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Marinas

Marinas

This chapter establishes fire and safety regulations for marina facilities, including general precautions, fire protection equipment, and fuel-dispensing operations.

4501 — Scope

4501.1 Scope. Marina facilities shall be in accordance with this chapter.

4501.2 Plans and approvals. Plans for marina fire protection facilities shall be approved prior to installation. The work shall be subject to final inspection and approval after installation.

4502 — Definitions

4502.1 Definitions. The following words and terms shall, for the purpose of this chapter and as used elsewhere in this code, have the meanings shown herein.

FLOAT. A floating structure normally used as a point of transfer for passengers and goods, or both, for mooring purposes.

MARINA. Any portion ofthe ocean or inland water, either naturally or artificially protected, for the mooring, servicing or safety of vessels and shall include artificially protected works, the public or private lands ashore, and structures or facilities provided within the enclosed body of water and ashore for the mooring or servicing of vessels or the servicing of their crews or passengers.

PIER. A structure built over the water, supported by pillars or piles, and used as a landing place, pleasure pavilion or similar purpose.

VESSEL. A motorized watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation. Nontransportation vessels, such as houseboats and boathouses, are included in this definition.

WHARF. A structure or bulkhead constructed of wood, stone, concrete or similar material built at the shore of a harbor, lake or river for vessels to lie alongside of, and to anchor piers or floats.

4503 — General Precautions

4503.1 Combustible debris. Combustible debris and rubbish shall not be deposited or accumulated on land beneath marina structures, piers or wharves.

4503.2 Sources of ignition. Open-flame devices used for lighting or decoration on the exterior of a vessel, float, pier or wharf shall be approved.

4503.3 Flammable or combustible liquid spills. Spills of flammable or combustible liquids at or upon the water shall be reported immediately to the fire department or jurisdictional authorities.

4503.4 Rubbish containers. Metal containers with tight-fitting or self-closing lids shall be provided for the temporary storage of combustible trash or rubbish.

4503.5 Electrical equipment. Electrical equipment shall be installed and used in accordance with its listing, Section 605 and Chapter 5 ofNFPA 303 as required for wet, damp and hazardous locations.

4503.6 Berthing and storage. Berthing and storage shall be in accordance with Chapter 7 of NFPA 303.

4503.7 Slip identification. Slips and mooring spaces shall be individually identified by an approved numeric or alphabetic designator. Space designators shall be posted at the space. Signs indicating the space designators located on finger piers and floats shall be posted at the base of all piers, finger piers, floats and finger floats.

Worked example

Scenario: A marina developer plans to build a new dock system over an existing tidal flat.

Explanation: The developer must ensure that no combustible debris, such as old wood, leaves, or plastic waste, is deposited or allowed to accumulate on the land beneath the proposed marina structures, piers, or wharves.

4504 — Fire Protection Equipment

4504.1 General. Piers, marinas and wharves with facilities for mooring or servicing five or more vessels, and marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be equipped with fire protection equipment in accordance with Sections 4504.2 through 4504.6.

4504.2 Standpipes. Marinas and boatyards shall be equipped throughout with standpipe systems in accordance with NFPA 303. Systems shall be provided with hose connections located such that no point on the marina pier or float system exceeds 150 feet (15 240 mm) from a standpipe hose connection.

4504.2.1 Identification of standpipe outlets. Standpipe hose connection locations shall be clearly identified by a flag or other approved means designed to be readily visible from the pier accessing the float system.

4504.2.1 Identification of standpipe outlets. Standpipe hose connection locations shall be clearly identified by a flag or other approved means designed to be readily visible from the pier accessing the float system.

4504.3 Access and water supply. Piers and wharves shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads and water-supply systems with on-site fire hydrants when required by the fire code official. Such roads and water systems shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.2 and 508.

4504.4 Portable fire extinguishers. One portable fire extinguisher of the ordinary (moderate) hazard type shall be provided at each required standpipe hose connection. Additional portable fire extinguishers, suitable for the hazards involved, shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Section 906.

4504.5 Communications. A telephone not requiring a coin to operate or other approved, clearly identified means to notify the fire department shall be provided on the site in a location approved by the fire code official.

4504.6 Emergency operations staging areas. Space shall be provided on all float systems for the staging of emergency equipment. Emergency operation staging areas shall provide a

minimum of 4 feet wide by 10 feet long (1219 mm by 3048 mm) clear area exclusive of walkways and shall be located at each standpipe hose connection. Emergency operation staging areas shall be provided with a curb or barrier having a minimum height of 4 inches (102 mm) and maximum space between the bottom edge and the surface of the staging area of 2 inches (51 mm) on the outboard sides of the staging area.

An approved sign reading FIRE EQUIPMENT STAGING AREA-KEEP CLEAR shall be provided at each staging area.

Worked example

Scenario: A marina facility features a main dock with 15 vessel slips, two smaller docks with 3 slips each, and a dedicated marine fuel pump station.

Explanation: Because the main dock accommodates more than five vessels and there is a marine motor fuel-dispensing facility, the entire marina complex must be equipped with fire protection equipment as specified in Sections 4504.2 through 4504.6.

4505 — Marine Motor Fuel-dispensing Facilities

4505.1 Fuel dispensing. Marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities shall be in accordance with Chapter 22.

Frequently asked questions

When is fire protection equipment required at a marina?

Fire protection equipment is required for piers, marinas, and wharves that moor or service five or more vessels, or have marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities.

Are there rules about debris under marina structures?

Yes, combustible debris and rubbish are prohibited from being deposited or accumulated on land directly beneath marina structures, piers, or wharves.

Where can I find requirements for marine fuel dispensing?

Marine motor fuel-dispensing facilities must comply with the provisions outlined in Chapter 22 of this code.

Where verbatim source text is shown, it is reproduced from the code as adopted into law by the jurisdiction, sourced from public.resource.org under the government edicts doctrine (see Georgia v. Public.Resource.Org, Inc., 590 U.S. 255 (2020)). This material reflects enacted law and is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and may not reflect local amendments or the most recently adopted edition. Always verify requirements with the authority having jurisdiction.