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 asphalt, concrete or other approved driving surface capable of supporting the imposed load of fire department apparatus weighing at least 81,500 pounds ( 36 968 kg).
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).
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.
| 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 | |
Gates securing the fire apparatus access roads shall comply with Section N104, "Limited Access Gates," of Appendix N.
Buildings or facilities exceeding 30 feet (9144 mm) or three stories in height shall have at least two means of fire apparatus access for each structure.
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 when all buildings are equipped throughout with approved automatic sprinkler systems.
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.
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.
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.
At least one of the required access routes meeting this condition shall be located within a minimum of 15 feet (4572 mm) and a maximum of 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.
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.
