Fire Department or emergency access roads shall be subject to the approval of the Fire Chief or his designee and be constructed to the following standards and specifications:
(A) Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm) and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm).
(B) Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and constructed to support the imposed live loads of the heaviest piece of fire apparatus available to the Fire Department and shall be provided with an all-weather surface so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.
(C) The turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be at least equal to the minimum required radius for the fire apparatus. Such roads shall be designed and constructed to permit turning of the longest piece of fire apparatus available to the Fire Department.
(D) Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall be designed and constructed so as to allow the turning around of the longest piece of fire apparatus available to the Fire Department.
(E) When a bridge is required to be used as part of a fire apparatus access road, it shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with nationally recognized standards. The bridge shall be designed, constructed and maintained for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges.
(F) The gradient for a fire apparatus access road shall not exceed the maximum that the apparatus available to the Fire Department can accommodate.
(G) The required width of a fire apparatus access road shall not be obstructed in any manner, including parking of vehicles. Entrances to roads, trails or other access ways which have been closed with gates and barriers in accordance with division (H) of this section shall not be obstructed by parked vehicles.
(H) When a property is accessed through a gate or cross arm by means of a key or swipe card, it shall be equipped with a key switch manufactured by the Knox Company or a key switch approved by the Fire Chief or his designee. The switch will be keyed to the Fire Department Knox key or an approved key. The location to be installed will be determined by the Fire Chief or his designee.
(Ord. 6569, passed 12-8-08) Penalty, see § 94.99