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Sections 503.1 through 503.4 of the International Fire Code (IFC) are deleted and replaced as follows:

A. Applicability. Emergency Vehicle Access (EV Access) shall be provided and maintained in accordance with this Chapter for any parcel(s) of land improved with building(s) or facilities. EV Access shall be required for every building, portion of a building, or facility that is located more than 150 feet from the edge of the driving surface of a public or private road or shared access facility providing access, as measured in an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility. If a private road or shared access facility leading to a subject property is a dead-end longer than 300 feet without an approved turnaround, an approved turnaround is required on the subject property or approved alternative location. See Figures 17C.60.150-1 and 17C.60.150-5. When the private road easement is on the property, it is regulated under this Section.

B. Modifications or Exceptions.

1. Residential: EV Access shall not be required for the following:

a. Residential accessory buildings such as private garages, carports, and sheds that are less than 3,600 square feet, and separated from other structures by at least 10 feet.

b. Additions, remodels, or alterations of existing structures if the proposed change is not a "Substantial Alteration" per PCC 17C.60.030.

2. Non-Residential: EV Access shall not be required for the following:

a. Towers and water tanks.

b. Additions, remodels, or alterations of existing structures if the proposed change is not a "Substantial Alteration" per PCC 17C.60.030.

c. Agriculture/aquaculture buildings that meet the exemption for fire flow.

d. Structures for the sole purpose of storing mineral products such as salt, sand or rock for maintenance purposes.

e. Buildings that are 600 square feet or less and meet all of the following criteria:

(1) Separated from other structures by greater than 20 feet.

(2) Separated from property lines by greater than 10 feet.

(3) Not classified as group R, H or I occupancies as defined by the International Building Code (IBC).

3. Sprinklered buildings or facilities are permitted to modify EV Access minimum width per Table 17C.60.150-1.

4. When an EV Access cannot be installed in conformance with these standards due to non-negotiable grades, critical areas, dimensions of the property, or other similar conditions, the Fire Marshal may allow a modification to these standards. This authorization shall be made through the "Alternate Methods or Materials" procedure established by the IFC.

C. Relationship with Road Standards. As depicted in Figure 17C.60.150-1, EV access standards contained in this Chapter are applicable within and on a subject property. Public or private roads or shared access facilities that lead to the subject property and provide access over other properties via easements or County right-of-way shall meet the standards in Title 17B PCC, Construction and Infrastructure Regulations, and shall be maintained to standard.

Deviations from County road standards that deal with width, grade, turnaround, or other access requirements that impact fire department access/ingress and operations shall require a fire sprinkler system in all homes directly impacted by the deviation. When a deviation to County road standards that impacts fire department access/ingress is proposed, the applicant shall provide justification as to which lots are not directly impacted by the request. The Pierce County Fire Marshal will review the deviation and provide an approval, a conditional approval, or deny the request based upon the factual details of the request.

D. Administration.

1. A site plan shall be submitted to Pierce County in accordance with the site plan submittal standards for the proposed building permit. EV Access design shall be identified on the site plan and approved by the Fire Marshal prior to the issuance of the building permit.

2. The applicant shall have the EV Access constructed in compliance with the conditions of the permit before the project will receive final inspection approval.

3. Failure to construct and/or maintain the EV Access as approved shall result in the imposition of penalties under this Chapter.

E. EV Access Requirements.

1. EV Access standards are as shown in Table 17C.60.150-1 and Figures 17C.60.150-1 through 17C.60.150-6.

2. A dead-end EV Access in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with a turnaround. The turnaround shall be provided within 150 feet of the end of the EV Access. See Figures 17C.60.150-4 and 17C.60.150-5.

3. Bridges that provide EV Access must be capable of carrying a minimum design load of H-20 per "Standard Specifications for Highway Bridges," as adopted by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, AASHTO. A building permit is required by the County for the installation of a bridge. The County may require that the capacity of bridges and structures be certified by a licensed structural engineer.

4. EV Access with a gate shall meet the requirements of PCC 17B.10.102 and 17C.60.205. Gates exempt from PCC 17B.10.102 shall meet the requirements of IFC 503.5 and 503.6.

5. EV Access grades that are 12 percent or greater shall be paved per Figure 17C.60.150-2. When grades are 15 percent or greater, an approved National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire sprinkler system shall be provided for all habitable buildings, and a letter of understanding provided by the Fire Marshal's office shall be recorded at the Pierce County Auditor's office. EV Access that exceeds the maximum 19 percent shall meet the requirements of PCC 17C.60.150.B.4 above and have a dry standpipe installed in accordance with PCC 17C.60.210.

6. EV Access shall not be obstructed in any manner, including parking of vehicles. Minimum required widths and clearances established under these standards shall be maintained at all times. Approved signs as guided by IFC Appendix D103.6 or approved pavement striping shall be provided and maintained by the property owner to identify and prohibit the obstruction of fire department access for:

a. Multifamily complexes.

b. Designated one-way emergency vehicle access.

c. Schools.

d. Land use applications that create nine or more dwelling units.

e. For all other situations, these provisions will be applied at the Fire Marshal's discretion.

7. Construction of a new building shall not obstruct the EV Access to an existing building.

8. Adult family homes shall have a medical response access that is a minimum of five feet wide and paved from the front door to the property access or road.

9. For a commercial or multifamily building that is more than 50 feet deep where vehicular access is not available on all sides of the building, a five-foot-wide paved walking path shall be provided on the sides of the building where there is not vehicular emergency vehicle access.

The near edge of the path shall be located away from the building in accordance with the following:

a. When the building is less than 30 feet in height, a minimum of five feet.

b. When the building is between 30 feet and 40 feet in height, a minimum of seven feet, six inches.

c. When the building is 40 feet or more in height, a minimum of 10 feet.

F. Special Provisions.

1. Traffic Control Measures. Traffic control measures such as speed bumps or speed humps shall be permitted through the "Alternate Methods or Materials" procedure established by the IFC. Example speed bump and speed hump designs can be found on the Institute of Transportation Engineers (ITE) website.

2. Access Locations. IFC Appendix D104, D106, and D107 are adopted.

a. Emergency vehicle access shall be constructed as part of the road infrastructure with the plat or development and meet the following criteria:

(1) Gates required at both ends of the access.

(2) Locked gate meeting PCC 17C.60.205.

(3) A minimum 20-foot-wide paved surface with minimum two-inch hot mix asphalt over four-inch crushed surface top course.

(4) Minimum 20-foot inside turning radius.

(5) Gate shall have a minimum 20-foot clear width.

(6) Minor driveway approaches are required on both ends of access.

(7) Gates to be set back such that they do not swing into the right-of-way.

3. Aerial Access. Apartment, townhome and commercial structures three stories and greater or exceeding 30 feet in height, as measured to the top of the parapet wall or to the peak of the roof, shall have approved aerial apparatus access roads guided by IFC Appendix D105.2 – D105.4 and Figure 17C.60.150-6.

a. There shall be no carports, wires or obstructions, or plantings over six feet in height between the building and the aerial apparatus access road (AAAR).

b. The AAAR shall be located on the front door or long side of the building and not be less than 25 percent of the building perimeter; except Group I occupancies shall not be less than 50 percent of the building perimeter.

c. The AAAR, when not continuous, shall be approved by the Fire District.

Table 17C.60.150-1. Emergency Vehicle Access (1) Requirements

Proposed Development

ADT (2)

Width (minimum driving surface)

Width (minimum driving surface with sprinklers) (6)

Grade %

Surface

Vertical Clearance (minimum)

Minimum Turning Radii

Figure #

Inside

Outside

Single family home

Single family home + Mother-in-Law

Residential accessory structure

3,600 sq. ft. or greater

Home Occupation

≤10

15'

12'

With 2' clear area (5, 11)

13.5'

20'

45'

2,3

<12

CSTC (3)

≥12 to <15

Paved (4)

≥15 to ≥19

Paved (4,6)

Single family home + ADU

Duplex

≤20

18'

15' if one home is sprinklered, 12' with 2' clear area (5) if both are sprinklered (11)

13.5'

20'

45'

2,3

<12

CSTC (3)

≥12 to <15

Paved (4)

≥15 to ≥19

Paved (4,6)

Adult Family Home (10)

≤40

20'

18' wide driving surface (11)

13.5'

20'

45'

2

<15

Paved (4)

≥15 to ≥19

Paved (4,6)

Cottage Industries

≤40

20'

18' driving surface (11)

13.5'

20'

45'

2

<12

CSTC (3)

≥12 to <15

Paved (4)

≥15 to ≥19

Paved (4,6)

Multifamily 3 or more units including townhomes

Commercial Use, Facilities, Mobile Home Park, Condominium Piers and public docks (9)

≤40

24' (7,8)

22'

13.5'

20'

45'

2,6

<15

Paved (4)

≥15 to ≤19

Paved (4,6)

Nonresidential pools, Nonresidential picnic shelters, playsheds, and similar recreational structures intended for public use open on at least 3 sides and 2,500 square feet or less

N/A

5' medical response access

5' medical response access

13.5'

N/A

N/A

≤12

Paved

Notes:

(1)    EV access driveway standards are applicable within and on a single lot, and not located within ingress/egress easements. See PCC 17B.10.040 for additional information on applicability of Construction and Infrastructure Regulations.

(2)    Average Daily Trips by vehicle – typical development column shall supersede ADT for determination of applicable standards.

(3)    Crushed surfacing top course gravel.

(4)     Surface shall be either Portland Cement Concrete (PCC), Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA), or pervious pavement per the Pierce County Stormwater Manual. Grasscrete is not allowed.

(5)     The cleared area must be maintained on each side of the minimum driving surface, be at the same grade, and be free of obstructions such as trees or large boulders. See Figure 17C.60.150-3.

(6)     These structure(s) must have an approved National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) fire sprinkler system installed.

(7)     One way EV access shall be a minimum of 16' when sprinklered, 20' without sprinklers. One-way EV access shall be assigned and striped as "Fire Lane – No Parking."

(8)     In order to accommodate ladder trucks, multifamily and commercial structures three stories and greater or over 30' in height shall have access roads in accordance with International Fire Code Appendix D105.

(9)     For buildings more than 50' deep, PCC 17C.60.150.E.9 also applies.

(10)     Adult family homes shall have a medical response access that is a minimum of five inches wide and paved from the front door to the property access or road.

(11)     Does not apply to structures built in the IRC which are 5,000 square feet or greater.

(12)     Grade exceeding 19 percent shall meet the requirements of PCC 17C.60.150.E.5.

Figure 17C.60.150-1. Applicability of Titles 17B and 17C PCC

Figure 17C.60.150-2. EV Access Driveway Section and Minimum Curve Radius

Figure 17C.60.150-3. 12 Foot Driving Surface with 2 Foot Clear Area

Figure 17C.60.150-4. EV Access Driveway Turnaround Requirement

Figure 17C.60.150-5. EV Access Turnaround Options

Figure 17C.60.150-6. Aerial Apparatus Access Roads (AAAR)

(Ord. 2021-46s § 1, 2021; Ord. 2018-68s § 2 (part), 2018; Ord. 2016-85s § 1 (part), 2016; Ord. 2015-55s § 2 (part), 2015; Ord. 2008-107 § 2 (part), 2008; Ord. 2004-30s § 4 (part), 2004)