HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrdinance No. 0883City of Medina, Washington
Ordinance No. 883
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF MEDINA,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING SECTION 503 OF THE
INTERNATIONAL FIRE CODE AND SECTION 17.72.090 OF
THE MEDINA MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING
TO FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD STANDARDS
WHEREAS, RCW 19.27.031 expressly requires the City of Medina to adopt state fire
codes; and
WHEREAS, the City Council adopted Ordinance 852 on June 14, 2010, adopting the
2009 updates of the State Building Code including the 2009 International Fire Code as
amended by the State Building Code Council; and
WHEREAS, Subsections 503.1, of the 2009 International Fire Code pertaining to fire
apparatus access roads states: "Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and
maintained in accordance with locally adopted street, road, and access standards; and
WHEREAS, Subsections 503.1.1, 503.1.2, 503.1.3, 503.2, 503.3 and 503.4 of the
2009 International Fire Code were not adopted as part of the State Building Code; and
WHEREAS, the City of Medina contracts with the City of Bellevue for fire protection,
emergency medical, emergency management, and fire prevention services; and
WHEREAS, the City of Bellevue has' adopted fire apparatus access provisions; and
WHEREAS, it is in the public interest to have greater uniformity between the City of
Medina and the City of Bellevue relating to fire apparatus access requirements; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of an ordinance pertaining to building codes is exempt from
the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) pursuant to WAC 197-11-800(20).
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MEDINA, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Section 17.72.090 of the Medina Municipal Code is hereby amended to
read as follows:
All residences constructed on private lanes must comply with the International Fire Code as
adopted in chapter 20.40 MMC ((
may heFea#eF be amGRde` ) Where compliance with the minimum requirements of this
chapter for the width of easement and paved services will not result in compliance with the
LJRbfeFm International Fire Code fire apparatus access requirements, ((apd)) additional or
alternative fire safety features, such as sprinkling, may be required. ((
Fire -Cede-))
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Section 2. A new Section 20.40.125 of the Medina Municipal Code is hereby
adopted to read as follows:
20.40.125 Fire Apparatus Access Road — Section 503 amended.
Section 503 of the International Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in
accordance with Chapters 12.08 and 17.72 MMC. Road structure shall be designed for a
live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus.
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 road shall comply with the requirements
of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet of 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.
Exception: The fire code official is authorized to increase the distance up to 200 feet
where:
1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3 of the
International Fire Code.
2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property,
topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an
alternate means of fire protection and building or structure access is provided as
approved by the fire code official or the building official.
3. There are not more than two Group R-3 occupancies.
503.1.2 Additional Access. The fire code official or the building official is authorized to
require more than one fire apparatus road based on the potential for impairment of a
single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors
that could limit access.
503.1.3 High -piled storage. Fire department vehicle access to buildings used for high -
piled storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 23, International Fire
Code.
503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in
accordance with this Section, and in accordance within Chapters 12.08 and 17.72 MMC.
503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of
not less than 20 feet, exclusive of shoulders. The minimum vertical clearance shall be
not less than 13 feet 6 inches.
Exceptions: Access roads serving not more than two Group R-3 or U occupancies shall
have an unobstructed width of not less than 16 feet.
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503.2.2 Authority. The fire code official or the building official shall have the authority to
require an increase in the minimum access widths where they are inadequate for fire or
rescue operations.
503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus roads shall be surfaced and maintained to provide all
weather and non -slip driving capabilities. Surface materials shall be asphalt, concrete or
other material approved by the fire code official and the Medina City Engineer.
503.2.4 Turning radius. The turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be 28
feet minimum inside curb and 48 feet minimum outside curb.
503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in
length shall be provided with an area for turning around fire apparatus as approved by
the fire code official, and in accordance with Chapter 17.72 MMC.
Exception: The fire code official is authorized to increase the length up to 300 feet for
driveways serving only one Group R-3 occupancy.
503.2.6 Bridges and elevated surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part
of a fire apparatus road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance
with the Chapter 12.08 MMC. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live
load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits are to be
posted at all entrances to bridges when required by the fire code official. Posted signs are
to be in accordance with Chapter 17.80 MMC. Where elevated surfaces designed for
emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use,
approved barriers, approved signs or both shall be installed and maintained when
required by the fire code official.
503.2.7 Grade. The grade of the fire apparatus access road, including private and public
roads and driveways shall be in accordance with Chapters 12.08 and 17.72 MMC, and
the following:
1. The grade of access on properties that have structures that have non -automatic
sprinklers shall not exceed 12 percent longitudinally, and 5 percent laterally.
2. The grade of access on properties that have structures that have automatic sprinklers
shall not exceed 15 percent longitudinally, and 5 percent laterally.
3. All grades of access in excess of 15 percent longitudinally require fire code official
approval. Grades in excess of 5 percent laterally are not permitted.
4. Grades of fire apparatus access roads for all properties which are in excess of 15
percent longitudinally shall have additional fire department access improvements
installed and maintained as approved by the fire code official and building official
including all-weather walking surfaces constructed in accordance with Chapter 10 of
the International Building Code.
503.2.8 Angles of approach and departure. The angles of approach and departure for
fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with the Chapters 12.08 and 17.72
MMC, and within the limits established by the fire code official based upon the fire
department's apparatus.
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503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official fire apparatus access roads shall be
marked as follows:
1. FIRE LANE — NO PARKING Signs shall be mounted a minimum of 60 inches above
grade (80 inches if adjacent to a pedestrian pathway). Signs must be type "R8-31" or
equivalent reflective sign no less than 12 inches by 18 inches in size, with a white
background and the working "No Parking Fire Lane" in red letters. When in a straight line
of sight, these signs shall be no further than 150 feet apart. This distance may be
reduced when curves, corners or other adverse sighting conditions restrict the line of
sight.
2. Designated fire department access roads ("Fire Lanes") shall be painted red. This shall
include both vertical and horizontal portions of the curb. Minimum 3 inch white lettering
which shall read: NO PARKING — FIRE LANE, shall be placed every 50 feet or portion
thereof on the vertical portion of the curb. The entire curb length shall be painted. If there
are rolled curbs or no curbs, stenciling shall be placed on pavement.
Exception: Variations to Fire Lane markings may be approved when in the opinion of the
fire code official the proposed signage and markings achieve the same outcome. The fire
chief retains the right to revoke variations for cause.
3. Fire apparatus access road markings shall be maintained.
503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not
be obstructed in any manner, including parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and
clearances established in Section 503.2.1 and MMC 12.06.080 shall be maintained at all
times.
503.5 Required gates or barricades. The fire code official is authorized to require the
installation and maintenance of gates or other approved barricades across fire apparatus
access roads, trails or other accessways, not including public streets, alleys or highways.
Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates
intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with
the requirements of ASTM F 2200.
503.5.1 Security gates and barricades. When required, gates and barricades shall be
secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails and other accessways that have been
closed and obstructed in the manner prescribed by Section 503.5 shall not be trespassed
on or used unless authorized by the owner and the fire code official.
Exception. The restriction on use shall not apply to public officers acting within the
scope of duty.
503.6 Security gates. The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road
shall be reviewed and approved by the fire code official and must comply with Appendix
D103.5, and must be in accordance with Chapter 12.40 MMC. The use of directional -limiting
devices (tire spikes) is prohibited. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an
approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the emergency operation
shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, where provide, shall be
listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed,
constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F 2200. Gates on all
properties shall be setback a minimum distance of 20 feet from the roadway edge of
pavement, except the Medina City Engineer may increase or decrease this distance based
upon safety and feasibility considerations.
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Section 3. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance
should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, such
invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validity of any other section, sentence,
clause, or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 4. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect five (5) days after its
publication or the publication of a summary of its intent or contents.
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL ON THIS 12 DAY OF DECEMBER, 2011 AND SIGNED
IN AUTHENTICATION OF ITS PASSAGE ON THE 12 DAY OF DECEMBER, 2011.
Approved as to form:
Bruce Disend, Cit Attorney
Passed:
Published:
Effective Date:
12/12/2011
Bret Jordan, Mayor
Attest:
Rac el Baker, City Clerk
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