Getting to Know the Knox Box

During a crisis, seconds matter. Imagine a firefighter reaching a side door of a campus building only to find it locked — or a police officer who must wait for a school administrator to let them in before finally responding to an active shooter. Both of these scenarios happen. The Knox Box solves these problems in real time.

For 40 years, the Knox Rapid Access System has been handling security when it matters most. First responders use this system for immediate, secure access to campuses, residential complexes, and commercial properties across the country. Get to know the Knox Box and learn why it is a critical asset to your fire life and safety planning strategies with TRL System’s very own Collin Stapleton.

What is the Knox Box, and why is it so important for fire life safety and security?

The Knox Box is essentially a small safe that is installed on the exterior of a building, typically by the front door. Keys to the building are placed within the Knox Box, allowing first responders to access the building quickly during an emergency using a master key. Without a Knox Box, first responders must find alternative entry solutions, whether waiting for someone to unlock the door or forcing entry, which could cause costly damage to the building. In either situation, the risk to individuals and property magnifies. With the Knox Box, that risk significantly decreases by allowing first responders to quickly and easily access the building and address the emergency situation.

What are the key advantages and benefits of a Knox Box?

“The greatest benefit of a Knox Box is that it provides quick and easy access to first responders, while maintaining building security and avoiding unnecessary propery damage,” Stapleton says.

Without a Knox Box, the firefighters will likely break down a door during an emergency. If they enter the building only to find a false alarm, the building owner ends up with the expense of repairing the damage. From a property owner’s perspective, this causes an unnecessary hassle and cost. From a firefighter’s perspective, a forced entry isn’t worth the higher risk of personal injury if such an entry is unnecessary. The Knox Box effectively eliminates both of these scenarios.

Does every Knox Box have its own unique key?

No. There is a master key for Knox Box. Each fire department, police department, or other authority has their own unique key. Think of it as a skeleton key that first responders can use to unlock any Knox Box in the area. “First responders can either carry around 10,000 building keys or rely on the Knox Box master key to do their jobs faster,” Stapleton remarks. These master keys are not given to just anyone. There is a thorough application and vetting process involved to ensure maximum security for property owners and efficiency for first responders.

Who uses the Knox Box? And why?

You will find the Knox Box in a variety of commercial and public settings: from college campuses and elementary schools to hospitals, hotels, and even construction sites — essentially, any building or property in which security makes it difficult for unknown individuals to enter. Stapleton adds, “Take, for example, an automatic gate outside an apartment complex. The firefighters pull up, and they want to get to the apartment complex. With a Knox Gate and Key Switch the fire department is able to open that gate and proceed to the emergency. The idea is that only the firefighter has that key.”

Military bases and federal buildings are another great example of how the Knox Box balances the need for both security and emergency access. These properties are among the most secure in the U.S., presenting significant challenges for fire departments, emergency medical services (EMS) professionals, or police units attempting to respond to a crisis. The Knox Box allows these critical first responders to get where they need to go on the front lines of an emergency without wasting time or energy.

“It comes down to life safety and getting first responders where they need to be as quickly as possible. Knox Boxes allow them the safest and fastest way to get there,” Stapleton says.

How do I install the Knox Box?

Installation of the Knox Box is fairly simple. It should be securely and permanently mounted to a wall. The Knox Box is constructed of ¼-inch solid steel with a continuous weld onto a back plate that mounts onto a secure wall.

When the Knox Box is initially mounted, it should remain unlocked. After mounting, the fire department will inspect the installation to ensure it’s installed properly. The fire department will then lock the Knox Box so that even your building supervisor can’t access it. The fire department or other first responders are the only people who will have access to your Knox Box.

Stapleton adds, “For installation purposes, it’s really important to understand that every fire department is different. Be sure to reach out to your responding fire department to understand what they want to see so you can install the Knox Box in the best location.”

What are the Knox Box’s maintenance requirements?

Knox Box maintenance is minimal. The primary maintenance need is to keep the key slot lubricated, which makes it easier to open the Knox Box. Perform this simple maintenance task every six months to ensure easy access to the Knox Box. As Stapleton advises, “Maybe once a year, check the Knox Box for any rust or damage. Otherwise, you can just let it be — and be glad it’s there.”

Knox also recommends an optional alarm tamper switch, which TRL Systems can integrate into your existing alarm system.

TRL Systems is a proud partner of the Knox Box Rapid Access System. Talk with our team about how this vital safety feature can protect your business, school, facility, or organization. Call us at (800) 266-1392 or email shop@trlsystems.com.