Fire Apparatus Roads & Access Requirements

Grounded in the retrieved California Wildland-Urban Interface Code — click a citation to read the verbatim passage:

• CWUIC § 3.05 High relevance — show source text

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.05(a)] Fire Department Access and Egress. (Roads)

  (a) Roads. Required access roads from every building to a public street shall be all-weather hard-surfaced (suitable for use by fire apparatus) right-of-way not less than 20 feet in width. Such right-of-way shall be unobstructed and maintained only as access to the public street.

  Exception: The enforcing agency may waive or modify this requirement if in his opinion such all-weather hard-surfaced condition is not necessary in the interest of public safety and welfare.

  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).

  503.2.2 Authority. The fire code official shall have the authority to require or permit modifications to the required access widths where they are inadequate for fire or rescue operations or where necessary to meet the public safety objectives of the jurisdiction.

  503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.

  503.2.4 Turning radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be determined by the fire code official.

  503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet (45 720 mm) in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus.

  503.2.6 Bridges and elevated surfaces. Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a fire apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with AASHTO HB-17. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges where required by the fire code official. Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces that are not designed for such use, approved barriers, approved signs or both shall be installed and maintained where required by the fire code official.

  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.

  503.2.8 Angles of approach and departure. The angles of approach and departure for fire apparatus access roads shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the fire department’s apparatus.

  503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices or markings that include the words “NO PARKING—FIRE LANE” shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. The means by which fire lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.

  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 Sections 503.2.1 and 503.2.2 shall be maintained at all times.

  503.4.1 Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official.

• CWUIC § 304.8 High relevance — show source text

  SECTION D102—REQUIRED ACCESS

  D102.1 Access and loading. Facilities, buildings or portions of buildings hereafter constructed shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by way of an approved fire apparatus access road with an asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing up to 75,000 pounds (34 050 kg).

  SECTION D103—MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

  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).

  FIGURE D103.1—DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD TURNAROUND

  60-FOOT “Y”

  MINIMUM CLEARANCE AROUND A FIRE HYDRANT

  For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

  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.

  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.

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  APPENDIX D—FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  TABLE D103.4—REQUIREMENTS FOR DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS	Col2	Col3
  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 accordance with Figure D103.1
  501–750	26	120-foot Hammerhead, 60-foot “Y” or 96-foot diameter cul-de-sac in accordance with Figure D103.1
  Over 750	Special approval required	Special approval required
  For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.	For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.	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:

  1. 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).
  2. Gates shall be of the horizontal swing, horizontal slide, vertical lift or vertical pivot type.
  3. Construction of gates shall be of materials that allow manual operation by one person.
  4. Gate components shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and replaced or repaired when defective.
  5. 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.
  6. Methods of locking shall be submitted for approval by the fire code official.
  7. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325.
• CWUIC § 304.8 High relevance — show source text

  • The California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 19, Division 1 provisions that are found in the California Fire Code are a reprint from the current CCR, Title 19, Division 1 text for the code user’s convenience only. The scope, applicability and appeals procedures of CCR, Title 19, Division I remain the same.

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  D FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  The provisions contained in this appendix are not mandatory unless specifically referenced in the adopting ordinance or legislation of the jurisdiction.

  User notes:

  About this appendix: Appendix D contains more detailed elements for use with the basic access requirements found in Section 503, which gives some minimum criteria, such as a maximum length of 150 feet and a minimum width of 20 feet, but in many cases does not state specific criteria. This appendix, like Appendices B and C, is a tool for jurisdictions looking for guidance in establishing access requirements and includes criteria for multiple-family residential developments, large one- and two-family subdivisions, specific examples for various types of turnarounds for fire department apparatus and parking regulatory signage.

  ICC code development note: Code change proposals to this appendix will be considered by the IFC Code Development Committee during the 2024 (Group A) Code Development Cycle.

  SECTION D101—GENERAL

  D101.1 Scope. Fire apparatus access roads shall be in accordance with this appendix and all other applicable requirements of the California Fire Code .

  SECTION D102—REQUIRED ACCESS

  D102.1 Access and loading. Facilities, buildings or portions of buildings hereafter constructed shall be accessible to fire department apparatus by way of an approved fire apparatus access road with an asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface capable of supporting the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing up to 75,000 pounds (34 050 kg).

  SECTION D103—MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

  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).

  FIGURE D103.1—DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD TURNAROUND

  60-FOOT “Y”

  MINIMUM CLEARANCE AROUND A FIRE HYDRANT

  For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

  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.

  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.

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  APPENDIX D—FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

• CWUIC § 6.1 High relevance — show source text

  18 ″

  12 ″ 12 ″ 12 ″

  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).

  SECTION D104—COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS

  D104.1 Buildings exceeding three stories or 30 feet in height. Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet (9144 mm) or three stories in height shall have not fewer than two means of fire apparatus access for each structure.

  D104.2 Buildings exceeding 62,000 square feet in area. Buildings or facilities having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet (5760 m [2] ) shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads. Exception: Projects having a gross building area of up to 124,000 square feet (11 520 m [2] ) that have a single approved fire apparatus access road where all buildings are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.

  D104.3 Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the lot or area to be served, measured in a straight line between

  accesses.

  SECTION D105—AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  D105.1 Where required. Where the vertical distance between the grade plane and the highest roof surface exceeds 30 feet (9144 mm), approved aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be provided. For purposes of this section, the highest roof surface shall be

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  APPENDIX D—FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  determined by measurement to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is greater.

  Exception: Where approved by the fire code official, buildings of Type IA, Type IB or Type IIA construction equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and having firefighter access through an enclosed stairway with a Class I standpipe from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to all roof surfaces.

  D105.2 Width. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet (7925 mm), exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of the building or portion thereof.

  D105.3 Proximity to building. One or more of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) and not greater than 30 feet (9144 mm) from the building, and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building. The side of the building on which the aerial fire apparatus access road is positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.

• CWUIC § 1.1. High relevance — show source text

  Exceptions:

  1. The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur:

  1.1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3. 1.2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided. 1.3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies. 2. Where approved by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be permitted to be exempted or modified for solar photovoltaic power generation facilities.

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  FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

  503.1.2 Additional access. The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access road based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.

  503.1.3 High-piled storage. Fire department vehicle access to buildings used for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 32.

  503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.05(a)] Fire Department Access and Egress. (Roads)

  (a) Roads. Required access roads from every building to a public street shall be all-weather hard-surfaced (suitable for use by fire apparatus) right-of-way not less than 20 feet in width. Such right-of-way shall be unobstructed and maintained only as access to the public street.

  Exception: The enforcing agency may waive or modify this requirement if in his opinion such all-weather hard-surfaced condition is not necessary in the interest of public safety and welfare.

  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).

  503.2.2 Authority. The fire code official shall have the authority to require or permit modifications to the required access widths where they are inadequate for fire or rescue operations or where necessary to meet the public safety objectives of the jurisdiction.

  503.2.3 Surface. Fire apparatus access roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed loads of fire apparatus and shall be surfaced so as to provide all-weather driving capabilities.

  503.2.4 Turning radius. The required turning radius of a fire apparatus access road shall be determined by the fire code official.

  503.2.5 Dead ends. Dead-end fire apparatus access roads in excess of 150 feet (45 720 mm) in length shall be provided with an approved area for turning around fire apparatus.

• CWUIC § 903.3.1.1 High relevance — show source text

  accesses.

  SECTION D105—AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  D105.1 Where required. Where the vertical distance between the grade plane and the highest roof surface exceeds 30 feet (9144 mm), approved aerial fire apparatus access roads shall be provided. For purposes of this section, the highest roof surface shall be

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  APPENDIX D—FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  determined by measurement to the eave of a pitched roof, the intersection of the roof to the exterior wall, or the top of parapet walls, whichever is greater.

  Exception: Where approved by the fire code official, buildings of Type IA, Type IB or Type IIA construction equipped throughout with an automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 and having firefighter access through an enclosed stairway with a Class I standpipe from the lowest level of fire department vehicle access to all roof surfaces.

  D105.2 Width. Aerial fire apparatus access roads shall have a minimum unobstructed width of 26 feet (7925 mm), exclusive of shoulders, in the immediate vicinity of the building or portion thereof.

  D105.3 Proximity to building. One or more of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located not less than 15 feet (4572 mm) and not greater than 30 feet (9144 mm) from the building, and shall be positioned parallel to one entire side of the building. The side of the building on which the aerial fire apparatus access road is positioned shall be approved by the fire code official.

  D105.4 Obstructions. Overhead utility and power lines shall not be located over the aerial fire apparatus access road or between the aerial fire apparatus road and the building. Other obstructions shall be permitted to be placed with the approval of the fire code official.

  SECTION D106—MULTIPLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

  D106.1 Projects having more than 100 dwelling units. Multiple-family residential projects having more than 100 dwelling units shall be equipped throughout with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

  Exception: Projects having up to 200 dwelling units shall have not fewer than one approved fire apparatus access road where all buildings, including nonresidential occupancies, are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1 or 903.3.1.2.

  D106.2 Projects having more than 200 dwelling units. Multiple-family residential projects having more than 200 dwelling units shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads regardless of whether they are equipped with an approved automatic sprinkler system.

  D106.3 Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one-half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the property or area to be served, measured in a straight line between accesses.

  SECTION D107—ONE- OR TWO-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENTS

  D107.1 One- or two-family dwelling residential developments. Developments of one- or two-family dwellings where the number of dwelling units exceeds 30 shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads.

• CWUIC § 6.1 High relevance — show source text

  D103.5 Fire apparatus access road gates. Gates securing the fire apparatus access roads shall comply with all of the following criteria:

  1. 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).
  2. Gates shall be of the horizontal swing, horizontal slide, vertical lift or vertical pivot type.
  3. Construction of gates shall be of materials that allow manual operation by one person.
  4. Gate components shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and replaced or repaired when defective.
  5. 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.
  6. Methods of locking shall be submitted for approval by the fire code official.
  7. Electric gate operators, where provided, shall be listed in accordance with UL 325.
  8. 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 on one or both sides of the fire apparatus road as required by Section D103.6.1 or D103.6.2.

  FIGURE D103.6—FIRE LANE SIGNS

  SIGN TYPE "A" SIGN TYPE "C" SIGN TYPE "D"

  18 ″

  12 ″ 12 ″ 12 ″

  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).

  SECTION D104—COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENTS

  D104.1 Buildings exceeding three stories or 30 feet in height. Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet (9144 mm) or three stories in height shall have not fewer than two means of fire apparatus access for each structure.

  D104.2 Buildings exceeding 62,000 square feet in area. Buildings or facilities having a gross building area of more than 62,000 square feet (5760 m [2] ) shall be provided with two separate and approved fire apparatus access roads. Exception: Projects having a gross building area of up to 124,000 square feet (11 520 m [2] ) that have a single approved fire apparatus access road where all buildings are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.

  D104.3 Remoteness. Where two fire apparatus access roads are required, they shall be placed a distance apart equal to not less than one half of the length of the maximum overall diagonal dimension of the lot or area to be served, measured in a straight line between

  accesses.

  SECTION D105—AERIAL FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

• CWUIC § 4-1 High relevance — show source text

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  4 WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

  User notes:

  About this chapter: Chapter 4 provides requirements that apply to all occupancies in the wildland-urban interface and pertain to all of the following:

  1. Fire service access to the property that is to be protected, including fire apparatus access roads and off-road driveways.

  2. Premises identification.

  3. Key boxes to provide ready access to properties secured by gated roadways or other impediments to rapid fire service access.

  4. Fire protection water supplies, including adequate water sources, pumper apparatus drafting sites, fire hydrant systems and system reliability.

  5. Fire department access to equipment such as fire suppression equipment and fire hydrants.

  SECTION 401—GENERAL

  401.1 Scope. Wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with emergency vehicle access and water supply in accordance with this chapter.

  401.2 Objective. The objective of this chapter is to establish the minimum requirements for emergency vehicle access and water supply for buildings and structures located in the wildland-urban interface areas.

  401.3 General safety precautions. General safety precautions shall be in accordance with this chapter. See also Appendix A.

  SECTION 402—APPLICABILITY

  402.1 Subdivisions. Subdivisions shall comply with Sections 402.1.1 and 402.1.2.

  402.1.1 Access. New subdivisions, as determined by this jurisdiction, shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 2; and access requirements in accordance with Section 403.

  402.1.2 Water supply. New subdivisions as determined by this jurisdiction shall be provided with water supply in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; and Section 404.

  402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval. Water supply requirements shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the local jurisdiction.

  402.2 Individual structures. Individual structures shall comply with Sections 402.2.1 and 402.2.2.

  402.2.1 Access. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with fire apparatus access in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Subsection 1273; and Section 403 .

  402.2.2 Water supply. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with a conforming water supply in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; California Fire Code Section 507; and Section 404.

• CWUIC § 402.1.1 High relevance — show source text

  402.1.1 Access. New subdivisions, as determined by this jurisdiction, shall be provided with fire apparatus access roads in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 2; and access requirements in accordance with Section 403.

  402.1.2 Water supply. New subdivisions as determined by this jurisdiction shall be provided with water supply in accordance with Section 507 of the California Fire Code; California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; and Section 404.

  402.1.2.1 Parcel map approval. Water supply requirements shall apply in the tentative and parcel map process when new parcels are approved by the local jurisdiction.

  402.2 Individual structures. Individual structures shall comply with Sections 402.2.1 and 402.2.2.

  402.2.1 Access. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with fire apparatus access in accordance with the California Fire Code; the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Subsection 1273; and Section 403 .

  402.2.2 Water supply. Individual structures hereafter constructed or relocated into or within wildland-urban interface areas shall be provided with a conforming water supply in accordance with the California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Division 1.5, Chapter 7, Subchapter 2, Article 4; California Fire Code Section 507; and Section 404.

  402.3 Existing conditions. Existing buildings shall be provided with address markers in accordance with Sections 403.2.4 and 403.2.5 . Existing roads and fire protection equipment shall be provided with markings in accordance with Sections 403.4 and 404.8, respectively.

  SECTION 403—ACCESS

  USER NOTE: The standards in Section 403 applicable to roads shall not apply to roads used solely for agriculture; mining; or the management of timberland or harvesting of forest products. [CCR, Title 14 §1270.03(d)]

  403.1 General. Roads and driveways, whether public or private, unless exempted under 14 CCR § 1270.03(d), shall provide for safe access for emergency wildfire equipment and civilian evacuation concurrently, and shall provide unobstructed traffic circulation during a wildfire emergency consistent 403.1.1 to 403.1.9. [CCR, Title 14 §1273.00]

  403.1.1 Section 403 definitions. When used in Section 403, the term listed below shall be defined as follows:

  DEFENSIBLE SPACE. The area within the perimeter of a parcel, development, neighborhood or community where basic wildland fire protection practices and measures are implemented to defend against encroaching wildfire or to escape structure fires. The perimeter as used in this regulation [CCR Title 14] is the area encompassing the parcel or parcels proposed for construction and/or development, excluding the physical structure itself. The area is characterized by the establishment and maintenance of emer- gency vehicle access, emergency water reserves, road names and identification, and fuel modification measures. [CCR Title 14 §1270.01(f)]

• CWUIC § 503.2.7 High relevance — show source text

  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.

  503.2.8 Angles of approach and departure. The angles of approach and departure for fire apparatus access roads shall be within the limits established by the fire code official based on the fire department’s apparatus.

  503.3 Marking. Where required by the fire code official, approved signs or other approved notices or markings that include the words “NO PARKING—FIRE LANE” shall be provided for fire apparatus access roads to identify such roads or prohibit the obstruction thereof. The means by which fire lanes are designated shall be maintained in a clean and legible condition at all times and be replaced or repaired when necessary to provide adequate visibility.

  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 Sections 503.2.1 and 503.2.2 shall be maintained at all times.

  503.4.1 Traffic calming devices. Traffic calming devices shall be prohibited unless approved by the fire code official.

  503.5 Required gates or barricades. The fire code official is authorized to require the installation and maintenance of gates or other approved barricades across fire apparatus access roads, trails or other accessways, not including public streets, alleys or highways. 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.

  503.5.1 Secured gates and barricades. Where required, gates and barricades shall be secured in an approved manner. Roads, trails and other accessways that have been closed and obstructed in the manner prescribed by Section 503.5 shall not be trespassed on or used unless authorized by the owner and the fire code official.

  Exception: The restriction on use shall not apply to public officers acting within the scope of duty.

  503.5.2 Fences and Gates. School grounds may be fenced and gates therein may be equipped with locks, provided that safe disper- sal areas based on 3 square feet (0.28 m [2] ) per occupant are located between the school and the fence. Such required safe dispersal areas shall not be located less than 50 feet (15 240 mm) from school buildings.

  Every public and private school shall conform with Section 32020 of the Education Code which states:

  The governing board of every public school district, and the governing authority of every private school, which main- tains any building used for the instruction or housing of school pupils on land entirely enclosed (except for building walls) by fences of walls, shall, through cooperation with the local law enforcement and fire-protection agencies having jurisdiction of the area, make provision for the erection of gates in such fences or walls. The gates shall be of sufficient size to permit the entrance of the ambulances, police equipment and firefighting apparatus used by the law

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  FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

• CWUIC § 501.3.1 High relevance — show source text

  501.3.1 Site safety plan. The owner or owner’s authorized agent shall be responsible for the development, implementation and maintenance of an approved written site safety plan in accordance with Section 3303.

  501.4 Timing of installation. Where fire apparatus access roads or a water supply for fire protection are required to be installed, such protection shall be installed and made serviceable prior to and during the time of construction except where approved alternative methods of protection are provided. Temporary street signs shall be installed at each street intersection where construction of new roadways allows passage by vehicles in accordance with Section 505.2.

  SECTION 502—DEFINITIONS

  502.1 Definitions. The following terms are defined in Chapter 2:

  AGENCY.

  FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD.

  FIRE COMMAND CENTER.

  FIRE DEPARTMENT MASTER KEY.

  FIRE LANE.

  KEY BOX.

  TRAFFIC CALMING DEVICES.

  SECTION 503—FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

  503.1 Where required. Fire apparatus access roads shall be provided and maintained in accordance with Sections 503.1.1 through 503.1.3.

  503.1.1 Buildings and facilities. Approved fire apparatus access roads shall be provided for every facility, building or portion of a building hereafter constructed or moved into or within the jurisdiction. The fire apparatus access road shall comply with the requirements of this section and shall extend to within 150 feet (45 720 mm) of all portions of the facility and all portions of the exterior walls of the first story of the building as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.

  Exceptions:

  1. The fire code official is authorized to increase the dimension of 150 feet (45 720 mm) where any of the following conditions occur:

  1.1. The building is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system installed in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3. 1.2. Fire apparatus access roads cannot be installed because of location on property, topography, waterways, nonnegotiable grades or other similar conditions, and an approved alternative means of fire protection is provided. 1.3. There are not more than two Group R-3 or Group U occupancies. 2. Where approved by the fire code official, fire apparatus access roads shall be permitted to be exempted or modified for solar photovoltaic power generation facilities.

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 5-3

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  FIRE SERVICE FEATURES

  503.1.2 Additional access. The fire code official is authorized to require more than one fire apparatus access road based on the potential for impairment of a single road by vehicle congestion, condition of terrain, climatic conditions or other factors that could limit access.

  503.1.3 High-piled storage. Fire department vehicle access to buildings used for high-piled combustible storage shall comply with the applicable provisions of Chapter 32.

  503.2 Specifications. Fire apparatus access roads shall be installed and arranged in accordance with Sections 503.2.1 through 503.2.8.

  [California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Division 1, §3.05(a)] Fire Department Access and Egress. (Roads)

• CWUIC § 403.1.8 High relevance — show source text

  403.1.8 Road and Driveway Structures. (a) Appropriate signing, including but not limited to weight or vertical clearance limitations, one-way road or single traffic lane conditions, shall reflect the capability of each bridge. (b) Where a bridge or an elevated surface is part of a Fire Apparatus access road, the bridge shall be constructed and maintained in accordance with the American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials Standard Specifications for High- way Bridges, 17 [th] Edition, published 2002 (known as AASHTO HB-17), hereby incorporated by reference. Bridges and elevated surfaces shall be designed for a live load sufficient to carry the imposed loads of fire apparatus. Vehicle load limits shall be posted at both entrances to bridges when required by the local authority having jurisdiction. (c) Where elevated surfaces designed for emergency vehicle use are adjacent to surfaces which are not designed for such use, barriers or signs, or both, as approved by the local authority having jurisdiction, shall be installed and maintained.

  2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE 4-5

  on Jul 18, 2025 11:14 AM (CDT) THEREUNDER.

  WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

  (d) A bridge with only one traffic lane may be authorized by the Local Jurisdiction; however, it shall provide for unobstructed visi- bility from one end to the other and turnouts at both ends.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.07]

  403.1.9 Dead-end Roads.

  (a) The maximum length of a Dead-end Road, including all Dead-end Roads accessed from that Dead-end Road, shall not exceed the following cumulative lengths, regardless of the number of parcels served:

  Parcels zoned for less than one acre – 800 feet (262 m)

  Parcels zoned for 1 acre to 4.99 acres – 1,320 feet (433 m)

  Parcels zoned for 5 acres to 19.99 acres – 2,640 feet (866 m)

  Parcels zoned for 20 acres or larger – 5,280 feet (1732 m) All lengths shall be measured from the edge of the road surface at the intersection that begins the road to the end of the road surface at its farthest point. Where a Dead-end Road crosses areas of differing zoned parcel sizes requiring different length limits, the shortest allowable length shall apply. (b) See Section 403.1.5 for Dead-end Road turnaround requirements.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.08]

  403.1.10 Gate entrances.

  (a) Gate entrances shall be at least two (2) feet wider than the width of the traffic lane(s) serving that gate and a minimum width of fourteen (14) feet unobstructed horizontal clearance and unobstructed vertical clearance of thirteen feet, six inches (13' 6”). (b) All gates providing access from a road to a driveway shall be located at least thirty (30) feet from the roadway and shall open to allow a vehicle to stop without obstructing traffic on that Road. (c) Where a one-way road with a single traffic lane provides access to a gated entrance, a forty-foot turning radius shall be used. (d) Security gates shall not be installed without approval. Where security gates are installed, they shall have an approved means _of emergency operation. Approval shall be by the local authority having jurisdiction.