Fire Marshal Standards

Orange County Fire Rescue Department Office of the Fire Marshal Conventions, Trade Shows and Exhibits Standard #6005 11/2006 1 Table of Contents Section 1 – Scope and Introduction 3 Section 2 – Plans and Permits 4 Section 3 – Exhibits 6 Section 4 – Flame Resistance 9 Section 5 – Open Flame, Pyrotechnics and Special Effects 9 Section 6 – Pressurized Cylinders, Liquefied Petroleum Gas and Natural Gas 11 Section 7 – Cooking and Food Warming 12 Section 8 – Firewatch 13 Section 9 – Seating 15 Section 10 – Arrangement of Means of Egress 15 Section 11 – Tents 15 Section 12 – Smoking 16 Section 13 – Fire Lanes and Fire Protection Features 17 Section 14 – Fire extinguishers 17 Section 15 – Storage and Use of Combustible Material 17 Section 16 – Code References 18 2 SECTION 1 – SCOPE AND INTRODUCTION 1.1 Authority 1.1.1 The Fire Marshal is authorized by Florida Statutes and the Florida Fire Prevention Code to ensure fire and life safety for the public. 1.1.2 Conventions, Trade Shows and Exhibits are reviewed for compliance with the requirements of NFPA 101 Life Safety Code as adopted by Florida Administrative Law, State Fire Marshal’s Rules and Regulations and the Florida Fire Prevention Code. Additional technical codes and standards may apply to a specific event. 1.1.3 It is not the intent of this Standard to contradict or set aside any provision of another law or code. If any such conflict is discovered, the higher law or code shall prevail. 1.1.4 Compliance with this Standard does not demonstrate compliance with any other law or code pertaining to other topics. 1.2 Administration and Scope 1.2.1 Orange County Standard #6005 will apply to all Special Events, Conventions, Trade Shows and Exhibits. Every attempt will be made to apply the provisions of this Standard in a reasonable and prudent manner. 1.2.2 The minimum fire safety requirements contained within this document apply to all events. These requirements will apply whether the event is open or closed to the public. Any event or activity not specifically covered within this standard will be evaluated on an individual basis for compliance with the intent of applicable codes. 1.3 Appeal and Adjustments 1.3.1 If a concerned party is not satisfied with a decision of the Fire Marshal, or their designee, an appeal may be made to the Orange County Fire and Life Safety Board of Appeals. 1.4 Responsibility 1.4.1 The permit applicant is responsible for adherence to the requirements and conditions of the approved plans, Orange County Standard #6005 and other applicable codes. It is also the responsibility of the permit applicant to ensure that general safety measures are followed at all times. 1.4.2 It is the responsibility of the permit applicant to submit changes or additions to the Fire Marshal for review and approval prior to the event. 3 1.5 Definitions 1.5.1 Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) – The individual responsible for approving equipment, materials, installations and procedures relating to fire and life safety. The AHJ for unincorporated Orange County is herein referred to as the “Fire Marshal”. 1.5.2 Concerned Party – Includes event coordinators, decorators, show managers, building owners, architects, engineers and public officials. 1.5.3 Firewatch -- A detail typically performed by Orange County Fire Rescue personnel who are specifically trained for Special Events and Trade Shows. When approved in advance, other agencies may be permitted to perform a firewatch detail at the discretion of the Fire Marshal. 1.5.4 Tent, Large – • A single tent, or combination of tents, with only one multi-purpose room of 12,000 square feet or more; • Tents more than 4500 square feet used for exhibit or display. • Multi-purpose tents used as a mixed occupancy or assembly with occupant loads exceeding 300; • All other tents that do not meet the definition of Small Tent. 1.5.5 Tent, Small – • A single tent, or combination of tents, with only one multi-purpose room of less than 12,000 square feet. • Tents 4,500 square feet or less used for exhibit or display. • Multi-purpose tents used as a mixed occupancy or assembly with occupant loads 300 or less. SECTION 2 PLANS AND PERMITS 2.1 Plan Review and Permits 2.1.1 All trade shows, conventions and special events require a permit. Permits are issued upon approval of plans. 2.1.2 A non-refundable fee is charged for permits. 2.1.3 A minimum of four (4) copies of scaled floor plans of the event must be submitted to the Orange County Office of the Fire Marshal at least twenty-one (21) days before the opening of the event. 2.1.4 A permit application must be completed and submitted with the appropriate fee and scaled floor plans. 4 2.1.5 Plans must indicate the proposed size and location of all aisles, exits, booths, show decorator’s office, service desk, food stands, bars, registration areas, public space areas, pre-function areas, drapes (indicate height) and other displays. 2.1.6 All pertinent data regarding flame retardant treatment used on combustible materials must be included with the plans. Submitted plans must identify the location and type of combustible materials that do not have flame retardant treatments. 2.1.7 Information regarding cooking appliances to be used for demonstrations must be included. A special permit is required for cooking within any facility. 2.1.8 The applicant will receive deficiency comments if the plan is not approved. Deficiencies must be addressed prior to issuance of a permit. 2.1.9 Any major modifications or changes after the plans have been approved, must be resubmitted to the Office of the Fire Marshal with a new permit application. 2.1.10 Approved plans and a permit will be returned to the submitting agency or person. The Show Management and Decorator are required to construct, operate and maintain the event in accordance with the approved plans. 2.1.11 See Attachment: Trade Show/Special Event Plan Submittal Checklist 2.2 Special Permits 2.2.1 Special permit applications for the following activities must be made to the Office of the Fire Marshal twenty-one (21) days prior to the event: 2.2.1.1 Display and operation of any unusual electrical, mechanical or chemical device that may present a hazard. The device, its application and the operation must be approved the Fire Marshal. 2.2.1.2 Display or operation of any heater, barbecue, open flame, candles, lamps, torches, etc. 2.2.1.3 Use or storage of flammable liquids, compressed gasses or dangerous chemicals as determined by the Fire Marshal. 2.2.1.4 Display or operation of a laser. A permit is required from Orange County Fire Rescue Department. Proper notification to the Florida State Bureau of Radiation is required. Contact Florida Division of Health Bureau of Radiation Control for more information. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/radiation/ 2.2.1.5 Any pyrotechnics, fireworks or special effects display or process. 5 2.2.1.6 Any use of a motorized vehicle inside a structure unless the vehicle is included in a Trade Show Permit or Special Event Permit. 2.2.1.7 Any special cooking requirements including cooking inside of ballrooms, convention areas or display areas. 2.2.1.8 Multi-level exhibit booths. 2.2.1.9 Tents or covered exhibits in excess of 300 square feet erected inside the host facility. 2.2.1.10 Tents erected OUTSIDE the host facility will require approval of Orange County Zoning Division and a permit issued by the Orange County Building Department and Orange County Fire Rescue Department. SECTION 3 EXHIBITS 3.1 Exhibit Booths 3.1.1 Exhibit booths must be arranged in accordance with Life Safety Code section 13.7.4. 3.1.2 Displays or exhibits may not interfere in any way with access to any required exit. 3.1.3 Displays or exhibits may not interfere with firefighting equipment. 3.1.4 The travel distance within the exhibit booth or exhibit enclosure to an established aisle may not be greater than 50 feet. 3.1.5 Exhibit booths must be constructed of noncombustible material, limited combustible material or flame-retardant materials. 3.2 Motorized Vehicles 3.2.1 Motorized Vehicles shall be defined as any vehicle that is propelled by an internal combustion engine using a Class I or Class II fuel, such as but not limited to: automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, aircraft, watercraft and lawnmowers. 3.2.2 When placing motorized vehicles inside an assembly occupancy consideration must be given to exits and exit access. Vehicles must be positioned prior to the opening of an event to the public. Each vehicle will be subject to inspection for compliance with items (a) through (e). 6 (a) All fuel tank openings must be locked and sealed to prevent escape of vapors. Fuel tanks may not contain more than one-half capacity or 10 gallons, whichever is less. (b) At least one battery cable must be removed from the batteries used to start the vehicle engine. The disconnected battery cable must be taped. (c) Batteries used only to power auxiliary equipment are permitted to be kept in service. (d) Fueling or defueling of vehicles is prohibited. (e) Vehicles may not be moved during show hours unless approved by the Fire Marshal. See Section 8.6. 3.2.3 Vehicles, boats and similar exhibited products with over 100 sq. ft. of covered area must be protected with a listed smoke alarm. 3.3 Covered Booths 3.3.1 Single level exhibit booths greater than 300 sq.

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