Aptos/La Selva Fire Protection District
6934 Soquel Drive ▪ Aptos, CA 95003
Phone # 831-685-6690 ▪ Fax # 831-685-6699
Jim Dias, Fire Marshal, ext. 115
Installation of Physical Speed Control Devices on Privately Owned and Maintained Roads Guidelines
PURPOSE:
To provide guidelines for approving the placement of speed tables on privately owned and maintained roads or streets to reduce the incidence of speeding. The Aptos/LaSelva Fire Protection District retains the discretion to allow or deny the placement of speed tables on a particular road or street based upon its assessment of the impact such devices may have upon response times.
USE AND CRITERIA FOR INSTALLATION OF PHYSICAL SPEED CONTROL DEVICES:
The use of physical speed control devices, like any other engineering device, is subject to a number of factors and must be used with discretion. The unchecked use of these devices may be in conflict with the achievement of other local objectives such as traffic circulation, safety, and emergency response times. The indiscriminate use of physical speed control devices may create a problem worse than the problem that it is intended to solve. The following guidelines are established for evaluating the installation of speed tables.
The Aptos/LaSelva Fire Protection District will follow the established guidelines of the Santa Cruz County Department of Public Works when evaluating requests for the installation of speed tables.
GAINING SUPPORT FOR THE REQUEST:
Because the installation of speed control devices may be controversial, the proponents shall hold a neighborhood meeting to determine if a significant amount of interest exists in favor of such an installation.
A copy of the meeting notice along with a list of the residences within the primary and secondary affected areas of the proposed devices accompanied with a map shall be submitted in support of the application request. The primary area is defined as those properties fronting along the section of road where the devices are to be installed. The secondary affected area is defined as those properties located off the primary road served by any side street, road, driveway, or alley way that intersects with the primary road or street and has principal access through the section of road proposed to have speed tables installed.
A petition requesting the approval of the speed control devices shall be circulated amongst all affected property owners and shall be submitted in support of the application request. The petition shall state that signers are the property owners of record with the authority to sign the petition; that the petition is for the purpose of determining whether there is sufficient support for the devices; and that the cost of installation, maintenance, and if so desired in the future, the removal is the responsibility of all property owners within the primary and secondary areas as previously outlined.
In the event that there is no formal and recorded road maintenance agreement, one shall be formed. If the petitioners so desire, they may elect to form a County Service Area (CSA) for the purposes of road maintenance and modifications. To learn more about forming a CSA go to:
http://www.dpw.co.santa-cruz.ca.us/csa.htm#Formation
After obtaining the required signatures and support for installation, an application to install physical speed control devices shall be submitted to the Fire Prevention Bureau for approval prior to commencement of any work.
THE APPLICATION:
The application shall include the following:
Completed ALSFD Permit Application
Letter announcing the neighborhood meeting
List of property owners noticed of the meeting
Signed petition as discussed previously requesting approval of Physical Speed Control Devices (speed tables). Weighting criteria shall follow that of Santa Cruz County Public Works.
A map showing primary and secondary affected properties
A site map produced by a licensed civil engineer showing the exact locations along approved routes where the devices are proposed to be located
Detailed design of the speed tables. The standard for construction shall be as shown in Figure ST-13B of the County of Santa Cruz Design Criteria. (attached)
DESIGN CRITERIA:
Physical Speed Control Devices (Speed Tables – see Figure ST-13B)
1.The length of the installation shall be 6.6 m (22 feet) for speed tables from the beginning of rise from the pavement surface to return to the pavement surface, with a profile view that is generally parabolic (a 3.0 m (10 feet) middle flat segment is required for speed tables).
2.The height of the speed table shall be A MAXIMUM of 100 mm (4 inches) per the template approved by the Director of Public Works.
3.Speed tables shall be tapered from zero elevation at the lip of gutter to the full height, approximately 600 mm (2 feet) from the gutter and shall not interfere with drainage.
4.Speed tables shall not be placed over manholes, water valves, utility vaults or other underground structures.
5.Whenever possible, the edge of a speed table shall be at least 1.5 m (5 feet) from the edge of a driveway.
6.Whenever possible, speed tables shall be placed adjacent to street lights for better visibility.
7.Whenever possible, speed tables shall be placed opposite property lines rather than mid-lot.
8.Whenever possible, speed tables shall be placed at least 60 m (200 feet) away from intersections and sharp horizontal curves and located to provide adequate sight distance in either direction. Speed tables may be closer to intersections and curves with approval from the Fire Chief when sufficient cause is provided. Whenever possible, speed tables shall be placed at least 90 m (300 feet) apart.
9.Warning signs and markings shall be used as follows:
a.“BUMPS AHEAD” warning signs at the beginning of the road bump and speed table area and at all entrances.
b.Speed advisory plates (15 MPH) mounted below the “BUMP AHEAD” warning sign.
c.Pavement markings at the speed table (“BUMP”).
d.Double yellow centerline in the vicinity of the speed table where adequate width will allow (approximately 15 m (50 feet) on either side.
e.“V” shaped white reflective pavement markings on the road bump and speed table for each direction of travel.
10.Speed tables may be constructed out of asphalt or concrete.
11.Speed tables shall not interfere with street and sidewalk access for pedestrians. When sidewalks are not available, care should be taken to provide for a safe accessible path for persons utilizing wheeled appliances such as wheelchairs or electric chairs.
PERMIT APPLICATION
DATE: APN:
ADDRESS OF INSTALLATION:
CONTRACTOR: PHONE:
ADDRESS: CITY: ZIP:
LICENSE CLASS: LICENSE #:
PERMIT FOR: NEW ADDITION MODIFICATION
SPRINKLER SYSTEM: OVERHEAD UNDERGROUND
*Must include manufacturers’ cut sheet for all Overhead sprinkler plans.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEM: CENTRAL STATION
REMOTE STATION
*Must include manufacturers’ cut sheet and CSFM Listings & Monitoring Contract
FIXED FIRE SYSTEM:
*Must include manufacturers’ cut sheet and CSFM Listings
OTHER:
LICENSED CONTRACTOR'S DECLARATION
I hereby affirm that I am licensed under applicable provisions of the California Business and Professions Code and my license is in full force and effect.
APPLICANT:
Worker's Compensation Insurance Certification on File? Yes No
SUB-CONTRACTOR
If you plan to utilize a sub-contractor as part of this permit, please include the following:
CONTRACTOR: PHONE:
ADDRESS: CITY: ZIP:
LICENSE CLASS: LICENSE #:
I hereby affirm the above named subcontractor is properly licensed under applicable provisions of the California Business and Professions Code and license is in full force and effect.
Worker's Compensation Insurance Certification on File? Yes No
I certify that I have read this application and state that the above information is correct. I agree to comply with all district and county ordinances, district, county and state laws regulating to building construction, fire and life safety requirements and hereby authorize representatives of the District to enter upon the above mentioned property for inspection purposes.
APPLICANT OR AGENT DATE
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APPROVED FOR ISSUANCE:
PERMIT#: FEE: DATE: INITIALS:
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Hi everyone -- At first I had trouble reading the Fire Marshall's requirements - if you do too, try going to the very bottom of this page, and click on "Post Comments (Atom)" link. This worked for me!
ReplyDeleteAnthea
We think that we fixed it. Is this better?
ReplyDeleteSo the speed bump is not to fire department standard? We have 2 emails from the Jacksons, saying the Fire Dept did not approve the Martin bumps and 1 saying they meet Fire Dept standards - which is it?
ReplyDeleteWho is paying to maintain this speed bump? the 5 homes that paid in install it against the street majorities wish, the 11 homes that said yes to speed bumps or the 14 homes at the first meeting that gave the Jacksons the go ahead to do this?
What happens when these homes move away from the street, is it written into the home sale contract that they maintain the bumps and are open to being sued?
Who is going to pay if an accidnet happens because of this speed bump, the 5 who paid to install it, the 11 who said yes or the 14 who gave the Jacksons the go ahead to do this?
Can we get a legal document/waiver that excludes the 16 homes that were not at the meeting and did not give the Jacksons the go ahead, from maintenance bills or being sued in the unlikely event of an accident caused by this speed bump or because this speed bump stops the emergency services getting to a home on Florence in time.
The positioning of this speed bump "between the Mays and Barron's" does not stop the Jacksons cars from being it, its past their home if you come from Cliff, which I think they say this where most of the traffic comes from?
Finally I think that we need to find someone else to slurry Florence Drive, a company that goes ahead and does something without a street majority and without following a clearly laid out procedure does not deserve our business or money. Lets help another company who follows the rules, this is hard times for local companies after all!