Colton Municipal Code Ch. 5 Fire Service Features

Chapter 5 Fire Service Features is adopted in its entirety with the following amendments:

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

501.1 Scope. Fire service features for buildings, structures and premises shall comply with this chapter and the City of Colton Guideline for Fire Department Access & Water Requires for Commercial & Residential Development, and the City of Colton Guideline for Underground Piping for Private Hydrants & Sprinkler Supply Line.

Section 503.2.1 amended.

503.2.1 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). Where fire apparatus access roads serve structures greater than 3 stories or more than 30 feet in height, they shall have an unobstructed width of not less than 24 feet (7315 mm).

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 503.2.1.1 Hazardous Fire Area is added as follows:

503.2.1.1 Hazardous Fire Areas. In Hazardous Fire Areas, the minimum fire apparatus road width shall be 28 feet (8530 mm). The width shall be maintained to an approved point outside of the Hazardous Fire Area.

Exception: When the road serves no more than three dwelling units and the road does not exceed 150 feet in length, the road width may be 24 feet (7300 mm). This length may be increased to 400 feet where serving no more than three dwelling units and all structures accessed from the roadway are protected by automatic fire sprinklers.

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 503.2.7 Grade of the California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

503.2.7 Grade. The grade of the fire apparatus access road shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the fire department's apparatus to a maximum of twelve percent (12%), unless mitigating protection measures are applied and approved by the fire code official.

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads of the California Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:

503.4 Obstruction of fire apparatus access roads. Fire apparatus access roads shall not be obstructed in any manner, including the parking of vehicles. The minimum widths and clearances established in Section 503.2.1 shall be maintained at all times. Any condition that serves as an impediment to fire access, or any vehicle or other obstruction to fire access may be removed at the order of the Fire Department or other governing agency in cooperation with the Fire Department, with the expense of such removal to be paid by the owner of the roadway, or of said vehicle or obstruction.

Section 503.6 Security Gates of the California Fire Coded is hereby amended to read as follows:

503.6 Security gates. The installation of security gates across a fire apparatus access road shall be approved by the fire code official. Security gates providing access from a roadway to a major street shall be located at a minimum of 65 feet from the nearest edge of the major street. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means of emergency operation. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times. 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.

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 504.5 SECTION 504.5 Escape Windows is added as follows:

504.5 Escape window access. Where escape windows are required by Section 1031.2, fire department access shall be provided to the escape window. An unobstructed setback area shall be provided. The minimum setback distance shall be calculated ((H/5)+2)+P= Clear space required.

Where:

H = Height of the windowsill measured from the exterior ground surface

P = 3' ladder pad

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 504.5.1 Ladder Pad is added as follows:

504.5.1 Ladder Pad. Where a laddering pad is required, it shall be free of obstructions and vegetation for a minimum of 3-foot x 3-foot area. The laddering pad shall be a firm surface such as compacted decomposed granite, concrete, pavers, or asphalt. The laddering pad shall be placed at a distance from the structure as calculated by Section 504.5.

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 507.5.1 Where required of the California Fire Code is amended to read as follows:

507.5.1 Where required. Where a portion of the facility or building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction is more than 300 feet from a hydrant on a fire apparatus access road, as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the facility or building, on-site fire hydrants and mains shall be provided where required by the fire code official.

Exception:

1. For Group R-3 and Group U occupancies, the distance requirement shall be 400 feet.

This distance may be further modified by the fire code official for such occupancies when buildings are equipped throughout with an approved fire sprinkler system installed in accordance with Sections 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2, or 903.3.1.3.

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)

Section 509.2.1 Access to equipment in multi-unit buildings is hereby added to read as follows:

509.2.1 Access to equipment in multi-unit buildings. When automatic fire sprinkler systems or fire alarm systems are installed in buildings constructed for multiple tenants and these systems protect multiple tenant spaces, the main controls and control appurtenances, such as risers, fire alarm control panels, and valves for such systems, shall be located in an attached or included room or an approved weather resistant enclosure with at least one exterior access door of not less than 3'-0" by 6'-8".

(Ord. No. O-12-25, § 13, 12-16-2025)