Appeal 35077

2023 PFC Section D105

Section D105 requires an approved fire access road capable of accommodating fire department aerial apparatus when portions of the building exceed 30 feet in height above the lowest level of fire department vehicle access.
Subsection D105.2 requires that aerial fire apparatus access roads have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet, equating to 38 feet curb to curb.

The intent of this appeal is to get approval for the use of SE Lincoln Street, which has a width of 36 feet wide (2 feet less than required) with parking on both sides, for use as the aerial fire apparatus access road.

To accommodate aerial fire apparatus, the existing overhead utility lines along the project frontage of SE Lincoln will be buried.
In addition, since the proposed building consists of multilevel townhouse style residential units with roof and deck areas at differing heights, we have been careful to provide access to the roof/deck areas. To provide access to the roof areas above Unit B and Unit D, spiral stairs, which connect lower-level decks of the respective units with the roof areas, will be provided. See Sheet A2.1, attached. These spiral stairs will be constructed in accordance with Section 1011.10 of the Oregon Structural Specialty Code and will be made of steel and painted to resist corrosion.
To provide access to the roof areas above Unit E and Unit F, permanent straight vertical ladders constructed in accordance with Section 306.5 of the International Mechanical Code, will be provided. See Sheet A2.1 and A2.2, attached. These ladders will be made of steel and will include ladder guards to prevent unauthorized access to the roof.
To access the roof area above Unit H at the corner of SE Lincoln and SE 12th, the project proposes that SE Lincoln be used for aerial apparatus access

The proposed structure is a multi-family building located on the northwest corner of the intersection of SE Lincoln Street and SE 12th Avenue. It is made up of 8 units, and a small (approximate 550 SF) ground level commercial space surrounding a courtyard. There are several ‘flats,’ but most units are multi-story townhouse style units accessed from the ground level courtyard or a second level exterior egress balcony.
Since portions of some townhouse roofs are greater than 30 feet above grade, an aerial fire apparatus access road is required. Aerial fire apparatus cannot be provided along SE 12th due to the presence of overhead utilities. SE Lincoln Street is 36 feet wide with parking on both sides, two feet narrower than the required 38-foot width. However, Paul Jennings, Senior Fire Plans Examiner, stated during a Preliminary Life Safety meeting held on October 20, 2022, that the 36-foot-wide street could be approved.
It is not possible or feasible for the project to increase the width of SE Lincoln Street, but the project will bury overhead utilities along the SE Lincoln Street frontage. For this reason, and because rooftop access has been provided, the project provides an equivalent level of fire and life safety as required by code.