[Adopted 10-15-1990 by Ord. No. 285-90]
The Fire Official, with the approval of the
Chief of Police and the Fire Chief of the Fire District for which
the fire lanes and fire zones are being requested to be established,
may designate fire lanes and fire zones on public and private property
to which the public is invited or which is devoted to public use,
if it is necessary to provide for the safety of the public, to provide
emergency access for Fire Department vehicles in the case of fire
or emergencies and to allow for Fire Department operations during
fires or emergencies.
The location, width and length of such zones shall be determined in accordance with § 123-10 herein. The description of such fire zones shall be based on the size, type and location of structures and areas and all relevant facts that determine fire zone descriptions.
A.
The markings of fire zones and fire lanes shall be
the responsibility of and at the expense of the private property owner
and shall be accomplished 60 calendar days after proper notification
thereof. Notification shall be to the owner of the property in writing
by registered or certified mail or by hand delivering such notice
specifically describing the areas so designated and the reason for
making the designation.
B.
Traffic signs shall be installed within the established
limits of the fire zones in accordance with the following:
(1)
All signs shall be rectangular in shape with lettering
to be red in color, with a white background; dimensions shall be a
minimum of 12 inches horizontal and 18 inches vertical. All signs
shall be of metal construction or durable material, but not of wood
construction.
(2)
Lettering on all signs shall read "No Parking Fire
Zone."
(3)
The signs shall be of a reflective state or illuminated
properly to be visible during hours of darkness.
(4)
The sign shall be placed so as to face all directions
of traffic flow within the fire zones. The distances will be 100 feet
between each sign facing the flow of traffic, with the signs starting
at the beginning of the fire zone with a direction arrow; signs will
further be needed at each ninety-degree turn and traffic flow; signs
will be mounted at right angles to the flow of traffic and will be
a minimum of 60 inches above the roadway and 84 inches above any area
surrounded by pedestrian traffic.
(5)
All signs shall be kept in good condition and clearly
legible at all times and replaced when warranted upon order of the
Fire Official directed to the Readington Township Police and/or Engineer's
Department.
C.
Markings of the curb and pavement within the established
fire zones shall be painted yellow to delineate the borders of the
fire zones. In addition, the pavement within the boundaries of the
fire zone shall be painted with the diagonal yellow lines and the
words "No Parking Fire Zone" printed in the areas between the signs
that designate the fire zone. In the alternative, a single longitudinal
yellow line four inches wide running parallel with the curb marking
three feet from the curb and curbline may also delineate borders of
fire zones.
D.
Diagonal yellow lines shall be four inches wide and
spaced not more than 10 feet between lines along the entire area of
the designated fire zone.
E.
The words NO PARKING FIRE ZONE shall be placed on
the pavement in the area between the signs that say "No Parking Fire
Zone."
F.
The words shall be painted in a yellow block letters
no less than 18 inches high with four-inch-wide strokes. These markings
shall be repainted as designated by the Fire Official.
All existing designated fire zones within the
Township of Readington shall comply with the provisions of this article.
It shall be a violation of the Uniform Fire
Code for any person to park a motor vehicle in or otherwise obstruct
a fire lane or fire zone.
It shall be unlawful to park any type of motor
vehicle in or to obstruct in any manner fire zones as herein so defined
or to obstruct with any motor vehicle any public or private fire hydrant
or building Fire Department sprinkler or standpipe connection.
The Fire Department, Fire Official and Fire
Inspectors of the Fire Prevention Bureau, the Fire Chiefs of the Township
and the Police Department shall have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce
the provisions of this article by the issuance of summons of the Readington
Township Municipal Court.
Any vehicle parked in any fire zone in violation
of this article and deemed a hazard to the general public may be towed
and impounded by the Readington Township Police Department.
[Amended 10-4-1999 by Ord. No. 20-99]
Each violation of this article shall be punishable
by a fine not exceeding $1,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding
90 days and/or a period of community service not exceeding 90 days.
