Delaware Administrative Code
Title 1 - Authorities, Boards and Commissions
700 - Delaware State Fire Prevention Commission
705 - General Fire Safety
Chapter 5 - Access for Emergency Personnel and Apparatus
Section 705-5-6.0 - Design of Fire Lanes

Universal Citation: 1 DE Admin Code 705-5-6.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 3, September 1, 2024

6.1 The following criteria shall be utilized to effect a design submittal for review and approval.

Note: Design and location of fire lanes around buildings, structures or properties are dependent on many considerations, such as occupancy, building height, construction, property grades, etc.

6.2 Fire lanes shall be a minimum 24 feet in clear width.

6.3 Fire lanes shall be required to run along the front of the building as determined by the primary entrance(s). In cases where there is more than one primary entrance(s), each shall be served by a fire lane even if this exceeds the percentage as required by Section 4.0, Table 5-2.

6.3.1 Parking shall be prohibited between the building and the fire lane where 4.2.1 applies.

6.3.2 Parking shall be prohibited in front of the primary entrance for a width of not less than 1.5 times the width of the door(s) or for 10 feet, whichever is greater.
6.3.2.1 Parking shall be prohibited in front of any secondary entrance(s) located within the required perimeter and fire lane access, for a width of not less than the width of the entrance door(s).

6.3.2.2 Where multiple primary entrances are provided, 15 foot wide unobstructed emergency services access shall be provided in parking rows at intervals not to exceed 90 feet.

Note: Examples of multiple primary entrances may include strip shopping centers, town centers, and traditional design neighborhoods.

6.3.2.3 Containers placed within parking spaces between the fire lane and the building shall be limited to one container no greater than 12 feet in height.

6.3.3 Where parking is provided between the building and the fire lane, unobstructed emergency services access shall be provided in parking rows at intervals not to exceed 90 feet.

6.3.4 Parking and/or obstructions shall be prohibited in front of fire department connections for a distance measuring from the center line and extending four feet on both sides.

6.3.5 Parking shall be prohibited for 15 feet, in any direction, from an intersection at the corner of a building.

6.3.6 Handicap access shall be permitted to be used as the unobstructed access referred to in 6.3.2.2.

6.4 The closest edge of fire lanes shall not be located closer than ten (10) feet to the exterior wall.

6.4.1 Where parking is located between the building and the fire lane, parking shall not be located closer than 15 feet to the exterior wall.

6.5 The closest edge of fire lanes shall not be located further than 50 feet from the exterior wall if one or two stories in height; 40 feet if three or four stories in height, or 30 feet if over four stories in height.

6.6 Fire lanes shall be constructed to meet the minimum engineering specifications of the Delaware Department of Transportation requirements for paved roadways.

6.7 "Speed Bumps" or any other like device used to reduce vehicle speed shall be limited. They shall be installed pursuant to the State of Delaware Department of Transportation specifications.

Note: Where possible, wheel cutouts should be provided for emergency services apparatus.

6.8 Where overhangs, canopies, balconies, or any other building or site features must project over any fire lane, an unobstructed vertical clearance of not less than 13'-6" above the fire lane shall be provided.

6.8.1 Overhangs, canopies, balconies, or any other building or site features shall not impair access by emergency apparatus.

6.8.2 Overhangs, canopies, balconies, or any other building or site features shall not reduce the width of any fire lane.

6.8.3 Overhangs, canopies, balconies, or any other building or site features shall not interfere with the effective utilization of fire department aerial devices.

6.8.4 The portion of the building perimeter which contains overhangs, canopies, balconies, or any other building features shall not apply towards the fire lane accessibility requirements of Section 4.0, Table 5-1 in this chapter.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Delaware may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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