Wrightstown officials have taken steps to make two critical infrastructure buildings in the township more easily accessible to first responders in the event of an emergency.
At a recent public meeting, the three-person board of supervisors that locally governs the township approved the purchase of “Knox Boxes” for Wrightstown’s wastewater treatment facilities. The total cost for the boxes is $1,023, officials said.
Located on the exterior of the building, “Knox Boxes” hold the building’s keys for fire departments, emergency medical services and police to retrieve in emergency situations.
“Knox Boxes provide ready access to the building without damage to doors or windows in case a fire alarm is sounding with no visible fire,” said Supervisor Chair Chester Pogonowski in explaining one of the key benefits of the boxes.
The decision to install “Knox Boxes” at the wastewater treatment facilities comes a little more than a month after supervisors voted to mandate the boxes for commercial buildings.
An ordinance implementing the requirement says the boxes must be installed on all new commercial buildings in the township.
The boxes are also required for existing commercial properties when there is new land development that changes the use. Existing businesses must also put in place a “Knox Box” within six months after receiving the annual fire prevention inspection.
“These boxes were needed for the sewer plants to make the township compliant with the recently enacted Knox Box ordinance requirements,” said Pogonowski.
Safety and a desire to minimize damage to buildings are primary reasons for the ordinance. “Knox Boxes” are generally small, wall-mounted safes.
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