Section 503, Fire Apparatus Access Roads, and all subsequent subsections under Section 503, of the International Fire Code adopted in this article, are hereby amended in their entirety to read as follows:
Section 503.1 Where required.
Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1, 503.1.2 and 503.1.3.
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. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall be on the lot upon which the facility, building or portion of a building is located and shall be within 150 feet (45,720 mm) 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.
Section 503.1.2, Additional access.
The fire 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 503.2, Specifications.
Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.6.
Section 503.2.1, Dimensions.
Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width and vertical clearance as specified in Table 21-913(1) of The Code of The Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado as adopted when the fire apparatus access roads received design review approval except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6.
Section 503.2.2, Authority.
The Fire 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.
Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.
Section 503.2.4, Turning radius.
The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be as defined by Table 21-913(1) of the Code of the Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado, as adopted.
Section 503.2.5, Dead ends.
Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet (45,720 mm) in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus as defined in 18-131 Cul-de-sacs; hammer sacs; dead-end streets of The Code of The Town of Mt. Crested Butte, Colorado, as adopted when the fire apparatus access road received design review approval.
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 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.
The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall be within the limits established by Table 21-913(1) of the Code of the Town of Mt. Crested Butte when the fire apparatus access road received design review approval.
Section 503.3 Marking.
Where required by the fire code official, 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 be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.
Section 503.3.1, Signs.
Where required by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be marked with permanent NO PARKING — FIRE LANE signs complying with Figure F-503.1. Signs shall have a minimum dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) wide by 18 inches (457 mm) high and have red letters on a white reflective background. Signs shall be posted on one or both sides of the fire apparatus road.
Section 503.4, Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads.
Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times.
Section 503.5, Required gates or barricades.
The fire code official is authorized to require the installation and maintenance of gates or other approved barricades across fire apparatus access roads, trails or other access ways. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F 2200.
Section 503.5.1, Secured gates and barricades.
When required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails and other access ways that have been closed and obstructed in the manner prescribed by Section 503.5 shall not be trespassed on or used unless authorized by the owner and the fire code official. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F 2200.
Exception: The restriction on use shall not apply to public officers acting within the scope of duty.
Section 503.6, Security gates.
The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire official. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325. Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F 2200.
An access road approach that has a security gate shall be designed so that the longest vehicle using it can completely clear the traveled way when the gate is closed. In no event shall such distance be less than 35 feet. All security gates should open inward or upward. No elements of a security gate assembly shall encroach on the required width of the access road. The required width of the access road shall be maintained through the clear opening of the security gate. An approved radio operated opening device or a Knox Gate & Key Switch shall be installed to on all electronically operated gates to enable responding emergency units immediate passage through the gate. The Crested Butte Fire Protection District shall be provided with an approved key box, key and/or access combination on manually operated gates. All security gates shall be installed with an alternative manual means of operation in a manner that allows emergency vehicle access. All security gated access roads shall, at a minimum, be provided with a KNOX box containing access keys, codes and emergency contact information.
Removable bollards designed to slide into the ground within the fire access way are not permitted.
Section 503.7.1 Aerial Fire Apparatus Access Roads, Where required.
Where the vertical distance between the grade plane and the highest roof surface exceeds 30 feet (9,144 mm), approved aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be provided. 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 503.7.2 Aerial Fire Apparatus Access Roads, Width.
Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet (7,925 mm), exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of the building or portion thereof.
Section 503.7.3 Aerial Fire Apparatus Access Roads, Proximity to building.
One or more of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) and no greater than 30 feet (9144 mm) from the building, and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building. The side of the building on which the aerial fire apparatus access road is positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.
Section 503.7.4 Aerial Fire Apparatus Access Roads, Obstructions.
Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located over the aerial fire apparatus access road or between the aerial fire apparatus road and the building. Other obstructions shall be permitted to be placed with the approval of the fire code official.
(Ord. No. 24-6, 9/3/2024)