Imagine that it’s 3 a.m. and you receive a phone call from local emergency responders saying that there’s been a crisis reported at your business, but they don’t have the keys to gain access to inspect your building—what do you do?
When seconds matter, a Knox Box can help. Knox Boxes can benefit all types of businesses, including commercial buildings, industrial facilities, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and multi-tenant residential buildings.
In this article, we'll discuss what Knox Boxes are, why they're used, and how they benefit your business. We'll also include the potential risks of not having one installed.
What Is a Knox Box?
A Knox Box is a secure lock box for keys and access cards mounted on the exterior of a building. Any place where quick and safe access is crucial for emergency responders can benefit from having one installed.
What is a Knox Box Used For?
This box allows emergency responders quick access to the building in case of an emergency. It is often used by fire departments, allowing them to enter a building without having to force entry, which can save critical time during an emergency. A Knox Box can also be used by law enforcement agencies in the event of a security issue.
How Does a Knox Box Help Businesses?
There are many benefits to installing a Knox Box in your business. A Knox Box can:
Save time and allow rapid access for emergency responders
Minimize the risk for injury and damage to property
Reduce barriers and forced entry
Who is Required to Have a Knox Box?
Did you know that many state and city fire codes require buildings to have a Knox Box for rapid access? A few of these buildings are below:
1. Commercial buildings
Commercial buildings that have more than two stories, or any building where a Tier II (hazardous chemicals) report may require a rapid access entry system.
2. Residential buildings
Any building with eight or more rental units or any single-family units, condominiums, or townhomes with restricted access may require a Knox Box.
3. Buildings with systems
Buildings that contain an elevator, an automatic fire suppression system, or a remotely monitored automatic fire alarm system may require a Knox Box.
4. High-rise buildings
If a building is considered to be high-rise, it may require a Knox Elevator Box or a Knox Document Cabinet Box in its fire command room.
What Happens if You Don’t Have a Knox Box?
If your building or business doesn’t currently have a Knox Box installed, you may be at risk in the event of a crisis, such as a fire. Your building may also not be in compliance at the federal, state, or local level.
To ensure the safety of your business, its people, and assets, we recommend having a Knox Box installed as soon as possible. Rest assured, there are resources and support available, which we’ll cover below.
Who Can Install a Knox Box?
As a Knox Trusted Partner, Ban-Koe works closely with fire departments and law enforcement agencies to install and maintain the integrity of the Knox Rapid Access System.
Ban-Koe’s mission is to help building owners, schools, contractors, and more preserve and protect their properties. To get started, request a demo today.
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