Is Your Knox Box Up to Date? Essential Information Every Building Owner Should Know

Property owners should ensure that their Knox Box is up to date and in good order. But what is a Knox Box, and why should it matter to property owners? In this blog, we will discuss everything concerning a Knox Box, its importance, how it works, and more importantly, the necessity of always updating the Knox Box. Also, locksmiths, or individuals who are rekeying a building, are equally important as they remind the property owner or the building manager of the need to change the key in the Knox Box. This allows emergency response services to have the necessary access when it is most required without any distractions.

What is a Knox Box?

A Knox Box consolidates the keys required to gain access to specific buildings along with vital contacts for emergency services and is fixed to the wall of a building. The premise of a Knox Box is to facilitate easy and quick entry for firefighters to all areas of the property while still minimizing the necessity of having to break down doors. As a result, they can reach those parts of the property within seconds when trying to put out a fire or control a medical emergency, without having to wait for an individual with keys to arrive or cause damage.
For instance, the Knox Box keys within the jurisdiction of the Traverse City Fire Department have the firefighters, so whenever they need a particular key, it is accessible to them.

Why Do You Need a Knox Box?

Knox Boxes are appropriate for locks for commercial buildings, multi-family apartments, or mixed-use buildings as well. They are installed on the outside wall near the building entrance so that in case of a fire the emergency staff can access it straight away without any inconvenience. In the absence of a Knox Box, the rescue operation would have trouble gaining entry to the building because they would have to break down doors as a means to get through.

What Should Be Inside a Knox Box?

Issuance, location, and model of tools in Knox Box would depend on the particulars of the building. There are some basics, however:
Master key sets to all the main entrances of the building including exterior and interior doors.
Information on the major occupant of the office building and/or the managing individual.
A schematic representation of the floor of the office that an emergency service is intended to provide information about.
Further, one would be expected to have additional keys for the fire systems panel as well as the fire alarm panel, especially in buildings that have such systems.
In some situations, Knox Boxes are reported to include also important access cards or other material that may help responding units.

 

When Should You Update Your Knox Box Information?

It is always important to make sure that your Knox Box is compliant and ready to go when it is needed. The Traverse City Fire Department suggests that the Knox Box be updated by the fire department each time a given building has:

1. Entry keys to the building that have been changed.
2. The Person(s) that are in charge of the building or its occupants whose details have changed.

In Traverse City, building proprietors are encouraged to update their Knox Boxes as soon as they can. Since it is advisable to report all changes even before they occur, documents should already be in place to facilitate all updates.

What Happens If Your Knox Box Information Is Outdated?

If you do not keep your Knox Box current, emergency personnel may be compelled to force entry during the emergency, resulting in excessive destruction of property. Every alarm is always handled as the worst-case situation, hence the firefighters will gain access by demolishing the doors or windows which will be expensive to fix.
This not only impedes the commencement of emergency rescue operations, but it can also hinder life-saving measures being given in time. A properly installed and maintained fire department Knox Box enables the fastest penetration by first responders to the structure, thereby increasing the chances of saving property and enabling a better resolution of the emergency.

How to Update Your Knox Box?

Updating your Knox Box is a simple process. The first step is to contact your local fire department to request an update. In Traverse City, the fire department Knox box service is free, and there’s no fee for making updates.
Once you’ve contacted your local fire department or emergency services, they will assist you in updating the keys or contact information in the box. It’s a good idea to also keep a contact card inside the box for emergency personnel to reach the right people in case of an incident. This ensures that first responders can act quickly without having to go through layers of bureaucracy or the 911 system.

Who Can Access a Knox Box?

In Traverse City, only authorized personnel, such as fire department staff have access to the master keys of Knox Boxes. These keys are secured in a locked device on each fire department vehicle to ensure that only authorized personnel can retrieve them.
While fire department Knox Boxes are the most common, some areas may also have Knox Boxes used for law enforcement or other emergency services, particularly in high-security areas. It’s important to ensure that your Knox Box is configured following local regulations to facilitate quick and safe access.

Conclusion

A properly maintained Knox Box is essential for ensuring fast, efficient emergency response to your building. By keeping the contents of your Knox Box up to date, you help emergency personnel provide critical services with minimal delays, reducing the potential for property damage and improving the safety of everyone involved.
If you're a business or property owner, take the time to inspect your Knox Box, update the keys, and ensure all necessary contact information is included. The peace of mind that comes with knowing your building is prepared for emergencies is priceless.
For Traverse City building owners, it’s time to act to ensure your Knox Box is up to date-and ready for any situation. Contact your local fire department to schedule an update or submit the required form, and keep your property and its occupants safe.