During new construction and development, Ashland Fire & Rescue assists designers and developers in establishing plans for adequate access and water supply that meets the needs of the department. The Oregon Fire Code (OFC) and the Ashland Municipal Code (AMC) are the primary codes used to establish minimum requirements. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Standards are also used for fire protection systems. Ashland Fire & Rescue also assists the Ashland Building Department in the review and inspection of fire protection systems. The following information is intended to assist the development community in finding the information needed to prepare plans ready to be reviewed and approved.
ALL NEW DEVELOPMENT Addressing - Building numbers or addresses must be at least
4 inches tall, be of a color that is in contrast to its background, and shall be plainly visible and legible from the street fronting the property. Additional directional signage may be necessary to guide emergency responders down a driveway, path or through a gate. All premises identification, street signs and building numbers, must be in place with temporary signs when construction begins and permanent signage prior to issuance of any occupancy. OFC 505
Fire Apparatus Access Approach – The angle of approach at the point where the public road transitions to the private fire apparatus access road must meet the City of Ashland Engineering Department specifications. OFC 503.2.8
Fire Apparatus Access – Shared Access Easement – If a fire apparatus access road crosses onto or over another property owners parcel, an easement must be obtained to provide access for fire apparatus. Easement language needs to include wording that indicates that the shared access easement may not be modified, removed, or obstructed in any way without prior written approval from Ashland Fire and Rescue.
Fire Apparatus Turn Around – Click for more informationAn approved fire apparatus turn around is required for this project. Fire apparatus access roads greater than 150 feet in length are required to provide a fire apparatus turn around. The turn around must be identified in an approved manner with “No Parking-Fire Lane” signs and must remain clear at all times. Click on the diagram to the right to see City of Ashland Minimum Turn-Around Standards to determine which layout works best for your project.
Firefighter Access Pathway – An approved footpath around the structure is required so that all exterior portions of the structure can be reached with the fire hose. Any changes in elevation greater than two feet in height (such as retaining walls) require stairs. The stairs shall be an all-weather surface, and meet the requirements as specified in the Oregon Structural Specialty Code. OFC 503.1.1
Fire Flow – Request a Flow TestFire flow is determined by table B105.1 in Appendix B of the Oregon Fire Code. An increase or reduction as referenced by this code section may be required or allowed. Square footage of a structure for the purpose of determining fire flow includes all areas under the roof including garages, covered decks, basements and storage areas. A fire flow reduction of up to 75% can be allowed with the installation of a fire sprinkler system.
Fire Hydrant Spacing – The allowable distance between hydrants on new streets serving residential or commercial properties shall not exceed 350 feet.
Fire Hydrant Distance to Structures - Hydrant distance is measured from the hydrant, along a driving surface, to the approved fire apparatus operating location. Hydrant distance shall not exceed 300 feet. Hydrant distance can be increased to 600 feet if approved fire sprinkler systems are installed.
Fire Hydrants Clearance - Hydrants must have 3 feet of clearance extending from the center nut of the hydrant all the way around. Fences, landscaping and other items may not obstruct the hydrant from clear view. Hydrants must be shown on site plan when submitting for building permits.
Fire Sprinkler System – Click for more informationThe installation of a fire sprinkler system may be an acceptable means to mitigate deficiencies related to other fire requirements such as fire flow, hose reach, fire lane width, fire apparatus turn-around, distance to fire hydrants, and fire department work areas. OFC 503.1.1 Find information about home fire sprinkler systems at www.ashland.or.us/homefiresprinklers
Gates and Fences – Obstructions such as gates, fences, or any other item which would block or reduce the required fire apparatus access width must be shown on the plans and approved by Ashland Fire and Rescue. Refer to AMC18.4.4.060.B for Wildfire Lands Overlay requirements for fences connecting to structures.
Wildfire Hazard Areas – Click for more informationOn lands designated as Wildfire Hazard Areas, a General Fuel Modification Area as defined in Ashland Municipal Code, section 18.3.10.100.B is required. Once the “Fuel Break” is completed an inspection shall be requested from Ashland Fire & Rescue. Ashland Fire & Rescue must approve the General Fuel Modification Area (i.e. “Fuel Break”) prior to bringing combustible materials onto the site.
Wildfire Hazard Areas – Within subdivisions located on lands designated as Wildfire Hazard Areas, a “Fire Prevention and Control Plan” as defined in Ashland Municipal Code, section 18.3.10.100.A is required. The Fire Prevention and Control Plan shall be submitted to Ashland Fire& Rescue for approval. Once the Fire Prevention and Control Plan is approved, it shall be implemented and pass an inspection from Ashland Fire & Rescue prior to bringing combustible materials onto the site.
Wildfire Hazard Areas - All structures shall be constructed or re-roofed with Class B or better non-wood roof coverings, as determined by the Oregon Structural Specialty Code. No structure shall be constructed or re-roofed with wooden shingles, shakes, wood-product material or other combustible roofing material, as defined in the City's building code. Contact Ashland Fire & Rescue for a General Fuel Modification Area inspection. AMC 18.3.10.100.B.3.
Vegetation – When fuels reduction is required, existing and intentionally planted vegetation is required to meet the clearance requirements found in AMC18.3.10.100.B. Ashland's 'Guide to the Wildfire Safety Ordinance' brochure provides diagrams and examples of how to meet these requirements www.ashland.or.us/wildfiresafetyordinance. Contact Ashland Fire & Rescue for a General Fuel Modification Area inspection.
Vegetation – Even when fuels reduction is not required, Ashland Fire & Rescue recommends the planting and maintenance of fire resistive vegetation throughout the city of Ashland and adjacent county properties. Here’s how you can create a www.ashlandfirewise.org landscape.
Fire Season – If work will be completed during fire season, check fire season fire prevention requirements found at www.ashland.or.us/fireseason.
ONE- & TWO-FAMILY DWELLING ACCESS & WATER SUPPLY Fire Apparatus Access – Single Residential Lot- If the furthest point on the structure is greater than 150’ from the street, the entire length of the private drive or street must meet fire apparatus access. Fire apparatus access shall be 15 feet clear width, with the center 12 feet being constructed of an all weather driving surface. Fire apparatus access must support 60,000 pounds, no parking, have a maximum slope of 15 percent, and have vertical clearance of 13’ 6”. With the installation of fire sprinklers, 200’ of the driveway is allowed to have an 18 percent slope. Inside turning radius is at least 20 feet and outside turning radius is at least 40 feet and must be indicated on site plans submitted for building permits. Fire apparatus access is required to be signed as “No Parking-Fire Lane”. Final plat needs to indicate that the private drive is fire apparatus access and must state that it cannot be modified without approval of Ashland Fire & Rescue.
Fire Apparatus Access – Two or Three Residential Lots - If the furthest point on the structure is greater than 150’ from the street, the entire length of the private drive or street must meet fire apparatus access. Fire apparatus access shall be 20 feet clear width, with the center 15 feet being constructed of an all weather driving surface. Fire apparatus access must support 60,000 pounds, pounds, no parking, have a maximum slope of 15 percent, and have vertical clearance of 13’ 6”. With the installation of fire sprinklers, 200’ of the driveway is allowed to have an 18 percent slope. Inside turning radius is at least 20 feet and outside turning radius is at least 40 feet and must be indicated on site plans submitted for building permits. Fire apparatus access is required to be signed as “No Parking-Fire Lane”. Final plat needs to indicate that the private drive is fire apparatus access and must state that it cannot be modified without approval of Ashland Fire & Rescue.
Fire Apparatus Access – More than Three Residential Lots - If the furthest point on the structures is greater than 150’ from the street, the entire length of the private drive or street must meet fire apparatus access. Fire apparatus access shall have a 20 foot wide driving surface constructed of an all weather driving surface. Fire apparatus access must support 44,000 pounds, no parking, have a maximum slope of 15 percent, and have vertical clearance of 13’ 6”. With the installation of fire sprinklers, 200’ of the driveway is allowed to have an 18 percent slope. Inside turning radius is at least 20 feet and outside turning radius is at least 40 feet and must be indicated on site plans submitted for building permits. Fire apparatus access is required to be signed as “No Parking-Fire Lane”. Final plat needs to indicate that the private drive is fire apparatus access and must state that it cannot be modified without approval of Ashland Fire & Rescue
Fire Department Work Area – Flag drives serving structures greater than 24 feet in average roof height shall provide a Fire Work Area of 20 feet by 40 feet. At least one perimeter leg of the Fire Work Area shall be within 50 feet of the structure. The Fire Work Area requirement shall be waived if the structure served by the drive has an approved automatic fire sprinkler system installed.
Access & Water Supply Uniform Alternate Construction Standard – If fire apparatus access or water supply cannot be met as prescribed by the Oregon Fire Code and the Ashland Municipal Code, Uniform Alternate Construction Standards are intended to be allowed by the Building Official in accordance with OAR 918-480-0125.
Accessory Residential Units in Wildfire Hazard Areas - Accessory Residential Units on land zoned RRES in the Wildfire Hazard Areas are required to install a residential fire sprinkler system.
COMMERCIAL ACCESS & WATER SUPPLY Fire Apparatus Access - Commercial - If the furthest point on the structures is greater than 150’ from the street, the entire length of the private drive or street must meet fire apparatus access. . Fire apparatus access shall have a 20 foot wide driving surface, must support 60,000 pounds, have a maximum slope of 15 percent, and have vertical clearance of 13’ 6”. Inside turning radius is at least 20 feet and outside turning radius is at least 40 feet and must be indicated on site plans submitted for building permits. Fire apparatus access is required to be signed as “No Parking-Fire Lane”. Final plat needs to indicate that the private drive is fire apparatus access and must state that it can not be modified without approval of Ashland Fire & Rescue.
Aerial Ladder Access – Structures exceeding 24 feet in height above the lowest level of fire apparatus access are required to provide access roads capable of accommodating fire department aerial apparatus. These access roads are required to be 26 feet in width in the immediate vicinity of the building. OFC Appendix D 105 as amended by AMC 15.28.070.Q.
Fire Department Connection (FDC) – Click to orderThe FDC is required to be a 2 ˝” Siamese female connection installed 18” to 48” above finished grade. A single 2 ˝” NST female swivel connection is acceptable if hydraulic calculations are provided that indicate a single 2 ˝ “ line will adequately serve the system. Fire flow alarm shall be placed on the FDC. FDC shall be placed in a location approved by the fire department. Knox FDC locking caps shall be installed on all FDC connections.
Fire Extinguishers – Provide 2A10BC fire extinguishers within 75 feet of travel distance. The fire extinguisher shall be mounted on the wall at approximately 48 inches above the floor.
Key Box – Click to orderA Knox Box is required for commercial buildings with fire sprinkler or fire alarms systems. The Knox Box must be a 3200 series or larger with a hinged door and may be either surface mounted or recessed into a wall. The installation location of the Knox Box will be determined by Ashland Fire & Rescue. The Knox Box is required to be installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. The Knox Box can be ordered at www.knoxbox.com.
4 inches tall, be of a color that is in contrast to its background, and shall be plainly visible and legible from the street fronting the property. Additional directional signage may be necessary to guide emergency responders down a driveway, path or through a gate. All premises identification, street signs and building numbers, must be in place with temporary signs when construction begins and permanent signage prior to issuance of any occupancy. OFC 505
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