The International Fire Code, 2012 edition, as published by the International Code Council, a copy of which is on file in the office of the city secretary, being marked and designated as the International Fire Code, is hereby adopted as the fire code of the city, for regulating and governing the safeguarding of life and property from fire and explosive hazards arising from the storage, handling and use of hazardous substances, materials and devices, and from conditions hazardous to life or property in the occupancy of buildings and premises in the city, and for providing for the issuance of permits for hazardous uses and operations, and each and all of the regulations, provisions, conditions and terms of such International Fire Code, 2012 edition, published by the International Code Council, as on file in the office of the city secretary, are hereby referred to, adopted and made a part hereof as if fully set out in this section.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
(a) 
Section 101.1 of the International Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
101.1. Title. These regulations shall be known as the Fire Code of the City of Lamesa, Texas, hereby referred to as "this Code."
(b) 
Section 109.4 of the International Fire Code is amended to read as follows:
109.4. Violation penalty. Persons who shall violate a provision of this Code or shall fail to comply with any of the requirements hereof or who shall erect, install, alter, repair or do work in violation of the approved construction documents or directive of the Code Official or the permit or certificate issued under provisions of this Code, shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500.00. Each day a violation continues after due notice has been served shall be deemed a separate offense.
(c) 
Section 111.4 of the International Fire Code is hereby amended to read as follows:
111.4. Failure to comply. Any person who shall continue any work after having been served with a stop work order or citation, except such work as that person is directed to perform to remove a violation or unsafe condition, shall be subject to a fine of not more than $500.00. Each event constitutes a separate offense.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)
(a) 
Specifications for marking.
All required fire lanes shall be provided and maintained with fire lane striping which consists of a six inch (6") wide red background stripe with four inch (4") high white letters stating "no parking fire lane" or "fire lane no parking" to be painted upon the red stripe no less than every ten feet (10') and no greater than every twenty-five feet (25') along the entire length of the fire lane, showing the exact boundary of the fire lane. Fire lane markings shall be upon the vertical surface of the curb unless otherwise approved by the building official, fire chief or fire marshal or authorized representative.
(b) 
Turning radius.
All fire lanes shall have at least a thirty foot (30') inside turning radius and at least a fifty-four foot (54') outside turning radius.
(c) 
Surface.
Fire lanes shall be provided with a concrete or asphalt surface to provide all-weather driving capabilities and shall be constructed to support the imposed weight of a sixty-thousand-pound (60,000 lb.) vehicle.
(d) 
Dimensions.
The minimum unobstructed width of a fire lane shall be not less than twenty-four feet (24') and an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than fourteen feet (14') unless otherwise approved by the building official, fire chief or fire marshal.
(e) 
Maintenance. All designated fire lanes shall be maintained and kept in a state of good repair at all times by the owner or person in control of the premises.
(f) 
Speed bumps.
Speed bumps or other similar obstacles which have the effect of slowing or impeding the response of fire apparatus through properly marked fire lanes shall not be installed unless approved by the building official, fire chief or fire marshal.
(g) 
Additional signs.
If the fire marshal or authorized representative determines that other means of notice are ineffective to designate a fire lane, signs may be required by written notice to the property owner. These signs shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Texas Manual of Uniform Traffic-Control Devices. When required, these signs shall be erected and maintained bearing a red legend stating "no parking fire lane" with letters of at least two inches (2") in height on a white reflectorized background at least twelve inches (12") wide by eighteen inches (18") tall. Signs shall be permanently affixed to a stationary post and the bottom of the sign shall be six feet, six inches (6' 6") above finished grade. Signs shall be spaced not more than fifty feet (50') apart. Signs may be installed on permanent buildings or walls as approved by the fire marshal or authorized representative. Additional signs may also be required by written notice form the building official, fire chief or fire marshal or authorized representative.
(h) 
Alternate markings.
When, due to a buildings' particular use, the fire marshal or authorized representative determines that fire lane markings are impractical the words "no parking loading zone" or "loading zone no parking," painted black, may be substituted for the words "no parking fire lane" or "fire lane no parking" and the six inch (6") red stripe may be painted as a six inch (6") yellow stripe, but all other provisions of this chapter shall apply. A loading zone may be utilized for loading and unloading of product only and may, at no time, be utilized for the display of goods or product nor may it be utilized for parking, sitting or standing or for any other purpose of permanent or temporary display of any kind unless authorized by the building official, fire chief or fire marshal.
(i) 
Enforcement.
The fire marshal or the police chief, or their authorized representatives, are hereby authorized to monitor fire lanes to detect obstructions and may issue citations, remove or impound any vehicle obstructing said fire lanes or both. Additionally, any duly authorized city inspector or code enforcement officer whose duty it is to enforce the provisions of the code of the city may issue citations for such violations.
(Ordinance O-4-23 adopted 4/18/2023)