HomeMy WebLinkAbout404.002 -Temporary Water Supply for Model Homes
FIRE PREVENTION MANUAL
CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS
404.002 TEMPORARY WATER SUPPLY AND FIRE ACCESS
FOR AT-RISK RESIDENTIAL PERMITS
EFFECTIVE: MAY 2008
Current Revision Date: 4/8/21 Next Revision Date: 4/8/24
Author’s Name/Rank:
Darla Scott,
Supervising Fire Prevention Inspector Review Level: 1
Administrative Support:
Noemi Rodriguez,
Management Analyst II
Section 404.002
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PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to outline the requirements for providing a temporary water
supply (water tanks) and 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
tracts.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
A minimum of three sets of engineer-scaled site plans will be submitted to the Fresno Fire
Department (FFD or Department) for approval before temporary water supply and fire
access roads are 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 of the fire
requirements listed in this policy for temporary water supply and access roads.
1. The following temporary water supply requirements will 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.
Section 404.002
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c. Groups of homes must be a minimum of 100 feet apart, as measured from the
closest edge of construction in each group.
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 will 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 will be provided within ten (10) feet of the suction
outlet.
k. A sign stating “For Fire Department Use Only” must 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 will 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 must 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 will 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.
Section 404.002
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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 60 foot T-turnarounds with at 44 foot
centerline turning radius.
f. Fire access road signs will be posted within 100 feet of the temporary water supply
and any group of houses. The sign will read “FIRE LANE NO PARKING” and will
be posted every 50 feet on both sides of the access road. The sign will 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
states “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 cannot 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 must 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 must 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
permanent access roads have not been installed.
Additional requirements may be required and the determination shall be made at the sole
discretion of the fire code official.
Section 404.002
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DEFINITIONS
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CROSS REFERENCES
Administrative Manual
Section 404.001, Housing Tract Clearance for Combustible Materials and
Occupancy