Fire lanes are meant to provide firefighters and other emergency responders with fast access to facilities to help protect people in Austin, TX communities. While there’s no doubt that fire lanes are important, many property owners are unaware of the laws and regulations that guide how contractors plan for red line striping. Marking fire lanes is a requirement for Austin businesses with facilities that are in close proximity to parking lots and roads, and knowing what you’re responsible for planning for on your lot helps you stay in compliance.
When Is Red Line Striping Required for Austin Parking Lots?
Fire lanes are required in Austin parking lots whenever the building is more than 150 feet away from a public street. When you purchase an existing property, you may be fortunate enough to see that designated fire lanes are already established in the parking lot. However, you’ll still want to make sure that the current locations and red line markings are in compliance with the laws and regulations.
If you are building a new property or purchase one that doesn’t have existing fire lanes, then a red line striping company can help you get it into compliance. Keep in mind that new fire lanes in the Austin area typically must receive approval from the local authorities following the parking lot striping service to ensure that it meets all of the state and local requirements.
What Are the Requirements for Red Line Striping in Texas?
In Texas, fire lanes and access roads must be striped using reflective red paint in lines that are at least four to six inches high. If a curb is present, then the preference is to have the lines striped vertically for better visibility.
On the red line striping in Austin, white paint is then used to create four-inch white lettering that states, “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE” or “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING.” The lettering should occur at 25 foot intervals throughout the entire fire lane. Fire lane signs may also be placed in the area to further highlight the no-parking zone for general civilian vehicles.
How Often Do You Need to Re-Stripe Fire Lanes?
One of the most important regulations that a line striping contractor must follow is to ensure that the fire lane markings are visible and free from cracking, flaking and blurring. When you reach out to an Austin red line striping company, you’ll want to make sure that they use high-quality paint along with equipment to create clear, crisp lines that stand out from the rest of the pavement.
While using the proper techniques and materials helps the red line striping to last for many months, it will eventually fade or develop other wear and tear from exposure to elements in the environment. Most property owners will want to evaluate the red line striping in Austin every one to two years, and you’ll need to arrange for re-striping services if you notice obvious fading or damage between the annual inspections.
Work With an Austin-Based Company That Knows Local Parking Lot Regulations
JSC Asphalt Care, LLC has years of experience working in the Austin, TX area and its surrounding cities. Our parking lot striping services include using the appropriate red line markings along with parking lot signs to emphasize accessible zones for emergency vehicles. We can perform this service following asphalt paving and repair work or sealcoating services. Our team also routinely refreshes red line striping during parking lot re-striping services, and we can even help you with power washing services to improve the visibility of the fire lanes.
Although speed bump installation isn’t recommended in fire lanes, we can provide you with this service in the other areas of your parking lot to create an all-around safer place for everyone. To work with an Austin red line striping company that you can trust, give us a call today at 512-355-0810 or fill out our online form, and we’ll help you get a free quote.