[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Newburgh 10-10-1989 by Ord. No.
32-89. Amendments noted where applicable.]
It has been found by the Council, after considerable study,
that the Fire Department keeps approximately 200 keys to various buildings
in the City so that its members can gain entry to the buildings in
case of fire at night or when the buildings are otherwise unattended.
This method of entry is slow, inefficient and is not in the best interest
of the health, safety and welfare of the members of the community.
The Council finds that the key-box system for gaining emergency entry
to certain buildings would best serve those community interests.
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
Any existing commercial building not normally occupied 24
hours a day and all buildings with security gates that block any door
or window and all buildings with fire alarm systems, sprinkler systems
or elevators.
A box which is affixed to the outside of a building which
is intended to hold a key to the building to which it is affixed for
the purpose of emergency entry to the building by the Fire Department.
All newly constructed buildings after the effective date
of this chapter, regardless of occupancy, except for those buildings
specifically excepted herein. Also, the term includes residential
buildings required by the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and
Building Code to have an alarm system, fire- and smoke-detecting system
or sprinkler system. Other residential buildings are excepted.
All existing buildings and new buildings as herein defined must
be equipped with a key box.
Only key boxes approved by the Fire Chief shall be used when
required by this chapter.
Key boxes shall be placed in position on the building as may
be directed by the Fire Chief or his designee and not otherwise.
A.
If a building is protected by a burglar alarm system, the key box
shall be connected so that if the box is opened or removal attempts
are made, the burglar alarm system will sound.
B.
If the building is not protected by a burglar alarm system, the box
may be connected to the fire alarm system, provided that the connection
is on the fire side, signaling an alarm. Connection to the fire alarm
must be zoned separately from any fire detection and noted on the
fire alarm annunciator panel and approved by the Fire Chief or his
designee.
All existing buildings must be equipped with the key box, as
required by this chapter, not later than two years after the effective
date of this chapter. All new buildings for which a building permit
is issued, after the effective date of this chapter, shall be equipped
with a key box before a certificate of occupancy is issued for the
building. After the boxes are installed, they must be kept intact
and in working order with the key or keys enclosed therein.
The owner of the building requiring a key box is responsible
for the purchase and installation of the key box, as directed by the
Fire Chief or his designee, as well as the maintenance thereof.
[Amended 9-28-1998 by Ord. No. 12-98]
It shall be a violation of this chapter for the owner of a building
to fail to equip a building with a key box when required to do so
by this chapter or to fail to keep such building so equipped with
the key or keys contained therein when required to by this chapter
after the initial installation thereof.
[Amended 9-28-1998 by Ord. No. 12-98]
A.
Any person who shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter or fail to comply therewith or who shall violate or fail to comply with any order made thereunder shall be punished as provided in § 1-12 for violation of this chapter of the Code of Ordinances of the City of Newburgh.
B.
The imposition of one penalty for any violation shall not excuse
the violation or permit it to continue, and all such persons shall
be required to correct or remedy such violations or defects. Each
day that prohibited conditions exist shall constitute a separate offense.
C.
The application of the above penalty shall not be held to prevent
the enforced removal of prohibited conditions.
