(A) The Fire Chief may require that fire lanes for new and existing structures by established on private or public property to provide access for fire-suppression operations by the use of an improved public street, areaway, parking lot, driveway or roadway.
(B) A fire lane is an area, parking lot, driveway, roadway or portion thereof that shall be:
(1) Designated or approved by the Fire Chief; or
(2) Identified with red painted curbs or six inch wide red stripe the full length of the fire lane, or each fire lane shall have approved signs at the beginning and end of the fire lane, with spacing between the signs not to exceed 75 feet. The signs shall be approved by the Fire Chief and comply with division (K) below. Each sign shall face in the direction of oncoming traffic. Signs that identify entranceways only as a fire lane area shall be identified with approved fire lane signs on each side facing forward, and the area between the signs shall be red striped.
(C) A fire lane sign shall be:
(1) Affixed to a stationary pole or object;
(2) Plainly visible; and
(3) Maintained clear of obstructions its entire length.
(D) It is unlawful for any person to park any vehicle with or without power within, or otherwise obstruct any fire lane, except as may be specifically permitted by the Fire Chief.
(E) Any vehicle stopped or parked within a fire lane established, designated and marked in accordance with this section shall be issued a “notice of ordinance violation” by any member of a law enforcement agency or any representative the Fire Chief or the town’s Police Department designates. Any vehicle stopped or parked within a designated fire lane may be removed at the vehicle owner’s expense. Removal of a vehicle under such circumstances may be authorized by the person in lawful possession of the property or by the Fire Chief or the town’s Police Department or their representatives.
(F) Fire lanes shall:
(1) Extend to within 150 feet of an entrance to the interior, or to a point as approved by the Fire Chief for buildings two stories or less in height;
(2) Extend to within 50 feet of an entrance to the exterior, or to a point approved by the Fire Chief for a building three stories or more in height;
(3) Be a minimum of 20 feet in width and have vehicle passing points 20 feet in width and of length and interval as designated by the Fire Chief;
(4) Be surfaced to support the maximum weight of fire apparatus. Surfacing may be concrete, asphaltic concrete, brick, stone, but not necessarily limited to such materials, as approved by the Fire Chief. Engineering data shall be submitted with plans review submittal to substantiate weight-bearing capacity when required by the Fire Chief;
(5) Have a vertical clearance of no less than 13 feet, six inches;
(6) Have a maximum gradient of 8% (eight inches in 100 feet);
(7) Have 45-foot minimum centerline radius on curves; and
(8) Be dead ended at no more than 200 feet maximum length; or allow through passage; or terminate in minimum 45-foot centerline radius cul-de-sac or hammerhead turning area.
(G) It shall be unlawful for any person or firm to post a fire lane sign without the approval of the Fire Chief or his or her authorized representative.
(H) Fire lanes established for new and existing structures shall conform to fire lane requirements applicable at the time of construction; provided that, if no fire lane requirements were applicable at the time of construction, the Fire Chief may require establishment of fire lanes to conform with the current requirements.
(I) The specific requirements for this section as applicable to a specific structure may be modified by the Fire Chief in recognition of varying occupancies, sizes and hazards of building and the provisions of other means of access or fixed fire protection.
(J) No person shall place or keep any vehicle, post, fence, growth, trash or other material or thing near any fire hydrant, fire sprinkler connection or fire standpipe connection that would prevent them from being immediately discernable or in immediate access to them for use. Signs or red painted curbs or six-inch wide red stripes the full length of the restricted area, prohibiting blocking of such fire protection equipment, may be required on private property installation.
(K) Marking of fire lanes on public or private property shall be clearly marked in one of the following manners.
(1) Vertical curbs six inches in height shall be painted red on the top and side, extending the length of the designated fire lane. The pavement adjacent to the painted curbs shall be marked with block lettering a minimum of 18 inches in height and with a three-inch brush stroke reading: “no parking - fire lane.” Lettering shall be red and spaced at no more than 50-foot intervals.
(2) Rolled curbs or surface without curbs shall have a red six-inch-wide stripe painted extending the length of the designated fire lane. The surface adjacent to the strip shall be marked with block lettering a minimum of 18 inches in height and with a minimum three-inch brush stroke reading: “no parking - fire lane.” Lettering shall be in red and spaced at no more than 50-foot intervals.
(3) Fire lane signs shall be as follows:
(a) Reflective in nature;
(b) Use red letters on white background;
(c) Use three-inch lettering, to read “no parking - fire lane;”
(d) A minimum of 12 inches wide by 18 inches tall;
(e) Spaced no more than 50 feet apart and posted on or immediately next to the curb or side of the road;
(f) Top of the sign to be not less than four feet nor more than six feet from the ground;
(g) Signs may be placed on a building when approved by the Fire Chief in coordination with the Building Official;
(h) When posts are required for signs, they shall be a minimum of two-inch galvanized steel or four- by four-inch pressure treated wood; and
(i) Signs are to be placed so they face the direction of vehicular travel.
(Prior Code, § 12-3-8) (Ord. 93-08, passed - -1993) Penalty, see § 10.99