homepage > fire & rescue > fire marshal:

Fire Department Building Access

OVERVIEW

Fire department building access is an important part of the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department's (FRD) emergency response system--provided building owners maintain the proper inventory of building entry keys for FRD use. An approved rapid entry key box system will eliminate forced entries into structures, thereby avoiding costly and time consuming efforts in gaining access to locked structures during an emergency. Fire department rapid entry into buildings during an emergency helps protect both lives and property. This guideline addresses not only rapid entry key box requirements including which brands are currently approved for use, but also specifies the minimum number and proper types of keys to be maintained.

RAPID ENTRY KEY BOX REQUIRED

In accordance with Section 506.1 of the Fire Prevention Code (as amended by Fairfax County), all buildings with the exception of single-family dwellings shall provide a fire department access system as approved by the fire official.

APPROVED RAPID ENTRY KEY BOX BRANDS & MANUFACTURERS

The following rapid entry key boxes are currently the only brands approved for use in Fairfax County and the towns of Clifton, Herndon, and Vienna. The types of boxes typically installed include surface-mounted and recessed key boxes and MSDS repository cabinets.

Knox-Box Rapid Entry System | Knox Company Website
- 2009 Knox-Box Application (PDF)
SupraSafe™ Rapid Entry System by GE
- 2009 SupraSafe Application (PDF)

RAPID ENTRY KEY BOX INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

Key boxes must be installed at the primary fire department entrance (main entrance or entrance nearest to the fire control room).
Key boxes must be visible and accessible.
Key boxes must be installed 42 inches to 54 inches above finished grade.
For new or renovated buildings, rapid entry key boxes must be installed prior to occupancy.

LABELING & NUMBER OF REQUIRED KEYS

In accordance with Section 506.2 of the Fire Prevention Code (as amended by Fairfax County), the following number and types of keys shall be provided:

In buildings with Fire Command Centers (Fire Control Rooms), 15 sets of common keys shall be provided for access to building services and systems regulated by Chapter 6 of the Fire Prevention Code, and to all storage, trash and utility rooms, roof access doors, and doors to other secured areas.
In all other buildings required to provide fire department access, three (3) sets of common keys shall be provided.

Individual keys shall be clearly labeled as to function and each set of keys shall be individually tagged.

LABELING OF KEYS IN VOLUNTARILY PROVIDED RAPID ENTRY KEY BOXES

In accordance with Section 506.2.1 of the Fire Prevention Code (as amended by Fairfax County), where a non-required fire department key box is voluntarily provided, fire department key boxes shall contain one key to access the premises served, and other keys as determined by the owner or occupant. All keys shall be clearly labeled as to function.

EMERGENCY OPERATION OF GATES & BARRICADES

Gates and barricades that are installed across a fire apparatus access road that is normally intended for vehicular traffic should be installed with a fire department access system (rapid entry key box) which has an emergency override fire department master key switch. This will improve fire department response time.

MANAGING & UPDATING KEYS

Whenever the lock to a door or point of access is changed or re-keyed, the operator of a building or premises equipped with a fire department rapid entry key box should immediately provide a new key and notify the local fire station to place the new key in the rapid entry key box.

If you are not sure which fire station serves your building, you may call Fire & Rescue Department Headquarters at 703-246-2126 during regular business hours or find your fire station on our website here.

	Office of the Fire Marshal Fire Protection Systems Branch 10700 Page Avenue Fairfax, Virginia 22030 Telephone: 703-246-4830 Fax: 703-267-6716

Fairfax County is committed to a policy of non-discrimination in all county programs, services, and activities. Upon request, the Office of the Fire Marshal can provide documents and publications in alternative formats and in different languages. Please call 703-246-4753 (TTY: 711 or 1-800-828-1120) or write us at the following address: Office of the Fire Marshal, 10700 Page Avenue, Fairfax, VA 22030. Allow at least seven to ten working days for preparation of material.

Return to Graphic Version

Index

Related Links

Online Services

Our Government

News and Events

Maps, Facts & Stats

State & Federal