| Primary value | 6 m ((min, building > 15 m height)) |
| Applies to | Buildings > 15 m height · All high-rise developments |
| Exceptions | Height 15-30 m → 6 m wide road |
| Height > 30 m → 7.5 m wide road | |
| Surface load → Min 45 t (fully loaded fire tender) | |
| Vertical clearance over road → Min 4.5 m (no overhead obstructions) | |
| Buildings > 45 m height → Access way required on at least two sides (NBC 2016, Part 4, 4.6.4) | |
| Dead-end access > 45 m long → Provision of 9 m radius turning circle required at the dead-end (NBC 2016, Part 4, 4.6.2 c)) | |
| Main entrance gate width → Minimum 6 m clear width (NBC 2016, Part 4, 4.6.2 f)) | |
| Measured as | Clear hard surface road width — for fire tender to manoeuvre, set up and operate ladder along the building. |
| Source | NBC 2016 — Part 4, Clause 4.6.2 ✓ Verified |
Inadequate access has been a critical failure point in major urban fires in India, preventing external fire-fighting and rescue operations. The 6 m width is the minimum required for a standard fire tender to deploy its outriggers for stability before extending its hydraulic ladder.
In Indian cities, this access is typically provided within the mandatory building setbacks. It must be a motorable, hard-surfaced road (using concrete or paver blocks) kept clear of parked vehicles, landscaping, and overhead obstructions like electrical wires or tree branches.