Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building, or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction when any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of the building is located more than 150 feet from fire apparatus access as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building.

Fire department access within 150 feet, commonly referred to as hose pull distance, is measured along a path that simulates the route a firefighter may take to access all portions of the exterior of a structure from the nearest fire access road. This distance can be increased to 200 feet where the building(s) are equipped with an NFPA 13 complaint system. All obstructions such as fences, planters, vegetation, topography and other structures must be considered when determining whether the building is accessible from a particular location on the fire access road.

Assume the parking lot is not accessible to fire apparatus due to the turning radius and fire lane widths begin less than the required minimums:

1. All portions of building “A” are within 150 feet of the public road as measured along the path of firefighter travel.
2. Building “B” is not accessible. The presence of a fenced enclosure forces firefighters to backtrack once they pass through the gate, increasing their travel distance beyond 150 feet. On-site fire apparatus access roads or a change in the location of the gate would be necessary to provide access to Building “B”.
3. Building “C” is also accessible despite the obstruction posed by the raised planter.

Fire Apparatus Access

The minimum width of a fire apparatus access is 20 feet. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 500 feet in length shall have a driving surface width of not less than 26 feet. Fire access roads where a fire hydrant is located shall have a driving surface width of 26 feet for a length of 20 feet. If a center median is included, the required width shall be provided on both sides of the median. No parking is permitted on streets narrower than 26 feet in width. Parking on one side is permitted on fire access roads that are at least 26 feet but less than 32 feet in width. Parking on two sides is permitted on fire access roads 32 feet or more in width.

Exception

When the fire apparatus access road serves not more than two single-family dwellings or small congregate residences (Group R-3) or accessory or miscellaneous structures (Group U), the minimum pavement width can be reduced to 15 feet with 2 feet 6 inches of gravel on each side. A clear and unobstructed width of 20 feet shall be maintained.

Aerial Apparatus Access

Buildings or facilities where the vertical distance between the grade plane and the roof surface or parapet exceeds 30 feet, shall have fire apparatus access constructed for use by aerial apparatus. The highest roof surface shall be determined by measurement to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is greater. Grade plane represents the average of finished ground level adjoining the building at exterior walls and where the finished ground level slopes away from the exterior walls, the reference plane shall be established by the lowest points within the area between the building and the lot line or, where the lot line is more than six (6) feet from the building, between the building and a point six (6) feet from the building.

The minimum width of an aerial apparatus access road is 26 feet in the immediate vicinity of the building. No parking is permitted on streets narrower than 32 feet in width. Parking on one side is permitted when the road is at least 32 feet but less than 38 feet in width. Parking on both sides is permitted when the road is 38 feet or more in width.

Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet or three stories in height shall have at least two means of fire apparatus access for each structure. 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.

Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located over aerial apparatus access roads or between the aerial access road and the building or facility. Other obstructions shall be permitted to be placed with the approval of the fire code official.

Vertical Clearance

Fire access roads shall have an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches. Aerial apparatus access roads may require additional vertical clearance as determined by the fire code official.  

Surface

Fire access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed load of fire apparatus with a gross vehicle weight of 75,000 pounds and shall be surfaced with asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface to provide all-weather driving capabilities. Documentation from a registered engineer may be requested by the fire code official if the standard fire access section is not constructed.

Grade

The grade for fire access roads shall not exceed 10 percent to facilitate fire ground operations and meet the recommendations of NFPA 1901, Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus. The grade may be increased to a maximum of 15 percent, for lengths approved by the fire code official, when all of the structures served by the access road are protected by automatic fire sprinkler systems with the approval of the fire code official.

Turnouts

When a fire apparatus access road exceeds 400 feet in length, turnouts 10 feet wide and 30 feet long shall be provided in addition to the required road width and shall be placed no more than 400 feet apart, unless otherwise approved by the fire code official. These distances may be adjusted based on visibility and sight distances.

Turning Radii

The inside turning radius for an access road shall be 28 feet or greater. The outside turning radius for an access road shall be 48 feet or greater.

Public Emergency Services Access Easement

Where fire department access requirements cannot be met from the public right of way or property in question, an easement on an adjacent property may be approved by the fire code official. A permanent easement is established through the recordation of the final plat as a Public Emergency Services Access Easement. If the development does not necessitate a final plat or if the easement will be temporary, a Public Emergency Services Access Easement will be record through a separate document in coordination with Hillsboro Public Works Department.

Bridges & Elevated Surfaces

Where a bridge or elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO HB-17. Bridge and elevated surfaces that serve as part of fire apparatus access roads shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed load of a fire apparatus weighing 75,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Vehicle load limits shall be posted on both entrances to the bridge when required by the fire code official. Maintenance of the bridge shall be the responsibility of the party(ies) that use(s) the bridge for access to their property(ies). At any time, for due cause, Hillsboro Fire Department may ask that a registered engineer inspect the bridge for structural stability and soundness at the expense of the property owner(s) the bridge serves.

Floodplain

Fire apparatus access roads shall be constructed above the Base Flood Elevation as defined by the City Engineer and/or Floodplain Administrator based on the effective FEMA Flood Insurance Study, Letter(s) of Map Change, and/or best available data. Where fire access roads are constructed at or below the Base Flood Elevation, fire access will be considered inadequate.

Traffic Calming Devices

Traffic calming devices are prohibited on any designated fire access road unless approved by the fire code official, which includes speed bumps, humps, dots, round-a-bouts, bollards, etc.

Raised pedestrian crossings are permitted; however, all grade breaks shall be four percent (4%) or less.

Access During Construction or Demolition

Approved fire access shall be provided prior to all construction or demolition sites. The access shall be capable of supporting vehicle loading under all weather conditions. Temporary address signage shall also be provided during construction.

Dead-Ends

Dead-end fire apparatus access roads with a required length in excess of 150 feet in length (measured from the curb perpendicular to the road) shall be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus.

Oregon Fire Code Appendix D, Figure D103.1 Dead-End Fire Apparatus Access Road Turnaround

Multiple Access Points

Commercial Development  

Buildings or facilities having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads. Where all of the buildings are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems, two separate access roads are not required until the gross building area exceeds 124,000 square feet. Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet or three stories in height shall have at least two means of fire apparatus access for each structure.

Residential Development   

Developments of one- and two-family dwellings where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with not less than two approved fire apparatus access roads. Where all of the one- and two-family dwellings are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, access from two directions is not required. Multiple-family residential projects, equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system, having more than 200 dwelling units shall be provided with not less than two approved fire apparatus access roads.

Separation

Where two access roads are required they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the lot or area to be served, measured in a straight line between accesses. (OFC D104.3)

Exceptions

Automatic Sprinkler System

Exceptions may be approved when the building or project is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

Practical Difficulties

Exceptions may be approved where apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions. The fire code official may also require additional fire access roads based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, the condition of terrain, climate conditions or other factors that could limit access.

Group R-3 or Group U Occupancies

Exceptions may be approved when there are not more than two Group R-3 (single family and small congregate residences) or Group U (unoccupied accessory/miscellaneous structures) occupancies.

Before public infrastructure and private utility permits are granted, an exhibit generated through computer modeling software shall be provided demonstrating the fire apparatus and axle turning movements using a continuous drive simulation in all directions of travel at all intersections, access points, and applicable internal site circulation.

Computer-Aided Design (CAD) Files for Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Fire Engines

Download Files for Modeling

• AutoTURN Hillsboro Fire Pumper (File format .veh)
• Autodesk Hillsboro Fire Pumper (File format .atx)

The exhibit shall include the following:

• A one-foot buffer on each side to accommodate the apparatus mirrors.
• Run with “turn wheels on stop” off.
• No minimum speed at turnarounds required.  A minimum speed of 10 mph is required at intersections unless otherwise approved by the City of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue and Hillsboro Public Works Departments.
• Parking zones, the location of above ground utilities, signs, street trees, medians and traffic delineators, median landscaping and other fixed objects that would impact the turning movements of the apparatus. Where emergency access easements are provided, the easement shall be shown on the exhibit to allow for comparison with apparatus turning movements.
• Pictorial and description of the vehicle used, including width, track, lock to lock time and steering angle.

Hillsboro Fire and Rescue will approve turning movement exhibits for streets without lane striping (local streets and neighborhood routes) that show the fire apparatus utilizing the oncoming traffic lane to successfully complete the turn. This consideration is not permitted on arterial or collector streets. 

Turning exhibits shall be uploaded to the Documents Folder in ProjectDox as a single document. Do not upload exhibits to the Drawings Folder.

When required by the fire code official, private fire apparatus access roads shall be marked as follows:

• Permanent text on the sign reading, "NO PARKING – FIRE LANE TOW AWAY ZONE HMC 11.28.010" signs comply with International Fire Code (IFC) Figure D103.6 and the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD). Signs shall have a minimum dimension of 12 inches wide by 18 inches high and have red letters on a white reflective background. The word “NO” shall be presented in a reverse color arrangement in the upper left-hand corner. Signs shall be posted on one or both sides of the fire apparatus road as required.

 

Dimension A – Seven feet in height from the sidewalk or pedestrian area.

Dimension B – 18 inches from standard curb to post; 24 inches from rolled curb to post.

Location of the sign shall comply with the MUTCD.

The sign orientation shall be at a right angle to the direction of, and facing, the traffic it is intended to serve. Signs may be mounted on existing posts or light poles shall comply with the MUTCD.

 

 

 

• Fire Lane Sign Type D

• Fire Lane Sign Type A

 

• Fire Lane Type C

 

 

• Standard and Rolled Curb

• Raised curbs on private property shall be painted bright red with white letters. The stroke shall be 1 inch with letters 6 inches high to read: NO PARKING – FIRE LANE. Curb heights less than 6 inches may result in reduced letter sizes on the curb signage, but shall not be less than 4 inches. Lettering shall be painted at an interval of every 25 feet.
• Property owners shall not designate and/or identify any access road on their property as a fire lane without prior approval from the fire code official. All signs and curb markings are to be installed and maintained by the property owner.

The City of Hillsboro Building Division shall review plans for all new access gates and/or barriers that may impede emergency vehicle or personnel access to a structure or facility. To overcome obstructions such as gates or barriers, the Hillsboro Fire Department requires all electric and manual gates to be equipped with a means of opening the gate for emergency access.

Construction

All gates shall be of the swinging or sliding type and allow operation by a single individual. Gates shall be bi-directional. Gates and barriers that are not the Standard Fire Access Gate shall be approved by the fire code official prior to construction.

Clear Width

Minimum gate width shall be 20 feet or as prescribed by the Oregon Fire Code (OFC).

Setback

Gates shall be set back a minimum of 30 feet from the intersecting road or as approved by the fire code official.

Automatic Gates and Barriers

• Automatic gates and barriers shall be provided with a Knox Key Switch. Refer to the Knox Systems Installation Standard for specific details.
• In the event of a power failure, the gate or barrier shall be provided with an emergency battery power supply or a fail-safe, allowing the gate to be opened without special knowledge or equipment.
• Upon activation of the key switch, the gate or barrier shall remain open until the key switch is returned to the normal position.
• This access control system requires testing by the City of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, Fire Marshal's Office, prior to final project approval.

To schedule an inspection, call the Fire Marshal's Office at 503-615-6746.

Manually Operated Gates and Barriers

Manual gates and barriers shall be provided with Knox Padlocks.

• Knox padlocks are used to secure manually operated gates or barriers and can be used in conjunction with the property owner’s padlock to allow access for property owners and emergency responders.
• This access control system requires an inspection by the City of Hillsboro Fire and Rescue, Fire Marshal's Office, prior to the project's final approval. Refer to the Knox Systems Installation Standard for detailed information.