Fire apparatus access (roads, driveways, turnouts, gates)

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

• 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 § 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.

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE APPENDIX D-3

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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 § 1273.02 High relevance — show source text

  (a) Roads shall be designed and maintained to support the imposed load of fire apparatus weighing at least 75,000 pounds and provide an aggregate base. (b) Road and driveway structures shall be designed and maintained to support at least 40,000 pounds. (c) Project proponent shall provide engineering specifications to support design, if requested by the local jurisdiction.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.02]

  403.1.4 Grades.

  (a) At no point shall the grade for all roads and driveways exceed 16 percent. (b) The grade may exceed 16 percent, not to exceed 20 percent, with approval from the local jurisdiction and with mitigations to provide for same practical effect.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.03]

  403.1.5 Radius.

  (a) No road or road structure shall have a minimum horizontal inside radius of curvature of fifty (50) feet. An additional surface width of four (4) feet shall be added to curves of 50–100 feet radius; two (2) feet to those from 100–200 feet. (b) The length of vertical curves in roadways, exclusive of gutters, ditches and drainage structures designed to hold or divert water, shall be not less than one hundred (100) feet.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.04]

  403.1.6 Turnarounds.

  (a) Turnarounds are required on driveways and dead-end roads. (b) The minimum turning radius for a turnaround shall be forty (40) feet, not including parking, in accordance with the figures in 14 CCR §§ 1273.05(e) and 1273.05(f). If a hammerhead/T is used instead, the top of the “T” shall be a minimum of sixty (60) feet in length. (c) Driveways exceeding 150 feet in length, but less than 800 feet in length, shall provide a turnout near the midpoint of the drive- way. Where the driveway exceeds 800 feet, turnouts shall be provided not more than 400 feet apart. (d) A turnaround shall be provided on driveways over 300 feet in length and shall be within fifty (50) feet of the building. (e) Each dead-end road shall have a turnaround constructed at its terminus. Where parcels are zoned five (5) acres or larger, turn- arounds shall be provided at a maximum of 1,320-foot intervals. (f) Figure A. Turnarounds on roads with two ten-foot traffic lanes. (g) Figure B. Turnarounds on driveways with one ten-foot traffic lane.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.05]

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  WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

  FIGURE A—TURNAROUND WITH TWO 10-FOOT TRAFFIC LANES

  FIGURE B—TURNAROUND WITH ONE 10-FOOT TRAFFIC LANE

  403.1.7 Turnouts. Turnouts shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet wide and thirty (30) feet long with a minimum twenty-five-foot taper on each end. [CCR, Title 14 §1273.06]

• CWUIC § 1273.05 High relevance — show source text

  If a hammerhead/T is used instead, the top of the “T” shall be a minimum of sixty (60) feet in_ length. (c) Driveways exceeding 150 feet in length, but less than 800 feet in length, shall provide a turnout near the midpoint of the drive- way. Where the driveway exceeds 800 feet, turnouts shall be provided not more than 400 feet apart. (d) A turnaround shall be provided on driveways over 300 feet in length and shall be within fifty (50) feet of the building. (e) Each dead-end road shall have a turnaround constructed at its terminus. Where parcels are zoned five (5) acres or larger, turn- arounds shall be provided at a maximum of 1,320-foot intervals. (f) Figure A. Turnarounds on roads with two ten-foot traffic lanes. (g) Figure B. Turnarounds on driveways with one ten-foot traffic lane.

  [CCR, Title 14 §1273.05]

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  WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE AREA REQUIREMENTS

  FIGURE A—TURNAROUND WITH TWO 10-FOOT TRAFFIC LANES

  FIGURE B—TURNAROUND WITH ONE 10-FOOT TRAFFIC LANE

  403.1.7 Turnouts. Turnouts shall be a minimum of twelve (12) feet wide and thirty (30) feet long with a minimum twenty-five-foot taper on each end. [CCR, Title 14 §1273.06]

  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.

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  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.

• 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 § 403.2 High relevance — show source text

  APPENDIX I-4 2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE

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  Access Applicability 402 Driveways 403.2 Fire apparatus access roads 403.3 Grade 403.7

  Individual structures 402.2 Marking of roads 402.3, 403.4 Restricted 403.1

  Subdivisions 402.1 Accessory Buildings and Miscellaneous Structures

  Defined 202

  Detached 504.11 Exempt from permit 105.3 Additions or Alterations 101.5

  Address Markers 402.3 Agriculture 202 Alternative Materials or Methods 104.2.2

  Appeals 112 Appendices 101.2.1 Applicable Building 202 Applicability 102 Approved 202 Approved Agency 104.2.2.6.1, 202 Authority of Code Official 104

  Building 202 Building Official 202

  Certificate of Completion 111 Certificate of occupancy 111.2 Revocation 111.4

  Temporary occupancy 111.3

  Code Official 202 Code Official, Authority 104 Community Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Fire Hazard Evaluation Framework Appendix C Compliance Alternatives 105 Construction Documents 106

  Amended 106.10

  Examination of 106.9 Information on plans and specifications 106.2 Phased 106.12

  Previous approval 106.11 Retention of 106.8 Site plan 106.3 Vegetation management plans 106.4 Control of Storage Appendix A, A105 Critical Fire Weather 202

  Dead-end Road 202 Defensible Space 403, 601.3 Vegetation Plan 603 Definitions 202 Designation of Wildland-Urban Interface Area 302.1

  Director 202 Driveway 202 Dumping Appendix A, A106 Dwelling 202

  Exterior Covering 202

  INDEX

  Fees 109 Findings of Fact Appendix E Fire Chief 202 Fire Danger Rating System Appendix D Fire Flow Calculation Area Application 404.5 Defined 202 Fire Hazard Severity Zones 1.1.2, 202, 302.1, 302.2, Appendix D, Appendix H Fire Protection Plans 602

  Fire Weather 202

  Fire-Resistance-Rated Construction 501.3 Fire-Resistive Vegetation Appendix F Fire-Retardant-Treated Lumber or

  Wood 503.2, 504.5, 504.7, 504.11 Flame Spread Index 202 Flashing 504.2.1, 504.5.1 Fuel Break 202, 609 Fuel Models Appendix D Fuel Modification 202

  Fuel Modification Distance 603.2

  Fuel Mosaic 202 Fuel-Loading 202

  General Requirements Appendix A Green Belt 202

  Greenways 202

• CWUIC § 1273.09 High relevance — show source text

  Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.

  1273.09 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 (40) 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. The security gates and the emergency operation shall be maintained operational at all times.

  Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.

  2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE APPENDIX H-13

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  APPENDIX H—REFERENCED CALIFORNIA DOCUMENTS

  1273.10 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 Highway Bridges, 17th 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. (d) A bridge with only one traffic lane may be authorized by the local jurisdiction; however, it shall provide for unobstructed visibil- ity from one end to the other and turnouts at both ends.

  Note: Authority cited: Section 4290, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4290 and 4291, Public Resources Code.

  Article 3 Signing and Building Numbering

  1274.00. Intent. To facilitate locating a fire and to avoid delays in response, all newly constructed or approved Roads and Buildings shall be designated by names or numbers posted on signs clearly visible and legible from the Road. This section shall not restrict the size of letters or numbers appearing on road signs for other purposes.

• 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.

  2025 CALIFORNIA FIRE CODE 5-3

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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 § 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.

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  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.

• 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

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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)

• CWUIC § 1-2 High relevance — show source text

  CHAPTER TOPICS	Col2
  CHAPTER	SUBJECT
  1-2	Administration and Definitions
  3-4	Wildland-Urban Interface Area Designation and Requirements
  5	Building Construction Regulations
  6	Fire Protection Requirements
  7	Referenced Standards
  Appendices A-I	Adoptable and Informational Appendices

  Chapter 1 Scope and Administration.

  Chapter 1 establishes the limits of applicability of the code and describes how the code is to be applied and enforced. The provisions of Chapter 1 establish the authority and duties of the code official appointed by the authority having jurisdiction and also establish the rights and privileges of the design professional, contractor and property owner.

  Chapter 2 Definitions.

  Chapter 2 is the repository of the definitions of terms used in the body of the code. The user of the code should be familiar with and consult this chapter because the definitions are essential to the correct interpretation of the code and because the user may not be aware that a term is defined.

  Chapter 3 Wildland-Urban Interface Areas.

  Chapter 3 provides for the fundamental aspect of applying the code—the legal declaration and establishment of wildland-urban interface areas within the adopting jurisdiction, mapping of the area, periodic review and updates.

  Chapter 4 Wildland-Urban Interface Area Requirements.

  The requirements of Chapter 4 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.

  Chapter 5 Special Building Construction Regulations.

  The regulations in Chapter 5 establish minimum standards for the location, design and construction of buildings and structures based on construction within a Fire Hazard Severity Zone or a Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) Area.

  The construction provisions of Chapter 5 are intended to supplement the requirements of the California Building Code and Califor- nia Residential Code and address mitigation of the unique hazards posed to buildings by wildfire and to reduce the hazards of building fires spreading to wildland fuels. This is accomplished by requiring ignition-resistant construction materials.

  Chapter 6 Fire Protection Requirements.

  Chapter 6 contains additional requirements for development and construction in Local Responsibility Areas (LRA) designated as Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones and areas designated by the State Fire Marshal as State Responsibility Areas (SRA). While many of these provisions are found in Title 14 and Title 19 of the California Code of Regulations, they are replicated here for the code user. The local jurisdiction has the authority to apply the same regulations to LRA when the regulations are adopted by local ordinance.

  The requirements in this chapter reference the process for adoption of Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in the LRA; criteria for evaluating existing subdivisions that are at significant fire risk and are without an adequate secondary egress; and criteria for fire safety provisions required in the Safety Element of a city or county General Plan.

  2025 CALIFORNIA WILDLAND-URBAN INTERFACE CODE xi

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