Emergency vehicle access (EV access) shall be provided from a public or private street to a parcel(s) of land that has a facility on it. EV access shall be required for every facility hereafter constructed, altered or installed and shall extend to within 150 feet to any portion of the facility as measured by an approved route around the exterior. Emergency vehicle access shall be provided and maintained in accordance with this article. The provisions of this article shall be enforced in conformance with UPMC Title 14.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008)
A. 
When buildings are protected with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system, the provisions of this article may be modified.
B. 
When a site is constrained due to topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades, or other similar conditions, the Director, after conferring with the Fire Code Official, may modify the requirements of this article to provide an equivalent means of fire protection and EV access.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 662 § 1 (Exh. A), 2015)
The provisions of this article do not apply to the following:
A. 
All common residential accessory buildings similar to Group U occupancies (private garages, carports, sheds, some agricultural buildings, tanks, towers and fences over six feet tall) as defined by the most current edition of the building code as adopted by the City;
B. 
A remodel, or alteration of existing uses or structures if the proposed change is not classified as a “major improvement”;
C. 
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs) provided they are fully protected with an NFPA 13D residential sprinkler system.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 724 § 1, 2020)
More than one EV access may be required when the access is impaired by vehicle congestion, adverse terrain or climatic conditions, or other factors that could limit access.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008)
A. 
Width. EV access serving one or two dwelling units shall be 15 feet or more. EV access for all other projects shall be not less than 20 feet with no parking allowed, 27 feet with parking on one side, and 34 feet with parking on both sides.
B. 
Vertical Clearance. EV access shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet six inches.
C. 
Surface. EV access shall be paved and shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Alternate all-weather surfacing may be considered. Individual single-family or duplex EV access surface treatment may be compacted crushed rock surfacing.
D. 
Turning Radius. A minimum outside turning radius of 45 feet and a minimum 20-foot inside turning radius shall be provided for all EV access.
E. 
Turnarounds. A dead-end EV access in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with a turnaround conforming to the cul-de-sac, hammerhead or central green court/auto courtyard requirements set forth in Article II of this chapter.
F. 
Grade. The maximum street grade (profile) of an EV access shall be 15 percent. All sections of EV access with grades of over 12 percent shall be paved with a minimum of two inches, compacted depth, of asphalt concrete, or equivalent.
G. 
Bridges and Elevated Structures. All bridges and elevated structures, including drainage structures, on an EV access shall be constructed in accordance with AASHTO Standards Specified for Highway Bridges. Bridges and elevated structures shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus.
H. 
Gates. If not otherwise prohibited, a gate may be installed in compliance with the following provisions:
1. 
Locked gates shall have rapid entry capabilities compatible with the local fire district requirements.
2. 
Electric gates will have an Opticom activation system and Knox key switch.
3. 
All electrically activated gates will have default capabilities to the unlocked position and swing or move freely in the event of power loss.
4. 
The minimum EV access width of a gate shall be 12 feet for one-way access and 20 feet for two-way access.
5. 
Gates shall be constructed in a manner that does not permit obstruction from the accumulation of snow.
6. 
Gates shall be set back a minimum 35 feet from the edge of the right-of-way. The Director may reduce this setback for single-family and duplex dwellings when site-specific circumstances warrant a reduction. A turnaround immediately outside the gate may be required if determined necessary by the Director.
I. 
Obstruction. The required width of an EV access shall not be obstructed in any manner, including parked vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances established under these standards shall be maintained at all times.
J. 
Signs. When required by the Director, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided and maintained for EV access to identify such streets and prohibit the obstruction thereof, or both. “No Parking – Fire Lane” signs shall be installed in conformance with the MUTCD and the fire code as adopted in UPMC Title 14.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008; Ord. 565 § 1 (Exh. A), 2010)
EV accesses shall be constructed and approved prior to issuance of the building permit for which access is required.
(Ord. 395 § 3, 2003; Ord. 518 § 1, 2008)