Appeal 35011

OFC 503.2.5

OREGON FIRE CODE 503.2.1
FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD WIDTH AND VERTICAL CLEARANCE: Dead end fire apparatus access roads between 501-750 require a roadway width of 26 feet. Dead end fire apparatus greater than 750 feet require approval through the Fire Code Appeal process. The public street, Hilltop does not appear to be meet the roadway requirement. A Fire Code Appeal is required for approval.D103.4

The intent of the appeal is to mitigate fire apparatus access deficiencies of the existing dead-end private lane providing access to the site.

• Minimum 20' roadway width
• A turnaround will not be provided

SW Hilltop Lane is a publicly accessible (not gated) private road serving an estimated 17 single-family homes. The width of the portion in front of the subject property measures between 23-25’ of pavement, however title documents list a 20’ easement allowing for the creation of the roadway. The project includes an additional 10’ wide by 72’ long gravel area that will serve as on street parking for guests that can also serve as a turnout.

The proposed design of the home will include NFPA 13D sprinklers with a storage tank and pump, as well as wildfire mitigation strategies like unvented soffits and crawl spaces, a class A roof, and an irrigated landscape buffer. The project also includes a pool that can serve as an emergency water supply.

503.2.1

TURNAROUND REQUIREMENT
DEAD END ROADS AND TURNAROUNDS: Dead end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 300 feet in length shall be provided with an approved turnaround. Diagrams of approved turnarounds are shown below: (OFC 503.2.5, D103.4 & Figure D103.1) There does not appear to be an approved turnaround. An approved Fire Code Appeal is required if there is not turnaround.

The intent of the appeal is to mitigate fire apparatus access deficiencies of the existing dead-end private lane providing access to the site.

• A turnaround will not be provided

A hammerhead turnaround on the property will not be provided due to limited site frontage at the same grade of the roadway. A turnaround at the NW corner of the property would cause the 28’ radius at the proposed driveway location to cross into neighboring property and encroach on the root zones of existing mature trees. See Exhibit A Fire Assets Diagram. The proposed design of the home will include NFPA 13D sprinklers with a storage tank and pump, as well as wildfire mitigation strategies like unvented soffits and crawl spaces, a class A roof, and an irrigated landscape buffer. The project also includes a pool that can serve as an emergency water supply.

PFC 507.1, B105.1

FIRE FLOW
The minimum fire flow and flow duration for one- and two-family dwellings having a fire-flow area that does not exceed 3,600 square feet shall be 1,000 gpm at 20 psi for 1 hour. For one and two-family dwellings exceeding 3,600 square feet, the required fire flow shall be as specified in PFC Appendix B, Table B105.1(1). For areas designated as “Wildland Urban Interface Zones” the minimum available fire flow shall be 1,750 gpm at 20 psi residual. See Zone map at www.portlandmaps.com, enter site address, select “Public Safety” and then “Hazard”, see wildfire Hazard Area to determine if a property is within the “Wildland Urban Interface Zone”.
Please provide verification of the required fire flow from the closest hydrant at 20 psi residual.
Please request the fire flow using the online request form and request the “Modelled fire flow (gpm) at nearest hydrant (at 20 psi residual pressure)” at wbfireflow@portlandoregon.gov.

The 400 gpm hydrant flow does not meet the required amount and the site is in a wildfire hazard area.

The proposed design of the home will include NFPA 13D sprinklers with a storage tank and pump, as well as wildfire mitigation strategies like unvented soffits and crawl spaces, a class A roof, and an irrigated landscape buffer. The project also includes a pool that can serve as an emergency water supply.

A storage tank and pump will ensure adequate fire flow for the NFPA 13D sprinkler system. The hydrant nearest to the site is approximately 60' away. See Exhibit A Fire Assets Diagram.

OFC 503.2.2

TURNOUTS
When a fire apparatus access road exceeds 400 feet in length, turnouts 10 feet wide and 30 feet
long shall be provided in addition to the required road width and shall be placed no more than 400 feet apart,
unless otherwise approved by the fire code official. These distances may be adjusted based on visibility and
sight distances. (OFC 503.2.2)

The intent of the appeal is to mitigate fire apparatus access deficiencies of the existing dead-end private lane providing access to the site.

There is an existing turnout within 400 feet (approximately 138'-4") from the subject property. Our project includes an additional 10’ wide by 72’ long gravel area that will serve as on street parking for guests that can also serve as a turnout. See Exhibit A Fire Assets Diagram.

The proposed 10x72' turnout along the site frontage of the subject property will be an asset to the other residents of Hilltop Lane and will improve fire access in case of an emergency.