A.
Owners of structures or properties required to install a key lock
box under this chapter shall install such key lock box in accordance
with the following:
(1)
The lock box shall be a Knox-Box® brand
system (the "Knox-Box®") that meets
or exceeds the specifications jointly approved by the Fire Chief and
Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.
(2)
The owner is responsible for ordering and installing the Knox-Box® and associated signage as deemed necessary by
the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.
(3)
Unless otherwise jointly determined by the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code
Enforcement Officer, the Knox-Box® shall
be installed on the front of the structure near the main entry door,
on the right-hand side, five feet above the ground within 10 feet
of entrance, unless jointly approved at a higher or lower level by
the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer. The Fire Chief
and Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer may jointly require the Knox-Box® to be installed in a different location in some
cases. The owner shall contact the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code Enforcement
Officer prior to mounting the Knox-Box® for approval of the proposed location of the Knox-Box® and shall allow the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code
Enforcement Officer to observe the installation of the Knox-Box® to ensure proper location and installation. The
approved location for the installation of the Knox-Box® shall be in the complete joint discretion of
the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.
B.
The Knox-Box® shall contain the key(s)
for all exterior doors and gates, the keys for all interior doors
and gates within the building, and the keys to all doors or panels
which control access to shared systems (i.e., HVAC, alarm panels,
sprinkler controls and electrical panels). Each key shall be clearly
labeled and easily identifiable.
A.
The owner of any structure or property required to have a Knox-Box® shall ensure that the fire department has completely
unobstructed access to the Knox-Box® at all times.
B.
The owner of any structure or property required to have a fire department
rapid entry key lock box or his/her/its agent shall be present whenever
the fire department(s) accesses the lock box of the owner's structure
or property except when the fire department(s) has responded to an
emergency at the structure or property.
C.
The BMR Chief and the KFA Chief shall maintain a written record of
when a Knox-Box® key is accessed, removed,
or used for entry, including the name of the individual removing the
key, the time and date of the access and the reason for such removal.
D.
All access keys to a Knox-Box® shall
be stored by the Fire Chief and the Township in a Knox-Box® brand key secure system installed in a fire department
vehicle and/or a Township vehicle.
The Township may establish uniform rules and regulations governing
all structures required to install a Knox-Box® system with regards to the type, location, installation, use, maintenance,
and replacement of Knox-Boxes® within
the Township, including, but not limited to, the specification of
approved types of Knox-Box® (the "Knox-Box® Rules and Regulations"). The Township may modify
the Knox-Box® Rules and Regulations
from time to time, upon the recommendations of the BMR Chief, the
KFA Chief and the Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer.
A.
The owner of any structure of property required to have a Knox-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 Township's Zoning/Code Enforcement
Officer to coordinate the placement of items within the Knox-Box®.
B.
The owner of any structure or property required to have a Knox-Box® shall provide the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code
Enforcement Officer with up-to-date contact information that includes
the owner's name; addresses; email; and facsimile, telephone,
mobile phone, and pager numbers. Any change in this information must
be provided in writing to the Fire Chief and Zoning/Code Enforcement
Officer at least 48 hours in advance of the change occurring, along
with the date such change will take place.
Any person violating any provision of this chapter, upon conviction
in a summary proceeding before a Magisterial District Judge, shall
be sentenced to pay a fine to the Township of $500 per day in violation
together with all court costs actually incurred by the Township as
provided for in the Pennsylvania Uniform Construction Code, Act 45
of 1999.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 35 P.S. § 7210.101 et seq.
