6C.04 Specific Requirements for Various Classes of Development

6C.04a One or Two-Family Residential Developments. Developments of one or two-family dwellings where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with separate and approved fire apparatus access roads. Where there are 30 or fewer dwelling units on a single public or private access road and all dwelling units are protected by approved residential sprinkler systems, access from two (2) directions shall not be required. The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access road shall not be increased unless the access road will connect with future development, as determined by the Fire Code Official.

6C.04b Multiple-Family Residential Developments. Multiple-family residential projects having more than 100 dwelling units shall be equipped throughout with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access roads. Projects having up to 200 dwelling units may have a single approved fire apparatus access road when all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.

Multiple-family residential projects having more than 200 dwelling units shall be provided with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access roads regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

6C.04c Commercial Developments. Buildings or facilities having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet shall be provided with two (2) separate and approved fire apparatus access roads. Projects having a gross building area of up to 124,000 square feet may have a single approved fire apparatus access road when all buildings are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.

6C.04d High Rise and Mid Rise Developments. High rise and mid rise buildings shall be provided with approved fire apparatus access roads capable of accommodating fire department aerial apparatus. Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located within the aerial fire apparatus access area. Fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet in the immediate vicinity. At least one of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located within a minimum of 15 feet and a maximum of 30 feet from the building, and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building. The grade for an aerial apparatus access lane shall not exceed five percent (5%). In no case shall the maximum grade for an aerial apparatus access road exceed 10 percent.

6D Fire Lanes

6D.01 Intent and Scope

Fire lanes shall be installed in accordance with this section and all other applicable requirements of the NC Fire Prevention Code.

6D.02 Installation

Fire lanes shall be provided for any building or facility which is set back more than 150 feet from a public street or exceeds 30 feet in height and is set back more than 50 feet from a public street

6D.03 Design

Fire lanes shall be at least 20 feet in width with the street edge closest to the building at least 10 feet away from the building. The surface of the fire lane shall be paved with a minimum of six (6) inches of ABC stone and two (2) inches of S 9.5 B.

6D.04 Bollards

If the Fire Chief determines that barriers are needed to prevent automobile traffic from using an emergency access lane, then the applicant for construction approval shall install traffic bollards. Traffic bollard designs shall provide for immediate access of emergency vehicles, without requiring these vehicles to stop and maneuver around, or unlock, any structures. The Fire Chief shall have final approval of all bollard designs.

6D.05 Sign and Markings

Where required by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be marked with permanent NO PARKING—FIRE LANE signs. Signs shall be a type “R8-31” or equivalent reflective sign no less than 12” x 18” in size, white background, with the wording “No Parking -Fire Lane” in red letters. Fire lane sign material shall be minimum 0.080-inch thick aluminum alloy 6061-T6 with Scotchlite Engineer Grade Reflective Sheeting or an approved equivalent. Signs shall be posted on both sides of the fire apparatus road or an additional sign beneath the fire lane sign lettered as “Both Sides”. Signs shall be placed at a maximum center-to-center spacing of 50 feet on both sides of the fire lane Fire lanes shall be designated by signs posted at a minimum height of:

•   60” to the bottom of the sign when pedestrians do not pass by or under the sign. This application includes signs mounted on the building face, a column, or other fixed mounting surface.

•   84” to the bottom of the sign when the pedestrian path does pass by or beneath the sign. This application includes signs mounted on a fixed post located in a sidewalk and/or traffic/planting island.

A red thermoplastic stripe shall be placed on the pavement one (1) foot from the curb to designate the length of the fire lane or within 15 feet of each fire hydrant.