(A) Location. Whenever an officer of the Fire Prevention Bureau finds that a fire lane is required to provide access to buildings, structures or fire hydrants for firefighting vehicles or equipment in order to prevent or eliminate a dangerous or hazardous condition, the Fire Marshal or designee shall require such fire lane or lanes as may be necessary. Where the approved fire lane(s) cannot be provided, additional approved fire protection measures or systems(s) shall be provided as required and approved by the officer of the Fire Prevention Bureau. All required emergency access roads and lanes shall be maintained and free of obstructions including but not limited to snow and ice. It shall be unlawful for any person to block or obstruct a posted fire lane.
(B) Posting and marking of fire lanes.
(1) All fire lanes shall be designated with all-weather signs that read: "FIRE LANE–NO PARKING OR STANDING".
(2) Fire lanes 26 feet wide or greater shall be posted on one side of the lane as identified by the Fire Marshal or the Deputy Fire Marshal.
(C) Signs shall be spaced in the following manner:
(1) First sign shall be located 15 feet from the beginning of the lane.
(2) Last sign shall be located at 15 feet from the end of the lane.
(3) Spaced at a maximum of 75 feet intervals between the first and last sign.
(D) Designated fire lanes that do not have a defined way such as a curbed road shall be marked on the pavement.
(E) Minimum width and construction of fire lanes. All fire lanes required by this code shall be a minimum of 26 feet width, and constructed of hard surfaced material capable of supporting the imposed load of the heaviest fire apparatus (currently 82,000 lbs.). The type of construction and material shall be approved by the Fire Marshal.
(F) “Grass-Crete” or other similar construction shall not be used.
(G) Where hydrants are located on fire lanes, the width of the lane shall be increased to 30 feet to allow passage of other emergency vehicles.
(H) Turning radii for all fire lanes shall conform to division (J) of this section.
(I) Without otherwise limiting or restricting the authority of the Fire Prevention Bureau or its officers under division (A) of this section to require other or further amounts of fire lanes in response to particular hazards or conditions, all buildings less than 30,000 square feet in total area shall have a fire lane around at least 25% of the perimeter of the building, all buildings 30,000 square feet or more in total area but less than 80,000 square feet in total area shall have a fire lane around at least 50% of the perimeter of the building, and all buildings 80,000 square feet or more in total area shall have a fire lane around 100% of the perimeter of the building.
(J) Access to and around all planned building groups shall have at least two access roads and they shall be designed to allow unimpeded access to all areas. The corner turning radiuses shall be designed to accommodate AASHTO B40 design vehicles. All access roads and fire lane dead ends shall comply with Appendix D of The International Fire Code, 2021 Edition, if not otherwise specified in this chapter. The type of dead end shall be approved by the Fire Chief, Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal.
(K) Canopies, overhangs, or any other type of protrusions into Fire Department access routes shall be a minimum 15 feet clear height.
(L) All gates, powered or manual, shall have a rapid entry key box with keys at the gate, rapid entry padlocks or a bypass opening device approved and used by the Fire Department. The clear opening through the gate shall be two feet wider than the drive lane and shall open inward. Any islands constructed for gates shall not impede the travel or turning radius for emergency vehicle access. Gates shall be set back 30 feet from roadways where required by Fire Chief, Fire Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal.
(Ord. 05-0251, passed 3-16-05; Am. Ord. 11-0923, passed 9-21-11; Am. Ord. 11-0935, passed 11-2-11; Am. Ord. 12-1016, passed 11-7-12; Am. Ord. 17-1347, passed 3-1-17; Am. Ord. 22-1811, passed 12-7-22)