503.2.9.1 Dead-end turnarounds.

Dead-end fire apparatus access roads shall be provided with a turnaround, as set forth in FC Table 503.2.9.1, unless the department accepts an alternative means for fire apparatus egress, as set forth in FC 503.2.9.2.

FC Table 503.2.9.1
Requirements for Dead-end Fire Apparatus Access Roads

 

Length (feet)	Width (feet) a	Turnaround Required
0 – 150	34	None required,
> 150 and ≤ 400	34	90-foot hammerhead, or 76-foot-diameter unobstructed turnaround, 90-foot-diameter turnaround with a 15-foot-diameter island, or other approved means. b
> 400	As approved	As approved by the department.

 

For SI: 1 foot = 304.8 mm.

a.   Except as otherwise provided in FC 503.2.3.

b.   See FC Figure 503.2.9.

503.2.9.2 Alternative dead-end solutions.

Where the configuration of the site makes provision of a turnaround complying with FC 503.2.9.1 impracticable, the department may allow alternative means of fire apparatus egress, including use of a building entrance driveway; garage or loading dock entrance driveway; open plaza; planted open space utilizing vehicle load-bearing permeable paving materials; parking lot lane; or other driveway or lane leading to a separate through road. Any such alternative means of fire apparatus egress shall be capable of accommodating fire apparatus operation, including load-bearing construction, grades, clearances, and, if required, provision of mountable curbs.

1. 76-Foot-Diameter Turnaround

2. 90-Foot-Diameter Turnaround with up to 15-Foot-Diameter Island

3. 90-Foot Hammerhead

a. 34 feet (10 363 mm) except as otherwise provided in FC 503.2.3.

FC Figure 503.2.9
Dead-end Fire Apparatus Access Road Turnaround

503.2.10 Substandard width roads.

Buildings on fire apparatus access roads that have an unobstructed roadway width of less than 34 feet (10 363 mm) shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system. Buildings served by a substandard width fire apparatus access road that is a lawfully existing condition pursuant to FC 102.3, 102.4 and 102.5 shall comply with this requirement when undergoing alteration or a change of occupancy in accordance with FC 501.4.3. This requirement shall not apply to any detached, unheated carport, garden shed, greenhouse, private parking garage for not more than three motor vehicles, tower or other accessory building, that is:

   1.   Classified by the Building Code as a Group U occupancy;

   2.   Not occupied or designed to be occupied for residential, commercial or office purposes; and

   3.   Accessory to a Group R-2 or Group R-3 occupancy.

503.3 Public streets.

Buildings fronting on public streets shall comply with the requirements of FC 503.3.1 and 503.3.2.

503.3.1 Dead-end turnarounds.

Dead-end public streets in excess of 150 feet (45 720 mm) in length, as measured from the curb line of the nearest public street that is not a dead-end, shall be provided with an approved means by which fire apparatus can turn around or otherwise exit the street, in accordance with FC 503.2.9.

503.3.2 Substandard width.

Buildings on public streets that have an unobstructed width of less than 34 feet (10 363 mm) shall be protected throughout by a sprinkler system. Buildings on substandard width public streets that were not required prior to the effective date of this section to be protected throughout by a sprinkler system shall comply with this requirement when undergoing alteration or a change of occupancy subject to FC 501.4.3. This requirement shall not apply to any Group U occupancy complying with the requirements of FC 503.2.10.