§ 6-4. Fire lanes.
(a)
Definitions.
(1)
Curbline as used herein is defined as a raised portion of a street, drive or parking area separating such street, drive or parking areas from another area such as a parkway, yard or open space not designed for vehicle use. Such curbline may be the curb of a dedicated street and the lane adjacent thereto provided herein may be within such dedicated street; provided, that the city so designates and marks such area.
(2)
Fire lane as used herein is defined as a passageway for fire and emergency vehicles and equipment and in addition to the location and width provided herein, is further defined as an area of pavement suitable for vehicular traffic and shall be of a quality not less than the drive area for the structure or remaining portion of dedicated street and shall extend to a dedicated street.
(3)
Front as used herein is defined as that portion of the building containing the primary entrance way or ways. In the event a structure contains multi-units such as a shopping center or apartment complex wherein the separate units thereof front on more than one side of the structure, so much of any side or area of the structure containing a front of a separate unit shall be deemed the "front" of such structure. In the event a structure has units fronting on all sides, then all sides of such structure shall be deemed a front side. Entrance ways into a mall or area closed to vehicle traffic shall not be considered in determining a front if more than 100 feet from an area designed for vehicle travel.
(4)
Places of assembly. A building, structure or any portion thereof used for the congregation or gathering of 100 or more persons in one room or space for purposes of recreation, entertainment, worship, amusement, awaiting transportation, instruction, deliberation, and drinking and dining.
(b)
Fire chief or fire marshal to establish fire lanes. The fire chief, fire marshal or any designate is hereby authorized to establish the location of and to approve fire lanes within the city for the use of fire and emergency vehicles and equipment used in fighting and control of fires.
(c)
Fire lanes required. All multifamily residential structures other than duplexes; all shopping centers; all places of assembly; all structures of more than 2½ stories sometimes called "high rise" structures; and any other building or structure where the fire chief, fire marshal, or any designate deems necessary whether existing or hereinafter constructed, shall contain an area to be designated as a "fire lane", such area to be along the curbline in front of such structure or if there is no curbline, then along the front of such structure as the term "front" is herein defined not more than 35 feet from such structure and lying along the entire width or length, as the case may be, of the front of such structure; such fire lane being not less than 20 feet wide on a straight-of-way and a 40-foot radius at any corner of such lane.
(d)
Fire lanes to be paved and marked. The fire lane shall be paved surface and be clearly marked on the pavement with exterior red paint forming a perimeter line at least four inches wide, with the legend "FIRE LANE" in three-inch white letters at intervals of not more than 50 feet along said perimeter line; provided, however, that where the fire lane is adjacent to a curb of four inches height said curb shall be painted red at 50-foot intervals with said exterior red paint extending 60 inches in length and legends painted on the 60-inch red curb in white letters, a minimum of three inches in height clearly legible, "FIRE LANE." In addition, metal signs on posts shall be posted each 125 feet, when practical, bearing the legend "FIRE LANE-NO PARKING" painted in white letters on red background, and near such fire lane; provided, however, that lack of metal signs where such fire lane is otherwise clearly marked shall not be a defense to a charge of illegal parking.
The owner or person in charge of such structure shall keep the fire lane clearly marked and signed at all times; provided, however, that where the fire lane is to be upon a public street, the owner or person in charge shall not mark or designate such area but shall make application to the city for such designation and marking.
(e)
Fire lanes to connect to street or have adequate turnaround. All fire lanes shall connect at both ends to a dedicated street or be constructed with turnaround areas at the deadend with a minimum radius of 40 feet.
(f)
Fire lanes not to be coextensive with loading zones. Such fire lane shall not be coextensive with a loading zone, but loading zones, where needed, shall be established in addition to the area designated as a fire lane.
(g)
No person shall close, abandon, obstruct, or deface the markings of any fire lane. No person shall close, abandon, obstruct, or deface the markings or indications of a fire lane required by this section without written permission of the fire chief, fire marshal, or his authorized representative.
(h)
Access to fire hydrants. All fire hydrants located on either public or private property shall be accessible for fire department use at all times and shall have clearance of at least 20 feet on either side of the hydrant or along the curbline or edge of paving nearest the fire hydrant.
(i)
No person shall leave vehicle stopped, parked, or standing in fire lane. No person may stop, park, or leave standing any non-emergency vehicle, whether attended or unattended, in a fire lane. Any such unauthorized vehicle in a fire lane is subject to removal by the operator of the premises, with the expense of removal and storage to be borne by the registered owner of the vehicle and subject to citation, as well as removal by the fire marshal, or his designate, or any police officer of the City of Terrell. Whenever an unauthorized vehicle is found to be stopped, parked, or left standing in a fire lane it shall be refutably presumed that the registered owner of the vehicle has committed the act in violation of this subsection.
(Ord. No. 1409, 3-19-86; Ord. No. 2158, § I, 3-4-03)