HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-11-050 - Update to Council Emergency Service PolicyREPORT TO:Community & Infrastructure Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
2011-04-11
SUBMITTED BY: Gary Mann, Deputy Fire Chief, x2739
PREPARED BY:
Tom Ruggle, Chief Fire Prevention Officer, x2376
WARD(S) INVOLVED: All
DATE OF REPORT: 18 January 2011
REPORT NO.:
CSD-11-050
SUBJECT:
Update to Council Emergency Service Policy
RECOMMENDATION:
That Council Policy I-1035 Emergency Service Policy be repealed and replaced
with the amended Emergency Service Policy attached to Report CSD-11-050.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
The Emergency Service Policy was adopted by Council in January 2008. Since then,
several areas have been identified for changes that provide greater clarity through the
use of definitions and some housekeeping. We have also identified some minor
additions, that clarify and amplify some existing practises and policies that are already
in use by developers and staff.
BACKGROUND:
The Emergency Service Policy is intended to provide developers, designers and
constructors with clear direction on how to achieve the design principles that meet a
minimum safe level of emergency service infrastructure provision in the City of
Kitchener. This document is not intended to replace or supersede documents such as
the Ontario Building Code (OBC), but to provide specific details to ensure community
infrastructure is sufficient to protect our citizens and based on available emergency
service equipment and historical data reflecting where our community risks lie.
Where this policy intersects with existing legislation and regulation, this policy shall
supplement or clarify only in those areas where the acts and regulations are silent or
reflect a need for consultation. Nothing in this document shall limit a developer, designer
or constructor from providing a higher level of service, or from making alternative
compliance proposals in accordance with the processes identified in the OBC or the
Ontario Fire Code (OFC).
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The developer shall be responsible for including the applicable infrastructure into their
plans submitted through existing city processes, such as Site Plan Pre-Applications,
Site Plan Applications and Building Permits.
The Emergency Service Policy was divided into four sections and we are now
recommending the addition of a fifth, miscellaneous section.
REPORT:
Changes from the existing policy:
Administration
Definitions are now provided and bolded in the body of the document.
Section 1 Water Supply
1.1 The application of this section has been changed to show a clear intent, that it
affects buildings constructed on private roads and under Part 9 of the OBC.
1.3 Clarification provided that private fire hydrants are maintained at property owner
expense.
Section 2 Fire Routes
General clarification has been provided regarding commonly used terms such as fire
route, emergency access route and fire access route. These are located in the
definitions.
2.1 Amended requirement to provide fire route signage on all OBC, OFC or policy
required emergency access routes. This clarifies the intent and process for requiring
and providing this signage in consultation with the City.
2.2 This is an amended requirement for developers to ensure access for fire fighting to
multi-unit residential developments, so that it is between 3 and 30 metres from the fire
route to the most remote principal entrance. An exception is provided whereby if the
developer can show a 60 metre fire attack hose can reach the most remote room in the
unit, the entry to the unit may be located farther than 30 metres from the fire route. This
addresses some developments where the front doors to residential units were physically
located away from roadways or fire access routes and very difficult to reach during fire
responses.
2.6 (h) A new clause that provides developers with a definition of what an accessible fire
access route would consist of. The physical elements are the minimum that would allow
way finding and provide for access by emergency vehicles while a development is still
under construction, but where a constructor wishes to have a building or unit occupied.
2.9 A change to the mounting height of fire route signs. The previous height was
excessive.
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2.13 A new requirement to ensure documentation is sent electronically. This should be
a resource savings for the developer and the City.
2.16 A new requirement to emphasize the maintenance of fire access routes.
2.16 (a) The standard for removing snow from City owned fire access routes is
clarified.
2.16 (b) A general requirement to maintain access routes in a passable condition.
2.16 (c) & (d) Requires that the path of travel for emergency access remains
unobstructed and that those paths not on a roadway or fire access route have minimum
clearances for access. This addresses situations where fences or other obstacles have
been installed along a required access route, contrary to the approved site plan.
3 Emergency Access
3.1 (g) Provides clarification based on developer feedback.
3.1 (h) Excludes the distance in Section 2.2 from being included in the overall
measurement.
3.3 (d) Excludes the distance in Section 2.2. from being included in the overall
measurement.
3.6 (a)(i) Requires a lesser requirement of NFPA 13D versus the old requirement of
NFPA 13R for sprinklers provided in lieu of compliance with emergency access
requirements. The old requirement was excessively restrictive for developers.
4 Multiple Unit Identification Signs
4.1 to 4.3 are all new requirements, but based on existing policies such as the Council
Addressing Policy. These sections clarify options for developers vis a vis the addressing
of buildings, and provide for consistent application for all new developments. This will
ensure emergency and other city services can be provided to the right person at the
right place.
We will be preparing a set of standard symbols for developers, so that there is common
frame of reference. This is something they have requested. We will also be developing
a guidance note for the process of naming private streets. This will be available shortly.
5 Miscellaneous
5.1 This section applies minimum spatial fire separation standards for buildings under
construction. The office of the Ontario Fire Marshal has encouraged all municipal fire
departments to enact controls limiting fire spread during construction. Large loss fires in
these situations have occurred locally and across Canada, prompting the requirement.
The intent of this provision is to limit fire losses by limiting the ability of fire to travel
between incomplete structures.
5.2 This section applies to street fronting town homes to ensure access for firefighting.
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ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Service First – The amended Emergency Service Policy ensures that community needs
are accessible, understood and indentified for citizens at each stage of development
process, and provides a common frame of reference for all parties. This policy also
continues to ensure that our citizenry are able to receive service in a timely and
effective manner.
Community and Business Relations – The amended plan continues to ensure that
service and processes are predictable and open.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The financial impact of the amendments on the development process is assessed as
neutral.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
The proposed amendments have been circulated to the Waterloo Region Home
Builders Association on two occasions, the Kitchener-Waterloo Real Estate Board and
to members of staff. Feedback from community engagement was neutral, with several
positive changes being suggested and incorporated into the document. During a year
long overview of areas under development, it was found that none of the changes
regarding fire protection were an issue for developers, in that their practises appeared
to coincide with the proposed changes. Changes from internal staff focussed on efficient
processes and clear language, with many changes originating from our experiences
with the first edition of the policy. Community engagement with developers and other
community members will continue with the intent of ensuring this policy remains a living
document,
CONCLUSION:
The adoption of this amended policy will ensure a safe community is provided for our
citizenry, where emergency services are able to effectively intervene in time of need. It
will also further ensure that developers, constructors and citizens are equally provided
with a clear definition of what our community emergency infrastructure standards are for
new developments.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: J Willmer, Deputy CAO
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City of Kitchener
EMERGENCY SERVICE POLICY
(Version 2, Approved ____, 2011)
Intent
The Emergency Service Policy was developed to provide developers, designers
and constructors with clear direction on how to achieve the design principles that
meet a minimum safe level of emergency service infrastructure provision in the
City of Kitchener. These levels of infrastructure provision are based on the
available emergency service equipment and historical data reflecting where our
community risks lie. This document is not intended to replace or supersede
documents such as the Ontario Building Code (OBC), but to provide specific
details to ensure community infrastructure is sufficient to protect our citizens.
Where this policy intersects with existing legislation and regulation, this policy
shall supplement or clarify only in those areas where the acts and regulations are
silent or reflect a need for consultation. Nothing in this document shall limit a
developer, designer or constructor from providing a higher level of service, or
from making alternative compliance proposals in accordance with the OBC or the
Ontario Fire Code (OFC).
The developer shall be responsible for including the applicable infrastructure into
their plans submitted through existing city processes, such as Site Plan Pre-
Applications, Site Plan Applications and Building Permits.
Application
This policy applies to all buildings, building features, and building infrastructure;
except where those buildings and building features have been constructed to the
prescriptive acceptable solutions of the OBC or OFC, or constructed to an
approved
alternative solution. This policy shall not be used to support an
alternative solution proposal, where a prescriptive acceptable solution already
exists in either the OBC or OFC.
This policy is meant to compliment and support all planning and development
Additional design
reference documents produced by the City of Kitchener.
answers may be found by referring to the Urban Design Manual and the
Development Manual, available on line with this document at
www.kitchener.ca .
Questions related to this policy may be directed to the Fire Department at
(519)741-2495 or via email at fireprevention@kitchener.ca .
City of Kitchener1 / 30
Emergency Service Policy - ___ Jan 2011
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Chapters
1. Water Supply
2. Fire Routes
3. Emergency Access
4. Multiple Unit Identifiers/Municipal Addressing
5. Miscellaneous
Definitions
(words possessing a defined meaning have been bolded in the body
of this document)
Approved –
means approved by the Chief Fire Official in consultation with the
Chief Building Official.
Building –
shall have the same meaning as that provided in the Building Code
Act.
Emergency Access –
(As covered in Section 3) These drivable access right of
ways are intended for use by emergency vehicles in to cul de sacs and other cut
off areas. They are typically gated or barred by bollards.
Emergency Access Routes –
means a right of way provided to a building for
the use of emergency service personnel and vehicles, and provided to protect
the building and it’s occupants.
Fire Route
– shall have the same meaning as an Emergency Access Route.
Street Fronting Townhouse
– means a townhouse unit where the principal
entrance to the unit is located on a city street.
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1. Water Supply
Except as otherwise stated, these requirements apply to all developments.
Fire Hydrants
approved
1.1 Unless otherwise , any development served by private access
roads, in which the individual buildings are to be constructed in accordance
with Part 9 of the OBC, shall be provided with fire hydrants in conformance
with the following:
a) A fire hydrant shall be located within 90m of the principal entrance to each
building. Where portions of the building are completely cut off from the
remainder of the building, a fire hydrant shall be located within 90m of the
principle entrance to each area. The distance from the hydrant to the
principle entrance(s) shall be measured using the path that the fire hose
would have to be actually laid along, not in a straight line. (Refer to
Appendices 1 & 2)
b) If additional private fire hydrants are required to meet the requirements of
this Subsection the developer shall provide them at their own expense.
c) Private fire hydrants shall be constructed and installed in conformance
with the City of Kitchener Standard Specifications for Watermains
available from Kitchener Utilities. (Appendix 1)
d) Private fire hydrants shall be located with the 100mm Stortz connection
facing the private access road.
e) Private fire hydrants shall be located within 5m of the private access road,
no closer than 3m to any building, and kept visible and accessible at all
times.
1.2 Fire flow from the fire hydrants shall be determined to be sufficient for fire
fighting activities in accordance with City of Kitchener Fire Flow Analysis
Submission Requirements. A Fire Flow Analysis Report shall be submitted
to the City of Kitchener Utilities Engineer for approval. (Appendix 1)
1.3 Private fire hydrants shall be tested and maintained annually in
conformance with the Fire Code, and at the property owner’s expense.
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2.Emergency Access Routes
These requirements apply to all developments, except where prescriptive
infrastructure requirements exist in the OBC.
emergency access routes
2.1 All developments containing required by the
Building Code, the Fire Code, or this policy shall be provided with fire
route signs in conformance with Subsections 2.7 through 2.15. Any
development in which Part 9 of the OBC applies, may be required to be
emergency access routes
provided with in conformance with
Subsections 2.2 through 2.6. Such determination shall be made by the
City’s Chief Fire Official in consultation with the Chief Building Official prior
to Site Plan Approval in principle for the proposed development.
Location of Emergency Access Routes
approved
2.2 Unless otherwise , multiple unit buildings containing townhomes
and individual dwelling units, where the principal entrance to the unit or
townhome has direct access to the exterior, shall be provided with
emergency access routes
located so that the principal entrance and
every required access opening are located not less than 3 m and not more
than 30 m (Appendix 2 Option 1) from the closest portion of the
emergency access route
, measured along the path of travel, horizontally
from the face of the building. Where a developer can show that the 60 m
(Appendix 2 Option 2) of provided hose can reach from the fire truck to the
most remote room in the dwelling unit, a longer travel distance will be
considered.
This limiting factor is based on fire apparatus hose loads intended for use
in an initial fire attack in a residential setting. It should be noted that fires in
residential homes are the most frequently occurring fire in the City of
Kitchener. This restriction takes into account the ability for the Fire
Department to effectively intervene in the dwelling unit, using the standard
equipment provided on the vehicles. (Appendix 2)
emergency access routes
2.3 Except as otherwise required in 2.2, shall be
provided to a building so that (Appendix 3):
a) for a building provided with a fire department pumper connection
(siamese), a fire department pumper vehicle can be located adjacent
to the hydrants so that the unobstructed distance from a fire
department pumper connection to a hydrant is not more than 45 m.
b) for a building not provided with a fire department connection, a fire
department pumper vehicle can be located so that the length of the
emergency access route
from a hydrant to the vehicle plus the
unobstructed path of travel for the fire fighter from the vehicle to the
building is not more than 90 m, and
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c) the unobstructed path of travel for the fire fighter from the vehicle to
the building is not more than 45 m.
Emergency access routes
d) shall be located so that the principal
entrance and every required access opening are located not less
than 3 m and not more than 15 m from the closest portion of the
emergency access route
.
2.4 The unobstructed path of travel for the fire fighter required by Subsection
2.3 from the vehicle to the building shall be measured from the vehicle to
the fire department connection provided for the building, except that where
no fire department connection is provided, the path of travel shall be
measured to the principal entrance of the building.
2.5 In all buildings, other than those addressed in 2.2, if a portion of a building
is completely cut off from the remainder of the building so that there is no
emergency access routes
access to the remainder of the building, the
required by Subsection 2.3 shall be located so that the unobstructed path
of travel from the vehicle to one entrance of each portion of the building is
not more than 45 m. (Appendix 4)
Emergency Access Route Design
approved
2.6 Unless otherwise , a portion of a roadway or yard
fire route
provided as a for fire department use shall (Appendix 4):
:
a) have a clear width not less than 6 m,
b) have a centerline radius not less than 12 m,
c) have an overhead clearance not less than 5 m,
d) have a change of gradient not more than 1 in 12.5 (8%) over a
minimum distance of 15 m,
e) be designed to support the expected loads of fire department
vehicles and be surfaced with concrete, asphalt or other material
designed to permit accessibility under all climatic conditions,
f) have turnaround facilities for any dead-end portion of the access
route more than 90m long,
g) be connected with a public thoroughfare, and
h) will be considered accessible when the following has been
provided; the roadway base coat layer, appropriate signage, and
hydrants.
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Design and Installation Standards for Emergency Access Route Signs
approved
2.7 Sign Plate: Materials shall be , corrosion resistant metal; lettering,
colour, size shall be in conformance with the following figure:
Red Circle 19.05cm
Black “P” 10.16cm
White Background
Black “Fire Route”
4.45cm
Enforced Wording
1.91cm
Sign: 30 x 45cm
approved
2.8 Sign Mounting: mounting methods must be . Some methods
that will be considered are:
a) Standard sign post,
b) Light standard or other equivalent utility pole located not more than
fire route
4m from the limit of the , or
c) Fences, landscape walls and building faces located not more than
fire route
4m from the limit of the .
2.9 Mounting Height: Between 2 and 2.5m measured from the top limit of the
fire route
sign to the grade of the surface adjacent to the fire route sign.
2.10 Spacing between Signs: not more than 30m spaced such that at least one
sign is clearly visible and lettering is legible from all locations within the
fire route
.
2.11 Location of Signs:
a) Where practical, signs should be located alternating side to side of the
fire route.
fire route
b) Where parking is located adjacent to the and is not
fire route
delineated from the by curbs, signs may be located on the side
fire route
of the opposite the parking only.
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Fire Route
2.12 Setback from the : Fire route signs shall be at least 0.3m
fire route
and no more than 4m from the edge of the .
fire routeapproval
2.13 A detailed and signage plan shall be submitted for
prior to final site plan approval in a legible electronic format, preferably
PDF or CAD. Plan detail must include width and centerline turning radii of
the fire access route, all fire hydrants or other water supplies, fire
department pumper connections relative to the buildings, and the location
of all fire route signage. This information may be included on the site plan
submission.
2.14 The Fire Route signs shall be installed before any occupancy is granted
by the Building Department. The City’s Chief Fire Official shall inspect the
route for compliance when requested to do so by the developer and may
order modifications if it does not comply with all requirements.
2.15 The property owner is responsible to ensure that the visibility and legibility
of the signs are maintained at all times.
Maintenance
emergency accesses, emergency access routesfire routes
2.16 All and
located on private and public property shall remain clear from all parked
vehicles, obstacles and obstructions and must be maintained in a
passable state at all times in accordance with the following:
emergency accesses,
a) Snow accumulation shall be removed from all
emergency access routes and fire routes
on public property, based
on Class 3 classification under the quality standards for winter
maintenance activities by the Community Services – Operations
Department.
Emergency accessesEmergency Access Routes
b) designated as on
site plans shall remain clear from all obstruction and shall be
maintained in a passable state at all times by the owner, as required by
the Fire Code.
Emergency access routes fire routes
c)and to all buildings are
required to be designed so that there is an unobstructed path of travel
for a fire department pumper to the fire department connection of the
building, or where there is no fire department connection, for a fire
department pumper to the principal entrance of the building, or in
instances where 2.2 applies a clear path of travel from the roadway or
emergency access route
to the principal entrance to each dwelling
unit.
emergency
d) The unobstructed path of travel between the roadway or
access route
and those terminus locations identified in (c) shall be at
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least 1.2m in width. If the path is located between parking stalls, then it
must be clearly defined to strongly discourage parking with physical
barriers and/or signage.
3. Emergency Access
Emergency accesses
are intended to be provided into areas that would be
emergency accesses
otherwise cut off, such as cul de sacs. These are not
intended for normal driving, and are typically only accessible to emergency
services by the opening gates or bollards. Design criteria is available at the end
of this document and may also be found in the Development Manual available at
www.kitchener.ca .
Residential Subdivisions
3.1 Cul-de-sacs, being a one access street, shall be permitted in plans of
subdivisions subject to the following criteria (Appendix 6):
a) The length of the cul-de-sac is defined as the distance measured from
the property line of the intersecting roads, along the centre line of the
cul-de-sac to the farthest point of the property line of the bulb.
b) The maximum length of a cul-de-sac shall be 300m.
emergency access
c) Cul-de-sacs without an shall not exceed 150m in
length.
d) Cul-de-sacs exceeding 150 metres in length shall require an
emergency access
leading to a public right-of-way within 150m of the
farthest point of the property line of the bulb.
emergency access
e) There shall only be one per cul-de-sac.
Emergency accesses
f) on temporary basis are subject to the same
requirements as permanent accesses.
Emergency access routes
g) serving multiple unit residential
subdivisions located on a cul-de-sac shall be included into the overall
measurement of the cul-de-sac.
h) The path of travel measurement described in 2.2 shall not be included
in the overall measurement of the cul-de-sac.
Non-Residential Subdivisions
3.2 Cul-de-sacs in non-residential subdivisions shall be discouraged and shall
only be permitted in the case where all alternate design possibilities have
been determined to be unacceptable. If required, the standards under
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Residential Subdivisions shall apply subject to the specific requirements
listed below:
a) The maximum length of a cul-de-sac shall be 150m.
emergency access
b) Cul-de-sacs without an shall not exceed 60m in
length.
emergency
c) Cul-de-sacs exceeding 60m in length shall require an
access
leading to a public right-of-way within 60m of the farthest point
of the property line of the bulb.
Multiple Residential Site Design
3.3 Multiple residential developments which include more than three
emergency access
residential units, requires conforming to the following
(Appendix 7):
a) Any multiple residential development located on any public right-of-
way, other than a cul-de-sac, where the length of the fire access route
located in the development exceeds 150m shall be provided with an
emergency access
or a second means of access to any public
roadway located in such a manner that the furthest distance of any part
emergency
of the access route is not greater than 150m to the
access
or the public right of way.
b) The length of the fire access route located in multiple residential
development, other than those located on a cul-de-sac, shall be
measured along the centerline of the access route from the where it
meets the property line of the public right-of-way.
c) The length of the fire access route in multiple residential developments
located on a cul-de-sac shall be measured along the centerline of the
access route and the centerline of the cul-de-sac on which it is located
to the property line of the nearest public right-of-way that is not a cul-
de-sac.
d) The path of travel measurement described in 2.2 shall not be included
in the overall measurement described in this section.
Design and Construction
emergency access
3.4 All routes shall be designed and constructed to the
following criteria (Appendix 5):
a) The maximum gradient change is to be 1:12.5 (8%) over 15m
minimum.
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emergency access
b) The design and construction of the shall conform
to diagrams found in Appendix 7.
c) The minimum centre line radius is 12m.
Emergency access
e) shall not exceed 150m in length.
emergency access
f) Both ends of the shall be protected by either gates
approved
or an type of removable bollards that can be easily removed
and replaced year round, conforming to diagrams found in Appendix 7.
Emergency access
g) signs shall be located at both ends of the
emergency access
at the owner’s expense and to the satisfaction of
the Chief Fire Official.
emergency access
h) The construction of an must be completed prior to
occupancy of any unit in a multiple residential or non-residential
development in relation to a site plan.
emergency access
i) The construction of an must be completed prior to
the issuance of any building permit in a subdivision or otherwise
provided for through the subdivision agreement.
emergency access
j) Where an intersects with a roadway bounded by a
emergency access
curb, the curb shall be cut the full width of the ,
plus required turning radii, so that no more than 5cm difference in
height exists at the intersection points.
k) A minimum level of completion will include at least a base coat layer,
signage and hydrants.
Maintenance
emergency access
3.5 All es located on private and public property shall
remain clear from all parked vehicles, obstacles and obstructions and
must be maintained in a passable state at all times in accordance with the
following:
emergency access
a) Snow accumulation shall be removed from all es
on public property based on Class 3 classification under the quality
standards for winter maintenance activities by the Community Services
– Operations Department.
Emergency accessEmergency Access Routes
b)es designated as on
site plans shall remain clear from all obstruction and shall be
maintained in a passable state at all times by the owner, as required by
the Fire Code.
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c) Access routes to all buildings are required to be designed so that there
is an unobstructed path of travel from a fire department pumper to the
fire department connection for the building, or where there is no fire
department connection, from a fire department pumper to the principal
entrance of the building.
d) The unobstructed path of travel shall be 1.2m in width. If the path is
located between parking stalls, then it must be clearly defined to
strongly discourage parking with physical barriers and/or signage.
Exemptions
3.6 The owner/developer may apply to council for an exemption to specific
Emergency Access
parts of the requirements contained in this policy.
a) The Fire Department will support an exemption to the distance
requirements contained in Subsections 3.1 or 3.3, assuming no
extenuating circumstances affecting emergency service response exist
and subject to the following conditions:
i) Residential sprinklers conforming to the latest version of NFPA
13D, or other standard acceptable to the Chief Fire Official, and a
direct-to-fire monitoring system are installed in all dwelling units
located beyond 150m distance requirements contained in
Subsections 3.1 and 3.3
ii) The length of the fire access route or cul-de sac in the development
for which the exemption is being applied for still cannot exceed
300m in length measured from the property line of the intersecting
street, including the length of the cul-de-sac if located on a cul-de-
sac.
b) Other exemptions will be considered for support if alternative solutions
are provided that, in the opinion of the Chief Fire Official in consultation
with the Chief Building Official, will provide equivalent or increased life
safety and hazard protection to affected occupants and buildings.
c) Where an exemption has been granted and an alternative measure
has been accepted that may require the future property owner to
maintain a system or feature, the City may require the developer or
constructor to take adequate measures to ensure that these
requirements are disclosed, such as registering this information on title
or some other reliable method acceptable to the City.
City of Kitchener11 / 30
Emergency Service Policy - ___ Jan 2011
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4. Multiple Unit Building Identification / Municipal Addressing
4.1 The intent of this section is to ensure that all developments are provided
with an addressing scheme that is consistent with Council Policy and
provides for buildings to be easily located once occupied. The general
application is as follows:
a) All buildings must be provided with a municipal address.
b) All buildings must be provided with a street number or
Multiple Unit Identification sign easily visible from the street
or public thoroughfare.
c) Addresses shall be provided in a manner that allows easy
identification of the building or site, such that principal
entrances to buildings or entrance routes are accessed from
the street to which they are addressed from.
d) All multiple unit residential properties, such as apartment
buildings, shall ensure an addressing scheme for the
approval
building is submitted for , consistent with the
Council Addressing Policy.
e) Where multiple buildings are addressed under the same
municipal address, a Multiple Unit Identification sign shall be
provided consistent with the guidance below.
Street fronting townhouses
f) shall be municipally addressed
consistent with Council policy.
g) Municipal addresses should be proposed early in the
development process, to allow the reviewed addresses to be
used on documents, such as building permits.
h) Where a concern is identified that does not meet the
application here, the requirement for an addressing plan
shall be identified early in the development process.
approved
i) All addressing proposals must be .
4.2 Lots containing more than one building intended for occupancy, may be
required to:
a) prominently display a multiple unit identification (MUI) sign at
each entrance to a public thoroughfare showing the layout of
the site, the municipal address, the building identifiers and
occupancy unit identifiers. Such determination shall be
approved
prior to Site Plan Approval in Principle for the
proposed development, or
b) provide a site plan which incorporates private streets, where
buildings are individually addressed, and multiple unit
buildings are provided with prominent unit identifiers, tied to
the private street addresses, and where the proposed
approved
identification scheme for the site plan is prior to
Site Plan Approval, or
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c) any combination of the above, that provides for ease of
identification of units and buildings by emergency service
personnel during an emergency response, where the
approved
proposal has been prior to Site Plan Approval.
d) The use of private named streets shall be encouraged, as
buildings addressed off of a named street may be
incorporated into the 911 system.
4.3 If required as per 4.2:
a) the owner shall prepare and submit a colour concept plan of
the MUI sign in accordance with the design, construction and
approval
location requirements set out below, and obtain of
the MUI sign prior to the issuance of any building permits/ or
site plan approval. Colors or materials that cannot be
accurately represented on the concept plan may require
approval
submission of materials samples for , or
b) the owner shall prepare and submit a detailed site plan
describing the proposed street structure and addressing
scheme, ensuring that all buildings and potential units within
a multiple unit building are provided with a readily identifiable
addressing scheme. The plan shall be submitted for review
approval
and, prior to the issuance of any building permits/
or site plan approval,
c) where a combination of multiple unit identification and
municipal addressing are proposed for the same site, the
inclusion of municipally addressed buildings may be included
on the MUI sign where the inclusion provides clarification
when trying to locate units using the MUI sign, and
c) submissions shall be made in a legible electronic format,
preferably PDF or CAD.
4.4 All MUI signs shall be designed and constructed by the owner, as follows
(Appendix 9):
a) all signs shall use reflective letters and markings or be
illuminated internally or externally, whichever is appropriate for
their design
b) all signs shall have contrasting lettering and backgrounds
c) the sign shall identify the municipal address of the site in 50mm
block letters
d) each building identifier and occupancy unit identifier must be
identified separately and clearly with numbers and/or letters at
least 30mm in size
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e) each sign shall have a 1.2m clearance from grade and shall not
exceed 3.0m in height from grade, or 6.0m²in total area, unless
otherwise approved by the City’s Supervisor of Site Plan
Development.
fire routes
f) all abutting public streets, internal roads, and
emergency access
roads shall be identified
g) the location of the Fire Department water connections and on-
site hydrants shall be displayed in red
h) an identification “YOU ARE HERE” label shall be clearly
displayed in white letters on a red background
i) all signs shall be constructed of durable material by the sign
industry and maintained in a legible condition in perpetuity
j) signs can be prepared by an independent sign maker or by the
City of Kitchener, at the expense of the owner.
4.5 The location of all MUI signs shall be shown on the City’s Landscape Plan
drawings. Planting in the vicinity of the sign shall be of a low growing
variety (a maximum mature height of 1.0m) and maintained so as not to
obstruct the sign.
4.6 A sign permit is not required for an MUI sign.
4.7 All MUI signs must be installed prior to the occupancy of any units within
the development, in accordance with the following location requirements:
a) a MUI sign is required to be installed on the right side of each
entrance driveway to the site within 10m of the property line
b) a MUI sign may not be located within the driveway visibility corner
formed by the projection of the intersection of the front lot lines and
driveway edge, connecting them 4.57m from their point of
intersection
c) a MUI sign must be located on the owner’s property not more than
1.2m from the edge of pavement of the internal driveway, situated
at a 45-degree angle to the driveway. When a sidewalk is located
between the MUI sign and the driveway, the sign must not be
located less than .6m from the sidewalk and not exceeding 1.8m
from the edge of the pavement of the internal driveway.
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4.8 Once an MUI sign is installed, the City’s Chief Fire Official shall inspect the
sign for compliance and may order the sign to be modified if it does not
comply with all requirements.
4.9 All MUI signs must accurately reflect any changes to the site as a result of
redevelopment or building additions and must be changed at the time of
undertaking the building or site alterations. All changes shall require
approval
.
4.10 All buildings containing multiple units, where the units are accessed from
interior public corridors, shall submit an addressing design concept for
approval
review and .
4.11 In all cases developers and designers shall ensure they are familiar with
and following the City of Kitchener Council policy on addressing.
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5. MISCELLANEOUS
5.1 Fire Breaks During Construction
(Appendix 10)
a) Each builder is required to submit a plan or policy of designating
fire break lots in accordance with 5.1.
b) The fire break lot designation will be noted on the building permit
application, in the tracking system and on the building permit.
c) The construction of the building upon the foundation of the fire
break lot cannot commence until the roofing and exterior cladding
has been completed on the buildings located to the sides and rear
(if less than a 7.5m rear yard).
d) It is the responsibility of the Building Inspector to monitor
compliance with the fire break lot policy.
e) The Building Inspector has the discretion to alter the designated
fire break lot on site; provided the principle of a maximum of six
framed singles or semi-detached dwelling units or two townhouse
blocks is not compromised.
f) Fire break lots shall be provided so that:
i. for single family homes and semi-detached homes – not
more than six buildings are grouped adjacent to each other,
ii. for townhomes – not more than two buildings or townhouse
blocks are grouped adjacent to each other.
g) Buildings on properties with side and rear yards greater than 7.5
meters are not required to be provided with fire breaks.
5.2 Fire Breaks For Fire Fighting – Street Fronting Townhomes
(Appendix 11)
a) In residential occupancies, it is important to have access between
buildings for emergency situations.
street fronting townhomes
b) In , designers shall ensure a fire break
between townhome blocks is provided every 8 units.
c) Fire breaks between these blocks shall not be less than 3 meters.
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d) Firewalls will not be considered as an acceptable solution to
providing the firebreaks.
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APPENDIX 1
FIRE FLOW ANALYSIS REPORT – SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
PURPOSE:
The goal of the Fire Flow Analysis Report is to demonstrate that the
fire load for the development, including existing buildings, will not exceed the
water available for fire protection from the municipal distribution system.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
The following is the minimum requirements of the
Fire Flow Analysis Report for review by the City of Kitchener:
Site plan detailing the water service, nearest municipal hydrants on the
street, test hydrants, private hydrants, etc.
Detailed description of the building construction materials and intended
use.
Calculation of fire load of the entire site development including new and
existing buildings (summary only for sprinkler calculations).
Details of hydrant fire flow test including time and date of test, persons
conducting test, residual and pito pressure readings, graph of results
(minimum three flow points plus static pressure), clear sketch of flow and
residual test hydrant locations.
Use metric units (L/min for flow and kPa for pressure).
Plot the fire load on the hydrant fire flow test results graph. For sprinkler
systems, provide the envelope of flow and pressure requirements
including simultaneous fire department needs at private and municipal fire
hydrants.
List the application of codes, standards and/or guidelines used in the
report preparation. The minimum requirements must satisfy the latest
edition of the Ontario Building Code. The Fire Underwriters Survey is also
an acceptable standard.
Unless otherwise demanded by sprinklered system, the fire load must be
supplied by the water distribution at a minimum pressure of 140 kPa in the
main at the fire hydrant (municipal or private) to provide fire protection.
This minimum pressure must be available on the day of the year with the
maximum system demand.
If the fire load is within 70kPa of the water pressure available, the City of
Kitchener reserves the right to request additional flow tests, hydraulic
calculations, computer modeling, etc., to ensure that the water distribution
system can satisfy the fire flow during the maximum day system demand.
Signed by an individual deemed competent to perform fire flow
calculations such as a Professional Engineer. In doing so, this individual is
attesting that:
The fire flow analysis is representative of the building to be
o
Subsequent modification of the building will
constructed.
require the resubmission of the fire flow analysis.
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All codes, standards and guidelines used in the report have been
o
applied appropriately
If the proposed development is adjacent to a relatively large municipal
watermain and the fire load is comparatively small, then the applicant may
submit an abbreviated Fire Flow Analysis Report. This condensed report
would comply with the above conditions excluding any computer modeling
or hydrant flow test requirement, for consideration to waive a full fire flow
analysis
Submit report to: Angela Mick, P.Eng.
Utilities Water Engineer
City Hall, PO Box 1118
200 King St. West
Kitchener, ON N2G 4G7
Fax (519) 741-2638
Please allow 2 weeks for review. If additional information is required, contact
Angela Mick at (519) 741-2408.
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Appendix 2
Option 1
Option 2
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APPENDIX 3
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APPENDIX 4
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Appendix 5
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Appendix 5
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Appendix 6
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Appendix 7
City of Kitchener26 / 30
Emergency Service Policy - ___ Jan 2011
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Appendix 8
Additional design details are available from the City of
Kitchener Development Manual, and available online at
.
www.kitchener.ca
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Appendix 9
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Appendix 10
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Appendix 11
City of Kitchener30 / 30
Emergency Service Policy - ___ Jan 2011
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