All road identification signs and supports shall be of noncombustible materials. Signs shall have minimum 4-inch-high (102 mm) reflective letters with ½ inch (12.7 mm) stroke on a contrasting 6-inch-high (152 mm) sign. Road identification signage shall be mounted at a height of 7 feet (2134 mm) from the road surface to the bottom of the sign.

403.5 Marking of fire protection equipment. Fire protection equipment and fire hydrants shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to prevent obstruction.

403.6 Address markers. All buildings shall have a permanently posted address, which shall be placed at each driveway entrance and be visible from both directions of travel along the road. In all cases, the address shall be posted at the beginning of construction and shall be maintained thereafter, and the address shall be visible and legible from the road on which the address is located.

Address signs along one-way roads shall be visible from both the intended direction of travel and the opposite direction.

Where multiple addresses are required at a single driveway, they shall be mounted on a single post, and additional signs shall be posted at locations where driveways divide.

Where a roadway provides access solely to a single commercial or industrial business, the address sign shall be placed at the nearest road intersection providing access to that site.

403.7 Grade. The gradient for fire apparatus access roads and driveways shall not exceed the maximum approved by the code official. It will be up to the code official to ascertain the standard based on local fire equipment grade not to exceed 12 percent.

404.1 General. When provided in order to qualify as a conforming water supply for the purpose of Table 503.1, an approved water source shall have an adequate water supply for the use of the fire protection service to protect buildings and structures from exterior fire sources or to suppress structure fires within the wildland-urban interface area of the jurisdiction in accordance with this section.

404.2 Water sources. The point at which a water source is available for use shall be located not more than 1,000 feet (305 m) from the building and be approved by the code official. The distance shall be measured along an unobstructed line of travel.

Water sources shall comply with the following:

1. 1. Man-made water sources shall have a minimum usable water volume as determined by the adequate water supply needs in accordance with Section 404.5. This water source shall be equipped with an approved hydrant. The water level of the water source shall be maintained by rainfall, water pumped from a well, water hauled by a tanker, or by seasonal high water of a stream or river. The design, construction, location, water level maintenance, access, and access maintenance of man-made water sources shall be approved by the code official.
2. 2. Natural water sources shall have a minimum annual water level or flow sufficient to meet the adequate water supply needs in accordance with Section 404.5. This water level or flow shall not be rendered unusable because of freezing. This water source shall have an approved draft site with an approved hydrant. Adequate water flow and rights for access to the water source shall be ensured in a form acceptable to the code official.

404.3 Draft sites. Approved draft sites shall be provided at all natural water sources intended for use as fire protection for compliance with this code. The design, construction, location, access and access maintenance of draft sites shall be approved by the code official.

The pumper access point shall be either an emergency vehicle access area alongside a conforming access road or an approved driveway no longer than 150 feet (45 720 mm). Pumper access points and access driveways shall be designed and constructed in accordance with all codes and ordinances enforced by this jurisdiction. Pumper access points shall not require the pumper apparatus to obstruct a road or driveway.

404.4 Hydrants. All hydrants shall be designed and constructed in accordance with nationally recognized standards. The location and access shall be approved by the code official.

404.5 Adequate water supply. Adequate water supply shall be determined for purposes of initial attack and flame front control by the local jurisdiction. NFPA 1142 may be used as a reference.

404.6 Fire department. The water system required by this code can only be considered conforming for purposes of determining the level of ignition-resistant construction (see Table 503.1).

404.7 Obstructions. Access to all water sources required by this code shall be unobstructed at all times. The code official shall not be deterred or hindered from gaining immediate access to water source equipment, fire protection equipment or hydrants.

404.8 Identification. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and fire protection equipment shall be clearly identified in a manner approved by the code official to identify location and to prevent obstruction by parking and other obstructions.

404.9 Testing and maintenance. Water sources, draft sites, hydrants and other fire protection equipment required by this code shall be subject to periodic tests as required by the code official. Code official shall establish a periodic testing schedule. Costs are to be covered by the water provider. All such equipment installed under the provisions of this code shall be maintained in an operative condition at all times and shall be repaired or replaced where defective. Additions, repairs, alterations and servicing of such fire protection equipment and resources shall be in accordance with approved standards. Mains and appurtenances shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 24. Water tanks for private fire protection shall be installed in accordance with NFPA 22. The costs are to be covered by the water provider.

404.10 Reliability.

404.10.1 Objective. The objective of this section is to increase the reliability of water supplies by reducing the exposure of vegetative fuels to electrically powered systems.