[HISTORY: Adopted by the Town Council of the Town of Mansfield 11-22-1993,
effective 12-24-1993. Amendments noted where applicable.]
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Fire Lane Ordinance."
This chapter is enacted pursuant to the provisions of Sections 7-148(c)(4)(B) and 7-148(c)(7)(H)(xiii) of the Connecticut General Statutes and Section 1-8 of the Connecticut Fire Safety Code.
As used in this chapter, the following words or phrases shall have the
meanings ascribed to them in this section:
Any structure used or intended for supporting or sheltering any use
or occupancy. The term "building" shall be construed as if followed by the
words "or portions thereof."
The road, path or other passageway developed and maintained to allow
the passage of fire apparatus and emergency vehicles.
One- and two-family dwellings.
With the exception of private dwellings, all premises that the Fire
Department may be called upon to protect in case of fire and that are not
readily accessible from public roads shall be provided with suitable fire
lanes so that buildings on the premises are accessible to fire apparatus,
as deemed necessary by the Fire Marshal.
A.
With the exception of existing buildings where compliance
is impractical, fire lanes shall provide access to:
B.
With the exceptions of existing buildings where compliance
is impractical and those protected with an approved automatic sprinkler system,
buildings of a high hazard (as defined by fire code), or having more than
two (2) stories above the lowest level of Fire Department access (as defined
by fire code), or containing more than five thousand (5,000) square feet on
any one (1) floor, the fire lane shall be provided for the entire perimeter
of the building.
A.
Fire lanes shall be at least twenty (20) feet in width,
located at least ten (10) feet but not more than fifty (50) feet from the
building.
B.
Fire lanes shall have an inside turning radius of at
least twenty-five (25) feet.
C.
Fire lanes shall not have a vertical grade greater than
ten percent (10%). However this grade may be increased to fifteen percent
(15%) if the fire lane is paved with approved materials and methods (such
as bituminous paving or turf rings).
D.
Any dead-end road or fire lane more than three hundred
(300) feet in length shall be provided with a turnaround at the closed end
of at least ninety (90) feet in diameter.
Upon establishment of the fire lane, the building owner shall cause
to be erected adequate signs, markings or other traffic control devices to
be installed as directed by the Fire Marshal in order to inform persons to
keep such fire lanes free and open for passage.
It shall be the responsibility of the building owner to maintain all items that are a result of the requirements of § 125-7 as well as to keep fire lanes free of obstructions that could potentially interfere with Fire Department access.
It is recognized that there may exist unusual circumstances necessitating
alternative arrangements in attempting to meet the requirements of this chapter.
In these situations the requirements may be modified by the Fire Marshal to
accommodate the situation as well as to ensure the greatest level of safety
as practical.
Any person aggrieved by an order of the Fire Marshal to establish and/or
maintain a fire lane may appeal such order in a manner as set forth in Section
29-296 of the Connecticut General Statutes. In addition the Fire Marshal may
at any time seek an injunction of any violation of this chapter and, if successful,
may recover in said action, as damages, a reasonable attorney's fee.
Failure to establish fire lanes pursuant to this chapter shall result
in penalties as set forth in Section 29-295 of the Connecticut General Statutes.
Provisions regarding the prohibition of parking in fire lanes, associated
penalties for violation and the appeals process are regulated by the Traffic
Authority Regulations Relative To Parking adopted by the Mansfield Traffic
Authority.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: Such regulations are on file and available for
inspection at the town offices.
