A: The State of Texas requires fire lanes to be installed on properties where any part of the structure is located more than 150 feet away from the center of a Right of Way (street) adjacent to the property. In some instances, fire lanes are required regardless of proximity to the street. It’s always best to check with your local fire marshal who has jurisdiction over your property to determine your specific requirements.
A: Fire lanes should be a minimum of 24 feet wide, but may vary based on local fire marshal requirements. Always check with your local fire marshal to confirm your specific requirements.
A: The wording needs to be 4” high. It can either say “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING” or “NO PARKING – FIRE LANE.”
A: Fire lane stencils range from 25’ to 35’ on center. This is usually spelled out in local fire codes or through the fire marshal’s office for each jurisdiction. Your parking lot striping professional should always check with local codes prior to painting these stencils.
A: Most jurisdictions throughout Texas require both faces to be painted. Some areas in the DFW region only require the front face. Always check with your local fire marshal to confirm your requirements.
A: Most fire marshals perform annual inspections on businesses and will notify you if repainting is needed. However, if your fire lanes are starting to look more “pink” than “red,” it’s a good idea to have them re-painted before your inspection. Make sure your striping contractor uses high-quality paint to maintain compliance longer.
A: Hire a reputable professional who uses quality materials. Not all paints hold up equally under UV exposure. We recommend Aexcel Gorilla Paint — it costs more but resists UV degradation better and gives a nice sheen.
A: While not required, pressure washing is highly recommended for concrete parking lot surfaces. It ensures paint adheres properly by removing dust, sediment, and ground-in dirt. Simply blowing off the lot is not enough. Most contractors will not warranty their work if pressure washing is skipped.
A: A garden hose may remove some surface dirt but won’t eliminate ground-in grime from vehicle traffic. It’s best to use a pressure washer with a minimum of 2,500 psi to properly clean the surface.
A: After concrete is poured, saw joints are cut to prevent cracking, leaving behind dirt and debris that’s hard to remove without pressure washing. Construction vehicles also track dirt into the surface. Cleaning thoroughly ensures proper paint adhesion.
A: While the ADA doesn’t specifically require symbols, states like Illinois and Texas do. In Texas, the Texas Accessibility Standards require a blue box with a white symbol to match the international symbol of accessibility.
A: The minimum size is a 3-foot square with a 24” or 30” stencil, though a 4-foot square is more common. Most contractors use a 39” stencil, which fits nicely into a 4-foot square.
A: This is a preference adopted by some national companies and is not required.
A: Yes. All states require a handicap sign placed within 6 feet of the front of each accessible stall, with the bottom of the sign at least 5 feet above the ground.
A: Each state may have specific design requirements. Always check your local regulations before purchasing signs.
A: Yes. One van sign is required for up to six handicap stalls within a group. For example, if you have five handicap stalls, one must have a van sign. If you have seven stalls, two van signs are required.
A: Yes. Requirements vary by jurisdiction. In Illinois, a violation sign stating “$250 FINE” or “$350 FINE” is required below each handicap sign. In Texas, a “VIOLATORS SUBJECT TO FINE AND TOWING” sign is required. Always check your local regulations.
A: The ADA requires one handicap stall for every 25 regular stalls up to 100. From 100–200 stalls, one for every 50. After 200, one for every 100 regular stalls. Once you reach 500 stalls, 2% of the total must be accessible.
Example:
A: Each stall must be at least 8 feet wide with a 5-foot access aisle beside it. Van-accessible stalls require 16 feet total — either an 8-foot stall with an 8-foot aisle or an 11-foot stall with a 5-foot aisle.
A: Yes. The ADA allows shared aisles if they meet size requirements, except for angled parking stalls.
A: For 90-degree stalls, the aisle can be on either side. For angled stalls, it must be on the right side.