The fire code (IFC) has several pertinent regulations regarding the design of a site a building is on. Here we will give an overview of topics like fire apparatus access roads (fire lanes), fire hydrant distances and flows, addressing, and more that may apply to any building type.
Fire Apparatus Access Roads
Fire apparatus access roads, commonly referred to as fire lanes, are essentially a mandated access road that allows fire departments to get near enough to your building to fight a fire and access for any emergency.
Distance– IFC 503.1.1 basically states you need to have a fire lane within 150 ft of any point on the exterior of building. So, if your building is larger, an access road may need to extend past just 1 side of a building and may need to go all the way around.
Fire Lane Size– Fire lanes need to be at least 20 ft wide, per IFC 503.2.1. Turning dimensions are usually locally regulated. Fire lanes shall have an unobstructed height of 13′-6″. Often, fire lanes are a component of a parking lot access area.
Fire Lane Dead ends– Any dead ends over 150 in length need a turnaround (IFC 503.2.5). This could be a 96′ ft circle (like a cul-de-sac), or a few other options as shown below
Marking – fire code official may require signage such as “NO PARKING-FIRE LANE”, or red marking on curbs.
Fire Hydrants
Fire Hydrant Requirement- Fire hydrants shall be provided within 400 ft of any portion of a building (600 ft for sprinklered buildings or group R-3 or U occupancies. (IFC 507.5.1)
Fire Hydrant Flows- Appendix B of the IFC provides a table that offers the required fire flow for hydrants for buildings, based on square footage and construction type. For example, a 6000 sf, type V-B (wood) building must have 2000 gpm of hydrant flow for 2 hour duration. Below is a portion of chart B105.1(2)
B105.2 allows you to use 25% (75% reduction) of the fire flows if the build is sprinklered.
One and two family dwellings, and R-3 & R-4 townhouses have a separate chart, shown below.
Addressing
New and existing buildings need visible address numbers so the fire department can identify the building in case of emergency. IFC 505.1 requires this, and mandates 4″ high numbers, high contrasting, 1/2 ” stroke thickness, and located in a place visible from the road.
Key boxes (Knox Box)
Fire code official may require a knox box, per 506.1, which is a loxckbox that holds keys to your building that the fire department can access at any time.
Article by: Matthew Taylor-Rennert
