Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

Section 502.1 in Chapter 5 is hereby amended to add the following:

DRIVEWAY

Section 503.1 of Chapter 5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 503.1 Where Required. Fire Apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.5.

Section 503.1.4 of Chapter 5 is hereby added to read as follows:

Section 503.1.4 Undeveloped Areas. Fire Apparatus Access Roads, improved or unimproved, shall be provided for firefighting equipment, apparatus and personnel to undeveloped areas of the Town of Corte Madera so as to gain access to improved, unimproved, and undeveloped areas of the Town of Corte Madera in a manner approved by the Fire Code Official. Any vehicle or other obstructions may be towed away at the owner's expense.

Section 503.1.5 of Chapter 5 is hereby added to read as follows:

Section 503.1.5 Aerial Fire Apparatus Access. Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet or three stories in height, an approved aerial apparatus access roads shall be provided. For the purposes of this section, the highest roof surface shall be determined by the measurement to the eave of the pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is greater.

Section 503.1.5.1 Width. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet, exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of the building or portion thereof.

Section 503.1.5.2 Proximity to Building. One or more of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located not less than 15 feet and not more than 30 feet from the building and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building. The side of the building on which the aerial fire apparatus access road is positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.

Section 503.1.5.3 Obstructions. Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located over the aerial fire apparatus access road or between the aerial fire apparatus access road and the building. Other obstructions shall be permitted to be placed with the approval of the Fire Code Official.

Section 503.2.1 of Chapter 5 is hereby amended to read as follows:

Section 503.2.1 Dimensions. Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet, exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 15 feet.

Section 503.2.6.1 is hereby added to Chapter 5 and shall read as follows:

Section 503.2.6.1 Evaluation and Maintenance. All existing private bridges and elevated surfaces that are a part of the fire department access roadway shall be evaluated by a California licensed civil engineer experienced in structural engineering or a California licensed structural engineer, for safety and weight rating, in accordance with American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Manual: "The Manual for Bridge Evaluation," Second Edition, or other approved standard. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges. All bridges and elevated structures providing fire department access shall be routinely maintained in accordance with Section 503.2.6 or when directed by the fire code official or authorized designee.

Section 503.4 of Chapter 5 is amended to read as follows:

Section 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in sections 503.2.1 and 503.2.2 shall be maintained at all times. Any vehicle or other obstruction may be towed away at the owner's expense.

Section 503.4.2 is hereby added to read as follows:

503.4.2 Prohibition of Vehicular Parking on Private Access Ways. If, in the judgment of the Fire Code Official, it is necessary to prohibit vehicular parking along private access ways serving existing facilities, buildings, or portions of buildings in order to keep them clear and unobstructed for fire apparatus access, the Fire Code Official may issue an Order to the owner, lessee or other person in charge of the premises to paint the curbs red or install signs or other appropriate notices to the effect that parking is prohibited by Order of the Fire Department. It shall thereafter be unlawful for such owner, lessee, or other person in charge of the premises to fail to install, maintain in good condition, the form of notice so prescribed. When such areas are marked or signed as provided herein, no person shall park a vehicle adjacent to any such curb or in the private access way contrary to such markings or signs. Any vehicle so parked in the private access way may be towed away at the expense of the owner of the vehicle.

Section 503.6.1 is hereby added to Chapter 5 and shall read as follows:

503.6.1 Width. All gates shall open fully to provide an unobstructed passage width of not less than 16 feet or a minimum of two feet wider than the approved net clear opening of the required all weather roadway or driveway and a minimum net vertical clearance of 15 feet.

Section 503.6.2 is hereby added to Chapter 5 and shall read as follows:

Section 503.6.2 Electronic Gates. All electronically operated gates shall have installed an approved key switch override system mounted on a stanchion or wall as approved by the Chief in accordance with Standards/Policies adopted by the Fire Code Official. All electronic or motorized gates shall incorporate in their design the means for fast, effective manual operation of the gates in the event of power or mechanical failure (i.e., easily removable hinge pins for separating power linkage from gates; undercut, weakened or frangible members requiring 40 pounds or less pressure against the gates to cause their failure and the gates to open. All electrical wiring and components of motorized gates shall be UL listed and installed in accordance with the National Electric Code.

Section 503.6.3 is hereby added to Chapter 5 and shall read as follows:

Section 503.6.3 Gate Setback Required. Gates shall be set back from roadways a minimum of 30 feet or more so as not to cause cross traffic to stop or create a hazardous traffic condition on the roadway approach to the driveway.

Exception: The Fire Code Official is authorized to modify the setback if fire apparatus access onto the property is not required to achieve 150 feet of access to the most remote portion of the building per 503.1.1.

Section 507.5.1 of Chapter 5 is hereby amended by deleting the exception and shall read as follows:

Section 507.5.1 Where Required. Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 350 feet from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the Fire Code Official.

Section 507.5.1.1 of Chapter 5 is amended to read as follows:

Section 507.5.1.1 Hydrant for Fire Department Connections. Buildings equipped with a water-based fire protection system installed in accordance with Section 903 through 905 shall have a fire hydrant within 100 feet of the fire department connections, or as approved by the fire code official.

Section 507.5.7 is hereby added to Chapter 5 and shall read as follows:

Section 507.5.7 Fire Hydrant Upgrades. When additions or modifications to structures are made, the nearest fire hydrant (if a new one is not required) located by the Fire Code Official, shall be upgraded to the minimum standard of one 4 1/2" outlet and one 2 1/2" outlet for single family dwellings and the minimum standard of two 4 1/2" outlets and one 2 1/2" outlet for commercial structures.

Exceptions:

If the cost of upgrading the fire hydrant exceeds 2% of the cost of the project based on the building permit valuation.

One- and Two-family dwellings equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system that includes protection of all closets and bathrooms.

Section 510.1 of Chapter 5 is hereby amended by deleting Exception 1 and Exception 4.