At the July 20, 2023 BPAC meeting, Felicia Bryant, Fire Marshal with the Oakland Fire Department, provided an update on amendments to Appendix D of the Fire Code. In September, the amendments will be presented to the Public Safety Committee of the City Council, following up on amendments adopted by City Council in 2022. Jason Patton, Senior Transportation Planner with OakDOT, helped explain the collaboration between the two departments on implementing traffic safety measures that are supportive of Fire Department operations.

An excerpt of the presentation is below, followed by the full presentation.

California Fire Code

• This document is Part 9 of 13 of the California Code of Regulations, Title 24
• A triennial compilation, published every 3 years
• A city, county, or city and county may establish more restrictive building standards reasonably necessary because of local climatic, geographical or topographical conditions.
• OFD may propose changes to City Council for vote an approved ordinance

Appendix D

• Provides in depth elements for use with basic access requirements referenced in section 503
• This appendix is a tool for the authority have jurisdictions looking for guidance in establishing access requirement, aerial fire apparatus access roads, residential development standards, etc.
• OFD recommending including Appendix D in the 2022 City of Oakland Ordinance but was unsuccessful
• OFD is finalizing code language that will allow more flexibility of lane use and not reduce OFD’s ability to respond and perform our duties by national standards and maintain our ISO rating

Draft Solutions for Applying the Fire Code

• At intersections:
  • Count the roadway width on both sides of traffic safety elements (like pedestrian islands, traffic circles, hardened centerlines) towards the unobstructed width specified by the Fire Code. For example, a fire apparatus (ladder truck/engine) can stage on one side while allowing other emergency vehicles to pass on the other side of the island (e.g., 8th St West Oakland Traffic Calming Project).
• Along Streets:
  • Allow flexible posts along lane lines within the unobstructed width specified by the Fire Code, leaving space between the flexible posts for ladder trucks to deploy their outriggers (e.g., Quick-Build International Blvd Project).
  • Provide 26’ clearance at buildings ≥ 30’ in height that do not have modern sprinkler systems. Provide 20’ clearance at other buildings, including those ≥ 30’ in height that do have modern sprinkler systems.

Presentation