The First Facility Management Blog

The 4100 Knox-Vault from Knox Company is the latest addition to the company’s family of Rapid Entry System products. Able to hold up to 24 keys, this vault is designed for applications where the Knox 3200 Series is too small and the 4400 Series is too large.

4100 Knox-Vault from Knox Company

The Knox Company’s Rapid Entry System is a secure emergency access program developed for facility managers and fire departments. When a fire breaks out or there is a medical emergency, Knox products allow immediate entry into buildings and property without forced entry damage or delay. Facility managers store entrance keys, access cards, and floor plans in the vault, mounted near building entrances. Each vault purchased by a facility manager is keyed to a single master key controlled by their fire department.

The 4100 Knox-Vault is available in both single and dual lock configurations, as well as recess and surface mounted models. The UL1037 listed vault is available with an optional holder for a FDC Keywrench and access cards, which allows departments to keep a Knox keywrench on site. (Facility managers should always check with their local fire department for proper installation location of Knox products.)

October is National Fire Prevention Month, and the Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association is recognizing this by offering free fire safety planning and preparedness educational materials. This action is meant to provide a way for businesses, employees, and the general public to learn about best practices in the event of a fire emergency.

The “Educational Materials” section of the Association’s Web site includes up-to-date fire safety tools and information for commercial, residential facilities and general public audiences. Materials range from interactive training sites for portable fire extinguishers, standpipe rack hose, and automated suppression systems to fire protection plans and an interactive safety quiz.

Materials available include the 12-page "7 Simple Steps To Saving Lives And Protecting Property".

“Currently, many businesses are experiencing budget crunches and have to make tough cost cutting decisions, but safety should not be compromised,” said Jim Widmer, Association President. “With our new educational tools section, businesses can direct their employees to our Web site to access quick, hands-on—and free—fire equipment training and safety guides.”

The Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association emphasizes that National Fire Prevention Month serves as an annual reminder for businesses, from commercial to residential facilities, as well as the general public to reevaluate their fire safety plans and equipment, cautioning against complacency. The Association suggests that each October businesses take time to evaluate their fire protection plans, assess the building for fire hazards, check to ensure fire equipment is in proper working condition, and train staff to be prepared in the event of a fire emergency.

Materials can be downloaded from the association’s Web site free-of-charge, or ordered from the association in bulk quantities for a nominal printing fee.

Fire Prevention Week (October 4 – 10) is a time for businesses to assess their properties to determine how vulnerable they may be to fire coming from both outside and inside. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), this weeklong observance was established to commemorate the Great Chicago Fire that occurred in 1871. That fire killed more than 250 people, left 100,000 homeless, destroyed more than 17,400 structures, and burned more than 2,000 acres. The fire began on October 8, and continued into October 9, 1871. Since 1922, Fire Prevention Week has been observed on the Sunday through Saturday period in which October 9 falls.

The Tampa, FL-based Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) offers information on what businesses can do to evaluate the vulnerability of their facilities.

“Along with making sure that traditional items like smoke alarms and fire extinguishers are working properly, it is important that property owners and managers also consider fire risks that are unique to where they live and work,” explains Julie Rochman, president and CEO, IBHS.

Wildfire Threat

Today in California and Arizona, firefighters continue to battle wildfires, and as always, face challenges with regard to protecting the structures in harm’s way. “We want to make sure that citizens of California, Arizona, and the other 36 states with wildland fire exposure know that there is valuable, free information available to them that will help keep their property safe,” Rochman says.

To that end, IBHS offers regionally specific wildfire protection guides to help business owners (and homeowners) better prepare and take control when it comes to protecting their property against wildfires.

Facility managers can download regionally appropriate copies of wildfire protection guides from IBHS.

“For example, residents and business owners in wildfire prone areas should keep landscaping and yard structures (e.g., play sets, trellises, and wood piles) at least 30 feet from their buildings. Maintaining clean gutters and removing dead foliage from areas close to buildings also are easy but important wildfire protection steps,” says Rochman.

Facility managers can download the free, regionally appropriate copies of the IBHS Wildfire Property Protection Retrofit Guides here. Regions are Central U.S.; Florida; Great Lakes; Mid-Atlantic/Northeast; Pacific Northwest; Rocky Mountain; Southeast; Southern California; and Southwest.

Electrical Fires Another Threat

Another fire safety issue IBHS highlights is the prevention of electrical fires.

“Electrical fires consistently rank among the top five causes of commercial building fires,” says Rochman. “Preparation, safety, employee training, and continuous education are the most important practices a business owner can undertake to help minimize potential losses related to electrical safety and maintenance.”

Facility managers can access information on commercial electrical safety on the IBHS Web site to learn more about how to reduce the risk of electrical fires by recognizing the warning signs, following operational requirements, and using the right materials.

About IBHS
IBHS is an independent, non-profit, scientific, and educational organization supported by the property insurance industry. The organization works to reduce the social and economic effects of natural disasters and other risks to residential and commercial property by conducting research and advocating improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices.