Lock Box Guidelines

In the event of a fire or medical emergency, it is vital that police officers and firefighters have immediate access to buildings in order to quickly initiate emergency operations. When responding to alarms at secured buildings, police officers and firefighters must assume an emergency exists and often have no alternative other than to force entry into a building. Damage caused by forcible entry can be extremely costly and very inconvenient for the property owner, and in the event of a false alarm, totally unnecessary.

To alleviate the forcible entry problem, the City of Eagan, Police & Fire Departments have made a decision to implement a Fire Department lock box program as follows:

Section 506 of International Fire Code - Key Boxes
506.1 When required. Where access to or within a structure or an area is restricted because of secured openings or where immediate access is necessary for life-saving or firefighting purposes, the code official is authorized to require a key box to be installed in an accessible location. The key box shall be of an approved type and shall contain keys to gain access as required by the code official.
506.1.1 Locks. An approved lock shall be installed on gates or similar barriers when required by the code official.
506.2 Key box maintenance. The operator of the building shall immediately notify the code official and provide the new key when a lock is changed or rekeyed. The key to such lock shall be secured in the key box.
A Fire Department key lock box is a heavy duty security box which mounts on the exterior of your building. Secured inside are the keys needed to provide Police & Fire Department personnel with immediate access to all areas of your property during emergency situations.
Each key box installed in the City of Eagan is keyed to a master key and can be opened only with the Police/Fire Department system master key.
WHERE REQUIRED  All Group R-1 and R-2 occupancies (apartment, motels) having a locked, security-type entry system. All Group A or B occupancies three (3) or more stories in height or more than 24,000 sq. ft. of floor area. All Group E, H, I or S occupancies. All occupancies regardless of size or exit configuration when equipped with an automatic sprinkler system or monitored fire alarm system. As requested by code official or Fire Department

Keys Required:

1. Main entry key
2. Master room key (except R-1 and R-2 occupancies)
3. Fire alarm panel, access and control
4. Automatic sprinkler system access and control
5. Mechanical rooms, boiler room, other similar areas
6. Elevator control rooms
7. Other areas that contain hazardous materials, occupancies, processes, or equipment as designated by the Fire Department

All keys shall be labeled or marked separately and placed on a single key ring. The Fire Department requires that two (2) complete sets of keys shall be available for emergency use.

The following standards must be applied when you are required to install a Fire Department key box in the City of Eagan:

• Type - The only key box approved for use in the City to assist the Police/Fire Department in gaining access to a secured building will be the Knox Company key lock box.

For security reasons, the ESC Elevator Fire Control key box or similar type sheet metal key boxes are no longer approved and will not be permitted.

The only approved & authorized distributors for Eagan Fire Department Key Lock Boxes for use in the city shall be:

The Knox Company
Deer Valley Road
Pheonix, AZ 85027

1 (800) 552-5669

An authorized approval from the Eagan Fire Department is required when you purchase a lock box from Knox Company. This is done via email when you purchase the lock box.

Recommended Model # 3200 (Standard capacity for most buildings & stores up to 10 keys)

If you wish to install a key box or have been required to do so by the code official or Fire Department, the following procedure must be followed:

• When you receive your key box, the door will be unlocked to permit mounting. For security reasons, you will not receive keys with the key box.
• The key box shall be mounted not more than four to six feet above ground level in a location designed by the code official or Fire Department.

1. Main entrance/Front door (on the address side of the building)
2. Door closest to alarm panel
3. Mechanical room / Sprinkler Connection

• When the key box has been mounted in the designated location, notify the Fire Department (651) 675-5900 and request that an authorized representative come out to verify and secure keys in the key box.
• The code official or Fire Department shall specify which keys are to be secured in the key box, and it shall be your responsibility to properly label the keys for their designated use. The keys shall be placed on a single key ring.
• The operator of the building shall immediately notify the code official or the Fire Department and provide the new key when a lock is changed or re-keyed.
• If push button door codes or key fobs and electronic key cards are used, there must be a second method in place to allow access through entry point.

 If you have any questions regarding lock box guidelines, please contact the Eagan Fire Department at (651) 675-5900.