How to Keep Your Parking Lot ADA Compliant With Fire Lane Striping
Most people who are responsible for a parking lot worry about its aesthetics, the health of the pavement, and the cleanliness of the lot. They want their lots to provide a good first impression of their business, they call an asphalt paving company promptly for repairs to prolong the life of the pavement, and they often have an employee or a professional service remove trash and sweep the lot on a regular basis. They may even have a few signs scattered throughout the parking lot to help maintain an orderly flow of traffic. However, a surprising number of people overlook the importance of ensuring that their parking lots are ADA compliant with fire lane codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
How to Keep Your Parking Lot ADA Compliant With Fire Lane Striping
Why Are Fire Lanes Required in a Parking Lot?
Parking lot fire lane striping is an essential part of any parking lot. Fire lanes help ensure the safety of visitors by providing a designated area for fire trucks, police cars, and ambulances to use when responding to an emergency. The goal is to give first responders easy access to the building, but fire lanes can also provide a space for occupants exiting the building in an emergency. They are also required to comply with city codes. The fire marshal is typically responsible for inspecting properties to verify that they comply with the local fire codes. Depending on the city and the severity of the infraction, a failure to comply could result in a fine, a court appearance, or a warning.
What Are the Requirements for Fire Lanes in a Parking Lot?
Although the requirements can vary slightly from one city to the next, there are some commonalities. First of all, you must have a designated fire lane in which no vehicles are allowed to park. Most jurisdictions require that the fire lane be at least 20 feet wide and 150 feet long. The curbs bordering the fire lane should be painted and feature block letters that identify the area as a fire lane and no-parking zone. The National Fire Protection Association recommends yellow paint with black letters, but some cities recommend red paint with white letters. If diagonal stripes are painted on the pavement, they should be no less than four inches wide. Diagonal stripes should also be used to identify areas that could be mistaken for legal parking spaces. For example, an empty space in front of a fire hydrant should be identified as a no-parking area that is part of the fire lane. You are permitted to use either painted or thermoplastic markings in a fire lane. Fire lanes must also be identified by the proper signage.
What Are the Requirements to Make a Parking Lot ADA Compliant?
The first issue you should discuss with your contractor is the location and number of ADA parking spaces required for your operation. The total number of parked vehicles that your lot can accommodate is the primary factor in determining the number of spaces needed to make your lot ADA compliant. For most businesses, one out of every 25 spaces must be designated as accessible spaces, but some health care providers must reserve up to 20% of their spaces for patients with mobility issues. Furthermore, a certain number of the spaces for ADA parking must be of sufficient size to accommodate vans. If your parking lot accommodates fewer than 25 vehicles, you must have at least one handicapped parking space, and that space must be able to accommodate both cars and vans.
What Else Do I Need to Make My Parking Lot Comply With the ADA?
The ADA includes numerous details that pertain to parking lots. For example, you will need several types of parking lot signage, your parking spaces must include access aisles, and the route between your entrance and your accessible spaces cannot contain any obstructions. Due to the complexity of the ADA, your best solution is to ask a reputable asphalt paving company with extensive experience to evaluate your parking lot.
At Asphalt Care Services, we fully understand the requirements for fire lane and ADA compliance. We are a well-respected company with an impeccable reputation. In addition to parking lot striping and marking, we offer asphalt sealcoating, thermoplastic markings, parking lot signage, asphalt repairs, bumper blocks, bollards, asphalt paving, and speed bumps. We are known for providing exceptional customer service and superior results at reasonable prices. To request a free quote, you can complete the online form, call 772-888-2840, or email [email protected].
