§ 9-662. Vehicle impact protection requirements and standards.

(a)

Child care centers where vehicle impact protection devices required. Vehicle impact protection devices and features, as described in subsection (b) of this section, shall be required to be installed between the edge of the right-of-way of the adjacent roadway and the perimeter of any exposed area that is parallel or roughly parallel to the edge of the roadway and wrapping perpendicular to such exposed area for a distance of at least forty-eight (48) inches. Such devices and features shall be installed as close to the edge of the exposed area (as far away from the edge of the right-of-way) as reasonably practicable.

(b)

Installation required. The vehicle impact protection devices and features required by this article shall be installed before a certificate of occupancy is issued for the new facility or renovation, as applicable.

(c)

Elements of vehicle impact protection devices or features. Vehicle impact protection devices and features shall take the form of barriers, bollards, posts, features, or a combination of barriers, bollards, posts, and features, as described below:

(1)

Barriers . Physical barriers, such as reinforced walls, building perimeter walls, planters, and street furniture, may be used to satisfy the requirements and standards of this section, provided they comply with the following requirements:

a.

The barriers shall be a minimum of thirty-six (36) inches in height and designed to achieve an impact resistance level of five thousand (5,000) pounds traveling at thirty (30) miles per hour. Plain concrete barriers, such as "K Rails" or "Jersey" barriers, shall be prohibited, except as temporarily allowed under subsection (e) of this section.

b.

When barriers are spaced apart, the spacing shall be not less than forty-eight (48) inches and not more than fifty-six (56) inches between the outer edge of the barrier and the nearest outer edge of the adjacent barrier.

c.

The color and design of the barriers shall be consistent throughout the child care center.

(2)

Bollards, posts, and guard posts . Bollards, posts, and guard posts may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section, provided they comply with the following requirements:

a.

The bollards or posts shall be constructed of steel or other material not less than four (4) inches in diameter that shall achieve a minimum impact resistance level of five thousand (5,000) pounds traveling at thirty (30) miles per hour, as provided by ASTM International (formerly known as American Society of Testing and Materials or "ASTM") in its document number ASTM F3016.

b.

The bollards or posts shall be spaced not less than forty-eight (48) inches and not more than fifty-six (56) inches between the outer edge of the post or bollard and the nearest outer edge of the adjacent post or bollard.

c.

The top of the bollards or posts shall be set not less than three (3) feet and not more than four (4) feet above finished grade.

d.

The bollards or posts shall be black, gray, bronze, stainless steel, concrete finish, or a color that is similar to the color of the principal structure, with night reflector decals or paint where appropriate.

e.

The color and design of the bollards or posts shall be consistent throughout each child care center.

f.

The bollards or posts shall be properly maintained, including no visible rust or corrosion, and be kept in uniform alignment. Use of protective and/or decorative sleeves shall be permitted.

(3)

Features . Manmade features (for example, billboard support poles, culverts, ditches, or retention ponds) and natural features (for example, large trees or water bodies), may be used to satisfy the requirements of this section, provided they are able to achieve an impact resistance level of five thousand (5,000) pounds traveling at thirty (30) miles per hour.

(d)

Attestations from licensed professional engineer. Every permit application for vehicle impact protection devices at a child care center shall be accompanied by construction documents, signed and sealed by a professional engineer licensed with the State of Florida, with a statement thereon attesting that the design and/or location of the vehicle impact protection devices and/or features comply with the requirements and standards of this article. Furthermore, prior to the issuance of a certificate of occupancy, the licensed professional engineer shall attest that the vehicle impact protection devices and/or features have been installed or exist in compliance with the requirements and standards of this article.

(e)

Replacement or repair. Within ninety (90) days after a device or feature that serves to protect an exposed area of a child care center is destroyed, damaged, or removed, the device or feature shall be replaced with one that satisfies the requirements and standards of this section. Before the device or feature is replaced, plain concrete barriers, such as "K Rails" or "Jersey" barriers, may be temporarily allowed.

(f)

Additional protections encouraged. Owners and operators of child care centers are encouraged, but not required, to install additional vehicle impact protection devices or features in locations, such as pedestrian drop-off areas, doorways, outdoor seating areas, and along the perimeter of parking lots adjacent to exposed areas.

(Ord. No. 2016-09 , § 1, 5-24-16)