ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE
2-1 PURPOSE AND INTENT 2-1.1 Purpose and Intent...... 2-3 2-1.2 Applicability ...... 2-3
2-2 ABBREVIATIONS ...... 2-3
2-3 ADMINISTRATION 2-3.1 Fire Official ...... 2-4 2-3.2 Requirements ...... 2-4 2-3.3 Plan Approval ...... 2-4 2-3.4 Inspections ...... 2-4
2-4 PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY 2-4.1 General Requirements ...... 2-4 2-4.2 Fire Flow Requirements ...... 2-4 2-4.3 Central Well Systems ...... 2-8
2-5 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS 2-5.1 Fire Hydrants ...... 2-8 2-5.2 Fire Lanes...... 2-10 2-5.3 Fire Department Connections ...... 2-13 2-5.4 Hazardous Material Storage Areas ...... 2-14 2-5.5 Refuse Disposal Areas ...... 2-15 2-5.6 Obstructions ...... 2-15 2-5.7 Emergency Vehicle Access...... 2-15
2-6 SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS 2-6.1 Site Plan Review ...... 2-16 2-6.2 Site Plan Requirements ...... 2-16
2-7 WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS 2-7.1 Fire Protection Waiver Procedures ...... 2-17 2-7.2 Fire Protection Waiver Requirements ...... 2-18
2-8 REFERENCE PUBLICATIONS ...... 2-18
2-9 PLATES ...... 2-19
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STANDARD PLATE RELATED PLATE DESCRIPTION DESIGNATION NUMBER SECTION 2-1 Typical Fire Hydrant Locations 2-5.1B 2-2 Typical Fire Hydrant Assembly 2-5.1B 2-3 Standard Fire Hydrant Island Parking Areas 2-5.1B 2-4 Standard Fire Hydrant Island Parking Areas 2-5.1B 2-5 Fire Hydrant Protection in Area Where 2-5.1B Island Cannot be Constructed 2-6 Signage 2-5.2C 2-7 Typical Fire Lane Layout and Markings 2-5.2E 2-8 Private Fire Service Meter Vault 2-5.3A 2-9 Inside Installation for Private Fire Service 2-5.3A 2-10 Siamese Connection for Inside Installation 2-5.3A
TABLES
STANDARD TABLE RELATED TABLE DESCRIPTION DESIGNATION NUMBER SECTION 2.1 Fire Flow 2-4.2B 2.2 Fire Flow Coefficient 2-4.2C 2.3 Maximum Fire Flow 2-4.2C 2.4 Exposure Surcharges 2-5.1B 2.5 Occupancy Reductions 2-5.1B 2.6 Standard Fire Lane Requirements 2-5.2B
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2-1 PURPOSE AND INTENT E. The design, alteration, modification, construction, maintenance, and 1. Purpose and Intent testing of fire protection systems and equipment. A. The intent of this Article is to prescribe minimum requirements F. Access requirements for fire necessary to establish a reasonable department operations. level of fire safety and property protection from the hazards created G. Hazards from outside fires in by fire and explosion. vegetation, trash, buildings debris, and other materials. B. This Article is partially comprised of text extracted from the current H. The regulation and control of special edition of the National Fire events including but not limited to Protection Association (NFPA) exhibits, trade shows, amusement codes and standards in an effort to parks, haunted houses, and other bring together information useful similar special occupancies. during field inspections. I. The interior finish, decorations, 2. Applicability furnishings, and other combustibles that contribute to fire spread, fire The provisions of this Article are applicable load, and smoke production. to: 2-2 ABBREVIATIONS A. The inspection of site design, processes, equipment, systems, and The following list of abbreviations is used other fire and related life safety throughout this Article: situations. AASHTO American Association of B. The review of construction plans, State Highway and drawings, and specifications for life Transportation Officials safety systems, fire protection FREM Department of Fire Rescue systems, access, water supplies, and Emergency Management processes, and hazardous materials FDC Fire Department Connection and other fire and life safety issues. NFPA National Fire Prevention Association C. Existing occupancies and PIV Post Indicator Valve conditions. USBC Uniform Statewide Building Code D. The storage, use, processing, VDH Virginia Department of handling, and transportation of Health hazardous materials. VDOT Virginia Department of Transportation ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-3
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2-3 ADMINISTRATION with all policies that are outlined on said permit or application. 1. Fire Official 3. Plan Approval A. The Fire Official with the Spotsylvania County Department of A. When a site plan has been approved, Fire, Rescue and Emergency one copy will be returned to the Management (FREM) shall be owner after the fees for plan review, responsible for the review, if any, have been paid. A cover modification and approval of all letter may be included, if deemed design and construction necessary, giving the amount of time specifications and inspection of all allowed for completion and other field work related to this Article. pertinent information.
B. The Fire Official is the Director of 4. Inspections FREM, the Fire Marshal, or specified designee and shall enforce A. Fire Lanes must have an on-site the requirements of this Article. final inspection before an Occupancy Permit may be issued. It 2. Requirements is the responsibility of the owner to contact the Fire Official or the In accordance with the current adopted FREM to schedule this inspection. edition of The Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code pursuant to Section 27-97 of 2-4 PUBLIC WATER SUPPLY the Code of Virginia and Chapter 9 of the Spotsylvania County Code: 1. General Requirements
A. No person shall use, tamper with, All public water supply systems shall damage or destroy, any fire conform to the standards and hydrants, valves, or water mains specifications of this Article and the within the County; except that a fire standards and specifications set forth in department may use such hydrants Chapters 20 (Subdivision), 22 (Water, for firefighting and training Sewers, and Sewage Disposal), 23 purposes. In addition, any person (Zoning), and shall be approved by the who has obtained a permit from the Utilities Department. Utility Department may use the items as prescribed by the permit 2. Fire Flow Requirements conditions. A. General B. When use is by a person under permit from the authority having (1) Applicable fire flows shall be jurisdiction, the user shall comply selected using Section 2-4.3.C., below after coordinated ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-4
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discussion between the water residual pressure remaining on the supply owner, design public water or central well system. consultant, the Utilities Where a pressure of 40 psi cannot Department and the Fire be attained the minimum pressure Marshal. shall be 20 psi and in conformance with State Waterworks Regulations. (2) Fire flow waivers shall be requested as specified in (1) Definitions: (For this Section 2-7. determination only)
B. Fire Flow Requirements • Required Fire Flow: Fire flow water to the site required for (1) One and two-family dwellings firefighting for any and all – minimum exposure distances structures and appurtenances on are shown in Table 2.1, below. the site. • Floor level: Any occupiable (2) Residential or professional level of a structure whether townhouse or multiplex units – above or below grade. minimum exposure distance of • F: Required fire flow in GPM. 2500 GPM or as calculated in • C: Coefficient related to the Section2-4.3.C., below, or as type of construction as shown required by the current in Table 2.2 below. requirements of the Building • A: The total area of all floor Department. levels in the structure being considered. (Gross floor area of (3) Other uses – fire flow the whole structure.) requirements established by the procedures and formulas delineated in Section 2-4.3.C., below. TABLE 2.1 – Fire Flow
Min. Exp. Distance Fire Flow (GPM) 0' -10' 1000 -1500 11' -30' 750 -1000 31' and greater 750
C. Fire Flow Requirement Determination:
All required fire flow should be designed and calculated at 40 psi ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-5
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
TABLE 2.2 – Fire Flow Coefficient values are absolute minimums after all reductions are taken. C TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION (4) Complete automatic sprinkler wood construction (current edition protection reduction – Value 1.5 of USBC-VA types 5A,5B) obtained from the formula given below may be reduced non-combustible/combustible 50% only if the structure or 1.0 construction (current edition of structures under consideration USBC-VA types3A, 3B) are completely covered with a sprinkler system. Partial heavy timber construction (current protection will not be allowed 0.9 edition of USBC-VA VA type 4) for any reduction in fire flow.
noncombustible construction (5) Calculation formula: F = 18 C 0.8 (current edition of USBC-VA types (A).5 where F, C, A are defined 2A, 2B, 2C) in the current Fire Code. This formula must be applied non-combustible construction sequentially to each structure 0.6 (current edition USBC-VA current on the site. The largest fire flow edition of USBC-VA types lA, lB) calculated then applies.
TABLE 2.3 -Maximum Fire Flow (6) Exposure surcharges – The value calculated in the above GPM TYPE OF CONSTRUCTION formula shall be increased by a percentage for exposure of 8000 Wood, heavy timber or ordinary other structures within 150' of construction the structure under 6000 Noncombustible or fire-resistive consideration. The percentage construction increase for any one side is indicated in Table 2.4 below. (2) Maximums – Fire flow required TABLE 2.4 – Exposure Surcharges shall not exceed the figures indicated in Table 2.3 above Separation (feet) Percentage (%) (before any reductions are 0-10 25 taken): 11-30 20 31-60 15 (3) Minimums – Fire flow required 61-100 10 shall never be less than 500 100-150 5 GPM for a structure. Fire flow required for single-family Total exposure surcharge shall be the sum detached dwellings shall never of the percentages for all sides of the be less than 750GPM. Both building but shall not exceed 75%. ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-6
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(7) Special consideration -The TABLE 2.5 -Occupancy Reductions above calculation procedure does not apply to: Type Occ. Type Occ. % % a. high hazard structures, Asylums 15 Nursing 15 b. lumber yards or lumber Homes storage, Churches 15 Office 10 c. petroleum storage, Buildings d. refineries, Clubs 10 Prisons 10 e. chemical plants, Dormitories 25 Public 10 f. grain storage, Buildings g. power generating facilities, Hospitals 20 Rooming 10 h. hazardous manufacturing Houses processes, Hotels 10 Schools 15 i. paint storage, high piled Open 25 combustible storage, Parking flammable liquids storage, (stand-alone etc. structures, not under buildings) All of the above require special consideration and direct D. Procedure for Calculation of consultation with the Fire Required Fire Flow: Prevention Division regarding fire flow requirement. (1) Determine type of construction, "C." (8) Occupancy reductions – The following percentage (2) Determine the gross floor area reductions to the value (A). calculated by the above formula may be taken. (3) Determine the occupancy reductions, if any.
(4) Apply the sprinkler reduction, if fully covered by a sprinkler system. Determine the total surcharge for exposures.
(5) Perform the following multiplication:
.5 F = 18C (A) (F) (occupancy reduction) (sprinkler reduction) (exposure ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-7
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
surcharge) equals total required floor level. Such hydrants shall be fire flow for the structure under accessible to firefighting apparatus. consideration. The need for such fire hydrants will be determined by the use and size of Note: Occupancy reduction is the structure involved and the 100% - percent (%) given availability of water in the area of above. Sprinkler reduction is the property. The number of fire 50%. Exposure surcharge is hydrants, their placement and the 100% + percent (%) given desired fire flow shall be determined above. by the standards and specifications of this Article, established from 3. Central Well Systems nationally recognized standards.
A. Central well systems apply to one B. Fire Hydrant Design and Placement and two-family developments where public water is not available within (1) Fire hydrants shall be generally specified distances required for located at street intersections public water main extension. and at the ends of long streets (Specified distance required equals ending in cul-de-sacs. The 125 times the number of proposed maximum distance between lots to the nearest boundary line of hydrants located along streets the proposed development.) and roadways shall be as indicated in Section 2-5.1.B (5) B. Central well systems shall be below. Fire hydrants shall not designed for a minimum 30,000 gal. be installed on lines less than 6 storage capacity with adequate inches in diameter. Where dead pressure for firefighting activities. end lines occur, a fire hydrant shall be installed. Hydrant 2-5 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION drains and flushing devices will REQUIREMENTS not be connected to sanitary sewers or storm drains. 1. Fire Hydrants (2) Site plan approval shall be A. General obtained for the installation of fire hydrants. The Fire Official shall have the authority to require the installation (3) All fire hydrant locations shall of fire hydrants as he deems be reviewed by the Fire Official necessary to have water available for for conformity to this Section. firefighting purposes prior to the use See Plates 2-1 to 2-5. of combustible materials in construction being commenced on (4) The location of all existing or any floor above the first or ground proposed fire hydrants within ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-8
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800' of the site shall be shown (8) All fire hydrants shall be on the plans for the located a minimum of 40' from improvements. No all buildings. consideration will be given to off-site hydrants unless they are (9) Hydrants shall not be placed in shown on the site plan. concrete areas. See Plates 2-1 to 2-5 for fire hydrant details. (5) The maximum distance measured from the fire hydrant (10) Hydrants shall be installed to the most remote point of either 5' from the point of vehicular access on the site curvature of curb returns or on shall be as follows: the property line in subdivisions. a. Industrial Buildings – 400' b. Commercial and Office (11) Hydrants shall be located as Buildings – 400' follows: (Refer to Plate 2-1) c. Churches and Schools – 400' d. Apartments, Multi-family a. Curb and Gutter Streets: and Townhouses – 200' typically 3 feet from the face e. Single Family cluster – 400' of curb, but not less than 18" f. Single Family dwellings – and not more than 12' behind 800' the face of curb, unless g. Mobile Home Parks – 800' approved by the Fire Official. (6) The separation between fire b. Ditch Section Streets: hydrants shall be as follows: typically 6'-4" from the edge of the shoulder or as required a. Single family detached by VDOT, but not more than developments shall be 600' to 12' beyond the edge of 800' maximum. pavement, unless approved b. Townhouse, apartment, by the Fire Official. commercial, office, industrial, and mixed-use (12) All hydrant branches shall have developments shall be 300' to a minimum cover of 3' at the 500' maximum. ditch line.
(7) A fire hydrant shall be provided (13) Steel posts shall be installed within 50 feet of the fire around hydrants as needed for department connection to any industrial and commercial fire protection systems located development where curbs are within the building. not available to prevent hydrants from being damaged.
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fire hydrant shall be designed Refer to Plate 2-5 for fire and located according the Fire hydrant details. Marshal requirements and NFPA standards. (14) Sidewalks shall be wrapped around hydrants in areas where C. Fire Hydrant Specifications the grass area is shown as 2' or less. (1) All fire hydrant design and installation shall be in (15) Easements shall be required for accordance with the current hydrants located on ditch standards and specifications of section streets where there is the Spotsylvania County less than 5' clearance from Utilities Department, both on hydrant to the property line. public or private streets and in Show typical installation. easement areas. The 4 ½” nozzle shall face the street, (16) If hydrants are to be located in travel lane, service drive, fire an area of possible guard rail lane or vehicular travel-way, construction, plans should be where accessible or as checked for notes regarding approved by the Fire Official. possible obstruction. D. Fire hydrants placed on streets (17) No plantings or the erection of without curb and gutter shall have other obstructions shall be the 2 ½” hose connection a made within 4' of any fire minimum clearance of 5’ from the hydrant, or within 10' of a side slopes. Refer to Plate 2-1 for siamese connection. fire hydrant assembly details.
(18) If a fixed fire suppression or E. The bottom of the safety flange shall detection system is to be be 2 ½” above the elevation of the provided, the type of system edge of the shoulder on the streets shall be clearly indicated. The without curb and gutter and above installation shall be subject to the elevation of the curb on streets the applicable section of the with curb and gutter. Refer to Plate Uniform Statewide Building 2-1 for fire hydrant assembly details. Code. 2. Fire Lanes (19) In developments where no public water supply system is A. General available, a dry fire hydrant may be required as determined (1) Under the currently adopted by the Fire Marshal and/or edition of the Virginia Planning Commission. The dry Statewide Fire Prevention ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-10
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
Code, the Fire Official is design phase to discuss the authorized to designate fire appropriate areas for fire lane lanes on public streets and on designation. private property where necessary. This is to prevent (5) Fire Lanes must have an on-site parking in front of, or adjacent final inspection before an to, fire hydrants and to provide Occupancy Permit may be access for firefighting issued. It is the responsibility of equipment. Markings and signs the owner to contact FREM to are to be provided by the owner schedule this inspection. or agent of the property involved. Parking or otherwise (6) Maintenance of fire lanes shall obstructing such areas is be the responsibility of the prohibited. property owner. Fire lanes may not be altered or deleted (2) A fire lane shall be designated without written permission where it is desirable that certain from the Fire Official. roads, areas, and building ingress and egress facilities be B. Fire Lane Design and Specification kept clear for fire department access to buildings and (1) Fire lanes shall have a equipment provided for fire minimum width of 20 feet and protection. Approved signs a maximum width of 24 feet. only shall be used to designate Parking and traffic flow such areas and they shall be patterns shall be required as in provided by the owner or his Table 2.6, below. agent as required by the Fire Official. (2) Parking is prohibited within 15 feet of a fire hydrant located (3) Action for establishment of fire along the curb line or edge of lanes may be initiated by the any public or private roadway. Fire Official or by the request No sign or special curb of the owner or his agent. marking would be required for enforcement. (4) All fire lane information proposed by the owner shall be (3) Fire lanes shall be marked with shown on the site plan in both signs and curb delineation accordance with this Section. per Sections 2-5.2.C, D, and E, The Fire Official shall be below. contacted during the project
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ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
TABLE 2.6 Standard Fire Lane Requirements
Street Width – Curb to Curb One-Way Traffic Two-Way Traffic No parallel parking on either No parallel parking on either Less than 24’ side of the street side of the street Parallel parking allowed on No parallel parking on either 24’ – 29’ one side of street as side of the street determined by Fire Official Parallel parking allowed on Parallel parking allowed on 30’ – 35’ one side of the street as both sides of the street determined by Fire Official Parallel parking allowed on Parallel parking allowed on 36’ or greater both sides of the street both sides of the street NOTE: Permission for one-way traffic flow on private streets is granted through the FREM.
C. Signage Location d. Arrows 1” x 6” solid shaft with solid head 1 ½” wide The spacing between signs shall be and 2” deep. 100 feet; however, this distance may vary as site conditions warrant. The (5) Signs are to be mounted 6’ placement of signs will be from ground surface to the determined by the Fire Official and bottom of the sign unless noted on the site plan. otherwise directed by the Fire Official. D. Signage Specifications (6) Posts for signs, when required, (1) Metal construction, 12” x 18”. shall be metal and securely mounted, unless written (2) Red letters on reflective white permission for alternatives is background with 3/8” red trim obtained from the Fire Official strip around entire outer edge prior to installation. Signs of sign. should be spaced as required in the current Fire Code. (3) Lettering on sign to be: “NO PARKING OR STANDING (7) Other special signs may be FIRE LANE”. See Plate 6-2. allowed if approved in advance by the Fire Official. (4) Lettering size to be as follows: E. Curb Designation a. NO PARKING and STANDING – 2”, Fire lanes designated by the Fire b. OR – l”, Official and shown on the approved c. FIRE LANE-2 ½”, site plan shall be painted with ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-12
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VDOT Highway Traffic grade connections (FDC) shall be yellow paint and installed as provided. follows: (1) There shall be no shutoff valve (1) All curbs or paved spaces shall in the fire department be painted. connection.
(2) A 4” yellow stripe shall be (2) In fire suppression systems, the painted 3 feet from the edge of fire service piping shall be the curb face for the entire installed in compliance with length of the fire lane. NFPA standards, NFPA allows for this piping to be installed in (3) “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” a vault or inside the structure. shall be painted with 12” letters, 4” wide and equally (3) Fire Department connections spaced between the curb face shall be on the street side of and the striping listed in (2) buildings and shall be located above. When fire lane signs are and arranged so that hose lines required, the “NO PARKING can be readily and conveniently FIRE LANE” shall be centered attached to the inlets without between signs. interference from any nearby objects including buildings, (4) In areas without curbing, a 6” fences, posts, or other fire wide yellow stripe should be department connections. applied to the edge of the pavement. Paint shall be VDOT (4) Each FDC shall be located at Highway Traffic grade. least 40 feet from the building or as approved by the Fire (5) Refer to Plate 2-7 for a typical Official when not located on fire lane detail. the building.
3. Fire Department Connections (5) The height of fire department connections shall be 36 inches A. Fire Department Connections from the ground surface to the operating features. When fire suppression systems are required a connection through which (6) Refer to Plates 2-8, 2-9 and 2- the fire department can pump water 10 for acceptable Fire into the sprinkler, standpipe, or other Department Connections. system furnishing water for fire extinguishment makes a desirable (7) Additional specifications for auxiliary supply. For this purpose each FDC are found in and one or more fire department ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-13
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shall conform to the NFPA 24 standards. A. Definition
B. Post Indicator Valves Hazardous materials are generally defined as those chemicals or Every connection from the fire substances which are physical service main to a building shall be hazards or health hazards as defined provided with a listed indicating and classified in this section and the valve so located as to control all Fire Prevention Code listed in sources of water supply except fire Chapter 35 of the current USBC, department connections when whether the materials are in a usable arranged as specified in Section 2- or waste condition. 5.3.A, above. B. Requirements (1) Post Indicator Valves (PIV) shall be located not less than 40 (1) The following references feet from the buildings being provide regulations involving protected. the storage of hazardous materials, including all (2) The height of Post Indicator structures which are occupied Valves shall be 36 inches from for the storage or other use of the ground surface to the hazardous materials: operating features. a. Currently adopted edition of (3) The PIV shall be located within Virginia State Building Code 15’ of the FDC. Section 307.1 b. Currently adopted edition of (4) Tamper switches shall be Virginia Statewide Fire provided on PIV unless Prevention Code, Chapters specifically waived by the Fire 23-43 Marshal. c. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49 (CFR-49) Hazardous (5) A PIV is not required in materials regulations, US applications where tamper DOT switches are provided on the d. All NFPA Codes and OS & Y valves located within References that are the building. applicable
(6) Additional PIV specifications (2) The location and type of any are found in and shall conform proposed hazardous materials to the NFPA 24 standards. storage areas, interior or exterior must be shown on the 4. Hazardous Material Storage Areas ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-14
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site plan. Refer to Section 2-6 access, fire protection equipment, for site plan requirements. and firefighting operations shall be clearly shown on the site plan. Refer 5. Refuse Disposal Areas to Section 2-6 for site plan requirements. A. The outside storage of combustible or flammable materials shall not 7. Emergency Vehicle Access exceed 20 feet in height and shall be compact and orderly. Such storage A. Access for emergency vehicles shall shall be located so as not to be provided to within 100’ of the constitute a hazard. The storage main or principal entrance of every structure and enclosure shall not be building. The access shall be less than 15 feet from any lot line or provided by a public or private street any other building on the site unless or parking lot. approved by the Fire Official. (1) Fire department access shall be B. The storage of combustible or provided and maintained to all flammable materials shall be structures undergoing confined to the approved areas as construction, alteration or shown on the site plan. demolition. Fire department access roadways shall be of an 6. Obstructions approved VDOT or County surface material capable of A. Site features that may obstruct providing emergency vehicle emergency vehicle access include access and support at all times, but are not limited to the following: and shall be a minimum of 20 feet in unobstructed width. The Fences, access roadways shall provide a Gates, minimum 45 feet turning radius Walls, capable of accommodating the Bridges, largest fire apparatus of the Tunnels, jurisdiction and a minimum Guardrails, vertical clearance of 13 feet, 6 Ditches, inches. Topographic features, including slope, (2) The inner surface of the ladder Utilities, truck access way shall be no Overhangs and less than 15’ and no more than Other special features 30’ from the exterior building wall. B. All of the items mentioned in section A above plus any additional items which may present a possible obstruction for emergency vehicle ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-15
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(3) Pavement Grades shall be no 2-6 SITE PLAN REQUIREMENTS more than 10 percent. In addition, grades shall be no less 1. Review than 0.5 percent in order to prevent pooling of water in the All fire hydrant locations shall be travelway. Steeper grades may reviewed by the Fire Official for be permitted as site conditions conformity to the Spotsylvania County warrant with prior approval Standards and as shown in Plates 1-2 from the Fire Official. through 5-2 of this Article.
B. Required fire department access 2. Requirements ways over 300’ in length shall have provisions for turning emergency A. Site plans submitted for compliance vehicle apparatus around. Refer to with Article 4, Division 11 of Article 5-4.2.A, Streets, Parking and Chapter 23 (Zoning) shall also Driveways for design guidance. include the following information.
C. The access to the rear may be B. Site plans for review by the Fire provided by a street, parking lot, or Official shall be to a scale not fire lane. smaller than 1” = 50’, unless prior approval from the Fire Official is D. When buildings are more than 5 granted. The site plans shall show stories or 50’ in height, ladder truck streets, parking spaces, fire access shall be provided to both the hydrants, fire department front and rear of the building. connections, fire department access lanes, and any other pertinent E. A 12’ wide access lane to within 50’ information as indicated below, or of the edge of swimming pools is subsequently required by the Fire required except for individually Official. owned pools located on single family lots when required by Fire (1) Use group classification Marshall. including the type of operations that will occur at this site F. Private bridges must have a design (defined by the Uniform satisfactory to the Fire Official to Statewide Building Code). carry and provide adequate clearance for emergency vehicles, (2) Type of construction (defined where necessary. AASHTO by the Uniform Statewide “Standard Specifications for Building Code). Highway Bridges” and the VDOT Bridge Engineer will be consulted (3) Existing and proposed water for guidance on a case by case basis. mains and size.
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(4) Available water pressure and (11) Location of fire department flow capability, static pressure, siamese connections (street residual pressure, flow in GPM. front of building).
a. Calculation of the fire flow (12) Height of building in feet and required on site. Refer to stories. Section 2-4.3 for the calculation procedure. (13) Breakdown of building interiors such as fire walls, (5) Existing and proposed fire tenant separations, etc. hydrants within 800 feet of the project site. (14) If a fixed fire suppression or detection system is to be (6) Location of all proposed fire provided, the type of system lanes with details of curb shall be clearly indicated. The marking and sign locations. installation shall be subject to the applicable section of the (7) Location and type of any Uniform Statewide Building proposed hazardous materials Code. storage areas, interior and exterior. 2-7 WAIVERS AND MODIFICATIONS
(8) Location of any fencing, 1. Fire Protection Waiver Procedures temporary or permanent, or any other potential obstruction to A. The provisions of this Article are not fire hydrants, fire department intended to prevent the use of connections or fire lanes. See systems, methods, or devices of section 2-5.6 for a list of typical equivalent or superior quality, obstructions. strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability and safety (9) Type of fire suppression or to those prescribed by this Article, detection equipment to be provided that the spirit and intent of provided; i.e. sprinklers, the Article are observed and public standpipes, smoke or heat health, safety and welfare are detectors, etc. (See current ensured. edition of the Uniform Statewide Building Code for (1) An alternative material or requirements). method of construction shall be approved when the Fire Official (10) Location and size of finds that the proposed design underground fire lines. is satisfactory and complies with the intent of the provisions of this Article, and the material, method, or work offered is, for ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-17
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the purpose intended, at least year, the rezoning number and the the equivalent of that date of approval by the Board of prescribed in this Article in Supervisors. quality, strength, fire resistance, effectiveness, durability and D. Copies of any required Special safety. Exception or Special Use Permit with date of approval. (2) Sufficient technical data shall be submitted to substantiate the E. Specific item requested to be waived proposed installation of any or modified. material or assembly. F. Length of time for which the waiver (3) Supporting data, where is requested. necessary to assist in the approval of all material or G. Any proposed alternate form of fire assemblies not specifically protection. provided for in this Article, shall consist of valid research H. The name, address, telephone reports from approved sources. number and email address of the person making the request. B. All requests for a modification or waiver of any fire protection I. The County assigned number for requirement of Chapter 9 of the site and subdivision plans and Spotsylvania County Code or this waiver requests associated with the Article must be submitted and property. addressed to the Fire Official. 2-8 REFERENCED PUBLICATIONS 2. Fire Protection Waiver Requirements 1. The following referenced publications All requests must be submitted and and code sections should be consulted as addressed to the Fire Official and a source of information when developing include the following: plans for compliance with this Article.
A. A plan or sketch drawn to scale A. NFPA Fire Protection Handbook showing the proposed location of all (Current Edition) improvements on the site and the type of construction involved. • Fire Prevention Code – NFPA 1 • Fire Pumps – NFPA 20 B. The address, tax map reference • Sprinklers – NFPA 13, 13D, 13R number and the proposed use of the • Installation of Standpipe and property. Hose Systems – NFPA 14 • Water Tanks for Private C. The current zoning classification of Protection – NFPA 22 the property and if rezoned within 1 ______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-18
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• Private Fire Service Mains and J. AWWA Publications – American their Appurtenances – NFPA 24 Water Works Association • Code for Safety to Life from Fire in Buildings and Structures – 2-9 PLATES NFPA 101, 10lA • Fire Protection in Planned The following Plates will illustrate and assist Building Groups – NFPA 1141 in the explanation of the standards and • Water Supplies for Suburban and specifications in Article 2, (Fire Regulations) Rural Fire Fighting – NFPA of the Spotsylvania County Design Standards 1231 Manual and Chapter 9 (Fire Prevention and • Construction, Alteration and Protection) of the Spotsylvania County Code. Demolition Operations – NFPA 241 • Water Based Fire Protection Systems – NFPA 25 • Supervision of Valves Controlling Water Supplies – NFPA 26
B. Current adopted edition of USBC
C. Current adopted edition of Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code
D. Current adopted edition of BOCA National Fire Prevention Code
E. Code of Federal Regulations Title 49 – Hazardous Materials Regulations
F. NFPA Publications – National Fire Protection Association
G. ANSI Publications – American National Standards Institute
H. ASTM Publications – American Society for Testing and Materials
I. AWS Publications – American Welding Society
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-19
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-20
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-21
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-22
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-23
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-24
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-25
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
Ss
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-26
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-27
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-28
ARTICLE 2 – FIRE REGULATIONS
______Spotsylvania County Design Standards Manual 2-29