Knox-Box Rapid Entry Systems
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One of the fire service's many master keys is th Halligan bar. |
When the Old Lyme Fire Department is dispatched to a premise or property as a
result from the reporting of a monitored fire alarm system,
the Fire Department has a legal obligation to investigate the
alarm to the best of their ability. This means that if no occupants are there to provide access to the interior, the Fire department may be forced to provide it's own access.
This could mean forcing a door or window, which generally results in damage to the property.
". . . locked key vault system designed to provide rapid entry into an unattended, secured building . . ."
The system that the Old Lyme Fire Department utilizes is the Knox-Box Rapid Entry System which was specifically developed for
fire departments. It is a simple, fast and secure method of granting key access to your property in your absence. Let us explain how the system works.
The first step is for the property owner to purchase the proper Knox-Box from the Fire
Marshall. Once you have your box, it's needs to be securely mounted in an obvious
location near a primary entrance to your occupancy. You will
also need to contact our dispatch center and report where you
have mounted your box so dispatch can record that information
and relay it to any responding units in the event of an emergency.
Now all that is left to do is store your key to the occupancy securely inside your Knox-Box
vault. Contact the Fire Marshal's Office and a representative will arrange to meet you and store your key.
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Sentralok device bolted to the floor of Engine 2 and the master key securely retained. |
So how is my key retrieved in the event of an emergency you might ask? Many of our fire
apparatus carry a Sentralok device mounted on their interior
which securely retains a master key for all the town's Knox-Boxes. If the key to your premises needs to be retrieved
from your Knox-Box, a fire officer will request that an apparatus retrieve the master key from their Sentralok device
so your Knox-Box may be unlocked, and the key to your premises retrieved.
The operator of the apparatus will then radio the dispatcher and request that the dispatcher
release the unit's Knox-Box, and give their service number as
identification. This request is made over our radio frequency where all communications are recorded electronically.
The dispatcher center will then transmit a coded electronic signal back over the frequency which will release the master key from the Sentralok device.
Now the master key will be taken to your Knox-Box where it will be unlocked, the key to
your premises retrieved, and entrance gained to the occupancy without any damage at all.
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Property key hanging inside vault. |
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After the premises have been
inspected and hopefully no emergency found, your key will be
re-secured in your vault, and the master key returned to the
Sentralok on the apparatus. The operator will then notify
dispatch that the Knox-Box key has been returned and give
their service number as identification.
As you can see, the Knox-Box system is a very secure way of helping us help you. Contact us
today and avoid unnecessary damage to your property and
unnecessary fines.
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