HomeMy WebLinkAbout403.004 - Emergency Services Bypass Locks for Secured Access Developments
FIRE PREVENTION MANUAL
DEVELOPMENT POLICIES
403.004 EMERGENCY SERVICES BYPASS LOCKS FOR
SECURED ACCESS DEVELOPMENTS
EFFECTIVE: JUNE 2008
Current Revision Date: 10/0/2021 Next Revision Date: 10/0/24
Author’s Name/Rank:
Leslie Forshey,
Supervising Fire Prevention Inspector Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Noemi E. Rogers-Rodriguez,
Management Analyst II ADA
PURPOSE
This policy has been established to outline the requirements for installation of
emergency services bypass locks for secured access locations.
APPLICATION
It is common for apartment, condominium, and private residential or commercial
locations to provide for property security in the form of locked access gates at each
entrance to a location. This practice severely restricts the ability of emergency
services agencies to provide their services to these locations in a timely manner.
Installation of unapproved locked access gates may be a violation of the California
Fire Code (CFC), Chapter 506, Key Boxes, and Fresno Municipal Code (FMC),
Chapter 10, Article 50506, Locked Premises Access.
The City of Fresno (City) has developed a bypass system which allows entry to
secured properties by emergency services. This system consists of dedicated locks
of which only emergency services have operating keys. The locking devices may be
obtained as cylinder locks for use with electrically operated gates, or as padlocks for
use in other applications.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Any installed bypass lock, electric switch lock, cylinder, or padlock will be a city
approved lock.
Section 403.004
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OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
General Requirements
For identification purposes, a one-inch red band should be painted around the body
of the padlock. For a cylinder core located on an electric gate keypad, a one-inch red
band should be placed around the core or a durable sign stating FFD should be placed
directly next to the core.
A single emergency services padlock may be installed on gates used solely for
emergency access or it may be used in conjunction with other locking devices.
The cylinder lock should be mounted in plain view on the control panel or immediately
adjacent to the access gate.
After construction has been completed, the construction core must be replaced with a
permanent X1 core.
Construction Core
A construction core lock may be purchased by the owner or contractor. The purchaser
must specify the lock is a “City of Fresno Emergency Services Construction Core
Padlock”.
Emergency Services Bypass Lock
The emergency services bypass lock can be purchased by the owner or contractor.
The purchaser must specify the lock is a “City of Fresno Emergency Services
Bypass Lock”.
Options
For electric gates, an electrical switchbox with padlock or an X1 cylinder may be
installed.
For manual gates, an X1 padlock or a key box with X1 core may be installed. If a
padlock is installed with another lock, they must be locked in such a way that unlocking
either lock should open the gate.
PROCESS
City of Fresno emergency services X1 cores are currently available only through
Sierra Lock & Glass, 1560 N. Palm Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728.
Section 403.004
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INFORMATION
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DEFINITIONS
1. Construction Core Padlock – A construction core padlock is used during the
construction phase of a new development. A common construction core key is
available to any contractor.
2. Electric Switch Box with Padlock – An electric switch box that operates an
electric gate that has an X1 keyed padlock installed. Unlocking of the padlock
and opening the door to the box opens the electric gate.
3. Key box with X1 Cylinder Core – A key box with an X1 keyed cylinder core
installed. A key to the development is placed inside the key box.
4. X1 Cylinder Core on Electric Gate keypad – A cylinder core installed on the
keypad that opens an electric gate when the X1 key is inserted and turned.
5. X1 Key – A key used by emergency services to gain access to a secured
development.
6. X1 Padlock – A padlock with a core keyed to the X1 key.
CROSS REFERENCES
California Fire Code
Section 506, Key Boxes
Fresno Municipal Code
Chapter 10, Article 50506, Locked Premises Access
Section 403.004
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