HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-09-18 MFD
Meridian Fire Department ◼ 33 E. Broadway, Suite 210, Meridian, ID 83642
Phone 208-888-1234 ◼ Fax 208-895-0390 ◼ www.meridiancity.org
Date: September 18, 2025
To: City of Meridian Planning and Zoning Commission
Re: Pine 43, (H-2024-0071)
From: Steven Taulbee, Deputy Chief/Fire Marshal
This memo is intended to provide some clarification as to the comments made regarding the
project (Pine 43, H-2024-0071).
Our comments were made based on a question asked by city planning staff. I want to reiterate
that the project will have to meet prescriptive fire code requirements when it is submitted for
permitting to the City of Meridian. The comments made by the Meridian Fire Department are not
to be interpreted as an “approval” or “denial” for a proposed project.
Our comments relating to the scope of this project are based on its scope, size, and risk relating
to the response capabilities of the Meridian Fire Department in its current capacity.
“We will respond, but our response will be inadequate”. In a clearer language, NFPA 1710
outlines criteria for responses to various buildings based on size, height, and the overall
risk/hazard category. “The NFPA 1710 standard for a project of this scope is 43 firefighting
personnel for the initial response based on the Deployment Algorithm. The Meridian Fire
Department currently has 32 firefighting personnel on duty each day. Under current conditions,
the Meridian Fire Department cannot meet this standard in serving this property”.
Again, this is a not an “approval” or “denial” of the project, it is a comment based on the size and
scope of what is being proposed and our abilities to serve it. Prescriptively, the project will have
to meet all adopted Fire Codes and Standards as applicable.
These comments would be applicable to any proposed project of this scope and size within the
City of Meridian’s Fire Department Response area.
*High Risk Occupancy Defined*
NFPA 1, Definition 3.3.199.12
An occupancy that has a history of high frequency of fires, high potential for loss of life or
economic loss, or that has a low or moderate history of fires or loss of life, but the occupants
have a high dependency on the built-in fire protection features or staff to assist in evacuation
during a fire or other emergency.