Skip to main content
Loading…
This section is included in your selections.

The following sections of Chapter 5 of the 2018 edition of the IFC as adopted by BMC 17.20.010 are hereby amended as follows:

Section 503.1 Where Required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 5.03.1.1 through 503.1.8, or as approved by the fire code official.

Section 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 with the exception of R-3 additions which do not increase the existing building area by more than 50%. 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 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; or

3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies.

Section 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.

Section 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.

Section 503.1.4 Buildings Exceeding 30 feet in Height. Buildings or portions of buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access shall be provided with:

1. An approved fire apparatus access road capable of accommodating fire department aerial apparatus in accordance with Section 503.7; and

2. Two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads for each structure in accordance with Section 503.2.9.

Exception: Sprinklered buildings less than 5 stories in height may have a single fire apparatus access road when approved by the fire code official.

For purposes of this section, the highest roof surface shall be determined by measurement 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.

Section 503.1.5 Buildings Exceeding 62,000 square feet in area. A building or facility having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

Exception: Projects or complexes having a gross building area of up to 124,000 square feet that have a single approved fire apparatus access road when all buildings served by the fire apparatus access road are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.

Section 503.1.6 Projects or Complexes Having More Than 100 Multifamily Dwelling Units. Multiple-family residential projects or complexes having more than 100 dwelling units shall be equipped throughout with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

Exception: Projects or complexes having up to 200 dwelling units may have a single approved fire apparatus access road when all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

Section 503.1.7 Projects or Complexes Having More Than 200 Multifamily Dwelling Units. Multiple-family residential projects or complexes having more than 200 dwelling units shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads which meet the requirements of Section 503.2.9, regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Section 503.1.8 One- or Two-Family Dwelling 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 and shall meet the requirements of Section 503.2.9.

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. The total number of dwelling units with a single fire apparatus access road, whether all one- and/or two-family dwelling units or combined with multifamily dwelling units, shall not exceed 200 regardless of whether all dwelling units are equipped with an automatic sprinkler system.

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.

Section 503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads, whether public or private, shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with Bellingham Municipal Code (BMC) Chapter 13.04, city of Bellingham Public Works Development Guidelines and Improvement Standards, and Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.10.

Section 503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet, exclusive of shoulders, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches; or as approved by the fire code official. To achieve an unobstructed width of 20 feet, parallel parking on one side of the fire apparatus access road will require a minimum overall paved width of 28 feet to accommodate 8-foot wide parking stalls; parallel parking on both sides of the fire apparatus access road will require a minimum overall paved width of 36 feet to accommodate 8-foot wide parking stalls.

Exceptions:

1. Per BMC Chapter 13.04, fire apparatus access roads in the Lake Whatcom Watershed, as designated by the city, shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 18 feet, exclusive of shoulders;

2. Approved aerial fire apparatus access roads in accordance with Section 503.7;

3. Fire apparatus access roads serving up to two single-family dwellings or a single two-family dwelling may reduce the access road width to 12 feet as long as the access road does not exceed 300 feet in length;

4. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads exceeding 500 feet in length shall meet the requirements of Section 503.2.5.2; or

5. Per BMC Chapter 13.04, fire apparatus access roads serving cul-de-sacs with an overall length less than 600 feet may have an unobstructed width of 16 feet after accounting for 8-foot-wide, parallel parking stalls on one or both sides of the access road.

Section 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.

Section 503.2.3 Surface and loading. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds and shall be surfaced with asphalt, concrete or other approved all-weather surface. Fire apparatus access roads engineered to AASHTO HS-20 standards shall be deemed acceptable for meeting the above imposed load requirements.

Exception: Fire apparatus access roads serving one or more, one- and two-family, and Group U structures may be surfaced with an engineered gravel surface.

Section 503.2.4 Turning radius. The required inside turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be 28 feet.

Exception: Roads with an unobstructed width of 24 feet or more may have an inside turning radius of 25 feet.

Section 503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall also meet the requirements of Sections 503.2.5.1 and 503.2.5.2.

Exception: Fire apparatus access roads serving up to two single-family dwellings or a single two-family dwelling which are no more than 300 feet in length, are “substantially straight” as determined by the fire code official, and do not originate directly from an arterial roadway.

Section 503.2.5.1 Approved turnarounds. The following types of turnarounds, as diagramed in Figure 503.2.5.1, are approved.

Section 503.2.5.2 Road width. Dead-end fire apparatus roadways greater than 501 feet shall have a road width of 26 feet.

Exception: Dead-end fire apparatus roadways greater than 750 feet shall have an approved road width.

Section 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 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.

Section 503.2.7 Grade. Fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed 12% in grade.

Exception 1: Grades greater than 12% up to and including grades of 15% are approved if each building is protected by an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Exception 2: Roads constructed before January 1, 2011 with road segments that are: (1) less than 200 feet in length, (2) average grade is less than or equal to 15%, (3) straight, and (4) road segments are separated by at least 100 feet of road with grade not exceeding 12%.

Exception 3: The following arterials are exempt from the grade calculations of this section: Alabama St., Yew St., and Barkley Blvd.

Exception 4: Existing structures regulated by the International Residential Code are exempt from this section.

Exception 5: Building permit applications for single-family dwellings located in subdivisions that received preliminary plat approval prior to April 29, 2011.

Section 503.2.7.1. Prohibited Grade. Grades exceeding 15% are prohibited unless approved by the fire code official.

Section 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 fire department’s apparatus.

Section 503.2.9 Remoteness. Where two 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 503.2.10 Underground Structures. Installation of underground structures under or within 10 feet of fire apparatus access roads and other drivable surfaces shall be designed to accommodate the point load design criteria in accordance with Section 503.7.4, unless approved by the fire code official.

Section 503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. Signs or notices shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.

Section 503.4 Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads. Fire apparatus access roads and fire lanes shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum unobstructed widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times.

Section 503.4.1 Traffic Calming Devices. Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official.

Section 503.4.2 Towing notification. At each entrance to private property where fire lanes have been designated, towing company signage shall be posted in a clearly conspicuous location and shall clearly state that vehicles parked in fire lanes may be impounded, and the name, telephone number, and address of the towing firm where the vehicle may be redeemed.

Section 503.4.3 Property owner responsible. The owner, manager or person in charge of any property upon which designated fire lanes have been established shall prevent the parking of vehicles or placement of other obstructions in such fire lanes.

Section 503.4.4 Violation – Civil infraction. Any person who fails to mark or maintain the marking of a designated fire lane as prescribed in this chapter or who parks a vehicle in, allows the parking of a vehicle in, obstructs, or allows the obstruction of a designated fire lane commits a civil infraction to which the provisions of Chapter 7.80 RCW shall apply. The penalty for parking a vehicle in, allowing the parking of a vehicle in, obstructing or allowing the obstruction of a designated fire lane shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00).

Section 503.4.5 Impoundment. Any vehicle or object obstructing a designated fire lane, whether on public or private property, is hereby declared a hazard and may be abated without prior notification to its owner by impoundment pursuant to the applicable state law.

Section 503.7 Aerial Fire Apparatus Access Roads. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall meet the requirements of Sections 503.7.1 through 503.7.5.

Exception: Any building meeting each of the following requirements:

1. Four or fewer stories in height and not exceeding 60 feet in height above grade plane;

2. Equipped throughout with an NFPA 13 automatic sprinkler system designed and installed in accordance with IFC Section 903.3.1.1;

3. Is served by at least one fire apparatus access road which meets Section 503.2; and

4. Approved roof access is provided from each required exit stairwell.

Section 503.7.1 Obstructions. Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located within the aerial fire apparatus access roadway. Trees with a fully-mature height greater than 25 feet, luminaries, and other obstructions shall not be located between the structure and the aerial fire apparatus access roadway unless approved by the fire code official.

Section 503.7.2 Width. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet, exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of any building or portion of building more than 30 feet in height.

Section 503.7.3 Proximity to Building. At least one of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located within a minimum of 15 feet and a maximum of 30 feet from the building, and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building as determined by the fire code official.

Section 503.7.4 Point Load. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be designed with a surface capable of an outrigger point load of 44,928 pounds over an area of 24 inches by 24 inches square (4.0 square feet).

Section 503.7.5 Slope. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be designed with a longitudinal slope less than 10% and a lateral slope less than 13% unless approved by the fire code official.

Section 507.3 Fire Flow. Fire flow requirements for buildings or portions of buildings and facilities shall be determined by use of Appendix B.

Exceptions:

1. Fire flow is not required for structures under 500 square feet with a B, U or R-1 occupancy where structures are at least 30 feet from any other structure and are used only for recreation.

2. In rural and suburban areas in which adequate and reliable water supply systems do not exist, the fire code official is authorized to utilize NFPA 1142 or the International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

3. A portion of a one- or two-family building hereafter constructed, which does not increase the existing building gross areas over 3,600 feet.

Section 507.5 Fire Hydrant Systems. Fire hydrant systems shall comply with Sections 507.5.1 through 507.5.12.

Section 507.5.1 Where Required. When a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction, fire hydrants and mains shall be provided in accordance with Section 507.

Exception: A portion of a one- or two-family building hereafter constructed, which does not exceed 800 square feet.

Section 507.5.1.2. Calculation Method. The minimum number of fire hydrants available to a building shall not be less than one for every 1,000 gallons or fraction thereof, based on the required fire flow of Section 507.3.

Exception: Fire flow quantities up to 1,500 gallons will require only one fire hydrant.

Section 507.5.1.3. Number Available. The total number of fire hydrants will be determined by new and existing fire hydrants on-site or on nearby streets accessible to fire apparatus without crossing divided roads and arterials unless approved by the fire code official.

Section 507.5.1.4 Average Spacing. The average spacing between fire hydrants, as measured along the roadway, shall not exceed 300 feet along fire apparatus access roads.

Exception: The average spacing, as measured along the roadway, may be increased to 500 feet along fire apparatus access roads serving one- and two-family developments.

Section 507.5.1.5 Maximum Distance. The maximum distance to a fire hydrant from any point of a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed 150 feet as measured along the roadway.

Exceptions:

1. The maximum distance to a fire hydrant from any point of a fire apparatus access road serving one- and two-family developments may be increased to 250 feet as measured along the roadway.

2. The maximum distance to a fire hydrant from any point of a fire apparatus road serving up to two single-family dwellings or a single two-family dwelling may be increased to 400 feet as measured along the roadway.

Section 507.5.1.6 Divided Roadways. Hydrants shall be provided on each side of the street and be arranged on an alternating basis, providing, on each side of the street that the hydrants meet the requirements of Sections 507.5.1.4 and 507.5.1.5.

Section 507.5.1.7 Arterials. Hydrants shall be provided on each side of the street and be arranged on an alternating basis, providing, on each side of the street that the hydrants meet the requirements of Sections 507.5.1.4 and 507.5.1.5.

Section 507.5.1.8 Transportation Hazards. Where new water mains are extended along streets where hydrants are not needed for protection of structures or similar fire problems, fire hydrants shall be provided at a spacing not to exceed 1,000 feet to provide for transportation hazards.

510.1 Emergency responder radio coverage in new buildings. Approved radio coverage for emergency responders shall be provided for buildings meeting any of the following conditions:

1. There are more than four stories above grade plane (as defined by the International Building Code, Section 202);

2. The total building area is 50,000 square feet or more;

3. The total basement area, including any portion thereof used as a parking garage, is 10,000 square feet or more; OR

4. There are floors used for human occupancy more than 20 feet below the finished floor of the lowest level of exit discharge.

Radio coverage is based upon the existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems utilized by the jurisdiction, measured at the exterior of the building. This section shall not require improvement of the existing public safety communication systems.

Exceptions:

1. Buildings and areas within buildings that achieve minimum, two-way radio coverage signal strength in accordance with IFC Section 510.4.1 (as amended by WAC Chapter 51-54A).

2. Where approved by the building official and the fire code official, a wired communication system in accordance with Section 907.2.12.2 shall be permitted to be installed or maintained instead of an approved radio coverage system.

3. Where it is determined by the fire code official that the radio coverage system is not needed.

4. In facilities where emergency responder radio coverage is required and such systems, components or equipment required could have a negative impact on the normal operations of that facility, the fire code official shall have the authority to accept an automatically activated emergency responder radio coverage system.

510.2 Emergency responder radio coverage in existing buildings. Existing buildings shall be provided with approved radio coverage for emergency responders as required in BMC 17.20, Section 1103.2.

[Ord. 2021-01-002 § 3; Ord. 2016-08-027 § 3; Ord. 2013-06-040 § 3; Ord. 2011-04-021; Ord. 2010-06-038; Ord. 2007-07-057; Ord. 2004-06-040].