HomeMy WebLinkAbout403.005 - Fire Lane Marking Requirements on Private PropertyEffective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 11/04/2024 Section 403.005
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/04/2027 Page 1 of 3
Fresno City Fire Department
400 Prevention Manual
SECTION 403.005 FIRE LANE MARKING REQUIREMENTS ON PRIVATE
PROPERTY
PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to clarify the Fresno Fire Department’s (FFD or
Department) requirements related to the approved marking of fire lanes on private
property. These requirements help to ensure that approved emergency access is
provided and maintained as required in the California Fire Code (CFC) and California
Vehicle Code (CVC).
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all sites, locations, buildings and facilities where required fire
lanes are installed on private property within the Department’s service area, including
contract service areas.
OPERATIONAL POLICY
Based upon the need for uniformity in application across the Department’s diverse
service delivery area, and after careful deliberation, the Department has determined
the following:
Fire Lane Marking
Required fire lanes shall be designated by painting the curb (top and side) red and
stenciling the words “Fire Lane No Parking” in 3-inch white letters on the most vertical
curb, with intervals of less than every 50 feet.
If no curb is present, a minimum 6-inch-wide red stripe shall be painted along the edge
of the roadway with the words “Fire Lane No Parking” in 3-inch white letters on the red
stripe with intervals of less than every 50 feet but shall include lettering at the
beginning and end of the fire lane.
Signs may be used in conjunction with, or in lieu of, curb painting. The curbside signs
shall be at a minimum designed as follows:
1. The sign shall be a minimum of 12” x 18” sign, constructed of at least .080"
thick aluminum.
Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 11/04/2024 Section 403.005
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/04/2027 Page 2 of 3
2. Background and lettering shall be Type IV - High Intensity Prismatic (HIP)
sheeting which meets the requirements of ASTM D4956-09 Type IV, and shall
include a minimum, one (1) millimeter thick protective overlay film which also
meets ASTM D4956 requirements.
3. The sign background shall be white with red letters that reads “FIRE LANE NO
PARKING” in minimum 3-inch red letters.
4. Signs shall be placed at the beginning and end of the designated fire lane and
be at maximum intervals of 50’ between signs. Directional arrows must be
placed on the signs to indicate the extent and direction of the fire lane (←, ↔,
→).
5. Signs must be set at least 18 inches, but not more than 24 inches, away from
the curb and must have a finished height of 7 feet to the bottom of the sign.
6. Signs must not be obstructed by landscaping, street fixtures, etc. and must be
readily visible from a vehicle.
Entrance Signs
In order to comply with CVC requirements allowing towing from private property, signs
shall be installed at all public entrance driveways.
Emergency Access Only Gate Signs
Emergency access gates across entrances that have been designed only for use by
emergency services personnel must be designated on the property’s site plan prior to
construction.
Gates installed across emergency access entrances without a permit, may result in
the property owner being subject to enforcement action, including citation.
It is the obligation of the property owner to obtain a permit for the installation of a gate
across an emergency access entrance prior to commencing work.
The sign below is required on both sides of each emergency access gate:
“FIRE LANE” (in 6-inch-high letters)
“VEHICLES REMOVED AT OWNER’S EXPENSE” (in 2-inch letters)
“FRESNO POLICE DEPARTMENT @ (559) 621-7000” (in 1-inch letters)
The sign shall be constructed of at least .080" thick aluminum and include HIP
sheeting which meets the requirements of ASTM D4956-09 Type IV and include a
Effective Date: June 2008 Justin H. Beal, Fire Prevention Engineer
Current Revision Date: 11/04/2024 Section 403.005
Next Revision (1) Date: 11/04/2027 Page 3 of 3
minimum one (1) millimeter thick protective overlay film which also meets ASTM
D4956 requirements.
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE
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PROCESS
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INFORMATION
Fire lane designations and entrance signage requirements allow property owners to
have a vehicle towed from a fire apparatus access lane without first having a citation
issued to the vehicle owner by the City of Fresno Police Department (COFPD). It is
the obligation of the property owner to notify a towing company to have a vehicle
removed subject to the provisions of the CVC.
It is the obligation of the property owner to comply with all CVC requirements and to
notify the COFPD prior to having a vehicle towed from a fire apparatus access lane.
DEFINITIONS
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CROSS-REFERENCES
California Fire Code, currently adopted edition
California Vehicle Code, currently adopted edition