Safety Requirements for Public Events : Education & Community : Arlington, Virginia

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Safety Requirements for Public Events

The following are the minimum safety requirements established by the Fire Marshal and Inspection Services for fire safety at public events. Please see below for the minimum safety requirements for compressed gas cylinders, electrical, temporary structures, cooking fuels & equipment, fireworks, and permits.

Vendors who will be participating in public events in Arlington County are expected to be familiar with all these requirements, and should direct any questions pertaining to fire safety to the Fire Prevention Office at 703-228-4644.

PERMITS

All vendors required to have Health, Building, Electrical, Fire Prevention, or other permits, licenses, or inspections, shall display them in a conspicuous location.

COMPRESSED GAS CYLINDERS

• All compressed gas cylinders in use or in storage shall be adequately secured as approved by the Fire Marshal to prevent them from falling over.

• Each compressed gas cylinder shall be clearly identified with the name of the gas contained.

ELECTRICAL

• All wiring shall comply with the National Electrical Code and is subject to approval by the Electrical Inspector.

• The use of lightweight electrical extension cords shall be prohibited. Only. U.L. listed circuit breaker protected extension cords or extension cords using 14-3 or larger wire shall be used. Any electrical cord which runs through areas exposed to pedestrian traffic shall be secured in place and protected as required by bridging.

• All weather exposed wiring, connections, and junction boxes shall be waterproof.

TEMPORARY STRUCTURES

• All temporary structures and tents shall maintain a fifteen (15) foot clearance on all sides from other structures.

* Exception: Those structures which are constructed of metal, flame retardant wood or have Certificates of Flame Resistance for fabric shall be allowed to maintain a minimum of eight (8) foot clearance on all sides from other structures.

* NOTE: A certificate of flame resistance or other evidence of approval by a laboratory or recognized standards shall be provided. All tents or awning fabric may be required by the Fire Marshal to meet the requirements of the small-scale test contained in the NFPA 701, "Standard Methods of Fire Test of Flame - Resistant Textile and Films."

• There shall be no flame producing devices for cooking or lighting allowed under any non-protected structure or tent unless they are constructed of flame resistant materials. If in a non-protected structure or tent, the appropriate distance shall be determined by the inspecting Fire Marshal on an individual basis.

• Tents and awnings shall be adequately supported in accordance with the provisions as set forth in the Virginia Uniform Statewide Building Code and NFPA 102.

COOKING FUELS & EQUIPMENT

Liquid petroleum gas

• All liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cooking equipment shall be inspected by the Fire Marshal prior to being used.

• No LPG containers will be allowed inside of any building.

• All hoses and equipment shall be free of defects and of the type recommended for use with liquefied petroleum gas.

• All spare LPG bottles shall be stored as approved in a secure location as remote as practical from cooking devices and warming trays. Spare bottles shall be limited to two (2) spare bottles per appliance or as approved by the Fire Marshal.

Charcoal

• When using charcoal and/or wood, a metal container with a tight fitting lid for the disposal of ashes is required. Ashes shall be wet down with water before leaving them unattended or discarding.

Cooking Devices

• Cooking devices shall be isolated from the public by at least four (4) feet or have an approved barrier between the device and the public.

• Warming and cooking devices shall be placed on a noncombustible surface and kept a minimum of two (2) feet from each other and any combustible materials.

• Cooking equipment using sterno or other similar combustible oils or solids shall have proper fitting lids for these containers available for immediate use.

All use of open flame and/or flammable liquids or gases shall have a dry chemical extinguisher readily available. The extinguisher shall have a minimum rating of not less than 2A-20BC, or as approved by the Fire Marshal.