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City and County of San Francisco
Department of Building Inspection
London N. Breed, Mayor
Patrick O’Riordan, C.B.O., Director
INFORMATION SHEET
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NO. FS-06
DATE
CATEGORY
SUBJECT
November 2023
Fire Safety
Fire Protection for Residential Decks and Deck Stairways in Rear or Side Yard
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PURPOSE
REFERENCE
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this Information Sheet is to clarify the requirements for residential
deck and deck stairway protection at the property lines located at the rear or side
yards in alterations to existing buildings.
San Francisco Building Code, Current Edition
California Building Code (CBC), Current Edition
CBC Section 705.2 Exterior Walls, Projections
CBC Section 705.8 Exterior Walls, Openings
CBC Section 705.11 Exterior Walls, Parapets
CBC Section 1015 Guards
CBC Section 1027.5 Exterior Exit Stairways and Ramps, Location
Residential decks and deck stairways in the rear or side yards represent an
opening in exterior wall lines.
The fire separation distance (FSD) measured from property line for such openings are governed by CBC
Table 705.8, unless a one-hour fire-resistive wall is provided extending from the ground to 30 inches
above the walking surface of the deck and deck stairway. Note that guard requirements per CBC Section
1015 apply.
Without a fire-resistive wall, the minimum fire separation distance (FSD) of the deck and deck stairway
from the property line shall be as follows:
1. For R3 buildings, FSD = 3 feet or more.
2. For R2 buildings, FSD = 5 feet or more, with the exception of egress components.
The discussion on “decks’ in this information sheet is in reference to residential decks, which are exterior
platforms built above the ground and connected to the main building. It is delineated from “balconies” or
pool “decks” as defined by CBC Section 202.
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Department of Building Inspection — Technical Services
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500 — San Francisco, CA 94103
628-652-3720 | sfdbi.org
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INFORMATION SHEET FS-06
Where the deck or deck stairway serves as a required egress component, the required minimum distance
between the property line and the egress component shall be in accordance with CBC Section 1027.5.
Overhang and projections are outside the scope of this information sheet and shall comply with SFBC
Section 705.2.
ong — 2/2
Patrick O’Riordan, C.B.O. Date
Director
Department of Building Inspection
This Information Sheet is subject to modification at any time. For the most current version, visit our
website at sfdbi.org.
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Department of Building Inspection - Technical Services Division
49 South Van Ness Avenue, Suite 500 — San Francisco, CA 94103
628-652-3720 | sfdbi.org
