Knob Noster F.D. Asks: How Easy Is It To See Your Address?

The Knob Noster Fire Department recently observed that addresses on many homes and businesses are missing, hidden, or too small to be read from the road. And that's a problem.

The fire department was recently engaged in some new driver training when they observed the issue. And the problem with missing, hidden, or small numbers that are hard to see from the street is it can make it harder for first responders to find where you are when you need them.

Knob Noster's Fire Department says residents should make sure their house marker sign is posted, and that it's clearly visible from both sides of the road. The sign should be reflexive. And all trees and grass around the sign should be trimmed regularly to not impede seeing the address.

According to the 2016 International Fire Code, which has been adopted by the City of Knob Noster:

Address Identification. New and existing buildings shall have approved address numbers, building numbers or approved building identification placed in a position that is plainly legible and visible from the street or road fronting the property. Address numbers and building identification shall contrast with their background. Address numbers and building identification shall be Arabic numerals or alphabet letters. New residential buildings that contain not more than two dwelling units shall have minimum 4 inch (102 mm) high numbers, with a minimum stroke width of ½ inch (13 mm).

The City of Warrensburg and the City of Sedalia have adopted other years of the International Fire Code. Warrensburg the 2012 code, and Sedalia the 2015 code. Both of these codes contain similar information regarding the posting of address identification.

The bottom line, there are ordinances on the books dealing with how easy your address should be to read. But the reality is homes and businesses should have address signage that makes it easy for the fire department, paramedic services, and police officers to find where you are. Your life could depend on it.