[HISTORY: Adopted City of Norwalk Common Council 3-11-1976. Amendments
noted where applicable.]
As used in this ordinance, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A designated unobstructed passageway sufficient in size to
permit free passage of fire and other emergency equipment from a public
highway to all necessary areas or portions of any private or public
property as hereinafter set forth.
Any such fire lane shall be from 12 feet to 24 feet in width,
consisting of either asphalt, gravel or other suitable hard surface
extending from a public street or highway to all premises open to
the public, and shall provide access to such premises for fire equipment
and vehicles.
A.
Whenever the Fire Marshal shall determine that the reasonable safety
of persons occupying or using any premises, public or private, requires
the establishment of a fire lane for orderly access of fire and other
emergency equipment, he shall establish such fire lane by written
order and cause to be made a public announcement of such fire lane
establishment. He shall cause a copy of such order to be delivered
to the owner or owners, or agents thereof, of any private land on
which such fire lane is established.
B.
In establishing any fire lane the Fire Marshal shall take into consideration
the size, type of construction and nature of use or occupancy of any
buildings or facilities to be served, the placement and availability
of fire hydrants and the type of fire equipment, its turning radius
and the length of hoses available to the Norwalk Fire Department.
Whenever the Fire Marshal establishes a fire lane, he shall
file a copy of his order with the City Clerk, the Police Department,
the Planning and Zoning Commission and with the Traffic Engineering
Department of the City of Norwalk.
Upon establishment of a fire lane, the Fire Marshal shall cause to be erected or installed adequate signs, markings and other devices to delineate said fire lane in accordance with the regulations hereinafter set forth in § 42-10. When such signs, markings and other devices are to be erected or installed on privately owned premises, the installation shall be made by the owner at his cost and expense and shall be done in accordance with the standards hereinafter set forth.
[Amended 7-24-1984]
No person shall park, or permit to stand, a motor vehicle in
a fire lane which has been established in accordance with this ordinance
nor within 10 feet of any fire hydrant, except when actually picking
up or discharging passengers. Any person violating this section shall
be fined not more than $100. The registered owner of a motor vehicle
shall be presumed to be the operator of such vehicle.
Whenever a vehicle is found standing in violation of § 42-6 a police officer shall serve, upon the owner or operator of such vehicle, or place upon such vehicle, a notice directing the owner or operator thereof to appear at the Police Department prior to a time specified in said notice. If any person receiving said notice shall appear as directed and shall pay an amount, as specified in said notice, not exceeding $5, such payment shall bar a prosecution for violation of § 42-6.
Whenever the Fire Marshal establishes a fire lane on privately
owned premises, it shall thereafter be the responsibility of the owner
to properly maintain the area so designated and to keep and maintain
it free of ice and snow and of any other materials which would obstruct
the use of said fire lane.
A.
Signs.
(1)
Signs shall be subject to Traffic Engineering Department specifications
and drawings for fire lanes.
(2)
Signs shall be mounted on steel posts, or as approved by the Fire
Marshal or Deputy Fire Marshal and the Traffic Engineer.
(3)
Signs shall be installed at a height of seven feet from the surface
of the pavement to the base of the signs in parking lots and in streets
and highways where there are sidewalks or footpaths. Signs shall be
installed at a minimum height of five feet from the surface of the
pavement to the base of the signs on streets and highways where there
is vehicular traffic only.
[Amended 10-9-1979]
(4)
Signs shall be posted facing both directions of travel (mounted back
to back) in parking lots. On private or public streets and highways,
signs shall be posted facing the direction of travel only.
[Amended 10-9-1979]
(5)
The distance between signs shall be a maximum of 50 feet in parking
lots. The distance between signs on private or public streets and
highways shall be a minimum of 50 feet to a maximum of 150 feet.
[Amended 10-9-1979]
B.
Lettering in parking lots.
[Amended 10-9-1979]
(1)
Lettering in the travel lane shall read: "FIRE LANE — NO PARKING
— TOW-AWAY ZONE."
(2)
Lettering shall be done in both directions.
(3)
A minimum five-inch line shall be painted to designate the width
of the fire lane.
(4)
All markings and lettering shall be painted traffic yellow in color.
(5)
A plan shall be submitted to the Fire Marshal and Traffic Engineer
for approval.
(6)
On-site inspection shall be made with all parties involved prior
to installation.