Why You Should Install a KNOX-Box Key Box at your Home or Business

The Amagansett Fire Department encourages the use of a KNOX-Box or similar key box for our local businesses and home owners. This low cost emergency entry system provides the quickest and most secure way to gain access to your home or business during an emergency, especially when the building is not occupied, or when an injured person is unable to open the door.

When fire breaks out or there is a medical emergency, firefighters and EMT’s often must force their way into homes or businesses, resulting in costly damage to locks, doors, windows, and frames.  Plus, it delays emergency workers from putting out fires or attending to injured victims, or both.  And finally, it makes it impossible to secure the building again, after the emergency workers finish their jobs and leave.

The KNOX-Box system allows immediate and safe entry into the building, eliminating the damage, danger or delay caused by forced entry.  It also allows firefighters and EMT’s to re-secure the building when they leave.  It’s simple: Owners keep entry keys and access cards in a high-security KNOX-Box (basically a key in a box) mounted near the building’s entrance. Each Knox-Box purchased by the home, business or building owner is keyed to a single master key controlled only by the fire department.

East Hampton Town requires commercial and residential structures, except pre-existing residential, having fire alarm systems with central station monitoring, to have a key lock box. The minimal expenditure to install a KNOX-Box allows building owners to satisfy local Town ordinances. And while participation is only voluntary for existing home owners, we highly recommend these systems for all buildings with automatic fire systems. They can also be used for gated communities as well as at private estate entrance gates.

Most importantly, installing a KNOX-Box provides the peace of mind of knowing that your home, business and loved ones are safe and secure.

How it Works

A key box installation is the responsibility of the property owner.  It should be installed per the manufacturer's instructions, typically at a height of 5' to 7' above grade on the building's exterior, in a readily accessible location near the main entrance.  If you have any question on mounting locations feel free to contact us for our recommendation.

Keys to be placed in the box include keys to:

* Entrance doors

* Mechanical Rooms (to include all rooms with utility shut-offs)

* Rooms containing sprinkler controls and equipment

* Rooms containing fire alarm panel and equipment

* Elevators

* Any other areas which could require emergency entry

Once the key box has been mounted and the keys are ready contact the Amagansett Fire Department at 631-267-3300 to have the keys secured in the box.

 Master Key Trail System

We take your building security seriously and employ what we call the “Master Key Trail System.” Our Knox-Box master keys are locked in yet another special Knox-Box in specific fire department vehicles. A master key to your building can not be removed until an authorized department officer enters their specific assigned PIN code which in-turn automatically records the date, time and member’s ID. And the key must be returned and locked in the box to complete the process.

The “Master Key Trail System”provides a consistent level of security for your complete building security:
• Assurance the keys are safe and secure
• Quick release of the master key to authorized personnel only
• Complete audit trail

Disclaimer 

 We do not have financial benefit from the sale of key lock boxes.