Fire Safety Department

ACCESS FOR APPLIANCES AND FIRE-FIGHTING FACILITIES FOR FIRE & RESCUE
SERVICE USE

1.0 REQUIREMENTS FOR ACCESS ROADS

1.1 ROAD WIDTHS

Access roads may be public highways, private roads, footpaths or specially strengthened and
defined routes through the land surrounding the building(s). The requirements for pumping
appliances and hydraulic platforms are as follows:

Minimum Minimum Turning Turning Minimum Laden

Type of width of clearance circle circle width of weight
appliance access rd height between diameter gateways etc.
walls between
kerbs

Pumping 3.7m 3.7m 19.2m 16.8m 3.1m 12.5 tonnes

Appliances

Hydraulic 3.7m 4.0m 29.0m 29.0m 3.1m 17 tonnes

Platform

1.2 ACCESS FOR A HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

Where access for a hydraulic platform is specified, the roadway should be positioned with its
nearest edge a maximum of 2 metres from the face of the building and its furthest edge a
minimum of 7.5 metres from the building. This will enable the appliance to operate at its
optimum height and reach, (see Diagram 1, App III). Roads, including any manhole covers and
public utility service pits, should be capable of carrying the weights set out above for the
respective appliances.
1.3 Hardstanding for Hydraulic Platforms should be as level as possible, and should not exceed a
gradient of 1 in 12 (8%).

1.4 TURNING AND SWEEP CIRCLES OF APPLIANCES

When providing access for appliances, allowance should be made for a pumping appliance's
turning circle of 16.8m diameter, and sweep circle of 19.5m diameter. Hydraulic platforms
have a turning circle of 29.0m diameter with a sweep circle of 29.0m diameter. Additional
turning space should be provided where corners have to be negotiated, and sweep circles
should not be obstructed above kerb height.

Appendices I and II show the other relevant details of pumping appliances and hydraulic
platforms. Although the diagrams show transition curves for travel in one direction only, it
should be remembered when planning suitable turning and sweep circles that the curves need
to be repeated in the opposite direction.
Standard Form 2/1/1 (1)
(June 1994)
1.5 CUL-DE-SAC

Turning facilities should be provided on cul-de-sac roads exceeding 20m in length by means of
a turning circle or a hammerhead.

2.0 OBSTRUCTION TO ACCESS

All access roads for Fire & Rescue Service appliances should be kept clear of any obstructions,
including trees, lamp standards, etc. It may, however, be considered necessary to restrict
unauthorised entry and various arrangements are set out below.

Before any obstructions are installed the proposed arrangements should be agreed with the Fire
& Rescue Service.

2.1 POSTS AND BOLLARDS

Siting of bollards must not obstruct the use of hydrants.

(a) Fixed and removable posts or bollards

When considering the type of post or bollard to be used, either fixed or removable, it is
particularly important to bear in mind the type of scheme being considered.

If the scheme is a simple environmental improvements scheme in a thoroughfare it may

be acceptable for a row of fixed bollards to be spaced along the kerb line. If this is not
acceptable to the traffic authority, there are a number of options:

(i) Intermediate bollards of a 1ower height, i.e. below 230mm in height.

(ii) A removable bollard - one only for any access route. Removable bollards may be of
galvanised steel tube and of the standard design. They should be secured in position
with a standard padlock.

(b) Collapsible posts or bollards

Collapsible posts and bollards are acceptable in certain cases provided they do not
project more than l50m above ground level when folded and are not of such a type that
an appliance passing over one end of the collapsed bollard will raise the other end and
foul the appliance. Collapsible posts may be of iron, pivoted near the ground. They
should be secured by a standard padlock.

(c) Flexible posts or bollards

Any proposal to use flexible bollards of a new or improved design should be referred
(with particulars of the design) to Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters, Old London
Road, Hertford.

The design should incorporate features that prevent damage occurring to fire
appliances.
They should not be used in conjunction with any other scheme.

Standard Form 2/1/1 (2)

SPEED CONTROL HUMPS

Speed control humps (these may sometimes alternatively be referred to as 'sleeping

policemen', 'speed retardant humps' or 'road ramps') are generally not accepted, but where they
form part of a traffic management scheme their installation should be considered on their
merits.

2.3 PEDESTRIANISED AREAS/TRAFFIC CALMING SCHEMES

Local authorities are increasingly making alterations to certain areas of towns and villages for
reasons of road safety and to try to enhance the appearance of the areas. Included within these
schemes are pedestrianisation of high streets and shopping areas, and 'traffic calming' at
certain accident problem areas. Some of these schemes may affect attendance times by
slowing down appliances dramatically on through routes, or prevent access into areas where
they may be required. It is important that they do not impede appliances unnecessarily.
Schemes should meet the following criteria:-

(a) A clearly defined fire path at least 3.7m wide, and capable of supporting the weight of
a Service appliance, i.e. minimum 17 tonnes, is required through a pedestrianised area.
(This may be indicated by the use of different coloured concrete or different paving
patterns). Where tall buildings abut, the fire path will need to be 5.5m wide for use by
hydraulic platforms as per diagram 2 in Appendix III.

(b) The siting of the fire path should take into account building design features, e.g.,
canopies, extended shop fronts, etc. (these features may affect the positioning and
operational use of hydraulic platforms and/or extension ladders).

(c) No seating, trees or flower beds should obstruct the fire path and no street furniture,
e.g. , lamp posts, should be allowed which could foul the ladders, etc. , on appliances.

(d) If appliance access to a pedestrianised area crosses a kerb, it should be ramped with a
steady incline for a minimum length of 500mm with the difference in levels not
exceeding 100mm and both ends inset.
(e) Any raised platforms should be at least l4m in length to prevent the grounding of
hydraulic platforms.

(f) Corner blips should not obstruct fire appliances that may need to negotiate the corner
(see Appendix I and II).

(g) Width restrictions should be a minimum of 3.7m, and have a "straight" approach on
either side.

(h) The provision of passing bays on roads reduced to a single lane will mean that in the
event of an incident occurring parked fire appliances will not immediately close the
road.

(i) Chicanes must be capable of being negotiated by hydraulic platforms and pumping
appliances, and have a "straight" approach on either side.

(j) Speed tables should conform to (e) above.

Standard Form 2/1/1(3)

2.4 STANDARD PADLOCKS

These are suitable padlocks for the purpose of securing bollards or posts, but must be capable
of being cut open in an emergency with the bolt croppers carried on Hertfordshire Fire
appliances.

3.0 ACCESS TO BUILDINGS

3.1 ALL BUILDINGS NOT FITTED WITH FIRE MAINS

Access should be provided in accordance with Table 1 below:-

TOTAL FLOOR HEIGHT OF PROVIDE VEHICLE TYPE OF APPLIANCE

AREA OF FLOOR OF TOP ACCESS TO
BUILDING STOREY ABOVE
GROUND
M2

UP TO 2000 UP TO 9m SEE NOTE 3 BELOW PUMP

OVER 9m 15% OF PERIMETER HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

2000 - UP TO 9m 15% OF PERIMETER PUMP

8000 OVER 9m 50% OF PERIMETER HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

800 - UP TO 9m 50% OF PERIMETER PUMP

16000 OVER 9m 50% OF PERIMETER HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

16000 - UP TO 9m 75% OF PERIMETER PUMP

24000 OVER 9m 75% OF PERIMETER HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

OVER UP TO 9m 100% OF PERIMETER PUMP

24000 OVER 9m 100% OF PERIMETER HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

NOTE 1 The TOTAL FLOOR AREA is the appropriate aggregate of all the floors in the
building.

NOTE 2 In the case of PURPOSE GROUP 7(a) (Storage) buildings height should be measured
to mean roof level, as defined in Diagram C3 to Appendix C of Approved Document B
to the Building Regulations 1991.

NOTE 3 There should be vehicle access to small buildings (those up to 2000m) with a top
storey less than 9m above ground level) to within 45m of any point on the projected
plan or "Footprint" of the building (See diagram 1 Appendix IV).

NOTE 4 Any elevation to which vehicle access is provided in accordance with TABLE 1 should
have a suitable door (not less than 750mm wide) giving access to the interior of the
building.

Standard Form 2/1/1 (4)

3.2 BUILDINGS FITTED WITH DRY FIRE MAINS

There should be access for a pumping appliance to within 18m of each fire main inlet
connection point. The inlet should be visible from the appliance.

3.3 BUILDINGS FITTED WITH WET FIRE MAINS

There should be access for a pumping appliance to within 18m, and within sight of, a
suitable entrance giving access to the main and in in sight of the inlet for the
emergency replenishment of the suction tank for the main.

(NOTE To 3.2 and 3.3, see also Standard Forms 3/2/1/1 and 3/2/2/1)

Standard Form 2/1/1 (5)

 APPENDIX I

DETAILS OF PUMPING APPLIANCES

Maximum length 8. 5m
Maximum height 3. 3m
Maximum width 2. 3m
Maximum weight 12.5 tonnes
Maximum weight front axle 5.5 tonnes
Maximum weight rear axle 6.1 tonnes
Maximum length wheel base 3. 81m
Track rear wheels 2m
Ground clearance 229mm

Turning and sweep circles

Width of roadway .........................3.7m

Turning circle.............................16.75m
Sweep circle ................................18.3m

This diagram shows the path of the appliance and is not

intended to indicate kerb lines.

Standard Form 2/1/1 App.1 (6)

APPENDIX II
DETAILS (AT MAXIMUM) OF HYDRAULIC PLATFORM

Maximum length.....................................10m
Maximum height.....................................3.5m
Maximum width....................,.................2.5m
Maximum width with jacks out................4.4m
Laden weight...............................18.00 tonnes
Average weight front axle.................. 7 tonnes
Average weight rear axle................. 11 tonnes
Maximum length wheelbase................... 5.33m
Track rear wheels.. .................................... 2m
Minimum ground clearance ................. 229mm

NOTE: Overhang of booms on headrest do not exceed 1.83m from foremost part of the
vehicle. Hydraulic platforms are fitted with four ground jacks as stabilisers. Under
normal working conditions the weight on a jack should not exceed 7.5 tonnes.

Turning and sweep circles

The diagram shows the path of an appliance and is not intended to indicate kerb lines.

Width of roadway............................ 6m
Turning circle.............................20.12m
Sweep circle ............................... 24.5m

Standard Form 2/1/1 App.2 (7)

APPENDIX III

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BUILDING AND HARDSTANDING/ ACCESS ROADS FOR

HYDRAULIC PLATFORMS.

DIAGRAM 1.

Overhead obstructions to be avoided in this zone.

Face of building at ground level or

vertical plane of projecting upper storey.

C D

A B

Obstruction
Hardstanding/ access road

A. Minimum distance of near edge of hardstanding from building. 2.0m

B. Minimum width of hardstanding. 5.5m
C. Minimun distance of further edge of hardstanding from the building 7.5m
D. Minimum width of unobstructed space (for swing of appliance platform) 2.2m

DIAGRAM 2.

BUILDING

2m maximum

ROADWAY
7.5m minimum OR 5.5m minimum
HARDSTANDING

Standard Form 2/1/1 App.3 (8)

APPENDIX IV

DIAGRAM 1

ROADWAY

Maximum
AB = 45m

A
APPLIANCE

Standard Form 2/1/1 App 4 (9)