Guidelines, Standards And Fees For The

Review Of Fire Protection In Proposed

Inclusions To The Crested Butte Fire Protection

District, And New Subdivisions, P.U.D.s Or Any

Other Buildable Parcel Of Land Within The

Crested Butte Fire Protection District

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revised August 9, 2005

Table of Contents

Page

Section 1    General Requirements                                                                                     4

 

101.     Inclusion of Property                                                                                            4

102.     Plans Submittal                                                                                                                 4

103.     Conflicting Provisions                                                                                                       4

 

Section 2    Access Requirements                                                                                          4

 

201.     Access                                                                                                                                           4

202.     Road Grades                                                                                                                     5

203.     Access Roads                                                                                                                    5

204.     Cul-de-sacs and Turn-arounds                                                                                         6

205.     Driveways                                                                                                                         6

206.     Bridges and Low Water Crossings                                                                                  8

 

Section 3    Water supply Requirements                                                                            8

 

301.     Central Water Supply                                                                                                       8

302.     Hydrants                                                                                                                            8

303.     Water Sources                                                                                                                  8

304.     Annual Certification                                                                                                          9

 

Section 4    fire supression sYSTEM Requirements                                                      9

 

401.     Access Deficiencies                                                                                                          9

402.     Water Supply Deficiencies                                                                                               9

 

Section 5    wildland fire mitigation                                                                               10

 

501.          Compliance With Existing or Other Standards                                                             10

 

Section 6    Utilities                                                                                                                      10

 

601.     Review and Approval of Gas Service Location                                                            10

602.     Excavation                                                                                                                       11

603.     Early Warning And Alerting Devices                                                                            11

604.     Protection of Meters and Service Lines                                                                        11

 

Section 7    review and approval by the fire chief and the board of directors                                                                                                                                              11

 

701.     Review                                                                                                                             11

702.     Approval                                                                                                                          12

703.     Waivers                                                                                                                           12

Section 8    fees                                                                                                                                13

 

801.     Plan Review Fee Schedule                                                                                             13

802.     Fire Suppression System Review Fee Schedule                                                           14

 

Section 9    Definations and abreviations                                                                     14

 

APPENDIX A            SUMMARY OF ACCESS ROAD AND DRIVEWAY ELEMENTS             19

APPENDIX B                        STANDARD TURNAROUND OPTIONS                                                       20

APPENDIX C            TYPICAL TURNOUTS                                                                                      21

APPENDIX D            REVIEW FEES                                                                                                   22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SECTION 1.   GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

 

101.     Inclusion of Property

 

A.  The owner or developer of proposed inclusion of property to the Crested Butte Fire Protection District shall conform to the requirements set forth in Section 32, part IV, INCLUSION OF TERRITORY, of the Colorado Revised Statutes.

 

102.     Plans Submittal

 

A.     The owner or developer of each inclusion, subdivision, P.U.D. or each buildable parcel of land, shall submit a fire protection plan to the Crested Butte Fire Protection District for review and approval. The Plan shall consist of plans, specifications, covenants, deed restrictions and contracts as deemed necessary by the Fire Chief to show compliance with Sections 2 through Section 8 of this resolution.

 

103.     Conflicting Provisions

 

A.     Where there is a conflict between a general requirement and a specific requirement, the specific requirement shall be applicable.  Where there is a conflict between the Crested Butte Fire Protection District Guidelines and Standards, Colorado State or Federal EPA regulations, and any other applicable municipal or Gunnison County requirements, the more stringent requirement shall apply.

 

SECTION 2.   ACCESS REQUIREMENTS

 

201.     Access

 

A.     All fire apparatus access roads shall comply with the Guidelines and Standards of the Crested Butte Fire Protection District and Appendix D of the 2003 International Fire Code, as amended.

B.     Roads, streets and ways, whether public or private, shall provide for safe simultaneous access for emergency vehicles and civilian evacuation.  The Crested Butte Fire Protection District shall be permitted to allow modification of access requirements where the structures being protected are provided with centrally monitored fire protection systems.

C.     All developments are encouraged to provide two or more points of dedicated access on primary roads that permit adequately separated ingress/egress.  The design of access routes shall consider traffic circulation and employ looped road networks.  See Gunnison County LUR Section 5-307 B 1 and Appendix D of the 2003 International Fire Code.

D.     All structures located within the boundaries of the Crested Butte Fire Protection District, shall have access roads with all weather driving surfaces capable of supporting the imposed loads of emergency apparatus.

E.      Streets and roads shall be identified with approved signs.  All road identification signs and supports located within the Urban-Wildland interface shall be of non-combustible materials.  All road identification signs shall be visible from both directions of travel.  Temporary signs shall be installed at each street intersection when construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles.  Temporary signs shall be of an approved size, weather resistant and be maintained until replaced by permanent signs.  All required road signs and traffic control devices shall be installed in accordance with the Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, current edition.  No road names or numbers shall be used which will duplicate, or be confused with, the names of any existing street or road in the Crested Butte Fire Protection District.  If the road name or number is for a road that has not been accepted by Gunnison County for maintenance, the applicant, homeowner’s association, or the developer of the affected road is responsible for the road name or number sign(s).

F.      New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers, or approved building identification placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property.  If the identification on a building cannot be plainly seen from the street or road fronting the property, then redundant identification shall be provided at the entrance to the driveway or access road.  Identification of buildings shall contrast with their background.  Address identification shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters.  Numbers and/or letters shall be a minimum of 4 inches high with a minimum stroke width of 0.5 inch.

G.     Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single post, and additional signs shall be posted at locations where driveways divide.

 

202.     Road Grades

 

A.  Normal road grades shall not exceed 11 percent.

B.     Sections not exceeding 300 feet may be allowed a maximum grade of 12 percent, if approved by the Fire Chief.

C.     Sections exceeding 11 percent shall not be within 500 feet of each other.

D.  Curves with centerline radius of less than 250 feet shall not exceed 8 percent grade.

E.   In flat or rolling terrain, all grades shall flatten to 4 percent for at least 100 feet approaching intersections, and for at least 50 feet entering and leaving turn-arounds or cul-de-sacs.  In mountainous terrain, all grades shall flatten to 6 percent or less for at least 50 feet approaching intersections and entering switchbacks or cul-de-sacs.  Note: Flat or rolling terrain is defined as 15 % average cross slope, mountainous terrain is defined as greater than 15% average cross slope.

 

203.     Access Roads

 

A.     Shall meet the requirements of Section 2.

B.     All access roads shall receive a functional classification as determined by the appropriate municipal public works or planning department official or the Director of Gunnison County Public Works Department.

C.     All access roads with an ADT of 200 or more shall have a driving surface of 24 feet.  Access roads with an ADT of 91-199 shall have a driving surface of 22 feet.  Access roads with an ADT of 21-90 shall have a driving surface of 16 feet.  See Appendix A.

D.     All access roads shall be constructed to meet all municipal guidelines and standards for road and bridge construction and/or Gunnison County Standards and Specifications For Road and Bridge Construction.

E.      All access roads shall have a minimum inside turning radius of 40 feet.

F.      The required width of primary access roadways shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles.  "NO PARKING" signs and/or other appropriate notices prohibiting obstructions may be required and shall be maintained.

G.     The access roadway shall be extended to within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of any building.

Exception: Distance may be extended to 225 feet if the building has an approved fire suppression system and the Fire Department Connection is readily accessible.

H.     All access roads in excess of 600 feet in length shall be required to have standard inter-visible turnouts.  The location and spacing of inter-visible turnouts shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.  See also “Inter-visible Turnout” and Appendix C.

I.        All access roads in excess of 150 feet in length that do not connect or intersect with other roads shall have a cul-de-sac, loop design, a “Y” or a “T” turn-around at the end of the access road segment.  See Appendix B.

J.       All access roads shall have a minimum vertical clearance of 13 feet-6 inches.

K.    An access road approach that is gated shall be designed so that the longest vehicle using it can completely clear the traveled way when the gate is closed.  In no event shall such distance be less than 35 feet.  All gates shall open inward or upward.  The clear opening through the gate shall be 2 feet wider than the traveled way.  A siren activated opening device shall be installed to enable responding emergency units immediate passage through the gate.  The Crested Butte Fire Protection District may be provided with an approved key or access code in lieu of a siren activated gate with the approval of the Fire Chief.  All gates shall be installed with a “breakaway” construction feature in a manner that allows emergency vehicle access.

 

204.     Cul-de-sacs and Turn-arounds

 

A.     All cul-de-sacs and turn-arounds shall be constructed to meet all municipal guidelines and standards for road and bridge construction and/or Gunnison County Standards and Specifications For Road and Bridge Construction.  See Appendix B.

B.     A cul-de-sac or turn-around, which may be vacated in the future, shall be improved to the functional classification standard of the road for which it serves if access is provided to dwellings or other structures.

C.     Cul-de-sacs, “T” and “Y” turn-arounds shall be a minimum of 20 feet and a maximum of 60 feet from any flammable structure and shall be approved on a case-by-case basis at the plan review phase.

D.     Shall provide shoulders for drainage and snow storage.  See Gunnison County Standards and Specifications For Road and Bridge Construction, Section 4.8 or the appropriate municipal guidelines.

 

205.     Driveways

 

A.     Access to all buildings must allow a fire apparatus to stage within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of any building.  This distance may be increased to 225 feet if the structure is protected by an approved fire suppression system.  Access to any building must be obtained from within it’s own building lot.  In the event that a residential building lot is of a size and configuration that the staging requirement can be met from the access roadway, section 205 Driveways, B-W, shall not apply.

B.     All driveways shall serve no more than 1 lot.  See also definitions for “Access”, “Driveway” and reference Gunnison County LUR Section 2-102, definition of “driveway”.

C.     All residential access driveways shall serve no more than 2 dwelling units.  See also definitions for “Access”, “Driveway”, “Dwelling” and “Dwelling Unit”.

D.     All residential access driveways serving multifamily residences shall be reviewed to determine if a higher functional classification is appropriate.  See Appendix A.

E.      All driveways serving occupancies other than residences shall be reviewed on a case-by-case basis at the plan review stage.

F.      All driveways shall have a minimum driving surface width of 16 feet.

G.     All driveways shall be constructed in accordance with both an approved driveway permit and all applicable sections of these Guidelines, Standards and Fees.  Access to a Gunnison County road or right-of-way must be obtained as described in Section 7.4 of the Gunnison County Standards and Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction.  Access to a municipal road or right-of-way must be obtained from the appropriate municipal planning department.

H.     All driveways shall be constructed to meet all municipal or Gunnison County Standards and Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction from the edge of the municipal, Gunnison County, public or private road under municipal or Gunnison County jurisdiction, to the building footprint.

I.        All driveways shall be constructed of a hard all-weather driving surface, capable of supporting the weight of emergency vehicles.

J.       All driveways shall have a maximum grade of 11 percent.

K.    Driveways shall not exceed a grade of 4 percent for a minimum of 30 feet before the intersection with the edge of the road.

L.      All residential access driveways that access a municipal or Gunnison County road or right-of-way, shall have a minimum surface width of 18 feet at the edge of the pavement or road surface, and taper to a minimum surface width of 16 feet at a distance of 6 feet from the edge of the road, and maintain this surface width to the edge of the building footprint.

M.   All driveways shall be constructed with a minimum inside turning radius of 40 feet.

N.    All driveways and approaches shall be constructed so that they shall not interfere with the drainage system of the roadway.

O.    The horizontal axis of an approach to the roadway shall normally be at right angle to the centerline of the roadway and extend a minimum of 40 feet beyond the edge of the traveled way.  An angle between 90 and 60 degrees shall be permitted if it can be shown that physical constraints exist that requires a new approach angle of less than 90 degrees.  An angle of less than 60 degrees is not permitted.

P.      All driveways in excess of 600 feet in length shall be required to have standard inter-visible turnouts.  The location and spacing of inter-visible turnouts shall be determined on a case-by-case basis.  See also “Inter-visible Turnout” and Appendix C.

Q.    All driveways in excess of 150 feet in length shall have a loop design or approved turn around adequate to accommodate emergency service vehicles.  Cul-de-sacs, “T” and “Y” turn-arounds shall be a minimum of 20 feet and a maximum of 60 feet from any flammable structure and shall be approved on a case-by-case basis at the plan check phase.  See Appendix B.

R.     All turn around areas shall be kept open and clear at all times and shall have sufficient area for snow storage outside of the road prism.  It shall be the owner’s responsibility to keep the area clear of snow in the winter.  See Appendix B.

S.      Any proposed driveway that is over 250 feet in length and has the potential to be used for a road for future development shall be referred to the appropriate municipal or Gunnison County planning department for proper review.

T.      Vertical clearance for any overhead entry structures shall be at least 13 feet-6 inches high, measured from the road surface, and shall be maintained to the edge of the building footprint.

U.     Adequate vehicle parking must be provided on the private parcel.  No parking along the road, in turnouts or turn-arounds will be permitted.

V.     Driveways located near an intersection shall be constructed so that the side nearest the intersection is no less than 100 feet from the centerline of the intersecting road for commercial/industrial access and 50 feet for residential access.

W.   A driveway that is gated shall be designed in accordance with section 203 K.

 

206.     Bridges and Low Water Crossings

 

A.     Where a bridge or a low water crossing is required to be used as access, it shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with nationally recognized standards, the standards of the appropriate municipality, or Gunnison County Standards And Specifications For Road And Bridge Construction.

B.     Bridges and low water crossings shall maintain a minimum clear roadway width equal to width of the approach road.

C.     All bridges shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of emergency vehicles.

D.     Bridges shall have their legal load limits plainly displayed at both entrances.

 

SECTION 3.   WATER SUPPLY REQUIREMENTS

 

301.     Central Water Supply

 

A.     A central water supply is required when the subdivision density is greater than one dwelling unit per two acres.

B.     The system shall supply the required fire flow as determined by the Fire Chief in accordance with computations using the currently adopted Fire Code appendix, as amended.

C.     The minimum pipe size serving fire hydrants and domestic systems shall be 8 inches in diameter, unless an engineered study can provide certification that a looped 6-inch system will deliver adequate fire flows.

D.     The system shall be approved, installed and tested prior to the issuing of any building permits.

 

302.     Hydrants

 

A.     Fire hydrants shall be located as required by the Fire Chief in accordance with the currently adopted Fire Code appendix, as amended.

B.     The Fire Chief shall approve the location of all fire hydrants.

C.     All fire hydrants on a central water supply shall be of the same manufacturer and have two 2 1/2 inch NST outlets with caps and one 4 1/2 inch NST outlet with cap.  Each hydrant shall be supplied with an approved snow cover marker and shall be installed so that the outlets are no closer than 3 feet above finished grade.

D.     All fire hydrants shall be installed with “Snow Country Risers”.

 

303.     Alternate Water Sources

 

A.  In subdivisions, P.U.D.s or any other buildable parcel of land within the Crested Butte Fire Protection District without a central water supply, an alternate water source approved by the Fire Chief shall be established to provide the required storage.  NFPA 1142 Standard On Water Supplies For Suburban And Rural Fire Fighting, current edition, shall be used as a guide in establishing requirements.

304.     Annual Certifications

 

A.     For all water sources other than an approved central water system, an annual certification shall be provided to the Fire Chief to ensure a viable year-round water supply.

 

SECTION 4.   FIRE SUPRESSION SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

 

401.     Access Deficiencies

 

A.     Where the design criteria of sections 201-206 cannot be met, or any one of the following conditions exist:

1.      The fire department apparatus access roadways are obstructed by any of the following items:

a.       Low water crossings or,

b.      Security gates or,

c.       Speed bumps or,

2.      The building is located in a sub-division having a single fire apparatus access point or,

Exception: developments of 30 or less total dwelling units that are compliant with all other sections of this Guidelines and Standards Policy.

3.      The access road is equal to or greater than a 12 percent grade or,

4.      The building site is more than 5 miles from the nearest fire station on an approved route as measured by the Fire Chief or,

5.      A fire hydrant capable of supplying the required fire flow is more than 500 feet from the building site or,

6.      When a variance has been granted by the Crested Butte Fire Protection District Board of Directors in areas of non-compliance,

the following shall be provided as required by the Fire Chief:

1.      All structures shall have installed a fire suppression system in accordance with NFPA 13 Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems, 13D Standard for the Installation of Sprinklers Systems in One- and Two-Family Dwellings and Manufactured Homes or 13R Standard for the Installation of Sprinklers Systems in Residential Occupancies up to and Including Four Stories in Height, current edition, by covenant and,

2.      Installed fire protection systems shall be monitored and supervised by an approved central station fire alarm company and,

3.      The size of the storage tank shall be double the required amount per the applicable NFPA standard or based on 30 gallons per minute response time, at posted speed limits, measured from the nearest fire station, whichever is greater.

 

402.     Water Supply Deficiencies

 

A.     Where the design criteria of sections 301-302 cannot be met, the following shall be provided as required by the Fire Chief: