Chapter 5 — FIRE SERVICE FEATURES.

The Following San Francisco section replaces the corresponding International Fire Code Section:

503.2.1. [For SF] Dimensions.

Fire apparatus access roads shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 20 feet (6096 mm), exclusive of shoulders, except for approved security gates in accordance with Section 503.6, and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13 feet 6 inches (4115 mm). The Fire Department shall review projects impacting street width, and may request greater minimum unobstructed street width or unobstructed vertical clearance on a case-by-case basis.

The Following San Francisco Fire Code section replaces the corresponding International Fire Code Section:

503.4. [For SF] Obstruction of Fire Apparatus Access Roads.

Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. Subject to Health and Safety Code Sections 13104, 13108, 13114, 18941.5, and California Fire Code Sections 1.11.2, 104.1 and 503, the portion of the sidewalk or median, immediately adjoining and extending into a roadway that has no utility pole, street light, street furniture, fire hydrant, trees, shrubbery, or other structure or natural growth attached thereto and that has a height that does not exceed six inches above the roadway shall not constitute an obstruction of a fire apparatus access road. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times. All projects impacting the width of a fire apparatus access road shall be subject to review by the Fire Department.

Section 503.4.1 of the International Fire Code is deleted.

504.1.1 [For SF] Required Access to Divided-Lot Structures.

When an existing lot is subdivided:

(a) New residential buildings on all such subdivided lots shall have a minimum 5-foot (1524 mm) width clear access pathway, open to the sky, from the public-right-of-way to the new residential building, and any emergency escape or rescue opening. The minimum width pathway shall be maintained through all doors and gates, past gas and electrical meters, and shall not be impeded; except

(b) For lots with an existing building constructed across the entire width of the lot at the front of the lot, new residential buildings at the rear shall have an access corridor with a minimum 5-foot (1524 mm) width and 80-inch (2032 mm) height clear access pathway from the public-right-of-way to the new residential building, and any emergency escape or rescue opening. The minimum width access corridor shall be equipped with fire sprinkler protection complying with California Fire Code Section 903.3, shall be maintained through all doors and gates, past gas and electrical meters, and shall not be impeded.

(Added by Ord. 31-24, File No. 231163, App. 2/16/2024, Eff. 3/18/2024, Oper. 3/18/2024)

504.2.1. Breakable Window Marking.

Red reflectors shall be installed to indicate the location of existing breakable, tempered glass windows required under previous codes. Reflectors inside buildings shall be at least 1½ inches (381 mm) [1] in the least dimension. They shall be on the glass and within 6 inches (1524 mm) [1] of a lower corner of the pane. Reflectors outside buildings shall be at least 3 inches (762 mm) [1] in the least dimension. They shall be placed on the wall below the lowest window in each vertical line of windows containing tempered glass. A 24-inch (609 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the reflectors.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 248-22.

504.3.1. Access to Roofs With Doors and Hatches.

Doors and hatches to a roof must be able to be opened from the inside without the use of a key, code or any special knowledge. Doors may be locked when approved by the fire code official where all of the following applicable conditions are met:

1. Doors shall be capable of unlocking upon a signal from a constantly attended onsite location, or from an approved off-site supervising station staffed by trained personnel.

2. Doors shall automatically unlock upon loss of electrical power. The locking mechanisms shall retract to the unlocked position.

3. An approved two-way voice communication call box, shall be provided within 5 feet of each locked roof access door connected to a 24-hour staffed location on site with annunciation as to its location. Operating instructions shall be posted above each two-way communication call box. When approved by the fire code official, two-way voice communication system connected to an off-site facility may be permitted where means to remotely unlock the access-controlled doors from the off-site facility are provided.

door connected to a 24-hour staffed location on site with annunciation as to its location. Operating instructions shall be posted above each two-way communication call box. When approved by the fire code official, two-way voice communication system connected to an off-site facility may be permitted where means to remotely unlock the access-controlled doors from the off-site facility are provided.

4. An approved latching mushroom-shaped palm button connected to the locked door and installed within 5 feet adjacent to each locked roof access door shall be provided to release the door locks when operated by an individual. The locks shall be reset manually at the door. Mount palm button so that the center line is 48 inches above the finished floor. Provide a sign stating: “IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, PUSH PALM BUTTON, DOOR WILL UNLOCK AND SECURITY ALARM WILL SOUND.”

504.5. Identification on Steel Doors.

When rolling steel shutters or similar steel doors are located on any building or structure and there is no easily accessible opening giving access to the building or structure within 25 feet (7620 mm) of the shutter or door, an approved marking shall be affixed on the shutter or door designating or outlining an area which, when removed by burning or cutting, will give access to locking devices, hoisting chains or other devices that control the operation of the shutter or door.

506.2.1. Key Box Installation and Maintenance.

Key boxes shall be installed and maintained in accordance with San Francisco Fire Department Administrative Bulletin 5.09.

The following San Francisco Fire Code section replaces the corresponding International Fire Code section:

507.4. [For SF] Water Flow and Supply Information.

The Fire Department will provide water flow and supply information when requested by the applicant. The Department shall assess fees for this service as stated in Section 107.12. The water-flow and supply information provided by the Fire Department shall be valid for one year from the date the water flow information form was returned to the applicant to the date of the associated building permit application submittal.

507.5.3.1. Clear Space Around Underground Emergency Water Supply Tanks.

A 5-foot (1524 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of cistern openings, except as otherwise required or approved. Access openings shall be on the same surface level of cistern.

The following San Francisco Fire Code section replaces the corresponding California Fire Code section:

507.5.5. [For SF] Clear space around hydrants.

A 5-foot (1524 mm) clear space shall be maintained around the circumference of fire hydrants, except as otherwise required or approved.

507.6. Other Water Supplies.

Water tanks or pools within, on or about any building premises shall be connected with approved 6-inch (152 mm) pipe leading from the bottom of the tank to a point designated by the fire code official. Piping for tanks located at or below grade shall be designed and installed for drafting by Fire Department apparatus.

Exceptions:

1. Industrial process water tanks.

2. Tanks or pools with a capacity of less than 75,000 gallons (94.6 m3) [1] .

3. Tanks or pools used to supply automatic fire sprinkler systems.

4. Water tanks or pools installed in R3 Occupancies.

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 248-22.

507.7. Auxiliary Water Supply System.

The requirements for the installation and modification of the Auxiliary Water Supply System shall comply with the San Francisco Subdivision Code a nd any requirements of the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission.

508.1.6.1. Local Additional Features.

The fire command center shall contain the following additional features:

1. The stock of spare sprinklers required by NFPA 13 (2016).

2. Permanent signage with the name and telephone number of the applicable elevator service company.

3. Building contact phone numbers.

4. Utility shut-off location map.

5. Public address system instructions.

6. Smoke control system procedures.

7. Sprinkler shut-off valve and standpipe isolation valve locations.

8. Emergency evacuation/relocation procedures, location of tenant areas of refuge, and location of any tenants requiring evacuation assistance.

9. Hazardous materials inventory statement and management plan, when required by the fire code official.

10. Approved fire alarm operational matrix.

11. Elevator Fire Recall Keys. Number of keys available shall be no less than the same number of Fire Recall Key switches located throughout the building and shall be on separate key rings and be determined by the Fire Code Official.

508.1.9. Water Protection.

The fire command center shall have watertight construction to prevent water intrusion from fire sprinkler discharge and/or firefighting water on floors above the fire command center.

510.1.1. Local Standard for Emergency Responder Radio Coverage.

The applicable standard for the design, installation, testing, maintenance and use of Emergency Responders Radio Converge systems shall be NFPA 1225-2022, Chapter 18 and SFFD Administrative Bulletin 2.01, Addendum G.

510.6.1.1 Emergency Responder Communication Coverage System Certification (ERRCS) Required.

All new Emergency Responder Communication Coverage Systems (ERRCS) shall be certificated by an organization that is part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program and per SFFD Administrative Bulletin #3.04. A document attesting to the certification shall be located on or near the BDA annunciator panel.

510.6.1.2. Certificated Emergency Responder Communication Coverage Systems Installed in Existing Buildings.

Building owners are required to obtain a certificate for all existing Emergency Responder Communication Coverage Systems from an organization that is part of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory Program. A document attesting to the certification shall be located on or near the BDA annunciator panel. Occupancies are required to obtain certification of their existing ERRCS systems as follows:

1. All high-rise buildings with an existing ERRCS systems by June 1, 2023.

2. All other non-high-rise buildings or structures with existing ERRCS systems by September 1, 2023.

511.1. Local Standards for High-Rise Buildings and Tunnels.

Except as stated in the next paragraph, an approved air replenishment system shall be installed in all buildings having floors used for human occupancy located more than 120 feet (22 860 mm) [1 ] above the lowest level of Fire Department vehicle access. This requirement shall apply for all buildings meeting this definition when the building permit application for construction was made after March 30, 2004.

Exception: All buildings that are covered by this section but that are equipped with a fire service access elevator (FSAE) pursuant to California Building Code Section 3007 are not required to install an air replenishment system.

The air replenishment system will provide a means for firefighters to refill air bottles for self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) through a permanently installed piping distribution system. The system shall be tested and maintained in accordance with San Francisco Fire Department Administrative Bulletin 5.07.

The fire code official may require an air replenishment system be installed in new underground transportation or pedestrian tunnels exceeding 300 feet (91 440 mm).

CODIFICATION NOTE

1. So in Ord. 248-22.