The following information is the Los Angeles Fire Department’s requirements for Construction design specifications, installation and placement.  Buildings constructed after February 11, 2003 shall comply with this requirement.  These adopted and required standards shall significantly enhance storage security for building keys and expedite Fire Department access to the building by eliminating the necessity of a ladder to acquire the building keys.

GENERAL

All key boxes shall be hinged. The key box shall be a single key entry lock only. The lock cylinder shall be the L.A. Fire Dept. registered UL listed Medeco lock.

CONSTRUCTION

Low-Rise Buildings — The key box housing shall be Ό” plate steel. The door shall be 5/8” steel, with a 1/8” dust and moisture cover over the lock. The door opening shall be fitted with a weather resistant gasket. The key box minimum dimensions shall  7” H x 7” W x 5” D, this excludes the flange for recessed mounting which may vary in width.

High Rise Buildings - A Low-Rise key box shall be provided outside for entry into the building. An additiona1 key box shall be installed on the fire control room (FCR). The minimum dimensions of the FCR box shall be – 14” W x 18” H x 5” D. The housing shall be 10 gauge plate steel. Exception: The Low-Rise key box for initial building entry may be a smaller dimension, but no less than 4” H x 5” W x 3 Ό” D

COLOR

All key boxes shall be red, black or silver. Black and silver boxes shall require the word FIRE placed on the door. The letters shall be Ύ” minimum and of red reflective color.

INSTALLATION

Low-Rise key boxes shall be flush or recessed mounted only. 

PLACEMENT

The bottom of the key box shall be 36-60 inches above the adjacent floor and mounted within 10 horizontal feet of the main entry door and clearly visible. High Rise FCR key boxes shall be placed at a location approved by a New Construction Inspector.

Fire Prevention Bureau Requirement
No.75    02/11/03