HomeMy WebLinkAbout404.002 - Temporary Water Supply and Fire Access for At-Risk Residential Permits 092325Effective Date: May 2008 Darla Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 9/23/25 Section 404.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 9/23/28 Page 1 of 4
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 404.002 TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE ACCESS FOR AT-
RISK RESIDENTIAL PERMITS
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements for providing temporary water
supply (water tanks) and/or fire access for at-risk permits issued in single-family
residential developments.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to companies developing and building residential buildings in
housing developments within the City of Fresno and contract service areas.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
A minimum of three sets of engineer-scaled site plans shall be submitted to the Fresno
Fire Department (FFD or Department) for approval prior to any temporary water
supplies and/or fire access roads being installed at the site. The site plan must
indicate the location of the parcels with at-risk permits, the proposed temporary access
roads, the proposed temporary water supply (including capacity) and the closest in-
service, existing municipal fire hydrants.
The plan must include drawings, symbols and standard notes representing all fire
requirements listed in this policy for temporary water supply and access roads.
1. The following temporary water supply requirements shall apply:
a. Homes approved by the Planning and Development Department for at-risk
permits may be served by approved temporary water supplies while under
construction.
b. A maximum of ten (10) homes are allowed per group, with a maximum of 25
homes per tract. Additional lots may be approved at the discretion of the fire
code official.
c. Groups of homes must be a minimum of 100 feet apart, as measured from the
closest edge of construction in each group.
Effective Date: May 2008 Darla J. Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 9/23/25 Section 404.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 9/1/28 Page 2 of 4
d. No group of homes shall be located within 200 feet of existing structures or
adjacent housing tracts under construction.
e. A minimum of one 10,000 gallon elevated suction tank is required for each
group of homes.
f. Tanks shall be located within 200 feet of the furthest portion of construction in
each group of homes.
g. Tanks must not be located closer than 50 feet from any home or other
exposure.
h. Tanks will have a 4½ inch capped National Hose Thread (NHT) male outlet.
i. A minimum 4-inch control valve that is locked with an approved X1 padlock.
j. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided within ten (10) feet of the suction
outlet.
k. A sign stating “For Fire Department Use Only” shall be installed at the control
valve.
l. If the travel distance to the closest in-service, existing municipal fire hydrant is
within 500 feet of the furthest portion of an at-risk group of homes, it may be
used in lieu of the required tank, subject to approval by the fire code official, or
designee. The separation distance may be reduced, subject to review of the
specific site layout.
2. The following temporary fire access requirements shall apply:
a. Access roads shall have an approved all-weather surface, capable of
supporting 80,000 pound vehicles. Roads must be a minimum of 4-inch base
rock over compacted or undisturbed native soil. (Refer to Section 404.001,
Housing Tract Clearance for Combustible Materials and Occupancy).
b. Fire access roads shall have a minimum width of 24 feet. Roads can be a
minimum of width of 20 feet with an approved method (i.e., installed curbs) to
prevent shoulder degradation.
c. Access roads shall be located no closer than 20 feet from the edge of any
house unless otherwise approved by the fire code official.
d. A single point of access serving up to 25 houses is allowed for at-risk permits.
Unusual access designs may require a second point of access regardless of
the number of houses.
Effective Date: May 2008 Darla J. Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 9/23/25 Section 404.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 9/1/28 Page 3 of 4
e. If a second point of access is not provided, fire access roads in excess of 150
feet shall be provided with a minimum 24-foot x 90-foot T-turnarounds with a
44 foot centerline turning radius.
f. Fire access road signs shall be posted within 100 feet of the temporary water
supply and any group of houses. The sign shall read “FIRE LANE NO
PARKING” and shall be posted every 50 feet on both sides of the access road.
The sign shall have 3-inch letters in red on a white background.
g. Provide signs at each public street entrance to the temporary fire access road
that state “FIRE ACCESS TRACT xxxx” in red, minimum six (6) inch letters, on
a white background.
3. Any block walls or median islands required for tract infrastructure improvements
that block access to lots covered by this policy shall not be constructed prior to the
completion of the internal tract infrastructure to a level acceptable by the Fresno
Fire Department.
4. All of the requirements on the approved temporary water supply and fire access
site plan shall be in place and approved by a field inspection prior to the delivery
of combustible materials to the site.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
Once a temporary water supply and fire access for at-risk homes has been approved
by the Fire Prevention Division, a special notice shall be completed.
INFORMATION
This policy provides direction for the minimum, temporary, firefighting water supply
requirement when public water mains and hydrants have not been installed for homes
in single-family residential developments. The fire code official may permit the use of
temporary water supplies and fire access for single-family residential developments
that wish to begin construction of homes before the municipal water supply is available
and/or permanent access roads installed.
Additional requirements may be imposed. The determination for any additional
requirements shall be made at the sole discretion of the fire code official.
Effective Date: May 2008 Darla J. Scott, Supervising Fire Inspector
Current Revision Date: 9/23/25 Section 404.002
Next Revision (1) Date: 9/1/28 Page 4 of 4
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
Administrative Manual
Section 404.001, Housing Tract Clearance for Combustible Materials and
Occupancy