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In the last article, I wrote about the importance of preparing pre-incident plans and touched on some of the important information that should be noted in that plan. This month’s article will discuss important site plan fire safety features in greater detail. Fire Service Features is actually the title for Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code, the model fire code developed by the International Code Council and part of the family of correlated International Codes.

 

Two important requirements in Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code are found in the administrative section. First, the scoping provisions are written to cover “buildings, structures, and premises,” so the provisions of this chapter address fire safety of the property or site-plan in addition to fire protection of the building or structure. This is where fire apparatus access roads and firefighting water supply are required by the International Fire Code. The second requirement provides that the required fire apparatus access roads and water supply for fire protection be installed and made serviceable before construction starts. Temporary street signs are also required to allow emergency responders the ability to quickly locate an address during the construction phase on any development (residential or commercial). As a fire Chief or Company Officer, you need to work with your local Fire Marshal or Building Inspector to ensure these requirements are addressed during the site plan review process and then implemented before construction actually starts.

 

As you may recall from previous articles, the International Fire Code and International Building Code are companion codes, designed to work together in providing for public and emergency first responder safety in the built environment. Accordingly, the International Building Code contains requirements that support the Chapter 5 provisions of the International Fire Code. An important example is the requirement for at least one temporary standpipe to be provided and operational during construction for all buildings that are four or more stories in height. The code requires this standpipe be extended as upward construction proceeds and be located adjacent to a usable stairs, always to within one floor below the highest level of construction. Should a fire occur during construction, you should know the location of the outside standpipe FDC (fire department connection) and the location of internal hose connection points for the engine company to utilize to get quick water on the fire. The details for this temporary standpipe are best formalized during the site plan and preliminary construction phases of the project.

 

Fire Apparatus Access Roads are another important fire safety feature that is covered in Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code. The fire code contains detailed provisions concerning the proper width, usually twenty-feet, vertical clearance, surface, grade, security gates, bridges, turning radius, dead-ends, etc. Appendix D of the International Fire Code, Fire Apparatus Access Roads, provides additional information and guidance on design criteria. There is information about determining turn-around requirements based on the actual length of fire apparatus and derails on proper markings and signage for “fire lanes” and “fire zones.” Ensuring the fire apparatus access roads are adequate for your local fire apparatus size is something that must be addressed during the review of the site plan application. As a Fire Chief, it is important that you work with your local Fire Marshal or Building Inspector and the construction project design professional (architect or engineer) so roads and fire zones match your specific apparatus length and conform to your operating procedures as to apparatus placement. The International Fire Code also contains additional requirements addressing aerial fire apparatus access roads for sites that contain taller buildings.

 

Chapter 5 imposes requirements for installation of approved signs along fire apparatus access roads to help ensure those roads are maintained unobstructed at all times. This requirement addresses any obstruction, from illegally parked private vehicles to snow or other natural obstructions. It should be noted that enforcement of the “no parking” requirements may require that an additional local town or village vehicle and traffic ordnance be properly enacted to allow dully authorized enforcement personnel the legal authority to issue a “parking ticket” to the vehicle operator.

 

Finally, Chapter 5 of the International Fire Code contains the requirements for fire protection water supplies. This section of the code specifies various options for providing adequate water supply (fire flow) based on local conditions and accounting for the size and type of the building(s) on the site. An adequate water supply may consist of reservoirs, pressure or elevated water tanks and/or water mains, and fire hydrants (public or private) as approved by the local Fire Marshal or Building Inspector. The International Fire Code Appendix B, Fire-Flow Requirements for Buildings, and Appendix C, Fire Hydrant Locations and Distribution, provide additional information and guidance on firefighting water flow. The Fire Chief should work with the local Fire or Building Official and the construction project design professional to ensure the required fire flow is coordinated with fire department apparatus capabilities and fire department operating procedures. Remember, the International Fire Code requires the installation and operation of fire protection water supplies before the start of construction, usually interpreted to mean before the arrival of combustible construction materials at the job site.

 

The International Fire Code, Chapter 5 – Fire Service Features, contains numerous requirements that should involve the local fire department from the earliest phases of construction project site plan review. Many town or village local ordinances require these site plans be sent to the local fire department for review and input. Are you receiving those project plans? If not, you may want to work with your local elected officials to become part of that review process. If you are reviewing those site plans, do you have a copy of your adopted fire code so you can determine what is required by code?

 

For information about the International Fire Code or training classes on fire code topics like those in Chapter 5 – Fire Service Features, visit the International Code Council web site at www.iccsafe.org.