Fire Department Lock Boxes (FD Lock Box) are hardened steel vaults that are mounted on the exterior of buildings so that the Fire Department may efficiently access unattended buildings after hours, while greatly diminishing the necessity to cause damage to buildings from forcible entry. FD Lock Box systems are designed to help Fire Departments and businesses work together to preserve lives and property while eliminating the need for Fire Department personnel to maintain and carry key rings with countless building keys. Fire Service personnel across Canada rely on a security key Lock Box system to enter property quickly and safely during emergency response. The FD Lock Box device is purchased and mounted near the main building entrance by the property owner. Larger buildings may benefit from more than one FD Lock Box.
Benefits of the Fire Department Lock Box system
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Provides immediate emergency access in case of fire, medical or other type of emergency.
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Immediate Fire Department entry decreases the potential damage caused by fire.
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Allows firefighters to enter buildings when occupants are unable to open the door.
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Reduces firefighter injuries.
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Increases Fire Department efficiency.
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Undamaged doors can be re-secured after the emergency without the response of a building manager or private security.
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Prevents costly forced entry damage to building, in most cases the cost of installation is recovered the first time the system is used.
Examples of buildings for which a FD Lock Box may be beneficial include:
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Hospitals, nursing homes and multi-story buildings (apartments/condos).
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Commercial, Industrial, Warehouse and other buildings where 24 hour staffing/security is not available.
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Buildings constructed in a manner such that Fire Department forced entry, if required, would be unduly difficult or result in significant property damage.
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Buildings with a high frequency of emergency response incidents and where occupants may be endangered due to delays gaining access.
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Buildings with monitored fire alarm and fire suppression systems.
When responding to an emergency and confronted with a locked entry door, Fire Department personnel will visually check the area near the main entry door to determine if the building has been fitted with a FD Lock Box. Placing keys in these special, tamper resistant boxes in a visible location near the main entry door minimizes delays in gaining access to the building and eliminates damage that may be caused by a forcible entry, if required. Fire Department personnel will gain access to the keys from the FD Lock Box, after using them for the purpose intended, the on-scene Captain or Incident Commander will insure the keys are replaced and secure. Use of the keys will be noted in the Fire Department incident report.
Next Steps
The benefits of a secure FD Lock Box system are invaluable to building owners, managers and occupants as well as Fire Department personnel. Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue (KBRFR) has chosen Selective Securities solid steel Fire Department Lock Box for the buildings in the KBRFR service area.
KBRFR has partnered with Parslow Lock & Safe 804 Rossland Avenue, Trail (250-364-2210) directly across the street from KBRFR Station # 4 in Trail for supply of FD Lock Boxes. To purchase your high security FD Lock Box contact Parslow Lock & Safe directly and one will be provided for you at a cost of $158.95 or $200 installed (prices do not include tax). Pricing includes a volume discount to initiate the FD Lock Bock program. KBRFR personnel can assist you in determining if your building would benefit from more than one FD Lock Box.
Please complete a Fire Department Lock Box Installation Application form available here, at any KBRFR Fire Station or from Parslow Lock & Safe Ltd. Completed application forms should either be left with Parslow Lock & Safe Ltd staff if they are installing your FD lock box or faxed into KBRFR (250-364-1760) once installed. Once installation is completed KBRFR personnel will make an appointment to coordinate the install of your FD Lock Box lid and lock appropriate keys inside (never a Master Key). Our Computer Aided Dispatch system will then be updated to reflect the location(s).
Required Keys
The only keys that should be contained in the FD Lock Box are the main lobby entrance, fire alarm cabinet/room, mechanical room(s), common area(s), roof access, stairwell(s), elevator recall or other public areas in the building. All Keys shall be affixed to a key ring or rings and engraved to identify their function. At no time should a building Master Key be placed in the FD Lock Box.
Notification Requirements
When the building management or owner re-keys or replaces any of the lock(s) for the key(s) in the lock box, it is the building owner’s responsibility to notify KBRFR-Fire Prevention Division @ 250-364-1737 of the change so that the appropriate key(s) can be changed out. There is no charge for this service.
NOTE: When in place, key(s) in FD Lock Boxes WILL NOT be used to gain non-emergency access to a building unless the building owner, manager or agent is present.
Questions can be directed to Kootenay Boundary Regional Fire Rescue
at 250-364-1737 (Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm)
Lock Box Installation Application form
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