According to New Jersey law, fire lanes or fire zones are areas that have been designated by the Fire Official to be properly marked to allow for the Department of Public Safety to operate in the event of an emergency.

Fire zones must be properly and carefully marked to ensure that the public maintains those zones free at all times. In the event of an emergency, branches of the Department of Public Safety need quick access to a said emergency. Having an unmarked Fire Zone will cause people to park in a location that should be kept open, creating an even bigger issue if something dire were to happen. 

Fire Zones ensure that medical staff, firefighters, and the police are able to reach an emergency in a swift manner. If help cannot arrive in time due to their vehicle being unable to park, an emergency situation can quickly escalate leading to destruction, or even fatalities.

Emergencies are unpredictable. You can never know when something will happen. A building or vehicle may catch on fire. A pedestrian or client may have a medical emergency. People of ill intent might attempt to harm others in your establishment. It is important that your business is prepared for those scenarios which are out of your control. A Fire Zone is one small part of keeping yourself, your business, your neighbors, and your community safe and ready.

The New Jersey Code of Ordinances specifies that fire lanes must follow very specific rules which include but are not limited to:

1. Signage requirements
2. Striping requirements

Let’s dissect these rules a little further.

Signage requirements

Fire Zone signs must be placed in the designated location. Signs must be twelve inches wide by eighteen inches long, with a minimum of two-inch-high lettering. Additionally, the signs must be made using white reflective materials, this will allow for drivers to clearly see the sign at all times, even if it’s dark outside.

Signage must have red on white lettering, and it must be placed at the beginning and end of the late. Having the sign on both sides of the lane will help ensure that people do not park in the Fire Zone. The signs must state “No Parking Fire Lane/Zone.”

Striping Requirements

The Code of Ordinances specifies that the paint for striping and lettering must be yellow. This is because yellow is a highly reflective color, and it does not get dirty and washed away as easily as white. Additionally, yellow is the universal traffic color for signage and street information. Drivers are taught to pay close attention to any yellow they may see on the road.

Fire lanes must be identified with yellow stripes and the zone must be at the very minimum eighteen feet wide. This space will allow for any and all emergency vehicles to park close to your establishment. 

Did you know that lines have to be four inches wide and 5 feet apart from each other? They have to completely cover the designated Fire Zone. These specifics ensure that all Fire Zones are easily recognizable. Drivers and pedestrians will easily identify a Fire Zone and know to steer clear from those very important areas.

Let Us Help You!

Fire zones have very specific rules, regulations, and details that must be followed for the safety of your clients, your establishment, and the establishments in the vicinity. It is the responsibility of the business owner to make and pay for the creation of the Fire Zone. This has to be completed within thirty days of being notified that a Fire Zone has to be created. 

If your business has received a notification to establish a Fire Zone, V&V Line Striping can help you. We have carefully studied all of the elements required to create a Fire Zone that is up to standard with New Jersey law. 

Our team will ensure the correct execution of your project in compliance with all rules and regulations. Remember, having an established Fire Zone will help keep your establishment safe, protected, and ready in the event of an emergency.

Our clients include the Atlantic Health System, Bristol Myers-Squibb, Jones Lang LaSalle, Hyatt, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Pfizer, and Toys R Us. Call us at 973-586-1111 or e-mail us at estimating@parkinglotservices.net for a consultation.

 If you stay ready, you don’t have to get ready.