Access and Signage

Understanding why access is important can be stated simply – firefighting equipment needs to get in and you need to get out. There are situations when firefighters and other emergency response agencies may be able to access your property only to find that they cannot find you or get to your home because of your road.

To ensure you can be found:

• Your property should be clearly marked with a nonflammable sign, with numbers and letters at least four inches high on a contrasting background. Make sure vegetation does not obstruct the sign.

To ensure access:

• You should have two ways to access your property in the event that one route is threatened.
• Roads should be wide enough for two-way traffic, and vegetation should be cleared 10 feet from along roadsides and driveways.
• If a two-way road is not possible, turnouts should be constructed.
• Vehicles from firefighting agencies must have adequate access to your property. Fire equipment has difficulty negotiating excessively steep (greater than 12 percent) or sharp roads.
• Bridges should be strong enough to support fire equipment and the water they carry (at least 34,000 pounds) and be identified as such.
• If access to your site leads to a cul-de-sac, a minimum of 50 feet turnaround radius is needed.