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 and paramedics 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. 

In addition to key boxes and vaults, Knox Padlocks and key switches operate the same master key. This allows fire department access to gated communities and storage areas using the same Master key. 

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. 

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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington Fire Department Member activates a Personal Identification Number to release the Master Key. The Fire Department Member 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. This system allows the maximum security available for these master keys. 

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 City. 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 city.  
 
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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington Fire Department, we chose the Knox Entry system. 

Effective January 1, 1994, all buildings equipped with sprinkler and/or fire alarm detection systems connected to a central station shall have a secure key box installed on the exterior of the premises in a location accessible to the Fire Department in the case of an emergency. The key box shall contain master keys necessary to gain access to all portions of the premises, including but not limited to keys for entry to the premises, keys to all locked points of egress, keys to locked mechanical equipment rooms, keys to locked electrical rooms and keys to elevator controls. All keys placed in the box shall be of a type approved by the Chief of the Fire Department and must be obtained through the Fire Department. The box shall be located and installed only in a manner approved by the Chief of the Fire Department. Promptly upon the installation of the key box, the owner of the building shall notify the Fire Department of the exact location of the box and turn over the box key to the Fire Department. Only the Fire Department shall have access to the box. Neither the building owner, the owner’s employees, agents or representatives or any other entity or organization, including police or other emergency response agencies, shall have access to the box. It shall be the owner’s responsibility to insure that all of the keys in the box work and the owner shall provide the Fire Department with a new key any time a lock opened by a key contained in the key box is changed or rekeyed. (Ordinance No. 1996-112) 

The Knox box should be located at the entrance of the building that allows the fire department the quickest access to the fire alarm panel or a remote annunciator panel. 

The Knox Box should be located between 4 and 6 feet off the ground. 

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 City. 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 at the Fire Department. An officer from the Fire Department will come and place the keys securely in your box. 

1. The Knox box should be located at the entrance of the building that allows the fire department the quickest access to the fire alarm panel or a remote annunciator panel.
2. The Knox Box should be located between 4 and 6 feet off the ground.

A master key to access any locked room in the building would work best. If there is no master key then we would need keys to:

1. Keys to all locked points of egress.
2. Keys to any locked mechanical rooms.
3. Keys to any locked electrical rooms.
4. Keys to any locked rooms with fire alarm panels and/or sprinkler equipment.
5. Keys to elevator controls.

Electronic keys can also be placed in the Knox Box if that is what they use. 

If a keypad code is used to access the building that code should be written down on paper and placed in the Knox Box. 

All keys should be labeled to show what they will unlock. 

If you have any questions about our Knox Box program, please give us a call at 309-434-2500.