Appendix CC — FIRE HYDRANT LOCATIONS AND DISTRIBUTION
Section D103
California Fire Code (Title 24, Part 9) · 2019 edition · updated 2026-09-10 · California
CBSC: official editions, supplements and errata
Italicized text is a California amendment to the model code, as printed in the official publication.
D103.1 Access road width with a hydrant. Where a fire¶
hydrant is located on a fire apparatus access road, the minimum road width shall be 26 feet (7925 mm), exclusive of shoulders (see Figure D103.1).
D103.2 Grade. Fire apparatus access roads shall not exceed¶
10 percent in grade.
Exception: Grades steeper than 10 percent as approved by the fire code official.
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APPENDIX D
D103.3 Turning radius. The minimum turning radius shall¶
be determined by the fire code official.
D103.4 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in¶
excess of 150 feet (45 720 mm) shall be provided with width and turnaround provisions in accordance with Table D103.4.
TABLE D103.4 REQUIREMENTS FOR DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS
on one or both sides of the fire apparatus road as required by Section D103.6.1 or D103.6.2.
| LENGTH (feet) |
WIDTH (feet) |
TURNAROUNDS REQUIRED |
|---|---|---|
| 0–150 | 20 | None required |
| 151–500 | 20 | 120-foot Hammerhead, 60-foot “Y” or 96-foot diameter cul-de-sac in accor- dance with Figure D103.1 |
| 501–750 | 26 | 120-foot Hammerhead, 60-foot “Y” or 96-foot diameter cul-de-sac in accor- dance with Figure D103.1 |
| Over 750 | Special approval required | Special approval required |
For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
D103.5 Fire apparatus access road gates. Gates securing¶
the fire apparatus access roads shall comply with all of the following criteria:
Where a single gate is provided, the gate width shall be not less than 20 feet (6096 mm). Where a fire apparatus road consists of a divided roadway, the gate width shall be not less than 12 feet (3658 mm).
Gates shall be of the swinging or sliding type.
Construction of gates shall be of materials that allow manual operation by one person.
Gate components shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and replaced or repaired when defective.
Electric gates shall be equipped with a means of opening the gate by fire department personnel for emergency access. Emergency opening devices shall be approved by the fire code official.
Methods of locking shall be submitted for approval by the fire code official.
Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325.
Gates intended for automatic operation shall be designed, constructed and installed to comply with the requirements of ASTM F2200.
D103.6 Signs. Where required by the fire code official, fire¶
apparatus access roads shall be marked with permanent NO PARKING—FIRE LANE signs complying with Figure D103.6. Signs shall have a minimum dimension of 12 inches (305 mm) wide by 18 inches (457 mm) high and have red letters on a white reflective background. Signs shall be posted
FIGURE D103.6 FIRE LANE SIGNS
D103.6.1 Roads 20 to 26 feet in width. Fire lane signs as specified in Section D103.6 shall be posted on both sides of fire apparatus access roads that are 20 to 26 feet wide (6096 to 7925 mm).
D103.6.2 Roads more than 26 feet in width. Fire lane signs as specified in Section D103.6 shall be posted on one side of fire apparatus access roads more than 26 feet wide (7925 mm) and less than 32 feet wide (9754 mm).
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