Knox Box®

In 2019, the Sauk Fire District municipalities adopted a Fire Department access box “Knox Box” ordinance for fire department access to public buildings in the case of emergency situations. Below is the Ordinance and information on purchasing an emergency access box for your building or business.

Fire Department Access Box Ordinance

A. Purpose. It is hereby declared the intent of the Sauk Fire District, through the enactment of this section, to establish requirements for the installation of a Fire Department emergency access box at properties within the Sauk Fire District for purposes of rapid entry for fire-fighting, rescue or medical emergencies when life or property is threatened. The purpose of the emergency access box is to allow Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services personnel to gain access to specified buildings at times when the buildings are not occupied or when an occupant is unable to provide ingress. The KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System is designated as the type of access box system to be implemented within the Sauk Fire District.

B. Emergency Key Box Required. With the exception of one- and two family dwellings, the following properties shall be required to install a Fire Department emergency access box;

1. Any business, public, or commercial buildings built, remodeled or sold after January 1, 2019.
2. Any multiple-family dwelling, 3 units or more, where access to interior living units and mechanical rooms is through a common secured entrance.
3. Any combination use buildings that include businesses and apartment dwelling unit(s)
4. Any industrial facilities
5. Any residential care facilities
6. Any building or structure with the Fire Department’s jurisdiction protected by an automatic fire alarm and /or fire sprinkler / suppression system.
7. Any building where the Fire Chief or his/her designee determines that the lack of access may result in loss of life or extensive property damage, based on factors including, but not limited to, fire load, occupant load, exposures, building construction, age of building, or storage of hazardous material.
8. Condominium complexes where the Fire Chief or his/her designee determines that the lack of access may result in loss of life or extensive property damage, based on factors including, but not limited to, fire load, occupant load, exposures, and building construction.
9. All properties having security gates or devices which limit access to the building or property.

C. Installation. The KNOX-BOX® Rapid Entry System Box (access box) installation shall be in accordance with the following criteria:

1. The access box shall be at or near the main entrance or such other location as approved by the Fire Chief or his or her designee prior to installation.
2. The access box shall be located at a height of not less than four (4) Feet and not more than six (6) Feet above final grade.
3. The owner(s) of the property shall keep keys, key cards, or codes in the access box that will allow access to the building and all locked or secured areas within the building.
4. All newly constructed or remodeled structures subject to this ordinance shall have the access box installed and operational prior to the issuance of the occupancy permit by the building inspector.

D. Maintenance. It is up to the property owner(s) of the building to notify the Fire Department of updated or added keys for the facility. It is the responsibility of the building owner(s) to keep the area around the access box clear of obstructions including, but not limited to, vegetation, paint or clutter.

E. Penalties. Any building owner(s) violating any provision of this section after receiving a notice of noncompliance from the Fire Chief or his/her designee shall be subject to a Ten Dollar ($10.00) fine. Each day a violation exists or continues shall constitute a separate offence under this section.

For products and purchasing, go to www.knoxbox.com/6277. If you have any questions regarding the ordinance, products, or installation, please contact the Fire Chief or Fire Inspector at 608-643-8282 or email saukfireinspector@gmail.com

*Products listed below are the primary products used within the Sauk Fire District. Many other products are located on the Knox-Box® website and may be permitted with the approval of the Fire Chief or his/her designee.