9.a) Kronmiller letterJanuary 16, 2015
Thank you:
• Thank you for putting me.on the Committee
• Thank you for putting Christine on the Committee. She did a great job as our chair.
• Thanks to the City and County Staff for their technical support. They were extremely support of all the
Committees needs and I think all of the Committee members learned something from them.
The process used by the Committee to come up with this recommendation was solid:
• Gather background info, researched and identified the issues and alternative solutions
• Identified what design requirements were important
• Scored solutions against requirements
• Evaluated our decision to ensure it could meet with the approval from the City and Watershed
No one on the Committee got everything they wanted, but after nine meetings, we all agreed with the
recommendation:
One issue came up at the last minute... a recommendation from the Fire Chief:
Last October I specifically asked and was told the Chief PREFERRED a 2-land road but could support a 1-lane
road... YESTERDAY, we got an email from the Chief stating he is wants the road be at least 20 feet wide.
I respectfully disagree with the Fire Chief:
1. There is only one house that 20e St serves (William and Shirley Clapp)! All of the other homes in the area
are accessed from Quint (see parcel map).
2. The Committee recommendation for the road width in front of this home happens to be 23 feet which is wider
than the Chief is asking for.... and the landing is nearby too.
3. The document provided by the Chief (attached) addresses two very specific issues:
a. "The codes require a minimum 20-foot wide road reach within 150 feet of all portions of the exterior
wall..." The home on the Clapp property is approximately 170 feet way off the lot line (see plat map) at its
closest point.
b. `The purpose of the 20-foot-width requirement is to enable aerial apparatus to set up, and allow other
vehicles to pass safely around stabilizers and personnel who may be working around the vehicle"
4. Since the home is over 20 feet further away than these codes discuss, I would argue these sections of the
code would not apply in this case.
5. 1 also do not understand why aerial apparatus would be used to fight afire from the street at this property due
to the distances and trees that would be in the way.
Finally:
Why increase the environmental impact on the entire roadway so much for ONE home
Why increase the cost to everyone in Scandia, Marine, May Township, and Stillwater Township for One home?
I believe strongly in public safety, but I also believe there are many more compelling reasons why the entire road
should not be 20 feet wide.
Please do the right thing for this road and accept the recommendations of the Committeel
Steve Kronmi
13450 1881h Street North �
Access and Water Supplies: Fire Apparatus
Learning Objective: The student shall be able to identify the minimum required road widths for fire apparatus access.
Often it seems there is an immutable conflict among property owners, land use planners, and
emergency response officials over the width of roads in some neighborhoods. Property owners
and developers may want to minimize the impact and cost of drivable surfaces while fire officials
are concerned about safe, reasonable access to emergency scenes.
The two model fire codes, the International Fire Code' and NFPA 10, Uniform Fire Code®, address the
access road requirement similarly. Both require that a minimum 20-foot-(6.1 m) wide road
reach within 150 feet (45 m) of all portions of the exterior wall of the first story of a building,
measured in an approved route around the exterior.
The illustration shows the importance of the minimum 20-foot-width requirement to help in
firefighting tactics. Modern fire apparatus, especially large aerial equipment, consume a major
part of the driving surface. When ladder trucks or aerial towers have their stabilizing jacks
extended, they use even more of the road.
Photo courtesy Vigilant Hose Company; Emmitsburg, Maryland.
An aerial apparatus with its stabilizers extended and
an engine take up the bulk of this paved road width.
The purpose of the minimum 20-foot-width
requirement is to enable aerial apparatus to set up, and
allow other vehicles to pass safely around stabilizers and
personnel who may be working around the vehicle. If
large diameter supply hoses or smaller handlines must
be deployed, fire apparatus needs to get around them as
well.
The fire code official has the authority under the model
codes to require even greater road widths if there are
traffic, topographical, weather, or safety considerations
that may affect access.
Next time someone asks about the need for minimum
20-foot-wide fire access roads, show them this picture
and explain the firefighter safety and operational
considerations.
for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) For archived downloads, go to:
M
WE
z9
0
qTl
Dp
m
Dm
f T
m
om
oZ
c
m m
O
zz
-4{
5t Cron l H iN,
U i.v_Av. µ
t
• � I 111 ] ' I '
YL
I
&)
/M
\2
\j