Definition of Fire Lane
In an emergency situation such as a fire, it is essential that the fire department and other first responders have access to the land or property on which an incident is occurring. Fire lanes are an important feature of fire codes in virtually every jurisdiction. Fire lanes provide a clear access point for fire departments to reach and combat dangerous fires.
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History
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The standards for fire codes across North America have been developed by the National Fire Protection Association. Legal enforcement of fire codes may differ from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but the same basic standards are in place across the continent. The definition, dimensions and placement of fire lanes are specified within these NFPA codes.
Dimensions
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According to the NFPA, a fire lane is an access road used by fire departments that must have a width of at least 20 ft and a clearance of at least 13.5 ft. Fire lanes are required to provide access to a point at least 50 ft from at least one exterior door of a building, though this distance can be increased in a family home with a sprinkler system. In addition, no part of a building may be further than 150 ft from an access point provided by a fire lane, though again, this distance may be greater in a home with a sprinkler system.
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Considerations
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In situations where a building is close to the street, a specific route onto the property allocated for the fire department may not be necessary. A curbside access point may be sufficient to serve as a fire lane. Local governments mark these access points with brightly colored stenciling and signage specifying such a zone as a fire lane, as directed by the fire department.
Regulations
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Because fire lanes are intended to provide the fire department 24-hour access to a property, their use and condition are strictly controlled. Except when approved by a local fire department, no gate or obstruction of any kind may be placed across a fire lane. No vehicles or property such as dumpsters or garbage cans may be left in a fire lane, and the public is not permitted to drive on a fire access road. One exception to this rule is the ability of police or other first responders to access these spaces when fulfilling their public duties.
Penalties
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Fire lane laws are generally strictly enforced by local governments. Property owners who fail to obey such laws, or vehicle owners who obstruct fire lanes, may be subject to a wide range of civil or criminal penalties. Fines may be as high as several hundred dollars, and in cities such as Louisville, Kentucky, violators may spend up to 60 days in prison.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit fire & rescue image by Jim Parkin from Fotolia.com
