Secure your business. Help us reach it when seconds matter.

An emergency does not wait for business hours, or for someone with a key to arrive.

Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District uses the Knox® rapid access system to help authorized responders enter secured buildings and reach critical areas during emergencies. An approved key box provides access to designated building keys or credentials, helping reduce entry delays and the potential need for forcible entry.

Your doors can remain secured while emergency access stays ready.

District Requirements

Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District requires approved Knox Boxes for all businesses and all new commercial building construction within our jurisdiction.

The District administers emergency-access requirements consistent with the applicable Oregon Fire Code, including Section 506, and applicable standards. The fire code official determines the approved equipment, installation location, and keys or access credentials required for each property.

For new commercial construction, coordinate Knox Box requirements with the District during project planning and before installation.

Contact the District with questions about requirements for your business, building, tenant space, or construction project.

What Is a Knox Box?

A Knox Box is a secure key-storage enclosure installed at an approved location on your property. It holds the keys or access credentials designated for emergency responder use.

Depending on the building, these may provide access to entrances, fire alarm equipment, sprinkler controls, mechanical rooms, or other secured areas.

The purpose is straightforward: give responders the access they need without waiting for a keyholder.

Start Your Request Directly With Knox

Select the correct jurisdiction before ordering.

Initiate Knox product purchases and order-related service requests directly through Knox Company.

1. Visit KnoxBox.com.
2. Enter the address where the product will be installed.
3. Confirm that Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District is the responding agency.
4. Select from the products available for our jurisdiction.
5. Follow the ordering and authorization instructions provided by Knox.

Where agency approval is required, Knox will route the request to the applicable authority having jurisdiction for review. Follow Knox’s instructions for any additional authorization steps.

Do not select a neighboring agency simply because its name is similar. Correct jurisdiction selection is essential to obtaining compatible equipment.

Confirm the Location Before Installation

Before mounting the box, coordinate its placement with the District.

Install approved equipment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and the District’s location requirements. Keep it visible, accessible, and free from landscaping, signs, storage, or other obstructions.

Do not assume that another building’s mounting height or location is appropriate for your property.

Ordering the box is the first step. Proper placement and usable access items complete the purpose.

Provide Clearly Identified, Working Keys

Coordinate with the District to determine what belongs inside the box and arrange placement of the required access items.

• Clearly label keys and credentials by their function.
• Confirm that each item works.
• Include access to the areas designated by the fire code official.
• Avoid unnecessary keys or unrelated materials.

A box containing an outdated key can create the same delay as having no key available.

Changed the Locks? Update Emergency Access.

When locks, tenant access, security systems, or credentials change, promptly coordinate with the District to update the box contents.

Keep emergency contact information current, and notify the District if a box is damaged, obstructed, relocated, or otherwise unusable.

Include your Knox Box whenever you review building security or change tenants.

Knox Support or District Assistance?

Contact Knox directly for:
Product purchases, order status, product support, and manufacturer service requests. Knox will provide the applicable agency-authorization instructions.

Contact Umatilla Fire for:
Jurisdiction confirmation, District requirements, approved installation locations, required contents, and coordination of on-site emergency access.

Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District
541-922-3718

Plan for Access Before an Emergency

A Knox Box supports emergency access. It does not replace working fire protection systems, clear exits, or an emergency plan,and circumstances may still require forcible entry.

Help us prepare before the call by keeping your emergency access equipment correctly installed and up to date.

Secure today. Accessible when needed. Ready to respond.