Parking & Fire Exits

[DancingDoris]

Can anyone tell me whether it is illegal to park infront of a fire exit?

Today, I have had a dispute with a disabled driver and a traffic warden, the place I work has several fire exits leading onto a side street where disabled drivers are able to park, normally I have no problem with this but today I had to turn a delivery away as a driver had parked directly infront of my main fire exit. There are signs on the doors advising this! A traffic warden came along and said the driver could park there aslong as the blue badge was on display, he even confirmed this with his superior. Were they wrong as I always believed blocking any fire escape route inside or out was a very serious offence?????

THanks in advance.

[derekpara]

Fire escape doors normally open outwards by means of push bars. If someone dies beacuse their escape was prevented by a parked car I think the driver's feet wouldn't touch the ground. It must be illegal on Health and Safety grounds alone.

[NORMANTHEDOG]

surely there must be a pavement between the doors and the road,if there is, then the driver is not blocking the exit,and fully entitled to park there

[Ethel]

You don't seem to be concerned that your fire exit was blocked.

Your issue is a legally parked vehicle stopped your delivery.

In all fairness - if a disabled driver should not park there, not should a delivery vehicle.

[mkt]

awkward one this....i always thought it was illegal to block a fire exit but disable drivers can park on yellow lines cant they so maybe they are exempt. although purely for health and safety reasons if its not illegal it absolutely should be

[DancingDoris]

Ethel, of course I am concerned my fire exit was blocked as I have the highest regard for all health and safety issues and the welfare of my staff. The delivery driver was not going to park infront of the fire exit as we do not allow this, any spot check from health and safety officials would have us shut down for that. My main issue was that a person representing our local council gave me information that contravenes any previous health and safety guidlines I have been given. And before I write an official complaint to the council I just wanted to duble check that my knowledge was correct!

Norman, there is no pavement as the road is used for access only, with the exception of disabled parkers (double yellow's down either side).

[markja]

take a run up, kick your fire exit door very hard. if the poor driver who blocks the exit compains he got dented, tell him that there was a fire alarm and if he parks there again there will be another one.

it is illegal to block a fire exit, even if the road markings seem to indicate you can.

take the trafic wardens number and report him to the council, he's not allowed to tell people they can park there.

[jenky]

I'm with markja - fling that door open as hard as you can.

[Murielmci]

Disabled drivers may not park on double yellows - anywhere! Singles yes as long as they are not causing a hazard. You mentioned double yellow lines - was the driver actually on doubles? If so this is an offense in its own right.

[balterzar]

a disabled badge holder can park on any yellow lines (single or double) but only if its not dangerous. they can't park were there is no loading markings. blocking a fire exit would be dangerous