WHAT IS A KNOX BOX?
A Knox key provides master keys to Riverside Fire & Rescue for access into commercial building and some residential buildings. The master key will provide access to the building via a key box located on the outside of the building or main point of entry. Once the key box is open, building owner supplied keys are located within the key box that contains all the keys to the buildings access points. Some commercial building will also supply an alarm code or contact information inside them as well.
WHY SHOULD I HAVE THIS?
The keys allow the fire department access into the building in the event of an emergency when no one is at the building or available to provide access. This will allow for rapid access and limit damage caused by the need to force entry into the structure via doors or windows. If there is a fire alarm in the building it may become necessary for our crews to enter the building to ensure that there is no threat to life and property at the location. Not all building have these key boxes. Most new construction of commercial building will have these in the design plans and installed during the construction of the building. They can be added to existing structures, gates, or special access points by the property owners.
WHO WILL HAVE ACCESS TO MY BUILDING?
The master keys are stored inside of a fire apparatus in a case hardened lock box that is only accessed via a pin code similar to that of a debit card. The keys are time tracked every time they are accessed by one of our crews. The command staff can review exactly who had access to the key and for how long it was unlocked. Each fire jurisdiction has a different key i.e.; The City of Puyallup keys are different from the keys of Riverside Fire & Rescue. The keys are loaned to Riverside Fire & Rescue from the KNOX Company. Riverside Fire & Rescue is in possession of these keys; however has no access to duplicate these keys or the codes attached to them. Only our fire crews from Riverside Fire & Rescue will have access, and only in a time of emergency when access into a structure is needed.
HOW DO I OBTAIN A KNOX BOX?
There are several different types of key boxes on the KNOX website for purchase. These are purchased by the property owners not the fire district. Once a purchase from their website has been made an authorization will be sent to Riverside Fire & Rescue for documentation of the key box and locations. Key boxes vary in size and price, if you are unsure of which box will work, please feel free to contact us or the KNOX Company to assist you in making the correct purchase.
