Knox Product Installations

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Knox Rapid Entry Systems are utilized to minimize potential damage caused by forcible entry and allow the building/facility to be re-secured quickly and easily once emergency operations are complete. The following Information applies to typical circumstances and may not address all situations.

Authority

2022 Oregon Fire Code (OFC) §503.6.1 & 506 as amended by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010.

Definitions

Key Box: A secure device with a lock operable only by a fire department master key, and containing building entry keys and other keys that may be required for access in an emergency. The Knox Rapid Entry Systems meet the definition of a key box. (OFC 201)
Key Tag: A tag attached to each key to identify the room served or the function of the key.
Knox Box or Vault: A UL listed storage box/vault used for securely storing building keys, entry cards and floor plans. There are three box or vault options available depending on the size required for the facility.
Knox Cabinet: A UL listed storage cabinet used for storing pertinent hazardous material data, SDS, building keys, entry cards, floor plans and emergency plans.
Knox FDC Locks: A fire department connection lock used to keep pipes clean of debris for delivery of water to the fire sprinkler system by the fire department.
Knox Key: A key, electronically secured on all fire apparatus, which enables fire crews to access any Knox System within the City of Hillsboro.
Knox Key Switch: An electrical switch activated by a Knox Key, which opens a gate or other electric entry barrier.
Knox Padlock: A heavy duty padlock designed for securing perimeter gates, industrial equipment yards and similar areas.
Knox Lock: A plug/cap which prevents tampering of a fire department connection inlet.

Where Required

Where Required by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010

Building/facilities equipped with a fire suppression and/or fire alarm system
Commercial businesses that use, store, manufacture or process hazardous materials and are required to have a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS)
Buildings with elevators
High-rise buildings
Sites and facilities secured by manual or automatic gates, or barriers
Other buildings/facilities as determined by the fire code official
Larger buildings/facilities may require multiple Knox Systems

Models Required

Models required per 2022 OFC 506.1.1 as amended by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010

Single tenant buildings shall utilize the Knox Box, Model 3200 with a hinged door
Multiple tenant buildings shall utilize the larger Knox Vault, Model 4400 with a hinged door and single lock
When required by the fire code official, buildings required to have a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS) shall install a Knox Document Cabinet, Model 1301 with a hinged door and single lock (2022 OFC 506.1.3 as amended by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010)
Automatic gates and barriers shall utilize the Knox Key Switch, Model 3502
Manual gates and barriers shall utilize the Knox Padlock, Model 3782 (formerly Model #3770)
Fire department connections (FDCs) shall utilize the Knox FDC Lock, Model 3110 (formerly Model #3043) (2022 OFC 912.4.1 as amended by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010)

Alarm Tamper Switch

The Knox Box, Vault and Cabinet can be purchased with an alarm tamper switch option. Purchase of this option is at the discretion of the property owner and is not required by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. If the tamper is connected to an existing fire or burglar alarm system, the installation will require a limited-energy electrical permit through Hillsboro's Development Services & Permitting Center. If the tamper is connected to the fire alarm system, it will also require a fire alarm permit and update of the fire alarm matrix.

Ordering Procedures

To order the required products go to the Knox Company website or contact a customer service representative at 800-552-5669. Instructions for the online ordering form are noted below for your convenience:

Go to KNOX-BOX Rapid Entry Systems
Select the product you wish to order from the list
Enter “Oregon” under “Product Installation Location”
Select “Hillsboro Fire Dept - Hillsboro, OR 97123-3973”
Select the product you wish to order from the options available and click “Add to Cart”
Enter the address where the Knox System will be installed
Click the “Check Out” icon
Complete required “Billing Information” to complete the purchase

Installation Procedure

All Knox Systems shall be installed per the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the Fire Prevention Division requirements noted below:

Knox Boxes, Vaults, and Cabinets:

Shall be located adjacent to the main entrance to the building/facility or adjacent to the fire control room in an obvious and clear location
Mounting height shall be 60” – 72” above the adjacent walking surface, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official
Area shall be free of shrubbery or other vegetation that may interfere with the fire fighters’ ability to access the unit
Knox System window decals are required on the primary entry door(s) to alert fire fighters that a Knox System is provided (one is included when the Knox System is shipped)
The following keys shall be assembled and have a key tag, of material able to withstand the elements, affixed to each with the door, room, suite number or use clearly visible (additional keys maybe required):
- Main entry
- Fire control room
- Card access keys
- Mechanical/electrical rooms
- Fire alarm control panel & manual pull stations (if not the same key)
- Locks on sprinkler riser & backflow prevention devices
- Elevator machine room & elevator fire department override
- Other keys as required by the fire code official
More than one set of keys may be required for additional fire apparatus responding to the property. The following guidelines for number of key sets shall be followed:
- 1-2 story building: 1 set of keys
- 3-5 stories or more than 62,000 square feet: 2 sets of keys
- 5 or more stories or more than 124,000 square feet: 3 sets of keys

Knox Key Switches:

An electrical permit from the Hillsboro's Development Services & Permitting Center shall be obtained for the installation. Please contact the Hillsboro Building Department, 503-681-6153
Knox Key Switches shall be mounted directly adjacent to the key pad or card reader and shall face the vehicle access roadway
Mounting height shall be 48 to 54 inches above the driving surface

Knox Padlocks:

Knox Padlock installations typically utilize a combination of two padlocks, one standard lock and one manufactured by the Knox Company, hooked together as shown in

the picture to the right. This allows access to both the owner (by unlocking the standard lock) and the fire department (by unlocking the Knox Padlock). Under certain conditions, the fire code official may also approve a chain in lieu of a locking pin.

Knox Fire Department Connection (FDC) Locks:

All new or replacement caps on fire department connections shall be Knox FDC Locks. Knox FDC Locks prevent tampering with the fire department connection, thus reducing property owner maintenance and testing costs (2022 OFC 912.4.1 as amended by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010).

Picture of Knox FDC Plug

Final Inspection:

In order to secure Knox Boxes, Vaults, Cabinets, Padlock and FDC Locks the customer must contact the Fire Prevention Division to request an inspection. The customer must have a full set of keys available prior to requesting the inspection. After installation of a Knox Key Switch the customer must contact the Fire Prevention Division, 503-615-6746, to test the Key Switch to ensure it works properly.

Key Maintenance:

When new locks are added to a building/facility or existing locks are re-keyed, the tenant and/or building owner shall provide new or replacement keys in compliance with the requirements noted above (2022 OFC 506.2).

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