ESTABLISHING AND MAINTAINING FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS
FIRE PREVENTION BUREAU
To put out a fire, you have to get to it first. Access for firefighting apparatus, therefore, is an important consideration for the firefighter and the fire inspector alike. In this column, we’ll take a look at the roadways and “paths” that provide firefighters a means of access to a structure.
CODE REQUIREMENTS
Establishing explicit access code requirements and subsequent verification of compliance are basic tenets for ensuring that firefighters will not be hindered in their firefighting efforts. Compliance, in this case, involves thorough plan reviews, acceptance inspections, and periodic maintenance inspections.
The Uniform Fire Code, the Standard Fire Prevention Code, and the National Fire Prevention Code all have some form of fire apparatus access requirements. While all of these codes contain certain details (the Uniform Fire Code is the most detailed), they all leave decisions for establishing explicit requirements up to the local fire official. What all this means is that fire department access requirements tend to be nonuniform from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, with local amendments to the code becoming a critical element for establishing specific details. The manner of handling access described in this article may differ from the one used in your jurisdiction. In most cases, neither of the sets of requirements is wrong—it simply is a case of what “works” in each jurisdiction.
The requirement to provide fire department access roadways typically is applied only to new structures or additions. Maintaining a clear roadw’ay, however, is an ongoing maintenance issue.
When providing access to a building, first consider the goal: to get close enough to the building to effectively carry out normal firefighting operations. These firefighting duties include laddering a building, rescuing trapped occupants, and stretching hoselines to (and subsequently into) a building.
Keeping these firefighting objectives in mind when reviewing/inspecting fire apparatus access will greatly assist you in enforcing the code. Visualizing your department’s response will provide a foundation for your decisions.
(Photos by Mark Munoz.)
BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Access requirements are composed of two broad areas—roadway proximity requirements and roadway construction details.
Roadway proximity. In terms of proximity, many jurisdictions require a fire department access roadway (sometimes termed a fire lane) within 150 feet of all exterior portions of the building’s first floor. This 150-foot measurement is measured normally in an “unobstructed route” (path) around the building, similar to that a person would take when walking (not through the building or over obstructions). The most direct path from the apparatus on the roadway to the most remote portion of the building must be measured.
The 150-foot measurement appears to have its basis in the standard 200foot preconnected handline carried on most engine companies. A 150foot stretch of hose still will allow 50 additional feet of hose to move into the building.
The “unobstructed” provision often becomes a gray area when buildings are constructed on a property line. Isn’t the route obstructed if you can’t actually walk next to the building? Many jurisdictions will not allow the 150-foot measurement to cross over onto an adjacent piece of property because the fire department cannot control what the adjacent property owner does with his property. Dedicated utility and city access easements, however, are accepted as part of the access path in some cases.
The unobstructed route provision in some cases has led some jurisdictions to require a minimum setback of five to 10 feet. Setbacks allow for effecting rescues, forcible entry, and ladder placement.
If the 150-foot access requirement cannot be met, alternative means of compliance are acceptable. Providing automatic sprinklers throughout the building usually is an alternative (except in the case of high-piled stock warehouses).
Some codes relieve access requirements for a group of two single-family homes or “miscellaneous” structures.
The recent crime wave sweeping our country has caused building owners to add fences around their property. Such fences cannot hinder fire department access. If fences are installed around the building, ensure that a sufficient number of personnel gates are provided to facilitate bringing equipment to the building. The width of the personnel gates (usually about six feet) is dictated by the kinds of equipment that may have to be carried through the gates. Padlocks, if provided, should be able to be easily broken by conventional forcible entry tools.
If fences are provided across the roadway, openings should be the same width as the roadway (20 feet). This can be accomplished by using a single 20-foot-wide “slide” gate or two 10-foot “swing” gates. As an alternative, some jurisdictions have allowed entry/exit gates at apartment complexes, to provide a 14-foot “in” gate and another 14-foot “out” gate next to each other.
If the gates are electrically powered, ensure that a key switch (keyed the same as the unique fire department rapid entry key boxes placed on buildings) is provided to open the gate immediately. Relying on memorizing “entry codes” is dangerous. Make sure the gates stay open when the switch is activated. Finally, determine what happens when the power is lost.
Roadivay construction. Now that access has been provided from the roadway to the building, we must look at the roadway itself. Will it be capable of handling the large and bulky apparatus?
Most codes require private fire lanes to be a minimum of 20 feet wide, although some jurisdictions have upgraded it to a minimum of 25 feet wide. Specifications for turning radii, which ensure that curves are not too sharp, usually are 25 feet for the inside turning radius and 50 feet for the outside turning radius.
The roadway should not have any obstructions less than 13 feet six inches above the roadway, to prevent ladder trucks from getting “hung up.” Grade changes should not exceed 12 percent, to ensure that apparatus does not end up spinning its wheels trying to get up a wet, steep grade.
Obstructions in the roadway must not be permitted. They typically involve cars blocking the fire apparatus access roadway. If it is anticipated that vehicles will park in the roadway (such as is the case in a shopping mall or at schools), then “fire lane” designations should be provided. This involves painting curbs red or the color used in your jurisdiction, printing a message such as “NO PARKING— FIRF. LANE,” and providing signs with the same message. If you intend to ticket or tow vehicles in a private fire lane, the sign usually gives the municipal ordinance number that prohibits parking on the site.
Finally, the roadway must be constructed to provide an “all-weather pavement”—generally concrete or asphaltic concrete with a flexible base underneath. The roadway and any bridges involved must be able to support the live load of the apparatus, usually specified as meeting “H-20” loading requirements.
In terms of “alternative” types of pavement such as concrete/grass, plastic rings, or other pavers, watch out! Don’t rely on fancy brochures! Before you accept any alternatives, test an actual example of the material. Wet the roadway down and perform your typical operation. How does the material hold up?
Another note about the roadway is necessary: Most codes require “turnarounds” if the roadw ay itself exceeds 150 feet in length and terminates in a dead end. These roads normally take the form of a cul-de-sac, “T” section, or “hammerhead.” Actual tests of these turnarounds using traffic cones should be performed to make sure they are acceptable to you.
Some jurisdictions require a “temporary” fire apparatus access roadway during construction—usually something on the order of six inches of compacted base. Make sure your code spells out the conditions under which it must be provided and the construction details.
PLAN REVIEW
What do you need to perform a proper plan review of fire department access? An “engineer’s scale,” a calculator, turning radii templates, and a sharp red pencil are the basics.
While the engineer’s scale can be purchased in most office supply stores, you will have to make your own turning radii templates. The templates, which are made of acrylic plastic, are “doughnuts” of various sizes. These doughnuts are cut to various scales—1 inch = 20 feet, 1 inch = 40 feet, and so on.
The most important part of a proper plan review is the “site” plan itself. The plan should be clear and welldetailed, showing everything you need to see. It should be drawn at a scale that makes plan review easy and provides sufficient detail (a 1 inch = 100 feet scale usually is not acceptable for a normal site plan).
Items that should be shown on the plan include the following:
- address.
- scale.
- key map showing project location.
- symbol legend key.
- point of compass.
- name, seal, and signature of professional engineer.
- public streets surrounding the project.
- type of roadway construction, including loading capabilities.
- dimensions, including turning radii, and locations of all roadways.
- proposed traffic patterns.
- all physical barriers including landscaping, bollards, islands, fences, walls, sidewalks, gates, headache bars, and trees.
- fire lane striping locations/details and signage locations/details.
- footprints of all buildings including details such as their uses, number of floors, and height.
- all fire hydrants on property on public right-of-ways near the site.
- grade contour lines, to give a
- perspective on the final grade conditions and possible resultant problems (too steep) that need to be investigated.
Once you have the plans in your office, check them. First, make sure they have the details you need. Next, check the scale used, get the correct template in hand, and flip the engineer’s scale to the proper side.
With your tools in hand, start checking the correctness of the plans. Mark any problems in red pencil, and have the engineer correct them. When you are satisfied, affix your stamp of approval to the plans.
INSPECTIONS
Once the roadway has been completed, an on-site inspection is necessary. The minimum basic tool needed here is a tape measure, to verify distances.
Check all widths, lengths, turning radii, and other dimensions. Watch out for buildings that have moved farther away from the roadway than was shown on the plans; measure the distance to the building(s) while on site. It may sound unbelievable, but it actually happened recently in San Antonio. It certainly was very real to the owner, who had to spend an extra §10,000 on additional asphalt to correct the problem.
Check all fire lane striping and signage. Are they visible and obvious?
It often is helpful to have the local fire companies perform the final test. How does the roadway hold up? Do any unforeseen problems crop up?
After you have approved the roadway, let the owner of the property know what is expected. Stress the importance of keeping the roadway clear and in good condition and of contacting the fire department—before any work is begun—when modifications are needed.
Also, the fire inspector periodically must check the roadway to ensure that it still complies with the code. The local firefighters have a responsibility to inform the fire inspector of any problems so immediate, remedial action can be taken.
