Access way shall be positioned so that the nearer edge shall be not less than 2 m or more than 10 m from the centre position of the access opening, measured horizontally.
Access way shall be laid on a level platform or if on an incline, the gradient shall not exceed 10%. Dead-end access way and fire engine access road shall not exceed 45 m in length or if exceeding 45 m, be provided with turning facilities.
Overhead clearance of access way and fire engine access road shall be at least 4.5 m for passage of fire fighting appliances. Overhead obstruction to access way could be entrance gate, link or bridges connecting buildings.
Length of fire engine hardstanding shall be provided based on the gross floor area (including toilets, stores, circulation areas, etc.) of the largest floor in the building with habitable height exceeding 10m. Refre to below for required lenght which is in term of building perimeter length.
| Building Type – Institutional, Office, Shop and Place of Public Resort (protected throughout by automatic sprinkler system) | |
| Gross floor area of Largest Floor | |
| Minimum | 1/6 perimeter (min 15-m) |
| 4,000 sqm to 8,000 sqm | 1/4 perimeter |
| > 8,000 sqm to 16,000 sqm | 1/2 perimeter |
| > 16,000 sqm to 32, 000 sqm | 3/4 perimeter |
| > 32,000 sqm | Island Site Acess |
| Building Type – Institutional, Office, Shop and Place of Public Resort (without sprinkler) | |
| Gross floor area of Largest Floor | |
| Minimum | 1/6 perimeter (min 15-m) |
| 2,000 sqm to 4,000 sqm | 1/4 perimeter |
| > 4,000 sqm to 8,000 sqm | 1/2 perimeter |
| > 8,000 sqm to 16, 000 sqm | 3/4 perimeter |
| > 16,000 sqm | Island Site Acess |
| * check the UAE or Qatar civil defense code table for ‘Factory and Storage’ type building | |