Calgary Fire Department Lockbox Program

Fire safety boxes

 

During an emergency, the Fire Safety Box program assists fire crews at times when buildings are closed or when information about the structure is not readily available. Through the program, Firefighters can obtain access to closed buildings through the exterior key lockbox.

The Fire Safety Box must be mounted on a wall at specified heights and distances from a principal entrance. Contact your fire safety provider to inquire about a Fire Safety Box for your building. A number of local suppliers should also stock Fire Safety Boxes.

 

This program helps the Calgary Fire Department obtain accurate onsite information about fire safety systems and processes at buildings and businesses within Calgary.

The Calgary Fire Department mandates that the CFD Boxes must be serviced bi-annually to insure that all keys that are in box are accounted for and are working in designated doors. Always Affordable Locksmiths charges $75 per visit.

Any building or business that requires a Fire Safety Plan under the Alberta Fire Code must also have a Fire Safety Box on the premises that is accessible to fire crews in case of an emergency.

The Fire Safety Boxes assist fire crews at times when the buildings are closed or when those with knowledge of the building, contents or fire safety processes are not available. Firefighters will enter closed buildings through an exterior key lockbox.

By keeping an updated Fire Safety Plan in a Fire Safety Box on the premises, business owners can help firefighters deal with incidents in a timely manner with as little disruption as possible.

The Calgary Fire Department will provide a binder with the necessary information to assist businesses in preparing their Fire Safety Plan.

The Fire Safety Box must be mounted on a wall at specified heights and distances from a principal entrance. Specific details and purchasing information is available in the provided binder.

Alberta Fire Code Section 2.5. Fire Department Access to Buildings

Buildings that Require a Lockbox:

AFC 2.5.1.3 Fire Department Key Box:

 

1) A fire department key box constructed, keyed, and located in a manner acceptable to the Authority Having Jurisdiction shall be provided in a building, and shall contain a set or set of keys or devices required to be used in an emergency.  

2) A fire department key box shall be installed and provided with keys and devices in conformance with Sentence (1) in a building equipped with:  

• A fire alarm system where control features, including those for emergency voice communication systems, are located behind a locked pane,  

• A fire alarm system where manually operated devices require a key or device in order to be reset,

• A fire alarm system where the electrical circuit breaker is located within a locked panel or room,

• An automatic sprinkler system where the main control valve is locked in the open position,

• An automatic sprinkler system where the main control valve is located within a locked room or enclosure,  

• Firefighting standpipe and water supply connections in a locked room or area such as on a roof,

• A key operated elevator control feature that will permit exclusive use of elevators to fire fighting personnel only,

• A key operated elevator control feature that will switch selected elevators to operate on emergency power,

• Stairway doors that have been locked on the stairway side in conformance with the Alberta Building Code.

• Locked access doors to a roof provided for fire fighting purposes.  

 

3) Keys or devices provided in conformance with Sentence (2) shall be affixed to a key ring or rings, and identified with tags indicating their function.

4) When a fire alarm system or sprinkler system is required to transmit a signal to the fire department in conformance with the Alberta Building Code, a key box shall be installed on the exterior wall of the building in proximity to the principal entrance.

5) A key box installed in conformance with Sentence (4) shall contain an entrance door key with a tag affixed to this key in conformance with Sentence