Applicable to commercial buildings or for three or more single family dwellings where any portion of the building(s) is greater than 150 feet from the center line of a public roadway, as measured along a route specified by the Fire Department. Note that the specifications contained in this Standard apply only to properties located within the service area of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.
Roadway: A vehicular access roadway greater than or equal to 20 feet in width.
Driveway: A vehicular access roadway less than 20 feet in width and serving no more than two, single-family dwellings.
Temporary Access Roadway: A temporary vehicular access road or driveway that is provided until such time that the permanent road or driveway is installed.
ROADWAY Width:
20 feet minimum curb to curb paved width. Greater widths may be required where the Fire Department determines that Ladder Truck access is required.
Parking Along Access Roadways:
The required width of fire access roadways shall not be obstructed in any manner. Parking shall not be allowed along roadways less than 28 feet in width. Parking will be allowed along one side of the street for roadways 28-35 feet in width. For roadways equal to or greater than 36 feet in width, parking will be allowed on both sides of the roadway. Roadway widths shall be measured face to face of curb. Parking spaces are based on an 8-ft wide space. NOTE: These width specifications are based on roadways where Ladder Truck access/setup is not required.
Parking is not allowed in turnarounds. The entire area of required turnarounds shall remain unobstructed at all times.
Vertical Clearance:
The vertical clearance shall be in accordance with the Fire Code, 13 feet, 6 inches.
Grade:
Maximum grade shall not exceed 15% (6.75 degrees).
TURNING RADIUS (CIRCULATING):
The minimum outside turning radius is 42 feet for required access roadways. Greater radius up to 60 feet may be required where the Fire Department determines that Ladder Truck access is required. Circulating refers to travel along a roadway without dead ends.
Turning Radius (Cul-de-sacs):
The minimum outside turning radius is 36 feet. Use of cul-de-sacs is not acceptable where it is determined by the Fire Department that Ladder Truck access is required, unless greater turning radius is provided.
Turnarounds:
Turnarounds are required for all dead end roadways with a length in excess of 150 feet.
The turnaround details shown in this document are intended to provide a general design concept only. Modifications or variations of these designs may be approved by the Fire Department on a case by case basis. All turnaround designs submitted for Fire Department review shall meet all previously stated requirements. These details are applicable when a 36-foot minimum turning radius for dead ends is specified. These details are not applicable where turning radius greater than 36 feet is specified or when a circulating radius is specified.
Pavement Surface:
Roadways shall be surfaced roads of asphalt, concrete or another engineered surface acceptable to the Fire Department.
Bridges and Culverts:
All bridges and culverts shall be designed to support 75,000 pounds.
Marking of roadways AND TURNAROUNDS:
The Fire Department access roadways including turnarounds shall be marked in accordance with Fire Department Standard Details and Specifications A-6 - Fire Lane Marking.
Dimensions are in feet.
TEMPORARY ACCESS ROAD:
When approved by the Chief, a temporary access road may be installed for fire department access to buildings under construction until such time that the permanent road or driveway is in place. A written request along with detailed plans for the temporary access road shall be submitted to the fire department for review and approval prior to installation. The plan submittal shall also include timelines for use of the temporary roadway and acknowledgment that the integrity of the roadway will be maintained at all times.
The width and turn radius dimensions of a temporary access road shall be the same as for the required permanent roadway. As a minimum, the roadway shall consist of a compacted sub base and six (6) inches of road base material (Class 2 aggregate base rock) both compacted to a minimum 95%. The perimeter edges of the roadway shall be contained and delineated by curb and gutter or other approved method. The use of geotextile reinforcing fabric underlayment or soils lime-treatment may be required if so determined by the project civil engineer. Provisions for surface drainage shall also be provided where necessary.
Engineering certification of the temporary roadway construction shall be documented and submitted to the Fire Department prior to or at the time of the acceptance inspection of the roadway
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