(A) General. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(B) Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be required for any portion of an exterior wall of the first story provided with firefighting or rescue openings; meeting the opening requirements of the State Building Code, 675 I.A.C. 13; and located more than 150 feet from Fire Department access as measured by an unobstructed route around the exterior of the building.
(1) An exception to division (B) above is when buildings are completely protected with an approved automatic fire sprinkler system.
(2) For high-piled combustible storage, see the State Fire Prevention Code, 675 I.A.C. 22.
(C) Permissible modifications. Vertical clearances or widths required herein shall be increased when, in the opinion of the Chief, vertical clearances or widths are not adequate to provide fire apparatus access.
(D) Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be provided with a surface so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.
(E) Width. The minimum unobstructed width of a fire apparatus access road shall not be less than two feet.
(F) Vertical clearance. All fire apparatus access roads shall have unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet and six inches. Upon approval, however, vertical clearance may be reduced provided such reduction does not impair access by fire apparatus and approved signs are installed and maintained indicating the established vertical clearance.
(G) Turning radius. The turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be as approved by the Chief.
(H) Turnarounds. All dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 15 feet in length shall be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus.
(I) Bridges. When a bridge is required to be used as access under this section, it shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the applicable sections of the state’s Building Code, 675 I.A.C. 13-2, and using designed loads of fire apparatus.
(J) Grade. The gradient for a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed the maximum approved by the Chief.
(K) Obstruction. The required width of any fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in any manner including parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances established under this section shall be maintained at all times.
(L) Signs. When required, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided and maintained for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads and prohibit the obstruction thereof or both.
(Prior Code, § 91.35) (Ord. 1299, passed 11-2-1992; Ord. 1338, passed 4-3-1995)