Fire Lane & Gate Systems

The adopted fire code of the City of Frisco prohibits the obstruction of fire lanes in any manner. This policy is written, however, to allow the incorporation of limited access control gates across dedicated or designated fire lane easements, attempting to ensure that emergency access routes are maintained unobstructed and that emergency vehicles are not delayed entering these properties.

Permit Required

Prior to the installation of a gate system that extends across a fire lane, the owner or person in charge of the property must obtain a permit from the City of Frisco Fire Marshal or his designee. Plans for gate systems shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal's Office for review and approval before a permit is issued. Such plans shall be of standard blueprint quality, drawn to a standard scale, listing all details, specifications or diagrams necessary to provide a description of the work to be done and the gates mechanical operation.

The permit may be revoked if the permit holder fails to maintain the gate system(s) in good working order which may cause the delay or obstruction of emergency services gaining immediate access to the property.

Definitions

Security Gate / Privacy Gate / Limited Access Gates: Shall mean any vehicle access way from a public street to private property which has an access gate that limits or controls vehicle access onto the property.

Gate System: A gate system includes each drive gate, pedestrian gate, operating mechanism, receiver, electrical system, chain, belt, pulley, all hardware appliances and all other type equipment or items necessary for each gate to function as intended and herein described.

Primary Drive Gate Type: The primary drive gate type that may be installed across fire lanes shall be the sliding type. If the installation of sliding gates is not possible due to the layout of the property or buildings thereon, alternate types of gate installations may be considered.

Main Gate: Shall mean the gate and entry way designed as the primary entrance for guests, residents, deliveries, employees, patrons, etc.

Owner: Shall mean a person, corporation partnership, association or any other similar entity.

Primary Emergency Access: Shall mean the drive or access point designed as the primary point or one of several primary points of ingress/egress for emergency vehicles.

Secondary Emergency Access: Shall mean the drive or access point designed as a secondary or back-up means of ingress / egress for emergency vehicles.

General Requirements

All limited access drives from public streets shall be designed to accommodate emergency service vehicles (fire-police-medical). All limited access drives will be designated as either a primary or secondary emergency access way, as determined by the Fire Marshal. The primary means of gate operation shall be by Opticom. The emitter shall be located on top of the gate or in a location not less than 9 feet tall as to prevent tampering with the equipment. Mini-warehouses and non-residential buildings shall adhere to these requirements also.

If the gate is not constructed as to allow for the free passage of exiting vehicles then the gate shall be fitted with an opticom emitter on each side of the gate. In the event of an operation failure, the gate shall open by means of the KS-2 switch that is mounted on the keypad or other approved location. Upon activation of the KS-2 switch, the affected gate shall automatically open to a lock-open and disabled condition. The system will require manual reset to close the gates after emergency activation.

Final System Access (Back-Up) – Electrical Disconnect / Chain Access

In the event of an Opticom or KS-2 failure, the gate shall open by means of an electrical power disconnect switch in a weatherproof box. The gate shall be capable of being physically disconnected from the operator mechanism from either side of the gate. Slider gate chains shall be accessible to be cut and release the gate from the opener mechanism from either side. Swing gates shall have a pin in the swing arm mechanism secured by a Knox Padlock. The padlock shall be accessible from either side of the gate.

Electrical Equipment Protection

All electrical and electronic equipment shall be protected from physical damage and weather by approved weather tight boxes or housings.

Performance Tests

Gates and gate systems shall be tested upon completion of the installation of a gate or gate system or when required by the Fire Department. Failure of a gate or gate system test will require that all affected gates shall be chained and locked in the open position until repaired and retested. The Fire Department shall observe all required tests.

Application for Knox Company Equipment

To order Knox Company equipment visit Knox.com.  Select Frisco, Texas in the ordering process.

Gate Equipment

All primary emergency access gates shall be equipped to operate with the Opticom gate opening system, Knox KS-2 key switch and fail safe manual back-up or automatic release in the event of a failure of the electrical or mechanical system. The KS-2 switch shall be located on a key pad pedestal or call box as approved by the Fire Marshal.

All automated gates must also be equipped with one flasher unit and one external lamp assembly with a red globe and guard to be mounted separate from the enclosure. The light shall be visible from both sides of the gate, be mounted at the top of the fence within 2 feet of the gate opening and flash upon the gate being activated by the Opticom System or KS-2 switch and continue to flash as long as the gate is being held by the emergency access system.

All automated secondary emergency access gates shall be equipped to operate with the Knox KS-2 key switch mounted on a key pad pedestal and have an electrical disconnect contained within an approved box secured by a Knox padlock to allow manual opening of the gate by emergency personnel. All manual secondary emergency access gates shall open by means of a Knox padlock.

Provisions shall be made to accommodate other services including, but not limited to:

• Police
• Postal Service
• Public Works
• Sanitation Services
• Utility Services

Specific Requirements

The minimum clear opening width shall be not less than 24 feet and a minimum unobstructed height of 14 feet  shall be maintained. Limited access gates shall be designed and constructed in a workman-like manner. Gate materials shall be approved by the Fire Marshal. Pedestrian gates shall open fully with a minimum clear span of 48 inches and be provided with a latch or other means of securing them in the open position. Automated pedestrian gates shall open freely upon loss of power. When required by the Fire Marshal, one or multiple pedestrian gates shall be released by a Knox Lock or by a KS-2 switch mounted in an approved box.

Primary System Access (Emergency) – Opticom System

Emitter receivers shall be located at each primary access gate or point as deemed necessary by the Fire Marshal. Upon receiving the transmission of the emitter signal at any drive gate, the affected gate shall automatically open.

Secondary System Access (Back-Up) KS-2 Switch

In the event of power failure the gate shall open by means of a battery back-up system. The gate may either open automatically or be designed to provide multiple openings through a battery powered system.