Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department
Information Sheet on Emergency Access Key Boxes
When a fire breaks out; seconds count. Many times, firefighters find access to an emergency blocked by locked entrance doors or gates. To help reduce delays in providing emergency assistance, the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department has adopted a key lock box system. The system chosen by this department is known as the Knox Rapid Entry system.
(We reccomend reading this entire Knox Box information. At the end you will find the specific boxes we reccomend and very specific ordering instructions)
Specific questions may be answered by calling a driver on duty at 518 891-2333 or sending an email to drivers@roadrunner.com
What is the Knox Rapid Entry System?
The Knox Rapid Entry system is a secure emergency access program developed for property owners and fire departments. When a fire breaks out, or there is any emergency, the Knox Box Rapid Entry System allows firefighters immediate entry into buildings and property without forced entry damage or delay. Property owners store keys, access cards, gate keys, etc. in high-security Knox-Boxes mounted near building entrances. Each Knox-Box purchased by a property owner can be opened by a master key controlled by the Fire Department.
How does the Knox Rapid Entry System benefit property owners?
When an emergency occurs, the Knox Rapid Entry System will allow the Fire Department to spend less time and fewer resources gaining access to your building. This faster access will result in a more rapid control of the emergency situation. This could mean faster fire control or more rapid shut off of a sprinkler system, resulting in less water damage.
Also, the Knox Rapid Entry System allows fire department access without damage to the building. Without this system, the fire department will gain access by forcible entry, often resulting in damage to doors or windows and their associated facings. After forcible entry, it's hard to secure a building again after the emergency has been controlled. Repairs made after a single forcible entry will likely pay for the purchase and installation of a Knox-Box.
With the Knox-Box Rapid Entry System, property owners save in two ways; first, with more rapid control of emergencies and second, with less damage caused by fire department entry.
What about Master Key security?
As one should know, security of the Fire Department master key is a primary concern. Anyone with access to this key can have access to your building. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department has chosen the Knox Master Key Retention system to help ensure the security of the Master Keys. Master keys are kept only in emergency apparatus. In each emergency, the key is secure in a Knox Master Key Retention device. The key can only be released when a Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department Officer or paid driver activates a Personal Identification Number to release the Master Key. The Fire Department Officer can then complete what task is needed and replace the Master Key in the emergency apparatus. The device that the key was removed from will have a recorded encrypted log of who removed the key and what time it was removed and replaced. The Knox Master Key Retention device will activate a blue strobe light, which will flash until the master key has been placed back in the retention device. This strobe will make sure that the key is replaced before the movement of the vehicle. This system allows the maximum security available for these master keys.
Why is the Knox Rapid Entry System required? Don’t other companies make similar products?
Other companies do make similar products. However, any system adopted by a Fire Department must be compatible with all boxes. Only one master key will be carried on the fire apparatus. This key must operate all lock boxes in the jurisdiction. To maintain master key security, all companies in this business carefully guard the master key codes. They will not release this information to any other manufacturer or supplier. These security concerns require that one vendor is selected for all installations in the jurisdiction.
The Knox Company has been chosen for several reasons. Their system has proven reliable in thousands of cities across the nation. They have a variety of products that meet rapid entry and access needs. However, the primary reason the Knox Company was selected for the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department was Key security. No other company makes a product similar to the Knox Master Key Retention system. Because we were not willing to compromise the reputation of Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department, we chose the Knox Entry system.
Who is required to install the Knox Box?
The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department recommends the owners of any structure which contains a fire alarm that uses an automatic dialer to notify the Fire Department or provides an automatic fire suppression system, or a multi-family residential structure, which includes senior apartments/ condo complexes that have restricted access to the living units. It also includes Commercial and industrial buildings identified by Fire Officials as difficult to access during emergencies.
It does not recommend that the owner places keys to individual living units in the Knox Box, but this is allowed at the owner’s discretion. The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department does recommend an Alarm Panel Access Key be included with the building Master Key in the Knox Box.
Does the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department make any money off the sales of the Knox Box?
No. The Fire Department has absolutely no financial interest in the sales of the Knox Company. The only purposes in requiring the Key Lock System is to improve Fire Department Access in emergency situations and to reduce property damage caused by forcible entry.
How much does a Knox box cost?
Currently, the 2017 cost of a Knox Box is averaging $316 depending on model and color purchased. These products are adequate for most key only installations. For your convenience, there is a sample Knox Box at the Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department available for viewing.
Where should my Knox box be mounted?
Key boxes should be mounted near the main entry door to your building. The Fire Department recommends that the box is mounted on the right-hand side of the door, between four and five feet above the ground. We also realize that this may not be possible in all applications, so we would recommend contacting the Fire Department for advice in choosing placement.
How do I lock my keys in the Knox Box? I did not receive a key?
Property owners do not receive keys that will open their Knox Box. Any key that will open your Knox Box will also open other Knox Boxes in the Jurisdiction. For that reason, only the Fire Department has the master key. When your box is mounted and ready to install keys, call the non-emergency number (518) 891-2333 at the Fire Department. An officer from the Fire Department will come and place the keys securely in your box.
What keys need to be installed in my Knox Box?
The Saranac Lake Volunteer Fire Department can assist you with that information. Keys required will vary from one business to another. The keys for the exterior doors and all interior doors which control access to shared systems such as HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning), sprinkler systems, alarm, and electrical panels.
What do I need to do to order a Knox Box?
Ordering Information
Any of the below listed boxes are reccomended for use in Saranac Lake. When ordering you must follow the process as listed in the infographic.
In Step 2 type only: "Saranac Lake" and click submit.
In Step 3 choose "Saranac Lake Vol Fire Department" and click Select Department
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