Fire Department Access Roads/Fire Lanes

General Guidelines for Fire Department Access Roads  (NFPA 1: 18.2.3, 2006 edition as amended,  Fire Marshal Division Policy and Procedure F-4).

The AHJ (Fire Marshal Division)  shall have the authority to designate public or private fire lanes and fire department access roads as considered necessary. NFPA 1: 18.2.3. 

Fire department access roads shall be provided such that any portion of the facility or any portion of an exterior wall of the first story of the building is located not more than 150 feet from fire department access roads as measured by an approved route around the exterior of the building or facility.  (Radial measurements are not permitted.)  NFPA 1: 18.2.3.2.2

When measured from either end this measurement effectively allows 300' of most structures to not have formal fire department access.

When buildings are protected throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system that is installed in accordance with NFPA 13, NFPA 13D, or NFPA 13R, the distance in 18.2.3.2.2 shall be permitted to be  modified by the AHJ. NFPA 1:  18.2.3.2.2.1 as amended AACo. Code

Fire Department Connections

Fire department connections shall be located within 100 feet of a paved surface accessible to fire department apparatus. NFPA 1:  13.1.13 as amended

Fire Department Access Roads - Specifications

Width -

 20' (minimum)

Setback -

10' from outermost projection of structure

Clear Height -

14'

Design Load -

35 tons (minimum)

Turning radii  -

38' inside, 47' outside 

Grade -

a. 15% concrete surfaces

b. 12% asphalt surfaces

c.  5% unpaved surfaces

5%

Marking of Fire Department Access Roads

Paved Surfaces

• All curbs designated as Fire Lanes shall be painted YELLOW for the entire length of the designation.
• On the yellow curb areas, NO PARKING – FIRE LANE shall be painted BLACK, with letters a minimum of 4” (four) to 6” (six) inches in height at intervals not to exceed fifty (50) feet.
• On the paved road surface along the curb area for the entire length of the designated Fire Lane, NO PARKING - FIRE LANE shall be painted YELLOW with letters 12” (twelve) inches in height.
• FIRE LANE - NO PARKING markings on curb and roadway surfaces shall be staggered with intervals between markings not exceeding 50’ (fifty) linear feet.
• All parking lines that have been superseded by the Fire Lane designation shall be removed or painted over.

Unpaved surfaces

• A 20' wide entrance shall be provided and marked. The entire length of the unpaved fire lane shall be permanently outlined with shrubs, fencing, reflective signs or similar markers at maximum 50' intervals. The terminus of non-continuous fire lanes shall have markers placed across the lane.
• Curb-Cuts - Extend at least 2 ft. beyond each edge of the fire lane
• The Fire Marshal Division shall be notified prior to cover.  A geotechnical report may be required to verify that the access road has been installed in accordance with applicable specifications. 

Dead End Distances

• Dead-end fire department fire lanes/access roads in excess of 150 feet in length shall be provided with approved provisions for the turning around of fire apparatus. NFPA 1, 18.2.3.4.4. 

Signs

• Where required by the AHJ, approved signs or other approved notices shall be provided and maintained to identify fire department access roads or to prohibit the obstruction thereof or both. NFPA 1: 18.2.3.5.1.