The Thorndale Volunteer Fire Company encourages the purchase and installation of a Knox Box® system for business owners and residents.  Fire Departments across the country use this system to prevent costly damage due to forced entry during emergency situations.  This system provides a rapid method of access for firefighters while keeping your business or house secure.

If a Knox Box® system is in place, this is how it works: A surface mounted or recessed locking key box is placed on an exterior wall of the building or house.  The lock is keyed to a special cut specific to Caln Township.  Inside the box is a key that will open a door to your building or house.  Our fire engine has a box with a key electronically locked at all times and can only open Knox Boxes on buildings within Caln Township.  This key cannot be taken out unless the box receives a signal from the Chester County 911 Dispatch Center releasing it or a unique pin code assigned to each firefighter is entered.

An Example:
If a fire alarm is sounding in an unoccupied business at night and entry into the building is needed to investigate the source of the alarm, the responding fire engine or chief officer will be able to either request the the knox box be released by the 911 Dispatcher or a unique pin code can be entered to release the key. When the key in the fire engine is released, it is taken out and used to open the Knox Box mounted on the exterior wall of the building.  Once the Knox Box is opened the building key can be utilized to open the business and investigate the alarm.

When the firefighters are finished, the building key is returned to the Knox Box mounted on the exterior wall of the building and the box is locked. The key that opened the Knox Box is returned to the fire engine where it is placed back into the electronically locking box.  If the Knox Box® system was not available at this business, windows would have been broken, doors might have been forced open, or firefighters would have had to wait until someone showed up to open the door.  This system allows firefighters rapid access in emergency situations that prevents expensive damaged to windows and doors.

If you have questions or would like to purchase a Knox Box® for your business or home please contact us at codes@calntownship.org.

Click here to download a printable brochure (6 Megs)