Which Knox Product do I Need?

IN THIS ARTICLE

→ Before Choosing a Product
→ Key Boxes and Vaults
→ Residential Access Products
→ Gate and Perimeter Access
→ Fire Department Connection Protection
→ Specific-Use Cases
→ Quick Product Selection Guide

Knox products are designed to support rapid access for first responders, protect critical building and fire protection systems, and reduce delays or forced entry during an emergency. The right product depends on what your property needs to secure, the products available in your jurisdiction, whether the responding or requiring agency participates in the applicable Knox Program, and any requirements set by that agency.

 

Before Choosing a Product                                                               

Before purchasing or installing a Knox product, confirm the following with your responding fire department or fire inspector:

• Which product type is required
• Who the product should be keyed to
• Whether the product is available through the Knox Program in your jurisdiction
• Where the product should be installed
• Whether single-key or dual-key access is required
• Whether tamper alert or electrical switch options are needed
• Whether specific thread sizes, wiring requirements, or installation standards apply

The customer or purchaser is responsible for selecting the appropriate product for their property and jurisdiction requirements. Returns may be subject to Knox’s return policy, including any applicable restocking fees.

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Key Boxes and Vaults

KnoxBox 3200

The KnoxBox 3200 is commonly used when a building needs to store a smaller number of access items for first responders, such as building keys, access cards, or small entry items. It is designed for commercial properties and stores up to 10 keys.

A KnoxBox 3200 may be appropriate for:

• Small to mid-sized commercial buildings
• Multi-unit rental properties
• Tenant spaces
• Fire riser rooms
• Utility rooms
• Controlled access points where only a limited number of keys or credentials are needed

The KnoxBox 3200 is available with options such as a Tamper Alert, which can connect to a building alarm system for added security.

KnoxVault 4400

The KnoxVault 4400 is a larger-capacity rapid access key vault. It is used when a property needs to store a larger combination of keys, access cards, credentials, or emergency plans. The KnoxVault 4400 can hold up to 50 keys and is commonly used for larger or more complex properties.

A KnoxVault 4400 may be appropriate for:

• Large commercial or industrial buildings
• Multi-building properties
• Universities or campuses
• Multi-housing complexes
• Facilities with multiple keys, access cards, entry credentials, or emergency plans

The KnoxVault 4400 is available in single-lock and dual-lock configurations. A dual-lock KnoxVault 4400 allows shared access by two approved parties, such as two responding agencies, a fire department and law enforcement agency, or a fire department and an approved property representative, school security team, or private security team.

The KnoxVault 4400 is also available with the Tamper Alert option.

Multi-Purpose Electrical Switch option

KnoxBox 3200 and KnoxVault 4400 units may be fitted with a Multi-Purpose Electrical Switch. This option allows the product to store access materials while also supporting low-voltage control of electrical doors, gates, or similar equipment. The switch may be used for normally open or normally closed circuits and has a maximum load rating of 28 Volt AC/DC, 5 Amp.

For questions about wiring, relay requirements, or whether SPDT or DPDT is needed, consult the installer, gate company, alarm contractor, or a certified electrician.

Residential Access Products

Knox Residential Box

A Knox Residential Box may be used when first responders need access to residential or residential-adjacent areas, depending on jurisdiction requirements. A Knox Residential Box can hold up to 2 keys.

Common use cases include:

• Single-family homes
• Fire riser rooms
• Pool rooms
• Residential gates
• Other residential access points required by the responding fire department

Knox HomeBox

A Knox HomeBox should only be used for individual residential living spaces, such as:

• Single-family homes
• Single apartment units
• Single condominium units

HomeBox products are generally intended for individual residential access, not commercial buildings, shared building systems, or multi-tenant property-wide access unless directed by the responding jurisdiction. A Knox HomeBox holds up to 1 key.

Gate and Perimeter Access

Use gate and perimeter access products when first responders need to pass through a locked gate, fence, community entrance, parking garage, industrial yard, or similar barrier without forcing entry. Knox gate and perimeter products are designed to help first responders access manual gates, electronic gates, roll-up doors, gated communities, apartment complexes, schools, industrial yards, and other secured perimeter areas. 

Knox Gate & Key Switch

A Knox Gate & Key Switch is generally used for electronic gates or other motor-operated barriers. The switch wires directly into the gate or access control system to provide a manual override for emergency access. Knox Gate & Key Switches are compatible with electronic gates, roll-up doors, communities, apartment complexes, parking garages, and similar access points.

Gate & Key Switches may be available in single or double configurations and may support single-agency, multi-agency, or shared access needs.

Installation note: Housing, conduit, wiring, and other installation materials may need to be sourced separately. For wiring questions, including SPDT versus DPDT, contact your gate company, certified electrician, or installer.

Knox Padlock

A Knox Padlock is generally used for manual gates, chains, gate hasps, storage areas, restricted utility areas, or similar physical access points. Knox exterior padlocks are built for outdoor applications such as gated communities, storage areas, temporary construction sites, and secured perimeter areas.

A Knox Padlock may be appropriate for:

• Manual chain-link gates
• Chain-secured driveways or access roads
• Gate hasps
• Construction sites
• Restricted utility areas
• Pool gates
• Storage areas
• Certain third-party fire department gate access boxes designed to be secured with a padlock

A Knox Padlock may also be used as part of a chain or “daisy chain” configuration. This allows first responders to open the Knox Padlock to release the chain or access point while other locks remain in place for non-emergency users. Some properties also use a gatekeeper-style entry setup where the Knox Padlock provides emergency responder access without replacing the property’s normal access controls.

In some electronic gate applications, a Knox Padlock may be used with a compatible third-party red fire department access box. These boxes are typically designed so that opening the box triggers an internal microswitch, which then overrides the electronic gate system and allows emergency access. In this type of setup, the Knox Padlock secures the access box, while the box and microswitch provide the electrical gate override function.

For electronic gate wiring, microswitch configuration, or gate override questions, contact your gate company, certified electrician, or installer. Knox Padlocks provide the secured access point, but the gate box, wiring, microswitch, and gate operator configuration are typically handled by the installer or gate access provider.

Fire Department Connection Protection

Knox FDC Lock

 A Knox FDC Lock is a male locking cap used to secure female fire department connections. It helps protect fire department connections from debris, vandalism, theft, and thread damage so the connection remains available when needed. Knox FDC Locks are available in multiple sizes and thread configurations and are operated with a Knox FDC Wrench controlled by the fire department. 

An FDC Lock may be appropriate for:

• Fire department connections
• Fire sprinkler system connections
• Properties where the fire department requires locking FDC caps
• Locations where debris, vandalism, or thread damage is a concern

Knox FDC Locks can only be installed when authorized by the local fire department jurisdiction.

Knox Storz Lock

A Knox Storz Lock protects large-diameter fire department connections from damage, vandalism, and physical attack. Storz Locks are available in 4-inch and 5-inch configurations and are operated with a Knox FDC Wrench controlled by the fire department.

A Storz Lock may be appropriate for:

• Large-diameter FDC connections
• Storz-style fire department connections
• Hydrant applications, when approved
• Properties requiring secure large-diameter water connection protection

Knox Standpipe Lock

A Knox Standpipe Lock is a female locking cap used to secure male standpipe, hydrant, or hose connections. It protects standpipes and hydrant hose connections from accidental damage, vandalism, physical attack, and unauthorized cap removal. Knox Standpipe Locks are operated with a Knox FDC Wrench controlled by the fire department. 

A Standpipe Lock may be appropriate for:

• Standpipe outlets
• Stairwell standpipes
• Wall hydrants
• Fire hydrants
• Locations where water theft or unauthorized cap removal is a concern

Specific-Use Cases

Knox Remote Power Box

The Knox Remote Power Box is used when emergency responders need a secure way to remotely disconnect power before entering a building or accessing equipment. It is designed to operate a building’s shunt trip breaker and may support power disconnect for buildings, generators, power distribution systems, wind or solar systems, telecommunications systems, and other equipment.

A Remote Power Box may be appropriate for:

• Buildings requiring emergency power shutoff
• Equipment or systems requiring remote disconnect
• Generator or electrical service access
• Solar, wind, or telecommunications systems
• Locations where the responding fire department requires remote shunt trip access

Knox Document Cabinet

The Knox Document Cabinet provides secure on-site storage for emergency response documents and building access materials. It is intended for larger document or key storage needs and can store hazardous material information, floor plans, critical documents, keys, access cards, and other emergency response materials.

The base model holds up to 27 keys. Additional key storage can be added through available expansion options, including a 48 rear key hook expansion panel, a 78 key hook expansion swing panel, and a second 78 key hook swing panel. With expansion panels, the Document Cabinet can store up to 231 keys.

A Document Cabinet may be appropriate for:

• Large facilities
• Industrial buildings
• Campuses
• Buildings with hazardous materials information
• Locations needing an indoor command or document station
• Properties that need to store emergency plans, SDS information, keys, access cards, and access credentials
• Buildings that require a larger number of keys to be organized and available for emergency response

Because of its larger capacity, the Document Cabinet is generally used when a standard key box or vault does not provide enough space for the property’s emergency access materials.

Knox Elevator Box

The Knox Elevator Box is designed for elevator lobbies and is used to store elevator door drop keys and related access keys for emergency responders. It provides secure access to elevator-related keys so responders can enter an inoperable elevator or locked interior areas without forced entry.

An Elevator Box may be appropriate for:

• Buildings with elevators
• Elevator lobbies
• Properties required to provide elevator drop keys
• Buildings where responders need quick access to elevator keys or interior locked areas
  
  

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Quick Product Selection Guide

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