1. Who is required to comply?
   
2. Does this ordinance only apply to electrically controlled gates?
   
3. Are gates installed prior to the passage of this ordinance exempted from compliance?
   
4. What if I have a gate only to block off my "motor court" but the rest of my drive is accessible. Is this gate included?
   
5. Where do I get the approved locking device (padlock or key switch)?
   
6. When must I comply with this ordinance?
   
7. Who controls the keys to unlock my gate? How are they secured?
   
8. Under what conditions will my gate be opened by this key?
   
9. Who do I call with questions on this ordinance?
   
10. If I have already supplied the fire department with my gate code, do I still need to install the key switch/ padlock?

Knox Box Requirements

The full version of the Knox Box ordinance can be viewed as a pdf file to the left, or obtained at town hall. However, the key points are as follows:

1. Who is required to comply? All prop-erty owners (residential and commercial) who have gates that could impede the flow of vehicular traffic onto their property or limit access to the primary structure.
   
2. Does this ordinance only apply to electrically controlled gates? No. Both mechanically- and electrically- operated vehicular gates are included.
   
3. Are gates installed prior to the passage of this ordinance exempted from compliance? No. Gates for vehicular traffic on a property as defined by the ordinance must comply regardless of when they were installed. There is no "grandfather" clause.
   
4. What if I have a gate only to block off my "motor court" but the rest of my drive is accessible. Is this gate included? Yes. The intent is to provide access to the drivable portion of your main residential/business structure so as to provide access for emergency vehicles.
   
5. Where do I get the approved locking device (padlock or key switch)? The town is participating in a program from the Knox company of Phoenix, Arizona that is nationally recognized as being the most comprehensive and secure program available. Many towns and cities in Collin County use the Knox system. Ordering the appropriate lock device can take place at town hall, or online. At town hall, please see the receptionist. For on line ordering, please follow these steps: Go to the Knox web page at: http://www.knoxbox.com/store/; click on Online Purchase; enter your zip code (75069); and then select Fairview Fire Department and hit Continue; then select either Key Switches or Padlocks depending on your particular gate and the device requirements per the ordinance. (Most electrically controlled gates will require Model 3503 switch; manual gates will require padlock Model 3753.). Next click on Buy Now and proceed to fill in your credit card info. You may also order other Knox products such as Knox Boxes (primarily used by businesses to store access keys to their building as required by a separate ordinance) from this same web page if required/desired.
   
6. When must I comply with this ordinance?
   You have until March 7 to comply.
   
7. Who controls the keys to unlock my gate? How are they secured? The keys are closely tracked at all times. Only authorized personnel of the Fairview Fire & Rescue Department will have access. The keys are kept secure in a key vault on fire vehicles. Access to the key vault is by a private pass code issued to an authorized Fairview firefighter. There is an audit trail produced each time the key is removed from the key vault. The Fairview Police Department will also have access capability with a separate key for their use.
   
8. Under what conditions will my gate be opened by this key? The key will only be used in an emergency when the gate is not opened upon our arrival. We will also test the access on an annual basis to be sure it works properly.
   
9. Who do I call with questions on this ordinance? You can call the Fire station (972-562-0522 x. 25) or contact the Knox company (info@knoxbox.com or click "Support" on the web page) for questions on your order.
   
10. If I have already supplied the fire department with my gate code, do I still need to install the key switch/ padlock? Yes. The Knox keys stay constant and do not change. Business and homeowners, however, do change from time to time or the gate system is changed and we are not always provided with new gate codes nor are they as secure as the Knox key system. Using the Knox key system will ensure we always can gain access in an emergency while keeping access keys secure.