[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
The Fire Official, in consultation with the Township Engineer, may designate fire lanes and zones on private property to which the public is invited or which is devoted to public use, if such designation is necessary to provide safety for the public or to provide proper access for first responder operations in an emergency.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
Whenever a proposed fire lane or zone has been designated, the Fire Official shall notify the owner of the property in writing by registered or certified mail, or by hand delivering notice, describing the area to be designated and the reason for the designation. Notification as specified in this section shall not be required when fire lanes or zones are designated through the land development approval process.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
a. 
Delineation of fire lanes and zones shall be completed by the owner at the owner's expense using signs and striping required by this section and shall be accomplished within 30 days after receipt of the notification of designation. Upon approval of the completed delineation, the Fire Official shall maintain a description or plan of the fire lane on file in the Fire Prevention Bureau.
b. 
All fire lanes and zones shall be at a minimum delineated using signage and striping in the following manner:
1. 
Signs.
(a) 
Signs shall be 12 inches wide by 18 inches high with a minimum of two-inch-high lettering.
(b) 
White retroreflective material shall be used for the sign background in accordance with the current edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(c) 
Legend shall be red in color in accordance with the current edition of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.
(d) 
Signs, whether wall or post-mounted, shall be placed at the beginning and end of the lane or zone and at such intervals as required by the Fire Official, but not spaced more than 100 feet apart.
(e) 
Whenever a fire lane changes angle or direction, additional signs may be required at the discretion of the Fire Official or the Municipal Fire Subcode Official to ensure adequate visible signage along the fire lane.
(f) 
Signs shall be placed at a height of seven feet as measured from the ground surface to the bottom of the sign and placed perpendicular to the direction of the traffic flow so that the sign is facing oncoming traffic. If traffic flows in two directions, signs shall be placed parallel to the direction of traffic flow. Signs may be placed upon existing supports. If a sign is placed on an existing support below an existing sign, the sign shall not project more than four inches into the pedestrian facility.
(g) 
Signs shall read: "No Parking Fire Lane" or "No Parking Fire Zone."
(h) 
A single-headed arrow shall point in the direction in which the regulation is in effect if the sign is at the end of a lane or zone. A double-headed arrow pointing in both directions shall be used if the sign is at an intermediate point along a lane or zone.
2. 
Striping.
(a) 
Paint for pavement striping and lettering shall be yellow traffic paint.
(b) 
Fire lanes and zones shall be delineated by painting the curb yellow and by striping the lane or zone a minimum of 12 feet wide or preferably 18 feet wide, if feasible, as designated and approved by the Fire Official.
(c) 
Each yellow diagonal stripe shall be four inches wide and spaced five feet apart throughout the lane or zone. The diagonal stripes should form an angle of approximately 60° with the longitudinal lines or curb that they intersect. The perimeter of the lane or zone shall also be striped with a four-inch yellow stripe.
(d) 
A striped legend of "No Parking Fire Lane" or "No Parking Fire Zone" shall be placed within the fire lane or zone facing away from the curb or wall at a minimum of one-hundred-foot intervals, if so designated by the Fire Official, to further identify the area designated. The lettering of the striped legend shall be 18 inches high and placed within the center of the fire lane or zone.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
At the time of the enactment of this section, any and all properties within the Township that exhibit fire lane or zone delineation other than in the manner specifically noted above, shall be held valid for the purposes of § 14-8.7 if the fire lane or zone is clearly indicated as to its purpose.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
As fire lane or zone signs, striping, and all else necessary for delineation weathers, fades, and otherwise becomes damaged, illegible, or subject to maintenance, alteration, or replacement, it shall be the responsibility of the property owner, at their own expense, to ensure that all fire lanes and zones are brought into compliance with § 14-8.3. The Fire Official may notify the owner of any delineation in need of maintenance, and the owner shall then have 30 days to comply with the maintenance request.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
Immediate access to Fire Department connections, public and private fire hydrants shall be maintained at all times without any obstruction. A working space clearance of not less than 36 inches in width and 36 inches in depth and 78 inches in height shall be provided and maintained in front of and to the sides of all wall-mounted Fire Department connections and around the circumference of freestanding Fire Department connections, public and private fire hydrants.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
It shall be unlawful for any person to park or leave standing any vehicle or place any obstruction on lands, whether publicly or privately owned, after notice has been posted as hereinafter provided prohibiting such parking, standing or obstruction.
[Ord. #2453, 9-29-2020, added]
The Bernards Township Police Department shall have jurisdiction to enforce the provisions of this section by the issuance of a parking summons to vehicles found violating this chapter.