Where Required by City of Hillsboro HMC 11.28.010

• Building/facilities equipped with a fire suppression and/or fire alarm system
• Commercial businesses that use, store, manufacture or process hazardous materials and are required to have a Hazardous Materials Inventory Statement (HMIS)
• Buildings with elevators
• High-rise buildings
• Sites and facilities secured by manual or automatic gates, or barriers
• Other buildings/facilities as determined by the fire code official
• Larger buildings/facilities may require multiple Knox Systems

Alarm Tamper Switch

The Knox Box, Vault and Cabinet can be purchased with an alarm tamper switch option. Purchase of this option is at the discretion of the property owner and is not required by Hillsboro Fire and Rescue. 

If the tamper is connected to an existing fire or burglar alarm system, the installation will require a limited-energy electrical permit through Hillsboro's Development Services & Permitting Center.

If the tamper is connected to the fire alarm system, it will also require a fire alarm permit and update of the fire alarm matrix. 

Ordering Procedures

To order the required products go to the Knox Company website or contact a customer service representative at 800-566-9269.

Instructions for online ordering can be found on the website or provided below for your convenience:

1. Go to the KnoxBox.com
2. In the main navigation bar, click on "Start Here to Place an Order" (A dialogue box will appear)
3. Enter the installation address (where the Knox product will be installed) including the:
   • Business Name
   • Street Address
   • City
   • State
   • Zip Code
   • Building Description
4. Confirm the installation address
5. Confirm Your (Fire) Department
   • The top of the dialogue box will suggest the fire department/agency.
   • You may also select a different fire department/agency if it is not accurate
   • Click the button, "Confirm Department"
6. Select the products you wish to purchase
7. Complete the order 

Installation Procedure

All Knox Systems shall be installed per the manufacturer’s installation instructions and the Fire Marshal's Office requirements as noted below:

Knox Boxes, Vaults, and Cabinets:

• Shall be located adjacent to the main entrance to the building/facility or adjacent to the fire control room in an obvious and clear location.
• Mounting height shall be 60” – 72” above the adjacent walking surface, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
• Area shall be free of shrubbery or other vegetation that may interfere with the fire fighters’ ability to access the unit.
• The following keys shall be assembled and have a key tag, of material able to withstand the elements, affixed to each with the door, room, suite number or use clearly visible (additional keys maybe required):
  • Main entry
  • Fire control room
  • Card access keys
  • Mechanical/electrical rooms
  • Fire alarm control panel & manual pull stations (if not the same key)
  • Locks on sprinkler riser & backflow prevention devices
  • Elevator machine room & elevator fire department override
  • Other keys as required by the fire code official 

Knox Key Switches:

An electrical permit from the Hillsboro's Development Services & Permitting Center shall be obtained for the installation. Please contact the Hillsboro Building Division at 503-681-6153   

Knox Key Switches shall be mounted directly adjacent to the key pad or card reader and shall face the vehicle access roadway.

Mounting height shall be 48 to 54 inches above the driving surface   

Knox Padlocks:

Knox Padlock installations typically utilize a combination of two padlocks, one standard lock and one manufactured by the Knox Company, hooked together as shown in 

the picture to the right. This allows access to both the owner (by unlocking the standard lock) and the fire department (by unlocking the Knox Padlock). Under certain conditions, the fire code official may also approve a chain in lieu of a locking pin.

Knox Fire Department Connection (FDC) Locks:

All new or replacement caps on fire department connections shall be Knox FDC Locks. Knox FDC Locks prevent tampering with the fire department connection, thus reducing property owner maintenance and testing costs.

Final Inspection:

In order to secure Knox Boxes, Vaults, Cabinets, Padlock and FDC Locks the customer must contact the Fire Prevention Division to request an inspection. The customer must have a full set of keys available prior to requesting the inspection. After installation of a Knox Key Switch the customer must contact the Fire Marshal's Office at 503-615-6746, to test the Key Switch to ensure it works properly.

Key Maintenance:

When new locks are added to a building/facility or existing locks are re-keyed, the tenant and/or building owner shall provide new or replacement keys in compliance with the requirements noted above.