A.
Requirement; designation. The Fire Official may require
and designate public or private fire lanes, as stated in N.J.A.C.
5:70, as deemed necessary for the efficient and effective use of fire
apparatus, access for firefighting or the egress of occupants.
B.
Markings. The owner shall, within 30 days of being
given a notice to do so by the Fire Official, mark the lane as follows:
(1)
Signs constructed of metal and with raised red letters
a minimum of two inches in size on a white background with the wording
"NO PARKING FIRE LANE" shall be posted. Spacing of the signs shall
be even, with a minimum of one sign for every one hundred feet of
fire lane or part thereof or as ordered by the Fire Official.
(2)
The area of the fire lane on improved areas shall
be delineated along its entire circumference with yellow lines four
inches in width. Within the yellow lines, signs shall be marked "NO
PARKING FIRE LANE' in yellow letters 18 inches in height. The number
of times this wording is to be repeated shall be at the discretion
of the Fire Official. The inside of the fire lane shall be further
marked with diagonal striping, yellow in color and four inches in
width, spaced at intervals of five feet. If the designated fire lane
abuts a curb, the curbing shall be yellow in color where it abuts
the fire lane.
(3)
Fire lane markings on condominium, townhouse, or one-
and two-family residential roadways or parking lots may mark a four-inch
yellow stripe against and parallel to the curbing in place of painting
the curb yellow if approved by the Fire Official.
(4)
Non-impervious surface fire lanes shall be marked
by the posting of signage at the entrance and terminus of such lane,
and shall be provided with locking gates to prevent unauthorized use.
When such lane is located in an area not conducive to abuse by improper
motor vehicle use, the Fire Official may authorize posts and chains
in place of the required gate.
(5)
The Fire Official may accept signage and/or markings
in compliance with the Uniform Traffic Control Manual as meeting the
requirements of this section.
C.
Size. Fire lanes for vehicle access shall be a minimum
of 18 feet in width. Fire lanes for egress of occupants shall be a
minimum of at least the width of the exitway served.
D.
Notification. Once a fire lane has been designated
by the Fire Official and properly marked by the owner of the premises,
the Fire Official shall notify the Fire Chief, Police Department,
and Municipal Court Administrator in writing of the existence and
location of the designated fire lane.
E.
Restricted access. Gates, chains or other methods
utilized to prevent unauthorized access to fire lanes shall be approved
by the Fire Official prior to installation.
F.
Installation and maintenance. Fire lanes shall be
installed and maintained by the owner of the premises in conformance
with the provisions of this chapter. Fire lanes in existence prior
to the enactment of this chapter shall be required to conform to the
provisions herein at the discretion of the Fire Official.
G.
Obstructions. Designated fire lanes shall be maintained
free of obstructions and vehicles at all times. (Exception: authorized
emergency vehicles on official business.)
No person, firm or corporation shall park or
stop any vehicle or place any obstruction in or upon any fire lane.
(Exception: authorized emergency vehicles on official business.)
The Fire Official or a police officer of the Dunellen Police Department shall have the authority to remove or have removed such obstructions or vehicles as may violate § 159-18, at the expense of the owner of the premises in the case of obstructions or at the expense of the owner of the vehicle.
Any person, firm or corporation found guilty
in the Municipal Court of the Borough of Dunellen for violation of
the provision of this article shall be subject to a fine of not less
than $25 nor more than $1,000 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding
90 days, or both.
