SCF STANDARD - Knox Standard - 2021Adoption Date: February 9, 2021
Knox Box Standard
PURPOSE
Fire Code Official
The intent of this standard is to define the South County Fire Key Access Program and to provide
standards for its use and maintenance.
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The Knox Box Program is designed to give authorized South County Fire Department personnel
access to keys for the protected occupancy, whether vacant or occupied. This allows South
County Fire Department personnel to quickly gain access to buildings during an emergency and
prevents damage caused by forcible entry.
South Snohomish County Fire and Rescue requires a key access system for all occupancies in
which there is a fire protection system, such as fire sprinklers, a fire alarm, special protection
systems, etc., or where access and other conditions are determined to be delayed or unduly
difficult. This is based on the rationale that rapid and efficient emergency operations will benefit
the occupant by reducing property damage.
Knox brand is the only approved key access system for the South Snohomish County Fire and
Rescue area of response, including the contracted cities of Brier, Edmonds, Lynnwood, and
Mountlake Terrace, along with other areas of Unincorporated Snohomish County. The Knox Box
program includes Knox Key Boxes, Knox Padlocks, and Knox Key Switches. In this Standard, the
term Knox Box may refer to any of the three types of Knox products listed above.
AUTHORITY
This Fire Prevention Standard is created and adopted as a regulation under the authority of IFC
§104.1.
REFERENCES
This document references:
1. International Fire Code 2018 edition with Washington State amendments
a. Section 503.5, 503.6
b. Section 506
DEFINITIONS
FACP — Fire Alarm Control Panel
SOUTH COUNTY FIRE — FIRE MARSHAL TEAM
12425 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA 98208 • (425) 551-1264 option 8 • Prevention@SouthSnoFire.org
SERVING THE CITIES OF • BRIER • EDMONDS • LYNNWOOD • MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
KNOX BOX REQUIREMENTS
A Knox Box shall be provided at the main entrance of buildings with interior common areas. An
additional Knox Box shall be provided at the exterior entrance to the sprinkler riser/fire alarm
control panel (FACP) rooms and other locations deemed necessary for building access. Once the
Knox boxes are received, it is recommended that the contractor/owner discuss box placement
with South County Fire personnel. Typically, boxes are located to the right of the main entrance
door and/or Fire Alarm Control Panel/Fire Riser Room door. Boxes will be placed five to six feet
(5-6') above finished grade. Building owners should provide the following keys, depending on the
requirements determined for the premises, and may include:
1. Main entrance (or Master)
2. Interior access (if no Master)
3. Fire sprinkler riser room/fire alarm control panel access
4. Electrical, mechanical, and elevator rooms
5. Fire alarm control panel/fire pull stations
6. Electronic/magnetic key cards
On multiple -storied and larger buildings, additional keys may be necessary, for instance,
providing roof hatch access or sets of keys for multiple firefighting crews.
All Knox equipment shall be installed before a Certificate of Occupancy is issued for new
construction.
Existing occupancies that are undergoing fire protection system upgrades, modifications, or
tenant improvements that have legacy key boxes commonly found in Edmonds, Mountlake
Terrace, and Lynnwood shall be required to replace them with Knox products.
Building owners will ensure that access equipment is maintained and contact South County Fire
Marshal's office where the building door locks are re -keyed or conditions for emergency access
are modified.
AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED GATES IMPEDING FIRE DEPARTMENT
ACCESS
Occupancies with automatic gates that obstruct fire apparatus access roads must meet the
following requirements/design:
1. Must have an automatic opening feature activated by Opticom or compatible or other
approved receivers that override all other opening systems.
2. Must also have an approved Knox Key Switch Model 3511, which will be located on the
entrance side of the gate.
3. Must have battery back-up or be designed with a fail-safe mode allowing the gate to be
pushed open without the use of special knowledge or equipment or default to the open
position.
South County Fire - Knox Box Standard 2021 Page 2 of 6
MANUALLY OPERATED GATES IMPEDING FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS:
In all occupancies, where approved, manually operated gates and barriers shall utilize Knox
Padlocks Model 3781, 3782 or 3783. Approval is provided normally where conditions are such
that delays in gate opening are not deemed as a priority for access urgency. Locks will need to
be linked together so multiple locks will work in one application. (See example photo on following
page).
FIRE DEPARTMENT CONNCTIONS (FDC) ACCESS
Locking FDC caps are required for new construction, and existing construction where problems
of theft and vandalism are occurring, on a case by case basis. Contact the South County Fire
Prevention Office for more information.
AUTHORIZED/REQUIRED PRODUCTS TO BE PURCHASED.
Knox Boxes
Hinged doors are required. Tamper switches are not required. South Snohomish County
Fire and Rescue's required Knox boxes include the 3200 Series. There are 3 colors to
choose from along with the installation option of recess vs surface mount.
Choices for the 3200 series include:
Model 3261-KnoxBox 3200, Surface Mount, Hinged Door, Black
Model 3263-KnoxBox 3200, Surface Mount, Hinged Door, Aluminum
Model 3265-KnoxBox 3200, Surface Mount, Hinged Door, Dark Bronze
Model 3270-KnoxBox 3200, Recess Mount, Hinged Door, Black
Model 3272-KnoxBox 3200, Recess Mount, Hinged Door, Aluminum
Model 3274-KnoxBox 3200, Recess Mount, Hinged Door, Dark Bronze
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South County Fire — Knox Box Standard 2021
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The 3200 series boxes are required for most buildings. For buildings requiring a larger number
of keys or magnetic cards etc., a 4400 series box may be required. Contact the Fire Marshal's
Office with questions (see footnote for contact information).
Knox Padlocks Model 3781, 3782 or 3783
Below is a photograph of lock shanks linked together, which is required when multiple locks
are needed to assist different users' access. Other model numbers are available depending
on the length of shank required.
Knox Gate Key Switch Model 3511
FIRE DEFT
IM
South County Fire - Knox Box Standard 2021
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FDC Locks
Model 5001 for 4" Storz FDC Fittings
Model 3110 for 2.5" Threaded FDC Fittings
South County Fire — Knox Box Standard 2021 Page 5 of 6
ORDERING INSTRUCTIONS
1. Type this URL into your browser www.knoxbox.com/4043
2. Then Scroll down to products
3. Select your Products
4. Fill out Information and Submit
5. South County Fire Marshal's office will receive an email for final approval prior to
allowing completion of the purchase.
6. Finish the purchase of the approved product.
7. When products arrive, install them at locations noted previously on your approved
drawings or in this standard. Please call if you have questions (see footnote for contact
information).
8. Once installed, call the South County Fire Marshal's office to verify and a Fire Marshal
will secure the box with your keys inside (see footnote for contact information).
SOUTH COUNTY FIRE — FIRE MARSHAL TEAM
12425 Meridian Avenue South, Everett, WA 98208 • (425) 551-1264 option 8 • Prevention@SouthSnoFire.org
SERVING THE CITIES OF • BRIER • EDMONDS • LYNNWOOD • MOUNTLAKE TERRACE
South County Fire — Knox Box Standard 2021
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