Fire Lane Pothole

PHOTO SHOWS → DANGEROUS FIRE LANE → Deep pothole + nearly invisible markings → Fire truck damage or delay = life-safety catastrophe

What You Are Looking At

• Designated fire department access lane (yellow curb and/or pavement markings) in front of retail/commercial building
• Must remain smooth, fully marked, and 100 % clear at all times for fire apparatus

Why This Is a Serious Concern

• Potholes can break axles, flatten tires, or force trucks to slow to a crawl → minutes lost in emergencies
• Faded markings invite unauthorized parking → complete blockage when needed most
• Most jurisdictions impose $500–$5,000 daily fines; many carriers surcharge or deny claims when access is impaired

Good Condition (Acceptable)

• Pavement smooth with no depressions, holes, or cracks >1 inch deep
• Bright traffic-yellow curbs and crisp “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING” stencils every 50–75 ft
• “NO PARKING FIRE LANE” signs posted every 50 ft, reflective, and legible
• Lane completely clear of vehicles, carts, bicycles, dumpsters, or merchandise

Fix Needed – HIGH PRIORITY (Emergency Access Impairment)

• Potholes, broken pavement, or uneven surface in fire lane (as shown)
• Faded, worn, or missing fire lane markings
• Shopping carts, bicycles, or displays encroaching on lane
• Missing, damaged, or illegible fire lane signs

Corrective Actions & Proper Recommendation

1. Immediate – Place orange cones or barricades around the pothole and notify store management/fire marshal.
2. Within 48 hours – Repair pothole with hot-mix asphalt (preferred) or durable cold-patch to restore smooth surface.
3. Within 7 days – Repaint all curbs and pavement markings in traffic yellow; re-stencil “FIRE LANE – NO PARKING”; install/replace signs every 50 ft.
4. Ongoing – Add daily fire-lane walk-through to opening/closing checklist; enforce immediate removal of any blockage.

Report Wording Suggestions

“Good” – “Fire lane pavement smooth, markings bright yellow and clearly visible, no obstructions present.” 

“Fix Needed – HIGH RISK” – “Large pothole in designated fire lane with almost invisible markings and nearby shopping carts. Critical emergency access impairment. Recommend barricading today, permanent asphalt repair within 48 hours, full repainting and signage replacement within 7 days per local fire code and NFPA 1 §18.2.”

LCA Certified Inspector Motto

“Fill it. Paint it. Clear it. Rec it.”

Disclosure: 

Fire lane violations are strictly enforced by the local AHJ and can void property insurance coverage. Always verify municipal fire code and NFPA 1 (2024 ed.), Section 18.2.

© 2025 SpotRisk, Inc.