Lock Box Program

Residential Lock Box Program

When Elgin Fire Department Personnel arrives at the home of a senior in need of medical assistance, all too often precious time is wasted trying to get into the home to help the patient. Seniors who are often home alone and may not be able to unlock their front doors during medical emergencies are encouraged to purchase and install a lockbox.

The lockbox program provides a secure way for fire department personnel to access a key and enter a home when called to provide emergency assistance. Using a lockbox not only saves responders valuable time in providing medical care, but it also saves costly property repairs if emergency responders must force their way into the home.

The authorized lockbox that is allowed for residents that is solely accessible by Elgin Fire Department is the SupraSafe Rapid Entry System sold by Kidde. In the event of an emergency, responders are notified of the lockbox and can gain entry into the home to provide care and assistance. Currently, the cost of a residential lock box is $100.

Commercial Structure Lock Box Program

The City of Elgin passed an ordinance in 2005 requiring all commercial structures within the City to install and maintain a lock box for use by the Elgin Fire Department in the event of an emergency at your facility. The authorized lockboxes allowed and accessible by the fire department are: the SupraSafe Rapid Entry System sold by Kidde or the KnoxBox 3200 sold by KnoxBox.

Lockboxes must be installed at an exterior door nearest to the Sprinkler Room for the facility. If the facility does not have a sprinkler system, the lockbox should be installed at the door that provides the nearest access to the Fire Alarm Control Panel (FACP). For buildings that have neither a fire sprinkler system nor a fire alarm system, please install the lockbox near the main entrance door.

Getting set-up with a SupraSafe Rapid Entry System (Residential & Commercial):

  1. Complete the Lock Box Order Form by selecting the link below. The fire department tries to maintain an inventory of Kidde lockboxes on hand. If/when there is a lockbox available for purchase, a fire department member will contact you with pick-up instructions.

https://www.cityofelgin.org/FormCenter/Fire-Department-17/Lock-Box-Order-Form-217

  1. Install the lock box
    1. Residential: at the main entrance, in an easily accessible and visible location
    2. Commercial: at an exterior door nearest to the Sprinkler room of the facility; if a building has no existing sprinkler system, installation should be at the door closest to the Fire Alarm Control Panel. Buildings with no sprinkler or alarm system in place, the lockbox should be installed near the main entrance.
  2. Have an additional set of keys made for the lock box
    1. Residential box: can house up to 2 keys—garage and alarm codes can also be placed inside the box
    2. Commercial box: can house up to 4 keys
  3. Contact the fire department to set-up an appointment to have your keys secured in the lock box. Please send an email to: elginfire@cityofelgin.org or call: (847) 931-6175.
  4. Contact Emergency Communications to create a Premise Alert that will document the presence and location of the lock box. Emergency Communications can be reached at (847) 289-2700.

Getting set-up with a KnoxBox 3200 (Commercial Structures only):

  1. A KnoxBox can be ordered online following the link below:

https://www.knoxbox.com/Products/Commercial-KnoxBoxes

  1. Lock box must be installed near an exterior door closest to the Sprinkler room of the facility; if a building has no existing sprinkler system, installation should be at the door closest to the Fire Alarm Control Panel. For buildings with no sprinkler or alarm system in place, the lockbox should be installed near the main entrance.
  2. Have an additional set of keys made for the lock box
  3. Contact the fire department to set-up an appointment to have your keys secured in the lock box. Please send an email to: elginfire@cityofelgin.org or call: (847) 931-6175.
  4. Contact Emergency Communications to create a Premise Alert that will document the presence and location of the lock box. Emergency Communications can be reached at (847) 289-2700.

For any further questions regarding the lock box program, please email fire department staff at: elginfire@cityofelgin.org or call (847) 931-6175.

Additional Information