LUBA RET. EX 076/077 RE-E - Laserfiche WebLink

• LOCATION NFPA standards contain performance language regarding the accessibility of FDCs and the ease with which hose lines can be connected. How the designer meets these requirements can streamline fire department operations. The IBC and IFC specifically require that fire departments approve FDC locations. It is important for, designers to seek and obtain this approval. Both NFPA 13 and 14 require that FDCs be on the "street side" of buildings. The intent is to make them immediately accessible to approaching fire apparatus. The street side is obvious in urban set- tings where buildings front directly onto the streets. However, for buildings set back from the street, the street side may be subject to interpretation. In these cases, the designer should consult fire department officials about apparatus approach direction and operational procedures. Another consideration is the location of FDCs in relation to nearby fire hydrants or other water sup- ply sources, (such as tanks, ponds, or lakes). Some jurisdictions require FDCs to be within a certain dis- t_ (Fig. 5.5) FDC on street side of building. A firefighter is stretching a hose line to an FDC after the pumper has been spotted at a nearby hydrant. Also, close at hand are the main entrance and the key box which the officer is unlocking. • I~ f' (Fig. 5.6) This FDC is mounted too close to a wall. Other obstructions could be fences, pipes, downspouts, vegetation, etc. tance of the closest fire hydrant. This allows a pumper to hook up directly to a hydrant with its suction hose and then use a pre-connected hose line to quickly feed the FDC (Figure 5.5). For exam- ple, if pumpers in a jurisdiction each carry a 150- foot pre-connected 21h inch hose line, a maximum distance of 100 feet will enable firefighters to man- ually stretch this hose to the FDC, regardless of the position of the pumper at the hydrant. If there are multiple FDCs, each should meet this distance requirement from separate hydrants to allow for completely redundant operations. An adequate amount of working room sur- rounding the FDC will enable a firefighter to approach and connect hose lines. If the inlets are straight-type (perpendicular to the wall), a clear path approximately four feet wide would accom- modate the firefighter and the hose lines. If the inlets are angled-type, a clear distance of approxi- mately three feet on each side of the FDC will pre- vent hose lines from kinking (and restricting flow) when they are charged (Figure 5.6). The designer should consider site conditions leading to the FDC to make it easier for firefight- ers to stretch hose lines to it. Sidewalks, steps, grassy areas, or low ground cover will not slow down this process. However, if a firefighter needs to negotiate walls, climb a ladder, maneuver 44 OSHA Occupational Safety and 160 Health Administration