HomeMy WebLinkAbout403.002 - Fire Department Access
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Fire Prevention Manual
SECTION 403.002 FIRE DEPARTMENT ACCESS
PURPOSE
This policy has been established to provide clarification of the Fresno Fire
Department’s (FFD or Department) requirements for minimum required fire
department access to all buildings, facilities, properties, etc. within the City of Fresno
and contract service areas.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all buildings, facilities, properties, etc. within the City of Fresno
and contract service areas, including those under construction.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Every building, facility, and property must have approved fire department access. Fire
department access is a critical element in the emergency response function and is
intended to provide the fire department with sufficient access to buildings to enable
efficient fire suppression and rescue operations.
Fire department emergency vehicles are the longest, widest, tallest, and heaviest
vehicles regularly driven on residential streets, private driveways, and alleys. The
dimensions of roadways must be based on the size, height and turning radius of
emergency vehicles and the fact that emergency vehicles may be required to pass
one another on a roadway.
These requirements should be used in conjunction with (not in lieu of) the currently
adopted California Fire Code’s (CFC) provisions on fire department access.
A.General Fire Access Requirements:
1.All building openings must be accessible within 200 feet of a public street,
private driveway, or other Fire Marshal (or designee) approved means of
access.
2.All types of fire apparatus access must have a minimum clear width of 20
feet, and a vertical clearance of 13 feet, 6 inches over the entire length and
width of the access.
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 1 of 9
3.Regardless of parking configurations, a minimum clear drive aisle width of
20 feet is required for all fire apparatus access. The Fire Marshal (or
designee) may require an increase in all drive aisle widths due to specific
site concerns and/or for aerial ladder truck access. (See: Fire Prevention
Manual, §403.005, Requirements for Marking Fire Lanes on Private
Property).
4.All types of fire apparatus access must not exceed a ten percent (10%)
percent grade or contain any irregularity creating an angle of approach or
departure in excess of ten percent (10%), except as approved by the Fire
Marshal (or designee).
5.Required fire apparatus access roads must be provided with an approved,
all-weather surface, prior to delivery of any combustible material to the site.
Approved, all-weather fire apparatus access must be maintained in a
serviceable condition during all phases of construction.
Alternative, or phased fire apparatus access must be approved by the Fire
Marshal (or designee).
Failure of the permit applicant to maintain approved, fire apparatus access
may result in the issuance of a Stop Work Order, administrative citation,
and/or other penalties until approved, fire apparatus access is restored.
B.Single Point of Fire Access Requirements:
1.All buildings, facilities, and exterior storage areas sited so that all building
openings or exterior storage area perimeters are within 650 feet (450 feet
maximum driving distance, plus 200 feet of hose pull) of the property
entrance drive approach may have a single point of access provided there
are approved turnarounds which comply with this policy.
C.Fire Access Turnaround Requirements:
1.All buildings, facilities, and exterior storage areas with a single point of fire
access apparatus in excess of 150 feet in length must be provided with
approved fire apparatus turnarounds.
2.Fire apparatus turnarounds must be located within 150 feet of the
termination of the single point of fire apparatus access entry point. Portions
of the fire apparatus access road that require a fire apparatus to back up,
will not include any turns or bends, except for the required turnarounds.
3.Intermediate turnarounds will be required for all buildings, facilities, and
exterior storage areas, including those with multiple points of fire
department apparatus access, which exceed 700 feet in length.
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 2 of 9
4.All fire apparatus turnarounds must have a minimum 44 foot centerline
turning radius, a minimum length and width of 90’ X 24’ and minimum clear
approach drive width of 22 feet, for a distance of 60 feet.
5.Fire apparatus turnarounds must be kept free of all obstructions, and the
entire turnaround must be marked as a fire lane on the perimeter curb or
edge of the turnaround.
6.Fire apparatus turnarounds are not permitted to be incorporated into loading
zones.
D.Two Points of Fire Access Requirements:
1.Buildings, facilities, and exterior storage areas that do not meet the criteria
in B (Single Point of Fire Access Requirements above) must have a
minimum of two (2) points of emergency vehicle access provided.
2.The required second point of fire access may be by an approved
Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) as further described below.
3.Unusual designs will require additional points of access and proposed
access must receive approval from the Fire Marshal (or designee), prior to
commencement of construction.
4.When two (2) points of fire access are required because of project design
or constraints, each point of fire access must be placed at a distance apart
equal to, but not less than, one-half the length of the maximum diagonal
dimension of the lot or area served, measured in a straight line between
access points.
5.Unusual lot configurations, site restrictions or constraints, etc. that do not
allow access points to meet the above requirement may be permitted, but
alternate points of fire access must be approved by the Fire Marshal (or
designee), prior to commencement of construction.
E.Fences, Gates, Medians, and other Barrier Requirements:
1.Where fences, gates or other barriers are installed across fire apparatus
access roads, the full open width of the drive aisle must be maintained clear
of gate hardware.
2.Refer to Fire Prevention Manual, §403.004, Emergency Services Bypass
Locks for Secured Access Developments, for information regarding
emergency access bypass lock requirements.
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 3 of 9
3.Temporary gates installed during construction will be provided with Fire X-
1 padlocks; a padlock model is available with a red construction core for
use by both the contractor and the Department. The core must be replaced
with an X-1 lock by the contractor upon completion of the project.
4.Fire apparatus access roads that are separated by a median, must have a
minimum access road width of 15 feet on each side of the median.
F.Fire Access using Non-traditional Surfaces:
1.Non-traditional/alternate all weather surface systems such as: turf pavers,
grasscrete, etc., are not permitted in the public way as required by the City
of Fresno Public Works Department.
2.The path of an alternate all weather surface system must be marked using
an approved design. The path marking must be clearly visible and must be
constructed of a permanent and durable means. Previous approvals have
included the use of six inch (6”) concrete strips or curbs.
3.Alternate all-weather surface systems may be permitted on private property,
but only after approval by the Fire Marshal (or designee).
4.The design of an alternate all weather surface system must be prepared by
a California Registered Civil Engineer, and must be submitted, reviewed
and approved by the City of Fresno, Building and Safety Division. No
installation of these materials may commence prior to the issuance of the
applicable installation permit.
G.Traffic Calming Devices:
1.Vertical displacement traffic calming devices of any kind, or other pavement
treatments designed to provide traffic calming are prohibited on private
streets, parking facilities, etc. (See: Fire Prevention Manual, §403.007,
Vertical Displacement Traffic Calming Devices).
H.Emergency Vehicle Access (EVA) Requirements:
1.Approved fences, gates, posts, or other barriers must be installed at each
entrance to an emergency vehicle/fire department apparatus access point.
Where EVA driveways are needed for connection to an interior, common
access road system approved fences, gates, posts, or other barriers must
be installed as required by the Fire Marshal (or designee).
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 4 of 9
2.An approved Fire X-1 padlock must be installed on every manually operated
gate used solely for fire department apparatus access. The Fire X-1
padlock may be used in conjunction with owner provided, utility service
provided, etc. padlocks, but all other padlocks shall not impair the free and
immediate use of the Fire X-1 padlock. Where an electric gate is used for
an EVA, a Click-to-Enter radio frequency gate operating system shall be
provided, including for EVA access points from freeways or other high
speed or volume, traffic corridors.
3.Entrances to all EVA access points must be posted with, approved,
permanent and durable signage on both sides of the EVA entrance with the
following wording:
“FIRE LANE” in six-inch letters,
“VEHICLES REMOVED AT OWNER’S EXPENSE” in two-inch letters, and
the signs must display a telephone number a vehicle owner can call to
recover their towed vehicle. (See: Fire Prevention Manual, §403.005,
Requirements for Marking Fire Lanes on Private Property).
4.Where EVA access points are not provided with fences, gates or other
barriers at each entrance, the drive aisle curb or the side of road must be
marked with “FIRE LANE NO PARKING” in 50-foot intervals. (See: Fire
Prevention Manual, §403.005, Requirements for Marking Fire Lanes on
Private Property).
5.Where access to an EVA is from a public or private street that is improved
with a curb, a Public Works Standard P-67 approach shall be provided. The
use of a wedged or rolled curb for a drive approach for an EVA will not be
permitted.
6.Where access to an EVA gate is proposed from an adjacent parcel(s), a
recorded access easement is required between all affected property
owners. This access easement must be executed with the Planning
entitlement through the Planning Division of the Department of Resource
Management (DARM).
I.Aerial Fire Apparatus Access:
1.Where a building roof eave is more than 30 feet in height, measured from
the grade of the adjacent fire apparatus access road, 26-foot minimum width
driveways must be located directly adjacent to at least one long side of the
building. Aerial fire apparatus access must comply with all other fire
apparatus access and turnaround requirements.
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 5 of 9
2.Aerial fire apparatus access must extend at least 45 feet beyond each end
of the building. This additional distance allows for fire access to the corners
of the building, and to accommodate a fire department set up area outside
of the building’s collapse zone.
3.For unusually shaped buildings without a rectangular or square building
footprint, alternate aerial fire apparatus access locations must be approved
by the Fire Marshal (or designee) prior to the commencement of
construction.
4.Aerial fire apparatus access must be located a minimum of 15 feet away
from the nearest edge of the building as measured to the nearest edge of
the aerial fire apparatus access road.
5.The maximum distance aerial fire apparatus access is permitted to be away
from a building is 30 feet; however, a greater distance may be permitted
when approved by the Fire Marshal (or designee). Approval may consider
the height to the eave or building parapet and will be considered on a case-
by-case basis.
6.Overhead utility and power lines, trees and other vegetation, as well as any
other obstructions are not permitted above an aerial fire apparatus access
road, or between an aerial fire apparatus road and a building.
7.Buildings designated as high-rise buildings as defined in the California
Building Code (CBC) have no specific aerial fire apparatus access
requirements.
8.Regardless of parking configurations, a minimum clear drive aisle width of
20 feet is required for all aerial fire apparatus access. The Fire Marshal (or
designee) may require increases in aerial fire apparatus drive aisle width
due to specific site issues and/or for aerial ladder truck access. (See: Fire
Prevention Manual, §403.005, Requirements for Marking Fire Lanes on
Private Property).
J.Fire Department Walking Access to Building Openings (Including Hose &
Equipment Access):
1.Required fire department walking access must be designed to prevent
sharp turns, and other obstacles (including landscaping) which would hinder
the carrying of fire hoses, ground ladders, and other fire department
equipment.
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 6 of 9
2.A required fire department walking access pathway must have an
unobstructed 36” (inch) horizontal clearance, and continuous, seven foot
vertical (overhead) clearance.
3.All gates installed across fire department walking access must be a
minimum of four feet (4’) clear width. Gates across required walking access
paths must be provided with approved, Fire X-1 padlock(s).
4.Fire department walking access to building openings may also include
required fire department hose and equipment access. Hose and equipment
access points and pathways must also comply with all fire department
walking access requirements.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
This section left intentionally blank.
PROCESS
This section left intentionally blank.
INFORMATION
This section left intentionally blank.
DEFINITIONS
1.Common Vehicle Access:
Common vehicle access defines private streets, driveways, and alleys which
connect with a public street and are required for emergency vehicle/fire
department apparatus access as well as for vehicular access by the public.
2.Emergency Vehicle Access:
Where adequate common vehicle access to buildings, facilities and exterior
storage areas is not provided by public streets or private driveways, emergency
vehicle/fire department apparatus access must be provided for the exclusive
use of emergency services vehicles.
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 7 of 9
3.Fire Department Walking Access:
Fire department walking access is an unobstructed walking path which
provides continuous access connecting vehicular access to all building
openings and exterior storage areas.
4.Fire Department Hose and Equipment Access:
Fire Department Hose and Equipment Access is an unobstructed walking path
which provides continuous access connecting vehicular access to all building
openings and exterior storage areas.
5.Aerial Fire Apparatus Access:
Aerial fire apparatus access which is located directly adjacent to the corners of
multi-story buildings, positioned in such a way as to allow fire department aerial
ladders to be raised to the lowest point of the “roof eave” (as defined in
California Building Code (CBC),Chapter 7A, §702A Definitions).
6.All Weather Access:
Required fire apparatus access lanes must be provided with an approved, all-
weather surface, capable of supporting 80,000-pound vehicles. The approved
surface is required year round and must be maintained prior to, and during, all
phases of construction.
An all-weather surface is composed of, at a minimum, four inches (4”) of
compacted base rock or gravel over compacted or undisturbed native soil or
per approved engineering plans with a minimum of 24 feet of clear width or 20
feet minimum clear width if an approved method to prevent shoulder
degradation is utilized.
7.Fire department access, as defined in this policy, includes private streets and
driveways not otherwise defined under City of Fresno Public Works (PW)
Standards for Streets.
CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code, Current edition
California Building Code
Chapter 7a, §702A, Definitions
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 8 of 9
City of Fresno Public Works
Standard Drawings, Current editions
Public Works Standard P-67, Current edition
Standards for Streets, Current edition
Fire Prevention Manual
§403.004, Emergency Services Bypass Locks for Secured Access
Developments
§403.005, Requirements for Marking Fire Lanes on Private Property
§403.007, Vertical Displacement Traffic Calming Devices
Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Section 403.002
Effective Date: June 2008
Current Revision Date: 5/21/2024
Next Revision (1) Date: 5/21/2027 Page 9 of 9