EULESS FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE Information Line 17-2: ACCESS CONTROLLED GATES AND SPEED BUMPS
Revision Date: October 1, 2020
Approved by: Fire Chief Wes Rhodes Fire Marshal Ken Rawlinson
Code References: 2015 International Fire Code with local amendments Applicable NFPA Standards
DISCLAIMER: Information Lines are designed to give brief, easy to understand answers to common fire code related questions. This document should be treated as a reference tool and is not a replacement for specific fire codes and standards. If you still have questions about this topic after reading this document, please contact the Euless Fire Marshal at 817-685-1600. ______
SCOPE:
This information line contains the Euless Fire Department requirements for limited access control gates and speed bumps installed over fire lanes.
PERMITS:
A permit is required from the Fire Marshal’s Office prior to installing a gate or speed bump crossing a fire lane. The applicant shall provide three sets of a site plan and/or detailed construction plans with a completed permit application meeting the following specifications: . Standard blueprint quality plans drawn to scale. . List all details, specifications, or diagrams necessary to provide a description of the proposed work. . Show compliance with all of the requirements contained herein.
NOTE: An annual operational permit and inspection is required for gates and speed bumps installed across fire lanes to ensure continued compliance with these requirements.
SPEED BUMPS:
. A construction permit is required PRIOR to the erection of any speed bump or alternative traffic- calming device in a fire lane or emergency access roadway. . Speed bumps may extend a maximum of 4 inches in height above the road surface at a minimum rise ratio of 3 units horizontally for every 1 unit of height. . The entire surface of the speed bump must be painted yellow or white. . An annual operational permit for a speed bump is required and an inspection will take place each year to ensure the speed bump is properly maintained and painted.
Figure #1: Typical Speed Bump Detail
Maximum four inches 3:1 rise ratio in height
Minimum 12 inches to center for a four inch tall speed bump
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GATES INSTALLED OVER FIRE LANES:
Gates installed over a fire lane or a private street must meet the following general requirements: . A construction permit is required PRIOR to the erection of any gate over a fire lane or private street serving as an emergency access road. . An annual operational permit for a gate installed over a fire lane is required and an inspection will take place each year to ensure the gate is operational and meets all code requirements. . Electric/automatic gates must comply with the requirements of UL 325 and ASTM F2200 and the International Fire Code as adopted and amended by the Euless Fire Department. . Gates shall be maintained operational at all times. . When access gates are out of service, they must be secured in the open position until repaired. . The city shall have the right to enter a premise containing a controlled access gate to test the gate and disable, open, or remove any gate, device or feature that impedes emergency vehicle access. . Manual gates across a fire lane shall be secured using an approved Knox padlock. . Electronic gates shall have an approved means of operation by emergency personnel including, but not limited to a well-marked emergency release device to allow the manual operation of the gate for emergency vehicles.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GATES INSTALLED OVER FIRE LANES AT TARGET HAZARDS:
Gates limiting access to residential subdivisions, apartment complexes, or other areas deemed by the fire code official as an excessive life, safety, or property risk must meet additional requirements to allow rapid access by emergency vehicles.
Requirements include: . The ability to open fully in the event of a power failure and remain open until power is restored . The installation of an Opticom receiver mounted to allow the automatic opening of the gate when an Opticom transmitter from an emergency vehicle is activated. . The installation of a Knox electronic key switch in a location approved by the fire code official.
. Gates must open the full width of the fire lane when activated by the Opticom or Knox switch. . Approach and departure areas on both sides of a gated entrance must provide adequate setbacks and proper alignment to allow an emergency vehicle free and unimpeded access. . Gates that do not require an Opticom receiver on the exit side of the gate shall have a sensor in the ground at least 6 feet back from the gate that will cause the gate to open when a vehicle approaches.