§ 16.32.160. Section 503 amended—Fire apparatus access roads.

Section 503 of the International Fire Code is amended by the deletion of sections 503.1 through 503.2.8 as published and adoption of the following:

Section 503 Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3.

503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided 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 as measured by way of provided doors, stairways and corridors and any portion of the exterior wall of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.

Exception:

 The code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet where:

1.

To a maximum of 300 feet when the building is equipped throughout with an approved NFPA 13 automatic sprinkler system not required by another provision of the code.

2.

When fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed due to location on property, topography, waterways, non-negotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.

503.1.2 Additional access. A minimum of two separate and independent access/egress routes shall be provided when more than 25 individual dwelling units, or a combined potential aggregate building area of more than 24,000 square feet in any other type of development, will be served by the access. 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.

Exception:

 When all buildings are protected by approved automatic fire sprinkler systems, installed in accordance with NFPA 13 (NFPA 13D for Group R-3), two access/egress routes need not be provided unless more than 50 dwelling units or a combined potential aggregate building area of more than 48,000 square feet will be served by the single access/egress route.

503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8 and the City of Longmont Public Improvements Design Standards and Construction Specifications.

503.2.3 Surface. The full width of fire apparatus access roads shall be constructed with at least the first lift of an approved type of paving material in place and meet all of the construction requirements of the City of Longmont Public Improvements Design Standards and Construction Specifications Manual.

503.2.4 Turning radius. The centerline radius of all turns shall not be less than 40 feet. No turn shall have less than a 30 foot inside radius and a 50-foot outside radius.

503.2.5 Dead-ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus that has a minimum cross section in accordance with Appendix D, as amended.

Exception:

 When all buildings are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with NFPA 13 (NFPA 13D for one and two unit dwellings) the dead-end may be extended to 300 feet before a turnaround is required.

503.2.7 Grade and vertical alignment. The grade and vertical alignment of the fire apparatus access road shall be in accordance with the requirements of the City of Longmont Public Improvements Design Standards and Construction Specifications.

503.2.9 Neck downs and islands. Short neck downs and islands may be allowed by the code official where all of the following conditions are met:

1.

The design does not negatively impact the turning radius of fire apparatus or the ability to safely operate aerial apparatus; and

2.

They are designed to eliminate the potential blockage by lawfully parked vehicles and a 20-foot minimum clear width access is maintained throughout.

(Ord. No. O-2019-04 , § 1, 1-8-2019)