§ 7-171. Establishment, designation and maintenance of fire lanes and fire zones on public and private property.

(a)

Purpose. To ensure that buildings are approachable for the deployment of fire apparatus, all premises not readily accessible from public roads shall provide access for emergency vehicles through the establishment, designation and maintenance of fire lanes and fire zones.

(b)

Establishment and designation of firelanes.

(1)

"Fire lane" shall mean any areas appurtenant to a building that are deemed necessary by the fire administrator to remain free and clear of parking vehicles in order to provide unrestricted ingress and egress to such building in case of fire or other emergency. A designated fire lane may include sidewalks, driveways, portions of parking lots or other areas adjacent to or near building entrances or exits.

(2)

Fire lanes shall be provided and indicated on a site plan for any building that is setback more than one hundred fifty (150) feet from a public road or that is setback more than fifty (50) feet from a public road when the building exceeds thirty (30) feet in height. The exact requirements for a fire lane vary for each building. Appropriate dimensions shall be determined by the fire administrator based upon this fire safety policy and standards set forth in the National Fire Prevention Code.

(3)

Fire lanes shall be marked with city approved fire lane signs. Required signs shall be posted in a conspicuous location, visible to traffic flow, with a distance of no less than seven (7) feet nor more than ten (10) feet from the bottom of the sign to grade level. The required signs must be located at a minimum distance of no greater than one hundred twenty-five (125) feet apart.

(4)

Additional painting or striping may be required to ensure access for fire apparatus on a particular site. The fire administrator shall review this fire safety policy and standards set forth in the National Fire Prevention Code and advise the petitioner as part of the development review process.

(c)

Establishment and designation of fire zones.

(1)

Fire zone shall mean the area immediately surrounding fire appliances such as hydrants, standpipes and other life safety apparatus deemed necessary by the fire administrator to remain free and clear of obstruction in order to provide unrestricted access during a fire or other emergency.

(2)

Fire zones shall be provided and indicated on a site plan whenever there is any fire appliance located on a site.

(3)

Fire zones shall be marked with four-inch wide yellow traffic-type marking paint. Markings are required around the entire perimeter and then diagonally striped at thirty-six (36) inches apart and a forty-five-degree angle from the perimeter markings.

(4)

Additional markings may be required in order to clearly identify the fire apparatus for the fire department or to effectively prohibit vehicle movement in the immediate area. The fire administrator shall review the proposed markings and standards set forth in this policy and the National Fire Prevention Code and advise the petitioner as part of the development review process.

(d)

Duty to maintain. The intent of this section is to establish a duty for property owners in the City of Coral Springs to maintain firelanes and fire zones with appropriate signage and markings.

Property developed as of the effective date of this section shall be brought into compliance, at the expense of the property owners, on the following schedule:

(1)

Areas designated as critical concerns by the fire administrator and police chief, within three (3) months.

(2)

Areas in commercial and industrial districts, within six (6) months.

(3)

All other properties, within two (2) years or upon application for any building permit for any alteration or improvement.

(e)

Enforcement and penalties.

(1)

No certificate of occupancy shall be issued until an inspection reveals appropriate fire lane and fire zone designations and markings.

(2)

Any failure to erect and maintain signs and markings on new construction or on developed property pursuant to the schedule found elsewhere in this section shall be within the enforcement jurisdiction and penalties of the code enforcement board of the City of Coral Springs.

(3)

It shall be unlawful for any person to park in or otherwise obstruct a firelane. This prohibition does not preclude the temporary loading or unloading of attended vehicles. The police department shall issue a municipal citation to any vehicle unlawfully obstructing a fire lane.

(4)

It shall be unlawful for any person to park, stand, stop or otherwise obstruct a fire zone. The police department shall issue a municipal citation to any vehicle unlawfully obstructing a fire zone. It shall be within the discretion of the police officer to cause the vehicle to be towed whenever the location of the vehicle threatens the safety of the community.

(Ord. No. 84-114, § 1, 8-7-84; Ord. No. 85-103, § 1, 3-5-85; Ord. No. 90-139, §§ 4, 5, 7-3-90; Ord. No. 91-182, § 1, 1-21-92)