Reviews - Site Plan (Residential)

FIRE HYDRANTS

Hydrant Locations:
Required Fire Hydrant locations are as follows:

• At intersections
• At the end line of all cul-de-sacs
• At a minimum of every 1000
• Within 200-feet of the entrance. (Keep in mind that an existing hydrant might meet the above requirement if located on the same side of the road and within the right-of-way of the main entry road into the development)
• For developments that are additions to previous phases or units, the following additional information must be shown: Show the last existing hydrant from the previous phase or unit.

Hydrant Notes

• Hydrant Installation Standard Detail (This should be obtained from the Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority)
• Fire hydrants shall be installed so the centerline of all hydrant steamer connections is at a minimum of 18-inches above grade or the barrel flange is 6-inches above the finished grade.
• The steamer connection shall face the mid-line of the street for accessibility.
• Hydrants should have 3-feet of surrounding unobstructed area based on the 2018 International Fire Code.
• Fire Hydrants must be operational and under pressure prior to the start of combustible construction as specified in the 2018 International Fire Code.
• If fire hydrants are located on private property the following note must be shown: "Where property is privately owned, thrust blocks for fire lines must be inspected by the Fire Marshal prior to back-filling trenches. The plans should have a note indicating the above requirement as well as a note to call the Fire Marshal's office at (678) 493-6290 for this inspection."

Water Availability Notes

• All water lines serving a hydrant must be a minimum of 8-inches in diameter and constructed of ductile iron pipe or C900 PVC as approved by the Water and Sewer Authority.
• Water Flow Test Results are required to be listed on the plans. The Cherokee County Water and Sewer Authority Requirements establish the minimum flows for commercial developments.
• Structures with sprinkler systems must show vault, Fire Department Connection (FDC), and valve location details. The FDC must be located away from the building structure near a truck entry point.

STREET DESIGN REQUIREMENTS

Street Width

• Two entrances are required for developments that meet the following criteria:
  • More than 150 homes including future phases. This is Cherokee County Development Regulation section 4.10.B.
  • Access to the development is across an existing or proposed dam. This is listed in the Cherokee County Development Regulation section 4.05.A.L.
• Where streets are privately owned, entry and exit gates must be a minimum of 20-feet in length as specified in the 2018 International Code. Additionally, a lockbox is required per both the 2018 International Fire Code and County Ordinance.

Parking Dimensions

• Provide parking space dimensions and driveway aisle widths throughout the parking lot.
• Cherokee County Standard Parking Detail 209 requires that 90-degree angled spaces maintain a 24-foot wide aisle.
• The minimum allowed access road or parking lot aisle in the International Fire Code is 20-feet.

Turning Radius
Development entrances and main intersections require a turning radius of 40-feet as listed in the Cherokee County Development Regulations section 4.05.A.3. When the entry street intersects a state road, the DOT might require a different turning radius that does not meet county minimum standards. This situation will need to be documented on the plans. Internal parking lots are required to have turning radii of 15-feet.

Turn-Around

• An approved turnaround for fire apparatus vehicles must be provided at dead-end streets. The Cherokee County Development Regulations provide a Standard Detail 205, which shows the approved cul-de-sac dimensions. A 60-foot minimum radius is required.
• Dead-end fire apparatus access road(s) exceeding 150-ft in length must be provided with an approved method for turning Fire Department vehicles around as required by the International Fire Code Section 503.2.5 and the Cherokee County Development Regulation Standard Detail 205.

Building Structure Features

• Utility service equipment must meet the protective guidelines of the National Fire Prevention Association.
• Transformers must be shown 10-feet or more from building structures and 14-feet from doors.
• Bollard protection must be shown around transformers and utility meters when located beside driveway areas.
• Building separation must comply with the 2018 International Building Code Table 602. Indicate on the plans the distance from the building structure to the property line. If less than 30-feet, fire-rated building materials must be specified if needed. In the event that unlimited area provisions are needed, 60-feet to the property line may be required.
• Provide room for a 4-foot wide sidewalk or landing around the building. This is required for both exit and access doors. GA Amendments 120-3-3 IFC Section 5 requires access doors every 100-feet along with access drives.

Fire Protection Features

• An all-weather Fire Department access road with a minimum width of 20-ft. must be provided within 150-ft of all portions of the 1st floor of the proposed building(s) as required by the 2018 International Fire Code Section 503.1.
• Fire Lanes (No Parking Zones) are required around portions of the building(s) and hydrants to prevent blockage of Fire Department apparatus access. These must meet both the sign and marking specifications listed in the 2018 International Fire Code.