5.01 Street Widths for Emergency AccessReference: 2007 CFC 503
The Division of Planning and Research of the San Francisco Fire Department has established requirements for minimum street widths to facilitate emergency equipment access. These requirements are specified as follows:
Minimum Street Widths and Access Roads
1. The California Fire Code (503.2.1) requires a minimum of 20 feet of unobstructed roadway and a vertical clearance of not less than 13' 6'. While a 20 foot wide roadway is permissible, past practice has shown that making ninety degree turns are not possible without the trucks moving into ongoing traffic. The vehicles can make the turn only on one way streets.
2. The California Fire Code (503.1.1) requires a turnaround for all dead-end fire access roads in excess of 150 feet. The San Francisco Fire Department has determined an 80 foot turnaround and a 40' radius to be sufficient.
SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS
| |
ENGINES |
TRUCKS |
| Outside tire extremity |
8 ft. 2 in. |
8 ft. 3 in. |
| Vehicle width (with mirrors) |
10 ft. 4 in. |
10 ft 1 in. |
| Truck width with one jack extended |
n/a |
12 ft. 9 in. |
| Truck width with two jacks extended |
n/a |
17 ft. 9 in. |
| Vehicle height |
11 ft. |
12 ft. |
| Length of vehicle |
30 ft. |
57 ft. |
| Gross vehicle weight |
40,400 lbs. |
70,000 lbs. |
| Street grades maximum |
26% maximum |
26% maximum |
| Approach and departure |
15% maximum |
15% maximum |
| Truck aerial operations |
n/a |
14% maximum |
The Fire Department will determine, on a case-by-case review, where the truck aerial operations may not be required.
