HomeMy WebLinkAbout2021-09-29 MFD
MERIDIAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 9/29/2021
TO: Sonya Allen
REVIEWER: Joseph Bongiorno, Deputy Chief of Prevention 208-888-1234
SUBJECT: H-2021-0063
PROJECT NAME: Outer Banks Subdivision
Fire Department Summary of Report:
Overview: This project can be serviced by the Meridian Fire Department.
1. Fire Response Time Travel time from nearest fire station (level of service expectation goal = 5 minutes)
This development currently falls inside the 5 minute response time area as shown on the priority
growth map. It is currently nearest to Fire Station 2. This fire station is approximately 1.9 miles from
the project.
2. Resource reliability Current reliability of closest fire station (Reliability Goal is 80% or greater)
This development is closest to Fire Station #2. Current reliability is 85% from this station and does
meet the targeted goal of 80% or greater.
3. Risk Identification Risk Factor (1=residential, 2=residential with hazards, 3=commercial,
4=commercial with hazards, 5=industrial)
This proposed commercial development has a risk factor of 4, in which current resources would not
be adequate to supply service to this propose project. Risk factors include fire fighting in multi-story
buildings and a large gathering of people in a single location. This entails a greater risk for the
occupants as well as first responders. Fire, life safety systems and occupant training are critical for
this development. Other hazards may be found once the development is completed.
4. Accessibility Roadway Access, traffic, Radio Coverage
This project meets all required access, road widths and turnarounds as presented in the preliminary
plat. Any changes shall require fire department approval if any roadways or accesses are changed.
Secondary access shall be maintained at all times while the buildings are being constructed. The
multi-story buildings shall be checked for approved radio coverage throughout the building according
to the requirements as shown in the 2018 IFC.
Page 2 of 9
5. Specialty/Resource needs
a. Aerial device needed for development (more than 30’ in height)?
i. If yes, is one available within a 12 minute travel time goal
This proposed project will require an aerial device. The closest truck company is 7 minutes travel
time (under ideal conditions) to the proposed development, and therefore the Fire Department can
meet this need in the required timeframe if a truck company is required. This fire station is
approximately 2.9 miles from the project
b. Other specialty needs (water rescue, hazmat, and technical rescue)?
i. If yes, is one available within a 5 minute travel time?
In the event of a hazmat event, there will need to be mutual aid required for the
development. In the event of a structure fire an additional truck company will be required. This
will require additional time delays as a second truck company is not available in the city. Water
rescue teams would have to be mutal aided from another department in the event of a water
rescue.
Page 3 of 9
6. Water Supply (list expectations)
Water supply for this proposed development will vary as the buildings are various sizes and
occupancy types. (Approximate – see appendix B of the 2018 International Fire Code) The fire flow
requirements may be less if the building is fully sprinklered.
7. Other Comments
Project specific comments are listed below.
***All IFC code sections per 2018 IFC or as noted***
RESOURCE AVAILABILITY - Fire Flow and Water Supply:
1. Fire Flow: Commercial and office occupancies will require a fire-flow consistent with
International Fire Code Appendix B to service the proposed project. Fire hydrants shall
be placed per Appendix C.
2. Water Supply: Acceptance of the water supply for fire protection will be by the Meridian
Fire Department and water quality by the Meridian Water Department for bacteria testing.
3. 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)
507.5.4 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’.
Fire hydrants shall be placed 18” above finished grade to the center of the Storz
e.
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.
4. 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
Page 4 of 9
installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2, the distance requirement
shall be 600 feet (183 m).
5. Water Supply: There shall be a fire hydrant within 100’ of all fire department connections as
set forth in local amendment to the International Fire Code 10-4-1. Over 100 apartment
units without an approved sprinkler system or over 200 apartment units with an approved
sprinkler system will require a secondary access per International Fire Code Section
D104.3. The access roads shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one half of
the length of the overall diagonal dimension of the property or area to be served, measured
in a straight line as set forth in International Fire Code Appendix D104.1.
6. Water Supply: All R-2 occupancies with 3 or more units shall be required to be fire
sprinkled as set forth in International Fire Code Section 903.2.8.
ACCESSIBILITY - Fire Department Roadways, Access and Addressing:
7. Roadways: When required by the Fire Marshall, “No Parking Fire Lane” signs shall be
used per appendix D of the 2018 IFC. No other signs shall be approved:
8. 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.
9. Roadways: All common driveways shall be straight or have a turning radius of 28’ inside
and 48’ outside and have a clear driving surface of 20’ in width capable of supporting an
imposed weight of 80,000 GVW, per International Fire Code Section 503.2.
10. Roadways: All common driveways and alleys shall be maintained at all times for access
by fire, police and EMS at all times of the year.
11. Roadways: Private Alleys and Fire Lanes shall have a 20’ wide improved surface
capable of supporting an imposed load of 80,000 lbs. All roadways shall be marked “No
Parking Fire Lane” per International Fire Code Sections 503.3 & D103.6.
12. Roadways: Requirements for dead-end fire apparatus access roads that are between 500’-
Page 5 of 9
750’ in length are as follows: 1) Roadways shall be built to Ada County Highway District
cross section standards and have a clear driving surface of 26-feet in width available at all
times and shall have no parking. Both sides of the street shall be signed “No Parking Fire
Lane” per appendix D of the IFC; 2) Streets less than 32-feet in width shall have no parking
on one side. One side of the street shall be signed “No Parking Fire Lane” per appendix D of
the IFC; and 3) Streets more than 39-feet in width shall be allowed to have parking on
both sides. These measurements shall be based on the drivable surface dimension. Special
approval is required for access roads over 750’ in length per International Fire Code Section
D103.6.1 and D103.6.2. The roadway shall be able to accommodate an imposed load of
80,000 GVW.
13. 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.
14. 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. Both sides of the street shall be signed “No Parking Fire Lane” per appendix D
of the IFC; streets less than 32’ in width shall have parking only on one side. One side of the
street shall be signed “No Parking Fire Lane” per appendix D of the IFC. 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.
15. Roadways: ALLEY – In all cases, right of ways shall be a minimum of 20’ in width. The
entrance to the alley from the public street shall provide a minimum twenty-eight foot (28’)
inside and forty-eight foot (48’) outside turning radius. No parking shall be allowed on
either side of the street. Both sides of the alley shall be signed “No Parking Fire Lane” per
appendix D of the IFC. The minimum distance for alley accessed properties shall be 20’ from
the face of a garage to the property line. (International Fire Code Section 503.4)
16. Roadways: Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless
approved by the fire code official. National Fire Protection IFC 503.4.1.
Page 6 of 9
17. Roadways: Public alleys that serve mews shall be a minimum of 24 feet in width and shall
be signed “No parking fire lane” on both sides of the alley per appendix D of the IFC
be per International Fire Code Sections 503.3 & D103.6.
18. 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.
19. Access: Where fire apparatus access roads or a water supply for fire protection are required to
be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time
of construction except where approved alternative methods of protection are provided.
Temporary street signs shall be installed at each street intersection where construction of new
roadways allows passage by vehicles in accordance with Section 505.2., as set forth in
International Fire Code Section (IFC) 501.4.
20. Access: Provide a Fire Department Key box entry system for the complex prior to
occupancy as set forth in International Fire Code Section 506. Knox Boxes can be ordered
from www.knoxbox.com.
21. Access: Based on the size of new construction and the location of the sprinkler room in
Page 7 of 9
relation to the address side of the structure, the AHJ may require separate Fire
Department key box locations. One being at the main, address side entrance and the other
at the entrance to the sprinkler riser room. Knox Boxes can be ordered from
www.knoxbox.com.
22. Access: The Fire Department will require Fire Department locking Connection caps on all
FDC inlets. IFC 102.9. Caps can be ordered at www.knoxbox.com.
23. 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.
24. Access: COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL - Buildings or facilities exceeding 30
feet (9144mm) or three stories in height shall have at least two means of fire apparatus access
for each structure. The access roads shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than
one half of the length of the overall diagonal dimension of the property or area to be
served, measured in a straight line as set forth in International Fire Code Appendix D104.1.
The applicant shall provide an additional stub street to the property
25. Access: COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL - Buildings or facilities having a gross
2
building area of more than 62,000 square feet (5760 m) shall be provided with two
separate and approved fire apparatus access roads separated by one half of the maximum
overall diagonal dimension of the property or area to be served, measured in a straight line
between accesses as set forth in International Fire Code Appendix D104.2. The applicant shall
Page 8 of 9
provide an additional stub street to the property
a. Exception: Projects having a gross building area of up to 124,000 square feet
2
(11520 m) that have a single approved fire apparatus access road and all buildings
are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems. (Remoteness
Required)
26. Access: Multiple-family residential projects having more than 100 dwelling units shall be
equipped throughout with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.
a. Exception: Projects 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
27. Access: As set forth in International Fire Code Section 504.1, multi-family and
commercial projects shall be required to provide an additional sixty inches (60”) wide access
point to the building from the fire lane to allow for the movement of manual fire suppression
equipment and gurney operations. The unobstructed breaks in the parking stalls shall be
provided so that building access is provided in such a manner that the most remote part of a
building can be reached with a length of 150' fire hose as measured around the perimeter of
the building from the fire lane. Code compliant handicap parking stalls may be included to
assist meeting this requirement. Contact the Meridian Fire Department for details.
28. Access: Emergency responder radio coverage in new buildings. All new buildings shall have
approved radio coverage for emergency responders within the building based upon the
existing coverage levels of the public safety communication systems of the jurisdiction at
the exterior of the building.
29. Addressing: The first digit of the Apartment/Office Suite shall correspond to the floor level
as set forth in International Fire Code Section 505.1 and Meridian Amendment 10-4-1.
30. 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.
31. Addressing: If required by the Fire Code Official, the complex shall have a lighted
map at the entrance showing the layout of the complex. All building
numbers shall be backlit or frontlit for Police, Fire or EMS to easily see
them from dusk to dawn.
32. Addressing: This project will require private streets. The applicant will work with the
addressing agent for this project. All private streets shall shall be signed on both sides of
the roadway “No Parking Fire Lane” per International Fire Code 503.3 & D103.6 unless
approved by the Fire Marshal.
Page 9 of 9