FIRE AND LIFE SAFETY CORNER W RI TT E N B Y M IC H A E L T. R EA R D O N, P.E. PHO T OS C O U RT E S Y O F T H E LA U R EL VOLUNTEER FIRE DE PA RT M E N T, LA U R EL, MA RYLA N D
FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS F
ire department access to your facility is an essential element during emergency operations. Specific design criteria are specified in local building and fire codes in order to provide an effective and fast response by first responders. First responders must be able to access all areas of a building as fire or other emergencies can occur anywhere
BUILDING
ACCESS ROAD
96
150’-0”
ACCESS ROAD
150’-0”
150’-0”
ACCESS ROAD
150’-0”
ACCESS ROAD
both inside and outside of your facility. Local jurisdictions typically adopt the International Building Code, International Fire Code, NFPA 1 Fire Code, or a combination thereof. These codes have specific criteria that must be met and will be reviewed during the permitting and construction phases of your facility. Your local fire marshal’s office or fire department should be contacted as many jurisdictions have additional or modified code requirements in order to meet their specific operational capabilities. Types of fire apparatus and fire department capabilities vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Typically, fire departments will have fire engines, which contain various supply hose sizes and lengths. Code criteria will stipulate distance requirements from fire hydrants, fire department connections, access doors, and hose lay distances both inside and outside of your facility. These maximum distance allowances coincide with the strict requirements fire apparatus must meet with regards to minimum amounts of supply and attack hose lines. Another type of fire apparatus is the ladder truck. A ladder truck typically contains a long mounted ladder which can reach long distances along with various portable ladders. The length of a mounted ladder varies but is typically 80120 feet in length. Location of fire department access roads from your facility account for these limitations. Fire department access roads may consist of public streets, alleys, parking lots, or dedicated access roads. Fire apparatus not only need to be able to travel to their destination, but they need to be able to get close enough to any building to effectively deploy hose lines, access W W W . ARTISANSPIRITMAG . C O M