Performance with Fire Requirements

Reference(s): 2014 Oregon Fire Code, Section 308 NFPA 160 – Flame Effects Before an Audience-2011 Edition

PURPOSE: To provide guidelines to advise “Fire Performance Artists” and “Fire Flame Effects” of safety considerations and practices consistent with fire and life safety codes and public assembly safety concerns through a “no cost permit” process.

SCOPE: These requirements apply to all acts of Fire Performance Art or Fire Flame Effects occurring within all areas in which Bend Fire & Rescue has fire prevention authority. Included are performances or demonstrations of fire breathing, fire juggling, flame effects, etc. Not included: special effect pyrotechnics (these are addressed under separate permit through the State Fire Marshal’s Office).

BACKGROUND: Due to a lack of existing regulations, these requirements were developed to address general fire safety for the use of Fire Performance Art or Fire Flame Effects.

DEFINITION: Fire Performance Art or Fire Flame Effects will be defined as any act (fire juggling, fire eating, flame effect, etc.), in an outdoor public or private place, that the public is invited to attend, which utilizes fire for entertainment purposes, outside of a protective housing or in ways in which it travels though the air (by one person or between multiple persons). These acts do not include pyrotechnics otherwise regulated under separate permit.

PROCEDURES: The following information is provided for use by Fire Performance Art or Fire Flame Effects. Failure to follow these procedures may endanger the public and/or the artist.

1. Plan: A plan for the use of fire performances or flame effects shall be approved prior to performance, and be readily available at the site for inspection. The plan shall include the following: a. The name of person responsible for production b. Dates, times and location of production c. Design Plan based on weather, intrusion (security), egress, clearance to combustibles and fire protection d. A Site Plan showing the following: (a) A narrative description of the flame effect (b) Location of flame effect device(s) (c) Area affected by flame effect device (d) Location of audience (e) Fuel used and their estimated consumption (f) Storage and holding areas and their capacities (g) Emergency response procedures (h) Means of egress e. Current material safety data sheet (MSDS) for fuels consumed in the flame effect

Revised Jan 2016 f. Documentation that combustible materials used for construction of flame effect have been rendered flame retardant, if applicable

2. Location: Fire Performance Art or Fire Flame Effects shall be only conducted outside buildings and structures, in a pre-approved location as determined by the Fire Marshal’s Office. a. Space Considerations: A 10 foot distance shall be maintained between the fire- involved item and any member of the audience, any building, structure, any combustible decoration, and any combustible item within the immediate performance area. Overhead height shall be clear of any combustibles, unless otherwise authorized.

3. Extinguishing Agents: a. At least one 2A-10BC minimum classification fire extinguisher will be required for each performance to combat any flammable or combustible liquid fires. The Fire Marshal may require additional extinguishers, dependent upon the circumstances of the performance and occupancy. b. For fire performances, at least one wet towel for each active fire performer should be provided to extinguish the fire implement. The towel should be white in color to differentiate its use from other colors that might be used to mop up flammable or combustible liquid spills. Towels for mopping up flammable or combustible liquids should be stored in a metal container with a tight fitting lid.

4. Personal Safety: a. One 5-gallon open-topped bucket of water will be provided for each fire performance area. The intent is for use to cool burns to performers or audience members. The Fire Marshal may require additional water buckets, dependent upon the circumstances of the performance and occupancy. b. One trained spotter should be provided for each performance. The spotter shall be positioned between the active performer and the audience. Spotters should be aware of first aid measures for burns and be knowledgeable in the use of, and have ready access to, fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents. The spotter may be a fellow performer who is not currently performing. Additional spotters may be required by the Fire Marshal for larger performances.

5. Fuels: a. Common fuels for fire performances include: Denatured Alcohol, Stove Fuel, Lamp Oil (smokeless/odorless), ”Shell Sol TK” brand fuel, “Fire Water” brand fuel, “AllumeFeu” brand gel fuel or Kerosene b. Gasoline is prohibited under any circumstance. Stove Fuel may be allowed in either the original container, maximum one (1) gallon on site, or in a UL Listed self-closing Flammable Liquid storage container, maximum one (1) gallon on site. c. Unused fuels and dip buckets shall be kept in their original container with the cap in place. The container cap shall be secured on the container opening when the container is not in use. Fuel amounts on-site shall be limited to amounts allowed as per the 2007 Oregon Fire Code section 3404.3.4.2.

Revised Jan 2016 d. Wicks: It is recommended that wick material consist of cotton wrapped in Kevlar (to prevent breakdown of the cotton as it burns). Synthetic materials should be avoided. e. Propane and Natural Gas – can be sued for flame effects as long as they follow these requirements: (a) Tanks are kept at least 25 feet from the affect (b) All plumbing is approved by a certified LPG/NG pipe fitter

6. Propane or Natural Gas flame effect devices – flame affects that are either stagnate or shoot flame. a. All gas lines, fittings and values shall be installed and listed per national standards b. All fittings and values shall be approved by a certified pipe fitter and documentation of that shall be provided prior to use c. Any effect that shoots fire may need to be demonstrated prior to use d. All fuel lines shall be protected from impact damage e. Effect controls shall comply with NFPA 160. May need to use a thermocouple to prevent gas leaks in the event of flame or pilot loss f. Setbacks for the audience is 10 feet from the furthest point of the flame, not just the base of the device g. Shall be secure and stable h. Shall not be movable during its use. If mounted to a vehicle, the vehicle is required to be disabled during the event by: battery disconnect, chocked wheels, and the fuel fill caps will be secured i. Operation – all operations of any valves during the event shall be done by qualified personnel only, not the public j. Emergency shut off valves – the fuel supply lines shall have at least one emergency shut off at the fuel supply, more as necessary. That emergency shut off valve shall be staffed whenever the effect is in use

7. Clothing: The clothing of performers should be of fire resistant materials such as natural fiber, Nomex, and/or PBI.

8. Operator: All flame effect operators shall be at least 21 years of age. Operator shall understand and be familiar with operating instructions and shall demonstrate competency by experience and training. No person shall use or handle flame effects under the influence of intoxicating beverages, narcotics or controlled substances, prescription or nonprescription drugs that can impair judgment.

9. Audience: Audience shall be restricted within a minimum of 10 feet of the fuel station and the fire-involved item by a physical barrier. It should be recognized that audiences, especially youthful ones, may not fully understand the dangers associated with fire performance art. Every effort should be made to emphasize the safety precautions and dangers of such activity.

10. Smoking: Smoking shall be prohibited within 25 feet of the performance area and in the area of fuel storage.

11. Permit: Fire Performance Artists shall secure a permit through the Fire Marshal’s Office prior to performance. A separate permit may be required by the City of Bend or

Revised Jan 2016 Deschutes County. This permit shall include a copy of these requirements. These requirements, all required permits and Flame Effects Plan should be available on site at all performances and shall be presented upon request. Failure to comply with these requirements shall be cause for revocation of the permit.

12. Inspection: A site inspection is required by the Fire Marshal’s office to verify permit compliance. Owners or their representatives are responsible to conduct a self- inspection of the facility, equipment, and layout as outlined in items A through M above and maintain compliance with the requirements during the practice and performance. If there is evidence a site or self-inspection was not performed and compliance was not maintained, it may prohibit similar performances in the future. a. Demonstration: When required, a walkthrough and a representative demonstration of the fire performances or flame effects shall be provided before a flame effect is approved.

Revised Jan 2016