FD Comments
MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 10/10/2018
TO: Joshua Beach
REVIEWER: Joseph Bongiorno, Deputy Chief of Prevention 208-888-1234
SUBJECT: H-2018-0107
PROJECT NAME: Alicia Court Subdivision
Fire Department Summary of Report:
1. Fire Response Time Travel time from nearest fire station (level of service expectation = 5 minutes)
This development is 5:00 minutes (under ideal conditions) from the nearest fire station. The closest
fire station is Boise Fire Station 10. The next closest is Meridian Fire Station 3 with a 7 minute
response time. If approved, the Meridian Fire Department cannot meet the response time
requirements.
2. Resource reliability Current reliability of closest fire station (expectation should be 85% or greater)
This development is closest to Boise Fire Station #10. Current reliability for that station is 74%.
Station 3 has an 80% reliability rate. Either way, we cannot not meet the targeted goal of 85% or
greater.
3. Risk Identification Risk Factor (1=residential, 2=residential with hazards, 3=commercial,
4=commercial with hazards, 5=industrial)
This proposed residential development has a risk factor of 1, in which current resources would be
adequate to supply service to this propose project.
4. Accessibility Roadway Access, traffic
This project meets all required road widths and turnarounds.
5. Specialty/Resource needs
a. Aerial device needed for development (more than 30’ in height)?
i. If yes, is one available within a 10 minute travel time
This proposed project will not require an aerial device. The closest truck company is 11
minutes travel time (under ideal conditions) to the proposed development, and therefore
the Fire Department cannot meet this need in the required timeframe if a truck company
is required.
b. Other specialty needs (water rescue, hazmat, and technical rescue)?
i. If yes, is one available within a 5 minute travel time?
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In the event of a structure fire an additional truck company will be required. This will require
additional time delays as they are not available in the city.
6. Water Supply (list expectations)
Water supply for this proposed development requires 1000 gallons per minute for one hour.
(Approximate – see appendix B of the 2015 International Fire Code)
7. Other Comments
Project specific comments are listed below.
***All IFC code sections per 2015 IFC or as noted***
RESOURCE AVAILABILITY - Fire Flow and Water Supply:
1. Fire Flow: One and two family dwellings not exceeding 3,600 square feet require a fire-
flow of 1,000 gallons per minute for a duration of 1 hours to service the entire project.
One and two family dwellings in excess of 3,600 square feet require a minimum fire flow
as specified in Appendix B of the International Fire Code. Fire Hydrant spacing shall be
provided as required by Appendix C of the International Fire Code.
2. Water Supply: Final Approval of the fire hydrant locations shall be by the Meridian Fire
Department or their designee in accordance with International Fire Code Section (IFC)
508.5.4 as follows:
a. Fire hydrants shall have a Storz LDH connection in place of the 4 ½” outlet. The
Storz connection may be integrated into the hydrant or an approved adapter may be
used on the 4 1/2" outlet.
b. Fire hydrants shall have the Storz outlet face the main street or parking lot drive aisle.
c. Fire hydrants shall be placed on corners when spacing permits.
d. Fire hydrants shall not have any vertical obstructions to outlets within 10’.
e. Fire hydrants shall be placed 18” above finished grade to the center of the Storz
outlet.
f. Fire hydrants shall be provided to meet the requirements of the Meridian Water Dept.
Standards.
g. Show all proposed or existing hydrants for all new construction or additions to
existing buildings within 1,000 feet of the project.
3. Water Supply: Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved
into or within the jurisdiction is more than 400 feet (122 m) from a hydrant on a fire
apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility
or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the
code official as set forth in International Fire Code Section 507.5.1. For buildings
equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in
accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or
903.3.1.2 the distance requirement shall be 600 feet (183).
a. For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies, the distance requirement shall be 600 feet
(183 m).
b. For buildings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system
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installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the distance requirement
shall be 600 feet (183 m).
ACCESSIBILITY - Fire Department Roadways, Access and Addressing:
4. Roadways: In accordance with International Fire Code Section 503.2.5 and Appendix D,
any roadway greater than 150 feet in length that is not provided with an outlet shall be
required to have an approved turn around. Phasing of the project may require a temporary
approved turn around on streets greater than 150' in length with no outlet. Cul-D-Sacs shall
be 96’ in diameter minimum and shall be signed “No Parking Fire Lane” per International
Fire Code Sections 503.3 & D103.6.
5. Roadways: All entrances, internal roads, drive aisles, and alleys shall have a turning radius
of 28’ inside and 48’ outside, per International Fire Code Section 503.2.4.
6. Roadways: Buildings over 30’ in height are required to have access roads 26’ in width
minimum in accordance with the International Fire Code Appendix D Section D105.
7. Roadways: The roadways shall be built to Ada County Highway District cross section
standards and have a clear driving surface. Streets less than 26’ in width shall have no on-
street parking; streets less than 32’ in width shall have parking only on one side. These
measurements shall be based on the drivable surface dimension exclusive of shoulders. The
roadway shall be able to accommodate an imposed load of 80,000 GVW as set forth in
International Fire Code Section 503.2.1 and D103.6.1 and D103.6.2.
8. Roadways: As set forth in International Fire Code Section D103.3, the Fire Department is
opposed to any landscape island in the middle of a cul de sac that may prevent a fire
truck from turning around on the end of the court.
9. Roadways: Emergency response routes and fire lanes shall not be allowed to have traffic
calming devices installed without prior approval of the Fire Code Official. National Fire
P r o t e c t i o n IFC 503.4.1.
10. Access: Fire lanes, streets, and structures (including the canopy height of mature trees) shall
have a vertical clearance of 13’6 as set forth in International Fire Code Section 503.2.1.
11. Access: Operational fire hydrants, temporary or permanent street signs, and access roads
with an all-weather surface are required to be installed before combustible construction
material is brought onto the site, as set forth in International Fire Code Section (IFC)
501.4.
12. Access: All portions of the buildings located on this project must be within 150’ of a
paved surface as measured around the perimeter of the building as set forth in
International Fire Code Section 503.1.1.
13. Addressing: The applicant shall work with Public Works and Planning Department staff to
provide an address identification plan and a sign which meets the requirements of the City
of Meridian sign ordinance and is placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible
from the street or road fronting the property, as set forth in International Fire Code Section
505.1 and Meridian Amendment 104-4-1.
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SPECIALTY NEEDS/OTHER COMMENTS:
14. Other Comments: Ensure that all yet undeveloped parcels are maintained free of
combustible vegetation as set forth in International Fire Code Section 304.1.2.