This information has been developed and presented with the intent of providing assistance to the development and construction community. Included in these guidelines is information addressing the needs and requirements of the fire service within Pinellas Park's district including, but not limited to, Plans Review/Permit Fees, Site Requirements, and general code provisions.

All builder/developers are encouraged to take advantage of the City of Pinellas Park's offer of a no-cost pre-development meeting. At this meeting, all affected City staff will be present to provide assistance in expediting the project in a cost-effective manner prior to plans submittal. Contact the Community Development Department to make a request at (727) 541-0752.

When your plans are submitted, one of the copies is routed to the Fire & Life Safety Division for review. If the plans submitted are complete and in compliance with the applicable fire codes the review by the Division should be completed and a transmittal letter outlining the fire department's requirements returned to the applicant within ten (10) business days. Some large projects and those with incomplete submissions may take longer.

Please remember that the information presented here is to provide those jurisdictional specific items as stipulated in the current version of the Florida Fire Prevention Code

Effective January 1 2009, the Florida Fire Prevention Code (2007 ed.) will be in effect.

Emergency Fire Apparatus Access

Emergency service vehicles, especially fire apparatus, need to have adequate access to all developments in the event of emergencies at that location. This access will range from general roadway access to developments down to and including access to individual buildings.

Florida Fire Prevention Code and Pinellas County Ordinances within Pinellas County specify a variety of project and building access requirements.

Fire Lanes: Required fire lanes shall be provided with the inner edge of the roadway no closer than 10 feet and no further than 30 feet from the building. Such lanes shall have a surface designed to accommodate fire apparatus with a minimum weight of 41 tons.

Fire lanes shall be marked with freestanding signs with the wording, "NO PARKING FIRE LANE BY ORDER OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT" or similar wording. Such signs shall be 12 in. by 18 in. with a white background and red letters and shall be a maximum of seven feet in height from the roadway to the bottom part of the sign. The signs shall be within sight of the traffic flow and be a maximum of 60 feet part.

Access to building: A fire department access road shall extend to within 50 ft (15 m) of a single exterior door providing access to the interior of the building.

Additional requirements: Fire department access roads shall be provided such that any portion of the facility or any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of the building is located not more than 150 ft (46 m) from fire department access roads as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.

Multiple Access Roads: More than one fire department access road shall be provided when it is determined by the AHJ that access by a single road could be impaired by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions, or other factors the could limit access.

Specifications/Dimensions: Fire department access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 ft (6.1 m) and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 ft 6 in. (4.1 m). Minimum width may be reduced to meet special access with the approval of the fire official.

Surface: Fire department access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be provided with a surface suitable for all-weather driving capabilities.

Turning Radius: The turning radius of a fire department access road shall be as approved by the AHJ.

Dead Ends: Dead-end fire department access roads in excess of 150 ft (46 m) in length shall be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus.

Bridges, Ramps, and Elevated Roads: When a bridge is required to be used as part of a fire department access road, it shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with nationally recognized standards.

The bridge/road/ramp shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus with a minimum weight of 41 tons.

Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges, ramps, and elevated roadways.

 Grade: The gradient for a fire department access road shall not exceed the maximum approved.

The angle of approach and departure for any means of fire department access shall not exceed 1 ft drop in 20 ft (0.3 m drop in 6 m), and the design limitations of the fire apparatus of the fire department shall be subject to approval by the AHJ.

Marking of Fire Apparatus Access Road: Where required by the AHJ, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided and maintained for fire department access roads to identify such roads, or prohibit the obstruction thereof, or both.

Emergency access to gated developments: Each new or existing residential development, access to which is limited by security gate or gates that are not attended on a 24-hour basis, shall install an emergency vehicle access system.

Emergency vehicle access system: An emergency vehicle access system shall consist of an armored lock box that either contains a key or an electric switch to open the gate. The lock box shall be a cast metal or welded box unit, shall be manufactured to withstand severe weather conditions, and may be opened only by a non-reproducible key. The lock box shall be located on a sturdy post or other structure along the roadway so that the lock box is visible and accessible by the emergency vehicle driver of both sedan automobiles and/or fire/rescue units. The lock box and the location of the lock box must be approved by the authority having jurisdiction. All gates shall be equipped with uninterrupted power supplies (UPS) or a manual override, which will permit the gate to be opened if the electrical power is interrupted.

Due to the devastating economic effect of fire upon development under construction, the Fire Marshal requires that the underground infrastructure for fire protection that is required, be in place and in-service prior to accumulation of combustibles on-site and/or construction above grade. This infrastructure shall meet the minimum fire flow as outlined below.

Residential Area Fire hydrants: Fire hydrants in single-family subdivisions, mobile home parks, recreational vehicle park areas shall be; spaced not more than 500 vehicular travel feet from property line intersection with roadway; each capable of delivering a minimum fire flow of 1000 GPM @ 20 psig; located in the public right-of-way with LD outlet facing roadway.

Fire hydrants in industrial, commercial, multi-family, structures for public assembly, and other high-value sites, shall be either: spaced not more than 500 vehicular travel feet from the closest portion of each structure; and each capable of providing a minimum fire flow of 1500 GPM @ 20 psig, or comply with requirements set forth in NFPA 1 Annex H & I, whichever provides the greater fire protection.

Existing fire hydrants within private property or isolated by physical barriers from the proposed development site may not be utilized for fire protection requirements of the proposed construction.

No person shall place or keep any post, fence, vehicle, growth, vegetation, trash, or storage of other materials that would obstruct a fire hydrant or fire protection appliance and hinder or prevent its immediate use by fire department personnel. Such fire hydrant or fire protection appliance shall be maintained readily visible at all times.

Clearances: The following clearances shall be maintained for all fire hydrants and fire protection appliances:

Hydrants - Clearances of seven feet and six inches (7' 6") in front of and to the sides of the fire hydrant, with a four foot (4') clearance to the rear of the hydrant.

Fire Protection Appliances – Clearances of seven and one half feet (7' 6") in front of and to the sides of the appliances.

Exception: These dimensions may be reduced by approval of the Fire Official.

Fire Department Connections: Connections shall be 5" Storz type, angled down at 22 degrees, a have a height of 48" from top of piping to finished grade.

New FDC locations shall not be located on any double check valve assembly.

FDC Illustration

Whenever a proposed development will be required to install one or more fire hydrants as a condition of approval and the proposed development will be equipped with an internal fire protection system (fire sprinklers, standpipes or both) a supporting fire hydrant shall be located within 100 feet, as measured along a normal access route, of the fire department connection for such internal system. Fire hydrant shall be on the same side of the street as the fire department connection.

The Fire Hydrant(s) and FDC(s) location shall be coordinated with the Fire Prevention Division.

All dumpsters, and any associated screening which consists of combustible fencing around the dumpster pad shall have a minimum separation from the nearest building or building overhang of ten feet (10'). Large commercial/ industrial dumpsters, such as twenty or forty yard containers may require a larger separation. This minimum separation may be reduced or waived if the dumpster is protected by one or more fire sprinkler heads of a fire sprinkler system designed in accordance with sound engineering practices. Compactors, because of their unique designs and construction requirements shall be reviewed on an individual basis by the authority having jurisdiction (A.H.J.).

Minimum Plan Requirements - General

Plans - General

Provide interior finish schedules

Provide door schedules

Provide window schedules

Provide hydraulic calculations for sprinkler systems and cut sheets

Provide fire alarm cut sheets

Provide Life Safety Plan (shows egress, travel distances, exit doors)

Provide HVAC CFM schedule

When a fire detection and alarm system is required, the guidelines for planning and testing a new fire alarm system as well as the procedures leading to the systems acceptance are delineated.

Plans Submission

Approved plans shall be on site at time of inspections, alarm testing and C.O.

System drawings /plans shall indicate the following:

Name and address of building/project/tenant.

Name of contractor with address, phone number and certification/ license number.

Floor plan with dimensions with scale.

Symbol list and equipment identification (flow, bell, horns, pull, etc.).

Coverage, per manufacturer specifications, for detectors.

Type of transmitting equipment that transfers signal to central station.

Location of zones and annunciators.

Compliance with Local and N.F.P.A. Codes 70, 71, 72 as applicable.

Location of all devices.

Additional Guidelines:

All fire control panels are to be installed in location approved by AHJ.

If the above panel cannot be located within six feet (6') of a main entrance then an enunciator panel will be required within six feet (6') of the main entrance of the building.

Outside fire control panels are not acceptable. Exceptions at the discretion of fire official.

Keys shall be provided to gain access to the building, fire alarm panel, etc. Fire department key box system shall be used. Contact fire department for an application.

Pre-Acceptance Testing

Prior to acceptance test, contractor shall notify A.H.J. at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

Alarm contractor shall do a complete test of system before the A.H.J. is called for the acceptance test.

Alarm contractor shall provide sufficient personnel to properly conduct system test.

Alarm contractor or owner shall arrange for a written agreement with a licensed contractor to cover:

1. Equipment and system repairs.
2. Annual total system inspection. Copies shall be provided to A.H.J. at time of test.

Alarm contractor or owner shall arrange for a monitoring agreement with a listed central station (if required) approved by the A.H.J. A copy of this agreement shall be provided to the A.H.J. at time of system test.

Alarm contractor shall notify all parties concerned regarding the test. (A.H.J., occupants of building, security, central station, etc.). NOTE: U.L. licensed monitoring stations are the only A.H.J. approved stations.

Plans Submission

Approved plans shall be on site at time of pressure tests and C.O. inspection.

System drawings/working plans shall indicate the following:

Name and Address of building/project/tenant

Name of contractor with address, phone number and certification/ license number

Floor plan with dimensions with scale

Symbol list and equipment identification

Coverage, per manufacturer specifications, for sprinkler heads

Identification of zones

Compliance with Local and N.F.P.A. Codes 13, 13A, 13D, 13R as applicable including but not limited to the requirements of NFPA adopted additions

Acceptance Testing

Prior to acceptance test, contractor shall notify A.H.J. at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance.

Sprinkler contractor shall do a complete test of system before the A.H.J. is called for the acceptance test.

Sprinkler contractor shall provide sufficient personnel to properly conduct the system test.

Sprinkler contractor or owner shall arrange for an annual test agreement with a licensed sprinkler contractor (if required) approved by the A.H.J. A copy of this agreement shall be provided to the A.H.J. at time of system test

Sprinkler contractor shall notify all parties concerned regarding the test. (A.H.J., occupants of building, security, central station, etc.).

The acceptance test shall include all of the provisions of NFPA 13, Acceptance Tests including but not limited to the requirements for Flushing of Piping, Hydrostatic Testing and Permissible Leakage limits.

If a fire alarm system is required for monitoring suppression system, fire alarm contractor shall be on-site during testing.

A key box system provides a rapid and reliable access method to buildings to determine the cause of a fire alarm or other fire protection system activation without the expense of having to repair doors or windows damaged due to forced entry by the fire department. All necessary access keys to the building are marked and kept in the key box. The fire department's master key is kept under strict supervision and security.

Access Boxes: The AHJ shall have the authority to require an access box(es) to be installed in an accessible location where access to or within a structure or area is difficult because of security.

Access to Gated Subdivisions or Developments: The AHJ shall have the authority to require fire department access be provided to gated subdivisions or developments through the use of an approved device or system.

Access Maintenance: The owner or occupant of a structure or area, with required fire department access as specified in NFPA 1 Ch 10.12 or 10.12.2, shall notify the AHJ when the access is modified in a manner that could prevent fire departments access.

Procedures for Obtaining Key Box: The following steps must be followed to obtain a key box:

1. Obtain an Authorization Form from the representative of the appropriate fire department (A.H.J.) and complete the necessary information.
2. Execute a check to the key box company in the correct amount for the model selected (See mounting comments below) and all associated charges.
3. The key box will arrive in about six (6) weeks after the order is placed. It will arrive in an open position and you must contact the fire department (A.H.J.) in order to have the key box locked.

Location: The following guidelines are provided for locating the key box however the specific location shall be coordinated with the authority having jurisdiction (A.H.J.) prior to installation:

1. Installation height of the key box shall be not more than six feet (6') or as specifically approved by the A.H.J.
2. The key box should not be hidden by shrubbery or other screening material
3. The key box should be located to the right of the door nearest to the fire alarm panel, if the building is so equipped. Again, the specific location should be coordinated with the A.H.J. to insure the adequacy of access to the key box after installation

Mounting: The key box should be mounted in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions which are included with the box upon delivery. It is essential that the key box be mounted securely. Any firm who deems it appropriate may also order the key box equipped with a tamper switch that can then be tied into the firm's burglar alarm for increased security.

An inspection is performed prior to the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy to insure that the new or renovated structure meets all necessary fire protection requirements and that all improvements have been completed in accordance with the approved plans.

Premises Identification: New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers placed in a position to be plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property

Address numbers shall contrast with their background. Numerals shall be not less than three inches in height for residential buildings, structures, or portions thereof, and at least six inches in height for all other buildings, structures, or portions thereof

Where address identification is required by the fire official on other elevations of buildings, structures, or portions thereof, such numbers shall be not less than three inches in height for residential and at least six inches in height for all other buildings, structures, or portions thereof

Existing numbers when approved by the fire official shall be permitted to remain

Address numbers shall be Arabic numerals.