Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutNHC Fire TRC CommentsNew Hanover County Fire Rescue 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 130 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 798-7420 Fax: (910) 798-7052 Protecting the citizens and visitors of New Hanover County TRC Plan Review - 2018 NC Fire Code Pursuant to the North Carolina Fire Prevention Code and New Hanover County Ordinances Section 26 SUBPP-24-0006 Seabreeze Townhomes New Hanover County Fire Rescue 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 130 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 798-7420 Fax: (910) 798-7052 Protecting the citizens and visitors of New Hanover County Required for Plan Review Submittal • The complete TRC/Site plans comments from New Hanover County Fire staff shall be submitted along with the building plans for review to New Hanover County Fire Marshal’s Office. This shall include the complete set of civil plans. Failure to submit the comments or complete set of civil plans will result in a resubmittal for review for verification of compliance. • Per NCFC 503.6, submit for review the details and manufacturer information for the gate across the fire department access road. • Per NCFC 507.1, Provide an Engineered fire flow analysis report in accordance with the fire code and Appendix B to include pertinent information. A fire flow test shall be conducted in accordance with NFPA 291 and NCFC 507.4. This report shall be submitted by a P.E. and include the stamp of the submitting individual on the report. Accessibility • Fire apparatus access roads are required at time of construction. They are to be capable of handling the weight of fire apparatus and be passable in all weather conditions. Fire apparatus access roads are to be a minimum of 20 feet wide (Chapter 5), unless there are fire hydrants installed along the roadway then minimum is 26 feet wide (Appendix D). The fire code official may increase this width as necessary based on potential for fire apparatus response. Dead end roads greater than 150 feet in length shall require an approved means for fire apparatus to turn around (Chapter 5 and Appendix D). Fire apparatus access roads shall provide a clear vertical clearance of 14 feet including trees, canopies, bridges, etc. (Chapter 5 requirement is 13 feet 6 inches, however AHJ requires 14 feet based on local apparatus). • Street and road signs are required, temporary signs during construction are acceptable as long as they are legible and weather resistant. (Chapter 5). • Fire apparatus access roads that access commercial buildings greater than 30 feet in height are to be a minimum of 26 feet wide, be capable of handling the weight of aerial fire apparatus (100,000 lbs.) and be passable in all weather conditions. New Hanover County Fire Rescue 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 130 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 798-7420 Fax: (910) 798-7052 Protecting the citizens and visitors of New Hanover County • Parking shall not be allowed on either side of the above-mentioned roadway. If roadside parking is desired the minimum road width shall be increased, contact the fire code official for further information. No Parking signs shall be a minimum of 12 inches wide and 18 inches tall. Commercial buildings shall have fire lanes marked (Chapter 5) • A secondary fire apparatus access road may be required if an impairment of a single fire apparatus access road would limit access under emergency conditions. Secondary access may also be required to facilitate evacuation during a natural or man-made disaster Chapter 5 and Appendix D). • Gates on fire apparatus access roads are discouraged due to the delay in response. If gated access is deemed necessary it shall be either staffed with personnel 24 hours per day every day, 365 days of the year or must include KNOX key bypass switch and siren activation (both). (Chapter 5). • Traffic calming devices are highly discouraged due to the delay in response. Speed bumps/humps are prohibited. Requests for other traffic calming devices must be evaluated during the Technical Review (TRC). • Premises identification is required. Address and or unit numbers are required on the street side as well as unit identification on rear access doors. Letters and Numbers shall not be less than 6 inches tall and ¾ inches wide; must be weather resistant and contrasting in color to their background. (Chapter 5). Buildings constructed under the 2018 code shall require additional signage per Appendix J. Water Supply (Chapter 5 and Appendix C) • If a water supply is required for fire protection a fire hydrant system or other means approved by the fire code official must be present prior to beginning construction and be maintained operable during the construction period. (For construction, fire dept. water shuttle counts as long there is a fill site within range) • An engineered fire flow calculation indicating the available fire flow shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal’s Office during plans review. • If an approved water supply capable of supplying the required fire flow for fire protection is available, fire hydrants shall be provided. New Hanover County Fire Rescue 230 Government Center Drive, Suite 130 Wilmington, NC 28403 Phone: (910) 798-7420 Fax: (910) 798-7052 Protecting the citizens and visitors of New Hanover County • Fire Hydrants o All fire hydrants shall have a 5 ¼ inch barrel, a 5 ¼ inch valve opening, two 2 ½ inch NST side discharges and a 5-inch pumper nozzle with a 5-inch STORZ connection. Further information on the technical specifications is available from the fire code official or Cape Fear Public Utility Authority. o All fire hydrants shall be installed so they are visible from the fire apparatus access road with unobstructed access and a clear space no less than 36 inches in all directions. They shall be protected from vehicle impact by curbing, guard posts or other means approved by the fire code official. They shall be oriented with the large discharge facing the nearest street. All discharges shall meet the NFPA requirements for distance above grade. o Fire hydrants in general residential areas shall be installed so that all insured properties are within 500 feet of a hydrant (hydrant spacing approximately 1000 feet apart along a fire apparatus access road, installed at intersections where possible). The first fire hydrant should be installed at or near the entrance to the residential area. o Fire hydrants should be located 50 feet or more from the structure they protect. Construction / Demolition o All construction and demolition operations must comply with Chapter 33.