Section 503 of the International Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
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 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.
Exception: The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet where:
1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3.
2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided.
3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.
503.1.2 Additional Access. The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access 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 combustible storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 32.
503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8.
503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches, unless otherwise approved by the fire marshal of the Bainbridge Island Fire Department.
Exceptions:
1. The width may be reduced in residential areas consisting of only single-family homes, providing the width is consistent with Public Works Department street standards and not less than a 12-foot-wide drivable surface.
2. Public streets shall be in accordance with Public Works Department street standards.
503.2.2 Authority. The fire code 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 access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities. (See also Appendix D Section D102.1.)
503.2.4 Turning Radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be determined by the fire code official.
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.
503.2.6 Bridges and Elevated Surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO Standard Specification for Highway Bridges HB-17. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. 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 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 shall be based on the fire department apparatus and be within the limits established by the fire code official.
503.2.7.1 Public Fire Apparatus Access Roadways. The grade of public fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with Public Works Department street standards but shall not exceed the limits set forth in 503.2.7.2.
503.2.7.2 Private Fire Apparatus Access Roadways. The grade of existing private fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 12%.
Exception: Private fire apparatus access roads where grades are greater than 12% but not exceeding 15% shall be paved, or in lieu of paving, shall have an automatic fire sprinkler system installed in any new structure. Grades exceeding 15% will require the fire apparatus access road to be paved, all new structures to be equipped with an automatic fire sprinkler system, and special approval by the fire code official.
503.2.8 Angles of Approach and Departure. The angles of approach and departure for fire apparatus access roads shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the department’s apparatus.
503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices or markings that include the words NO PARKING – FIRE LANE – TOW AWAY ZONE shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. The means by which fire lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and shall be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility. The property owner(s) of the designated fire lane shall have sole responsibility to install and maintain the required signs and markings. Where required, signs shall be 12 inches by 18 inches in size with white background and red lettering, securely attached to a fixed object or post. Signs shall be placed not less than four feet nor more than six feet above grade level. Where required, curbs shall be painted red on the sides and top with white lettering not less than four inches high at 30-foot intervals and read “No Parking Fire Lane – Tow Away Zone” if signs are not provided.
503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 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 access ways, not including public streets, alleys or highways. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F 2200.
503.5.1 Secured gates and barricades. When required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails and other access ways 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 approved by the fire code official. 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 provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F 2200.
(Ord. 2021-01 § 5, 2021; Ord. 2016-13 § 6, 2016: Ord. 2013-12 § 4, 2013: Ord. 2010-16 § 2, 2010: Ord. 2008-23 § 9, 2008: Ord. 2008-10 § 9, 2008)