By Vincent T. Davis
The San Antonio Express-News
SELMA, Texas — All commercial business owners in the city of Selma will be required to install a special fire lock at the entrance of their shop so the Fire Department can get into the building in an emergency without knocking down the door, Fire Chief Ric Braun said.
A box that’s part of the lock, used by fire departments in Texas and around the country, contains a master key that firefighters can use to enter a building.
Automated gates at apartment complexes and gated communities will also require a lock for quick access.
“In the amount of time it takes to destroy a door, we can get in without that,” Braun said. “Safety is the highest priority. We can get into a building and fight a fire within 15 minutes. The amount of time can mean the difference between getting one of my guys hurt or killed.”
Fire Department inspectors have informed business owners since the fall that the action is mandatory. Braun said the biggest concern from people has been the possibility of strangers having access to the keys. He said the keys are always in the possession of the Fire Department and that the locks aren’t something that anyone can get into.
Seventy-five businesses — from a two-seat barbershop to shops at the Forum — have installed the locks, Braun said.
The fine for noncompliance is $250 and up per day at the discretion of a judge and the fire chief, Braun said.
Owners have 30 to 45 days after inspectors notify them to comply with the ordinance or face a possible citation or fine. A fire inspector’s signature is required to buy the locks at the Detex office in New Braunfels.
The City Council adopted an ordinance in 2001 that said “an approved lock shall be installed on gates or similar barriers when required by the fire code official.” The source for the requirement is in the 2006 International Fire Code.
Braun, who took over as fire chief in November, said inspectors have given everyone ample time and opportunity to come into compliance.
Terry Taubert, principal at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic School, said his buildings have had the locks for five years and that he hasn’t had a problem with them.
“I can see the benefit of the locks,” Taubert said. “They (firefighters) would have access to the buildings in any type of emergency.”
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