STANDARD DETAILS & SPECIFICATIONS | Spec No | K-1 |
| Rev. Date | 05/07/02 |
SUBJECT: Key Box Placement and Required Keys | Eff. Date | 09/01/96 |
| Approved By | ________ |
California Fire Code, Section 902.4 states: "When access to or within a structure or area is unduly difficult because secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or fire fighting purposes, the Chief is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an accessible location. The key box shall be of a type approved by the Chief and shall contain keys to gain necessary access as required by the Chief."
It is the Santa Clara County Fire Department's policy that a key box is required for buildings that are equipped with fire sprinklers and/or fire alarm systems. This policy will only help facilitate the quick response of emergency crews to the interior of a building.
Key Box: A secure locked box for the storage of building or facility keys. This box is only operable by fire department personnel.
KEY BOX PLACEMENT GUIDELINES:
Key boxes are to be provided for the following occupancies:
Buildings equipped with fire alarm and/or fire sprinkler systems.
All school buildings.
Strip malls that have large anchor stores.
LOCATION OF KEY BOXES ON PREMISES:
Key boxes are to be located near the main entrance and placed between 4 and 6 feet above the ground.
Obtaining Fire Department Key BOX Authorization Forms:
Approved key boxes may only be obtained through fire department authorization forms. These forms may be requested from the Fire Prevention Secretary.
REQUIRED KEYS:
Keys stored inside the Key Box shall be provided with identification tags which are durable and water-resistant. Paper tags and ink lettering are NOT acceptable.
The Key Box should contain keys to:
Main entrance doors
Fire alarm system
Electrical rooms and automatic sprinkler riser rooms
Elevators
Fire control room (if applicable)
KEY BOX INSTALLATION:
Key Boxes shall be installed only as specified in the manufacturer's instructions included with each box.
LOCKING OF BOXES:
Key Boxes are delivered in the "open" position so that mounting can be accomplished. Contact the Fire Prevention Division for locking or unlocking of the key Box. Only Fire Department Personnel have keys to Key Boxes.
PLACEMENT OF KEY BOX DECALS:
The alert decal shipped with the Key Box should be mounted in a location approved by the Fire Department.
IDENTIFCATION OF KEYS:
Keys shall be attached to a metal ring equipped with a brass disk type tag that identifies the rooms or areas served.
IMPORTANT REMINDER: Whenever locks are changed or re-keyed, the keys stored in the key box must be updated. Please contact the Fire Prevention Division to coordinate the placement of new keys in the lock box.
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