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

D101.1 Scope

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

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).

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
FIGURE D103.1
DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROAD TURNAROUND

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.

TABLE D103.4

REQUIREMENTS FOR DEAD-END FIRE APPARATUS ACCESS ROADS

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

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 on one or both sides of the fire apparatus road as required by Section D103.6.1 or D103.6.2.

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 m²) 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 m²) 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 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.

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.

Exceptions:

Where there are more than 30 dwelling units on a single public or private fire apparatus access road and all dwelling units are equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system in accordance with Section 903.3.1.1, 903.3.1.2 or 903.3.1.3, access from two directions shall not be required.
The number of dwelling units on a single fire apparatus access road shall not be increased unless fire apparatus access roads will connect with future development, as determined by the fire code official.

D107.2 Remoteness

Section D108 Referenced Standards

ASTM	F2200—14	Standard Specification for Automated Vehicular Gate Construction	D103.5
UL	325—02	Door, Drapery, Gate, Louver, and Window Operators and Systems, with Revisions through May 2015	D103.5