Transcript Assembly Occupancies - The Official Site of Concord, MA

Assembly Occupancies
Fire and Life Safety
Overview
Safe use of Assembly
Occupancies
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Definitions of Assembly Occupancies
History of critical events
Building design principles
Built in safety and protection features
Safe operation of events
Assembly Occupancies checklist
Discussion and Questions
Building Code Definitions
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Assembly Use Groups
Gathering together of persons
Civic, Social, Religious, Food and Drink,
Awaiting Transportation
Subdivided into five groupings
“Capacity” of 50 or more persons
A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5
Distinctive Use Groups
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A-1, Theaters: Performing Arts, Film
Usually fixed seating, Stages/Platforms
A-2, Public Assembly, without Stages
Nightclubs, Dancehalls, similar purposes
A-3, Assembly for Entertainment,
Amusement and Recreation, no Stages
Principally without fixed seating
Distinctive Use Groups
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A-4, Worship or Religious Services
Exclusive use for Religion purposes
A-5, Outdoor Assembly
Grandstands, Bleachers, Amusements
including fairs, carnivals, circus’, etc.
Mixed Use arrangements may require
specific features and/or systems
Fire Prevention Regulations
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Place of Assembly: A room or space
containing 50 or more individuals for
religious, recreational, educational,
political, social or amusement purposes,
or for the consumption of food or drink,
including all connecting rooms or space
with a common means of egress and
entrance.
History of Fire Events
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Common conditions and problems
Overcrowding
Lack of adequate exit capacity
Restrictions to egress, aisle width
Combustible contents and furnishings
Combustible construction of structure
Limited lighting, excessive sound levels
History of Fire Events
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Incapacitated patrons/occupants
Occupants unfamiliar with buildings
Delayed alarm to fire department
Fixed seating/ Loose seating
Age, Infirmity, Disability: Area of Refuge
Psychology/Sociology/Group behaviors
Occupant reactions Firefighting
Building Design Characteristics
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Non Combustible construction
Fire walls, partitions and doors
Stage curtains and venting systems
Adequate exit capacity
Limited travel distance to exits
Limited heights and areas
Multiple defined egress paths
Safety and Protection Features
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Complete sprinkler system(s)
Standpipe and fire pump systems
Fire Alarm and notification system
Public address capabilities
Non combustible furnishings
Cooking features
maintenance
Open flames candles
Safety and Protection Features
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Fire doors and panic hardware
Exit stairs and ramps
Exterior lighting and access
Portable fire extinguishers
Posted occupant load
Stage and Platform issues
Safety and Protection Features
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Dead end aisles and passageways
Minimum aisle widths
Tables and chairs fixed and non-fixed
Guards and handrails
Grandstands and bleachers
Exit signage and emergency lighting
Hazardous Materials
Event Operations
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Life Safety is Priority # 1
Control of events and occupants
Emergency plans exercise and update
Notification to authorities
Training of personnel
Commitment of the organization
Apply hard learned principles
Event Operations
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Fire Prevention Regulations
527 CMR available on the website
Board of Fire Prevention Regulations
Specific to Massachusetts
Some national reference documents
Mandate proper maintenance
Levels of citation/violation/enforcement
Event Operations
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Portable fire extinguishers
Obstacles to a means of egress
Pathways and exits maintained
Wastes and combustible products
Inside and outside storage
Open flame devices NFPA 101
Chimneys and heating equipment
Event Operations
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Commercial kitchen equipment
Fire doors accessible and functioning
Fire Lanes marked and clear
Electrical components maintained
Limit storage of combustibles
Exterior egress snow clearing
No smoking in A-1 occupancies
Event Operations
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Theaters: Each theater shall formulate a
plan for the protection and evacuation of
all persons in the event of fire….
Plan subject to FD review and approval
All employees shall be kept informed as
to their duties under such plan
Plan should be reviewed and updated
Event Operations
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527 CMR 10.13 Planning, Preparedness
Employees shall be trained and drilled in
duties they are expected to perform
Egress Plan: occupant load, seating
diagram, location of exist and aisles
A-1 and A-2 requires an audible
announcement at start of program
Event Operations
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Announcement in person or by recording
Covers disability concerns
Written program requires diagram of
egress routes and areas of rescue
assistance for disabled persons
A-2 occupancy requires additional
requirements including Crowd Manager
Event Operations
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Crowd Manager designation
At least 21 years of age
Owner/operator of site or under direct
control of owner/operator
Maintain exits and egress paths
Ensure no overcrowding
Initiate fire alarm activation
Event Operations
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Direct occupants to exits
Ensure employees are trained
Complete a safety plan checklist
Concept not new but added to code after
the Warwick nightclub fire
Places responsibility on the owner and
operator to help ensure safety
Event Operations
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527 CMR 10.17 Places of Assembly
Assembly and education locations need
a current certificate of inspection
Requires posting of occupancy #’s
Multiple uses may alter occupancy #’s
Overcrowding forbidden
Requires stoppage of performance
Event Operations
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Limitations on decorative materials
Requires checking of means of egress
Egress aisles at least 44” wide
Signs and lighting maintained
Tentage requires two permits
Elevator use during fire conditions
Enforcement Options
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Massachusetts General Laws Chapters
48,148,148A:Fire prevention/protection
143: Building regulations/standards
Others: Electrical, Plumbing, Elevators,
Amusements, Health, Environmental
Protection, Zoning, Gas and Propane
Enforcement Options
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Oral discussion or warning
Written notice with corrections
Non-Criminal Fire Code Violation Notice
Written warning
1st offense $100 per violation
2nd offense $ 500 per violation
3rd offense $1,000 per violation
Enforcement Options
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24 Hour corrections violation
Criminal complaint application
Restraining order
Violation fines return to community to
support training of code enforcement
Violations can be appealed within 21
days to Hearings Officer
Right of Access to Properties
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Mgl. Chapter 148, Sections 4 and 5
Regulates access to properties
May enter at any reasonable hour a
building or premises to make inspections
or investigations for purposes of
enforcing statues and regulations
Administrative search warrant
Right of Access to Properties
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Fire department has general right of
access in performance of duties
regarding reports of smoke, fire or
hazardous conditions and under exigent
circumstances.
FD also provides emergency medical
and hazardous materials response
Assembly Inspection Checklist
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Developed model checklist for Concord
Includes most common issues
Allows for site/event specifics
Easy and consistent manner to review
status of building/site for compliance
Complete for each event
Save your records and reports
Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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Name of Building ____________________________________
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Building Address _____________________________________
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Production Co. Name ____________Type of Event__________
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Event Date (s)_______________________________________
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Crowd Manager (CM)_________________________________
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CM Telephone (s) ____________________________________
Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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OCCUPANTS/CAPACITY
1.1 Number of occupants within legal
limits – check posted signs
 Event Location (Auditorium, Gym,
Cafeteria)
 Posted Occupancy Limit
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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2. MEANS OF EGRESS/EXITS
2.1 All outside egress paths are clear: of snow,
ice, obstructions.
 2.2 All inside egress paths are clear objects,
furniture and trash.
 2.3 All exit doors operate properly, are
unobstructed, open from the inside. Doors are
not locked from the inside or chained.
 2.4 In rooms with chairs/tables, aisles must be a
minimum of 44” wide for egress
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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3. FIRE ALARMS
3.1 Pull alarm stations are visible and
unobstructed
 3.2 Fire detection and notification devices
are not masked or covered.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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4. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
4.1 Sufficient number of fire extinguishers
as required, properly located, accessible
and ready. Service tag within one year of
event date. Add additional extinguishers
for unusually high amount of combustible
material present.
4.2 Clearance to bottom of sprinkler heads
is 18 inches minimum.
Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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5. ELEVATORS
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5.1 Elevator is clear of debris and
obstructions. Do not use the elevator
when the fire alarm sounds.
Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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6. LIGHTING
6.1 Lighted exit signs operational and
easily visible
 6.2 Adequate lighting to exits and in
egress paths
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
7. Flame Retardant Requirements: (527
CMR 21 and Article 9 of Ma Building Code)*
 7.1 All scenery materials are rendered flame
resistant.
 7.2 All permanent stage curtains have current
flame retardant certification available.
 7.3 Platforms constructed of combustible
material must be coated with approve fire
retardant chemical or paint.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
8. Lighting:
 8.1All lights are securely hung with
secondary support. Light are not hung by
portable pipes.
 8.2 All electrical connections, wiring and
cabling are in accordance with the
National Electrical Code (NEC).
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
8. Lighting: continued
 8.3 All extension cords are UL or CSA
approved and constructed of SJ, SVT, SJT,
SJO, SVO, SJTW,.SO, SVO or other
approved cable
 8.4 All extension cords are not crossing
egress paths. If cords must cross egress
paths they are protected from foot traffic.
Cable(s) must not pose a tripping hazard.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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9. Platforms and stages:
*See Concord
Building Department Appendix
9.1 Any platform or constructed scenery
exceeding 30” in height requires a building
permit and guardrail system *.
 9.2 Stair construction must conform to
Mass Building Code *.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
Platforms and stages: continued
 9.3 The space between the floor and the
platform does not contain anything other
than NEC approved wiring used to supply
platform equipment *
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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10. HOUSEKEEPING
10.1 All flammable liquids stored in
approved storage containers and cabinets
including paints and stains used for
scenery construction.
 10.2 General condition ~ area free of
debris and obstructions. Trash is removed
from the building.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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11. MISCELLANEOUS 527 CMR 10
11.1 NO PYROTECHNICS OF ANY KIND
INCLUDING CANDLES
 11.2 Use of fog machine requires permit
from the Concord Fire Dept. Permit must
be conspicuously displayed
 11.3 Stage fire curtain release mechanism
unobstructed. Stage crews are familiar
with stage fire curtain operation.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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MISCELLANEOUS continued
11.4 Air or heat vents are not blocked, deflected
or covered.
 11.5 No heating devices in use including space
heaters, hotplates
 11.6 Parking Lot Fire lanes are unobstructed
during event (12 feet wide minimum)
 11.7 No inside tents; outside tents must have
permit from the Concord Fire and Building
Departments.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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12 PRE-EVENT SAFETY
INSRUCTIONS - 527 CMR 10.13 (c)
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12.1 Call the fire department in the event
of any type of fire, even if extinguished!
When calling for Emergency Services in
Concord from a cell phone call:978-3183400 or “911”. Call “911” from a building
phone.
Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
PRE-EVENT SAFETY continued
 12.2 Conduct Fire drill during rehearsals
and setup. Develop an egress plan
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12.3 Before the event / performance
starts, Crowd Manager explains to the
audience the exit locations, egress plan
and rescues assistance location for
persons with disabilities.
Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
PRE-EVENT SAFETY continued
 12.4 An event with a written program
must contain a map of the room or
auditorium showing the exits and a
rescues assistance location for persons
with disabilities.
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Place of Assembly Fire Safety
Inspection Checklist
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List problems or concerns, noting date and
time
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Check box for additional comments on back
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Crowd Manager Signature ___________
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Date ______________ Time______ AM/PM
Questions and Discussion
References
 National Fire Protection Association
 nfpa.org
 Massachusetts Government
 mass.gov
 Department of Fire Services
 Board of Building Regulations/Standards
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Thank You for Attending!