Appeal 35021

507.5.1

FIRE HYDRANTS – ONE- AND TWO-FAMILY DWELLINGS AND ACCESSORY STRUCTURES:
Where a portion of a structure is more than 600 feet from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the structure(s), on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided, or an appeal granted.

Would the FD consider installing a public hydrant at the west end of Humboldt, given the locations of surrounding hydrants on all adjacent blocks (see PDF)? There is a planned sewer improvement in this area for summer of 2026, and we will also be extending the water main west by a few feet, so the install of a public hydrant could coincide with this work.

If this is not acceptable, would the FD consider that the entry to our lot is within 560' of the nearent hydrant, and thus, very close to meeting the 600' limitation to 'any portion of a structure'? We would also like to point out that all structures in our proposal, including roofs, are covered in non-combustible fiber cement siding, and that only Unit B, closest to the street, has sleeping rooms on the second level (and well within 30' of grade). See PDF.

If a public hydrant is installed on the west end of N. Humboldt to match the pattern of existing hydrants in this area, this would meet code section 507.5.1 for this and other nearby properties on this end of N. Humboldt St.

Provision of a private hydrant for this property, which is similar in distance from hydrants as other nearby properties, would pose an undue financial and maintenance burden to the owners. Provision of a public hydrant and/or acceptance of the property's low risk due to non-combustible siding and/or acceptance of the property's location as being close to the required 600' distance would allow the project to proceed.

503.2.5, Table D103.4

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 in the Access and Water Supply Guide.

None of the approved turnaround configurations fit on this end of N. Humboldt St., which will remain unimproved/curbless after project completion (so there is some flexibility in how a truck might use adjacent driveways or paved yards to complete a turnaround, including the driveway at 2449 N. Humboldt St.) How are other properties that are more than 300' from the intersection of N. Gay Ave and N. Humboldt St. meeting this requirement?

If it would help meet this requirement, the adjacent driveway gate at 2449 N. Humboldt can be opened by the FD for use as a turnaround area. The driveway measures 74' long and 11' wide, see PDF.

Pre-existing urban constraints beyond the property owner's control are determining the existing road width and possible turnaround configurations.

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.

The part of N. Humboldt that is 400' from the intersection with N. Gay is beyond the purview of this project. We will keep clear a 30' x 10' pullout on the unimproved street in front of our project property, which still leaves a 37'-wide roadway to the south, see PDF.

Notably, through-traffic on this end of the street is scant.

See above about turnout area in front of property.

See above about turnout area in front of property. Pre-existing urban constraints beyond the property owner's control are determining the existing road width and possible turnaround configurations.