Knox Boxes
| Summary: |
- Program Description
- Scope
- Definitions
- Responsibilities
- Program Components
- Reporting Requirements
- Training Requirements and Competency Assessment
- Information References and External References
- Appendices
The KNOX Box Program serves as a guideline to develop an alternative method for the local emergency response agency (Orange County Fire Authority) to gain access to buildings on campus in an emergency. By establishing this process, all campus buildings will be equipped with all necessary keys for emergency personnel to enter the building in an emergency.
This program applies to all buildings physically located on the UC Irvine campus. It does not apply to buildings not located on campus or to buildings that house UC Irvine departments, but are not located on campus. All KNOX box and key requirements for buildings located off-campus are determined by the local fire authority.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) - The Authority Having Jurisdiction (or his/her authorized representative) determines the interpretation and application of fire protection requirements as adopted by the State Fire Marshal (SFM). At the UC Irvine campus, the SFM has delegated the Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) as the AHJ for plan review and construction inspections.
Campus Fire Marshal (CFM) – The CFM is a campus representative who has the responsibility and authority to enforce fire and life-safety requirements in all UC Irvine facilities
Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) - At the UC Irvine campus, the SFM has delegated the Designated Campus Fire Marshal (DCFM) as the AHJ for plan review and construction inspections. The DCFM also has the responsibility and authority to enforce SFM regulations and requirements on campus.
Project Managers (PM) - A Design and Construction Services (D&CS) employee who is assigned to manage a D&CS construction project.
Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) – The local fire authority for the University of California, Irvine campus.
KNOX - The proprietary name for fire department or local fire authority key access boxes.
Key Boxes – Key access boxes house all of the necessary emergency keys needed for emergency personnel to access a building in case of an emergency.
Master Key or Card – A key or card that can open every door in a specific building.
Fire Alarm Annunciator Key – A key to open the fire annunciator box.
Gate or Bollard Key – Usually a 1D or 6DA4 key that will open a gate or bollard (e.g. in parking structures). Some keys have been replaced by card keys.4.1 Design and Construction Services (D&CS) is responsible for:
4.1.1 Ordering and paying for KNOX boxes for new construction projects;
4.1.2 Ordering and paying for keys for KNOX boxes;
4.1.3 Installing KNOX boxes for newly constructed buildings;
4.1.4 Working with the EH&S Fire Division on locating and ordering KNOX boxes.
4.2 Facilities Management (FM) is responsible for:
4.2.1 For a fee, FM will install KNOX boxes for existing campus buildings.
4.2.2 FM will notify EH&S Fire Safety once installed.
4.3 Fire Safety Division is responsible for:
4.3.1 Putting keys into KNOX boxes and locking the boxes; and
4.3.2 Approving of final locations of KNOX boxes for all buildings on campus.
4.3.3 Authorizing the Knox box form.
4.4 Based on priority and funding, Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) will order and pay for KNOX boxes for existing campus buildings.
5.1 New Buildings
5.1.1 Ordering - Contractors are required to obtain the 3200 series KNOX Box order form from the Fire Safety Division and obtain the local fire authority's (OCFA) signature. The order form and how to obtain the 3200 series Knox Box is located in Appendix A and also at the following website: http://www.knoxbox.com/store/ .
5.1.2 Keys - Contractors are required to order the necessary keys from Facilities Management:
- Master key
- 1D key or equivalent key
- Fire Alarm key to the fire panel and fire alarm annunciator, waterproof box key, or any other panel access key.
- Elevator key
- Gate or Bollard key (if necessary)
- Fire Extinguisher cabinet key
- Electrical Panel master key
5.1.3 All Master keys will be located on a Group key ring.
5.1.3.1 All keys must be labeled with the building name and number, master number, fire alarm panel identification, and utility and maintenance closet identification. An example of how keys must be labeled is shown in Appendix B.
5.3.1.2 For each building, there is only one Master key ring to which all Group key rings are attached. The number of group keys must be equal to the number of entrances to each building. When buildings are re-keyed, the FM Key Shop must notify the Fire Safety Division to document these changes. The CFM is responsible for putting the new keys or new key cards into Knox Boxes.
5.2 Existing Buildings
5.3 Location - The location of KNOX Boxes are determined by the Fire Safety Division. The center of KNOX Boxes must not be mounted more than five (5) feet high in order to obtain keys at a reasonable height. Generally, KNOX Boxes are located near remote fire alarm annuniciators or near the loading dock side of a building.5.2.1 Based on priority and as funds become available EH&S will purchase Knox Boxes. EH&S is required to obtain the 3200 series KNOX Box order form and obtain the local fire authority's (OCFA) signature. The order form and how to obtain the 3200 series Knox Box is located in Appendix A and also at the following website: http://www.knoxbox.com/store/ .
5.2.2 Keys – Based on priority and as funds become available EH&S is required to order the necessary keys from Facilities Management:
- Master key
- 1D key or equivalent key
- Fire Alarm key to the fire panel and fire alarm annunciator, waterproof box key, or any other panel access key.
- Elevator key
- Gate or Bollard key (if necessary)
- Fire Extinguisher cabinet key
- Electrical Panel master key
5.2.3 All Master keys will be located on a Group key ring.
5.2.3.1 All keys must be labeled with the building name and number, master number, fire alarm panel identification, and utility and maintenance closet identification. An example of how keys must be labeled is shown in Appendix B.
5.2.3.2 For each building, there is only one Master key ring to which all Group key rings are attached. The number of group keys must be equal to the number of entrances to each building. When buildings are re-keyed, the FM Key Shop must notify the Fire Safety Division to document these changes. The CFM is responsible for putting the new keys or new key cards into Knox Boxes.
6.1 A spreadsheet of KNOX box locations is maintained at EH&S.
7. Training Requirements and Competency Assessment
7.1 No training requirements or competency assessments are required for this program.
8. Information and External References
8.1 California Fire Code, Article 9, Section 902.4 Key Boxes
A – KNOX Box Order Form
B – Illustration of Key and Key Card Label
Document
Initiator: Dale Saunders and Joe Rizkallah
Ini: Sept 2005