A. Appendix D of the IFC, entitled “Fire Apparatus Access Roads,” is hereby deleted and the following inserted in its place:

APPENDIX D

FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

SECTION D101

GENERAL

D101.1 Scope. Fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with this appendix and all other applicable requirements of the Everett Fire Code.

SECTION D102

WHERE REQUIRED

D102.1 Required. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility. Detached single-family dwellings and/or duplexes that are located more than 150 from a public road measured by an approved route from the public road to the closest point of the structure, it shall be proved with a fire apparatus access road complying with the requirements of this section.

Exceptions: The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet where any of the following conditions occur:

1. When there are not more than two detached single-family dwellings or duplexes, or Group U occupancies being served by a private access and the buildings are quipped throughout with an approved NFPA 13D automatic fire sprinkler system the fire code official may increase the dimension of 150 feet to 300 feet.

2. When fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of locations of property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, an approved alternative means of fire protection may be proposed to be evaluated by the fire code official.

D102.2 High-piled storage. Fire Department vehicle access to buildings used for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 32.

D102.3 Additional access. The fire code official is authorized to require two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads in accordance with Subsection D102.3 through D102.3.4. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, the access roads shall comply with Subsection D102.3.5.

D102.3.1 Potential impairment. Projects that have the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.

D102.3.2 Commercial and industrial developments. Commercial and industrial developments shall have not fewer than two means of approved fire apparatus access roads where any of the following exist:

1. Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet or three stories in height.

2. Buildings or facilities having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet.

D102.3.3 Multiple-family residential developments. Multiple-family residential projects having more than 100 dwelling units shall be equipped throughout with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

Exception: Projects having up to 200 dwelling units shall have not fewer than one approved fire apparatus access road where all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2. If more than 200 dwelling units, the project shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

D102.3.4 One- or two-family residential developments. Developments of one- or two-family dwellings where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

Exceptions:

1. Where there are more than 30 dwelling units on a single public or private fire apparatus access road and all dwelling units are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3, access from two directions shall not be required.

2. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access road shall not be increased unless fire apparatus access roads will connect with future development, as determined by the fire code official.

D102.3.5 Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the property or area to be served, measured in a straight line between accesses.

SECTION D103

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

D103.1 Specifications. All fire apparatus access roads shall comply with the minimum specifications found within this section. The fire code official shall have the authority to require or permit modifications to the required access specifications where they are inadequate for fire or rescue operations or where necessary to meet the public safety objectives or the jurisdiction.

D103.2 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width in accordance with Table D103.2.

Table D103.2: REQUIREMENTS FOR WIDTHS, DEAD-ENDS, AND TURNAROUND ON FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

LENGTH (feet)	WIDTH (feet)			TURNAROUNDS REQUIRED
	No Parking	Parking on One Side (Parallel)	Parking on Both Sides (Parallel)
0-150	20	26	32	Not Required
151-500	20	26	32	Required in accordance with Figure D103.9
501-750	26	32	38	Required in accordance with Figure D103.9
Over 750	Special Approval Required

Exception:

1. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width in accordance with Table D104.2.

2. Where a fire hydrant is located on a fire apparatus access road, the minimum road width shall be 26 feet, exclusive of shoulders for not less than 20 feet in length.

D103.3 Vertical Clearance. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches.

D103.4 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed, constructed and maintained to support the imposed loads of not less than 75,000 pounds and shall be constructed of asphalt, concrete or other approved all-weather driving surface.

D103.5 Turning radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall have a 35-foot minimum inside turning radius and a 55-foot minimum outside turning radius.

D103.6 Grade. The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall not exceed ten percent (10%) and the cross slope of the road section or within a turnaround area shall not exceed five percent (5%).

D103.7 Angles of approach and departure. The angles of approach and departure for fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed a five percent (5%) change along any ten (10) foot section.

D103.8 No parking. A fire apparatus access road or fire lane shall not be obstructed by parking and have a minimum unobstructed width (exclusive of shoulder) of not less than provisions in accordance with Table D103.2.

D103.8.1 Markings. Where parking is prohibited the fire apparatus access road shall be provided with approved markings in accordance with Section D106.

D103.9 Bridges and elevated surfaces. Where a bridge, utility vault, or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge, utility vault, or elevated surface shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with specifications established by the fire code official and the City Engineer, or their designees; at a minimum, however, the bridge or elevated surface shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges. Bridges, vaults, and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of a 30 ton or greater fire apparatus, the total imposed load to be determined by the fire code official. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the fire code official. Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for the use, approved barriers or approved signs, or both, shall be installed and maintained, if required by the fire code official.

SECTION D104

AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

D104.1 Where required. Where the vertical distance between the grade plan and the highest roof surface exceeds 30 feet, approved aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be provided. For the purpose of this section, the highest roof surface shall be determined by measurements to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is greater.

D104.2 Two access roads. Buildings that require aerial fire apparatus access roads are required to provide two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads in accordance with Subsection D102.3.

D104.3 Width. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width in accordance with Table D104.3.

Table D104.3: REQUIRED WIDTH OF AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

NO PARKING	PARKING ON ONE SIDE (Parallel)	PARKING ON BOTH SIDES (Parallel)
26 feet	34 feet	42 feet

D104.4 Proximity to building. One or more of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located not less than 15 feet and not greater than 30 feet from the building and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building. The side of the building on which the aerial fire apparatus access road is positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.

D104.5 Obstructions. Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located over the aerial fire apparatus access road or between the aerial fire apparatus road and the building. Other obstructions shall be permitted to be placed with the approval of the fire code official.

SECTION D105

GATES AND BOLLARDS

D105.1 Gates and bollards. Gates or bollards securing a fire department access road are subject to permit approval by the fire code official and shall comply with all of the criteria found in this Section.

D105.2 Gates. All gates shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Section D105.1 though D105.2.6 and any other provisions found in other codes or ordinances for the City of Everett.

D105.2.1 Width. All gates shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 20 feet.

D105.2.2 Types of gates. Gates shall be of the swinging or sliding type, chain gates or cable gates are not approved methods.

D105.2.3 Setbacks. Entry gates shall be setback from the nearest curb line of any public or private street to provide a minimum 30 feet from face of curb or from back of sidewalk when there is a sidewalk, as to not obstruct vehicular or pedestrian traffic. In cases where the gate swings in the direction of the staged fire apparatus the additional distance shall be accounted for and the setback increased.

D105.2.4 Manually operated gates. All manually operated gates shall be designed to remain in the open position when left unattended. Manual gates shall be provided with an approved method for emergency access complying with one of the following:

1. High security padlock (Knox Brand) keyed to the Everett Fire Department emergency access keyway.

2. Installation of a Knox rapid access key box containing the gate key. If a key box is used, it shall be installed on a gate support pillar or post adjacent to the gate. The box must be visible to anyone approaching the gate at all times.

D105.2.5 Electronically operated gates. Gates electronic controlled shall have both a fire department override key switch (Knox) and an automatic traffic control-activation strobe light sensor (Tomar) complying with Section D105.2.5.1 though D105.2.5.2.

D105.2.5.1 Override key switch. Activation of an approved key switch shall open the gate/gates to the fully open position within 10 seconds and remain in the open position until reset by EFD personnel.

D105.2.5.2 Automatic traffic control-activation strobe sensor. Approved automatic traffic control-activating strobe light sensor shall be capable of detecting emergency vehicle pulsing strobe lights (Tomar) from any direction of vehicle approach (interior and exterior), overriding all commands and opening the gate(s). In the event of a power failure, including battery back-up, the gate(s) shall automatically open, by spring tension or other non-electrical method, or the gate must be capable of being pushed open without additional steps having to be performed.

D105.2.6 Maintenance. Gate components shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and replaced or repaired when defective.

D105.3 Bollards. All bollards shall be installed and maintained in accordance with Section D105.1 and D105.3.1 though D105.3.5 and any other provisions found in other codes or ordinances for the City of Everett.

D105.3.1 Type. Bollards when used to limit access to a fire department access roadway or fire lane shall be collapsible/fold down type.

Exception: Other types of bollards may be approved on a case by case basis by the fire code official.

D105.3.2 Locks. Bollards shall be locked using an external frangible/breakable padlock capable of being removed by means of a forcible entry tool.

D105.3.3 Dimensions. Bollard dimensions shall be 2 inches in thickness and a minimum of 6 inches in width, with a height of 30 to 48 inches. When the bollard is in its collapsed or folded down position, it shall have a clearance not higher than 3 ½ inches.

D105.3.4 Color. Bollards shall be yellow in color unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.

D105.3.5 Maintenance. Bollard shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and replaced or repaired when defective.

SECTION D106

MARKINGS

D106.1 Marking. Fire apparatus access roads shall be marked whenever necessary to maintain the unobstructed minimum required width or roadways. Subject to the fire code official’s approval, marked fire apparatus access roads, or “fire lanes” as defined within this code, may be established or relocated at the time of plan review, pre-construction site inspection, and/or post construction site inspection as well as any time during the life of the occupancy. Fire lanes shall be directed by the fire code official with the markings indicated in this section:

D106.2 Curb markings. Fire apparatus access roads established by the fire code official shall be indicated by curb markings in accordance with D106.2.1 and D106.2.2.

D106.2.1 Red curbs. Curbs shall be identified by red traffic paint, and the striping method shall comply with the following:

1. Squared curbs shall be provided with a 6-inch-wide stripe on the top and front, extending the length of the designated fire lane.

2. Rolled curbs shall be provided with a 6-inch-wide stripe on the curb, extending the length of the designated fire lane.

3. Lanes without curbs shall be identified with a 6-inch-wide stripe on the pavement, extending the length of the designated fire lane.

4. Only those fire apparatus access roads established by the fire code official can utilize red marking paint with the term “fire lane”.

D106.2.2 Lettering on curbs. In addition to curbs being identified in red traffic paint, there shall also be “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING” painted in white traffic paint placed on the red curbs that comply with the following:

1. Lettering shall be a minimum of 4“inches tall with thick letter font for clear and easy reading.

2. Stencil shall be centered on curb face between fire lane signs.

3. When a fire hydrant is present the stencil shall be centered directly in front of the hydrant.

4. Stenciling shall be spaced evenly between “NO PARKING” signs with a maximum distance between stenciling of no greater than 75 feet.

D106.3 Signs. Fire apparatus access roads established by the fire code official shall be indicated approved signs in accordance with D106.3.1 and D106.3.2.

D106.3.1 Specifications. Fire apparatus access road markings shall include the addition of metal signs complying with all of the following:

1. Metal construction 12 inches wide by 18 inches high.

2. Red letters on a white reflective background.

3. Sign shall read “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE – TOW AWAY ZONE – EMC 46.28.130”.

4. The letters indicating “NO PARKING” and “FIRE LANE” shall be not less than 2 inches in height.

5. The letters indicating “TOW AWAY ZONE” shall be no less than 1 inch in height.

6. The letters indicating “EMC 46.28.130” shall be no less than ¾ inch in height.

D106.3.2 Sign placement. Placement of “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE – TOW AWAY ZONE” signs shall comply with the following:

1. Where to total length of the restricted area is less than 75 feet, a minimum of one sign is required to be placed in the center of the area.

2. In restricted areas with a total length greater than 75 feet a minimum of two signs are to be required with the first located at the beginning of the restricted area with an arrow pointing towards the restricted area and the second located at the end of the restricted area with an arrow pointing back into the restricted area.

3. Additional signs are required to comply with a maximum distance between signs of no greater than 75 feet.

D106.4 Diagonal striping. Where a fire apparatus access turnaround is required or in areas designated by the fire code official, diagonal striping across the width of the access road shall be used in conjunction with painted curbs and fire lane signs.

D106.4.1 Dimensions. Diagonal striping shall be painted using red traffic paint and stripes shall be a minimum of 6 inches in width and 24 inches apart from one another at an angle of 30 to 60 degrees. The words “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE” shall be panted in white traffic paint using 3-inch stroke, 18 inches height letters.

D106.5 Alternate paving markings. Fire apparatus access roads and or turnarounds that use paving systems that allow grass to grow in between structural elements that support a fire truck shall be directed by the fire code official.

D106.5.1 Curbing. A concrete curb framing in the fire lane area where it is safe for apparatus to drive on painted in red traffic paint and having “FIRE LANE” lettering painted in white traffic paint located on the curb top and face.

D106.5.2 Signs. A minimum of one fire lane sign shall be posted at each entrance and/or exit to the land. The fire lane signs shall comply with the following:

1. Metal construction sign 12” inches wide by 18” inches high.

2. Red letters on a white reflective background.

3. Sign shall read “FIRE LANE” and have a symbol of a fire apparatus with a green bar beneath it.

4. The symbol of the fire apparatus with the green bar beneath it shall take up no less than 2/3 of the sign space.

D106.6 Alternate materials and methods. The fire code official may modify, on a case-by-case basis, any of the marking provisions in this section where practical difficulties exist. Modifications requests shall be submitted in writing to the fire code official setting forth a suggested alternative.

SECTION D107

OBSTRUCTIONS AND TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES

D107.1 Obstructions. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in this Table D103.9 shall be maintained at all times.

D107.2 Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official.