FIRE SAFETY

IN THIS SECTION

The Fire Prevention Division of the Seattle Fire Department, commonly referred to as the Fire Marshal's Office, provides the leadership and inspection services to help prevent fires and assure fire and life safety for people who live, work and visit in Seattle.

The Special Events Section of the Seattle Fire Marshal's Office issues temporary permits and establishes conditions to ensure public safety at large public gatherings including fairs, concerts, sporting events, and festivals. They also inspect and issue permits related to outdoor cooking, trade shows and other high profile events.

No separate Public Assembly Permit is required from the Fire Marshal's Office for events permitted through the Seattle Special Event Permit process.

Fire Lanes

All special events must maintain an emergency vehicle access "fire lane" with a minimum width of 20 feet running continuously the length of the street closure, allowing emergency vehicle access to all areas of the event. No structures or items may be set up in the emergency lane and no fencing may block the emergency lane, except under very strict requirements set by the Fire Marshal's Office.

Fire Performances

Any act which incorporates the use of fire must be reviewed and approved by The Fire Marshal's Office. Requirements can vary based on the way in which and the amount of fire utilized. Because of the varying requirement, contact the Fire Marshal's Office at (206) 386-1450 and request to speak to a representative of the Special Events Section. Note: Fire breathing is not allowed in the City of Seattle.

Required Permit: Open Flame/Flame Effects

Open Flame

For use of more than one candle a permit is required and the type is subjected to review. Any open flame device other than a candle is subject to review and a permit maybe required. A single candle, that is a pre-approved type, does not require a permit.

Required Permit: Temporary Special Events

Bonfires

Bonfires exceeding three feet in diameter and two feet in height require permits from Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Seattle Fire Department. Smaller fires do not require a permit. See Seattle Fire Department Client Assistance Memo 5022 for more information.

Tents and Canopies

Required Permit: Tent or Air Supported Structure

Flammable Liquids (Fuel)

Quantities of fuels that may be stored on site vary on a case by case basis depending upon several factors. Contact the Special Events Section of the Fire Marshal's Office to determine the specific amounts applicable for your activity.

Required Permit: Flammable Liquids

Cooking and Food Vending

A permit is required for cooking activities that utilize LPG (propane) and/or open flame (charcoal, wood, etc.). Permits are not required for electric cooking operations or for operations using "Sterno" canisters to heat pre-cooked food or butane canisters less than 8 ounces in size.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are required for all cooking operations regardless of whether or not a permit is required. See below for information on size and type.

Type of Fuel or Cooking Operation	Type of Fire Extinguisher Required
Charcoal or Wood BBQ	Minimum U.L. Rating of 2A 20BC
Propane, Butane or Natural Gas	Minimum U.L. Rating of 2A
Deep Fat Frying (Heated Using Electric, Propane or Other Means)	U.L. Rated For Class "K" (in Addition to the Fire Extinguisher Required for the Source of Heat Being Used.)

Fire extinguishers must be affixed with a tag that indicates they have been serviced within the past 12 months. Exception: New fire extinguishers (those purchased within the past 12 months) may pass inspection by having the receipt showing the date of purchase taped or otherwise attached to the fire extinguisher.

Display of Liquid or Gas-fueled Vehicles

Using a liquid or gas-fueled vehicle or equipment in an Assembly Occupancy for display is allowed under the following conditions: Maximum fuel allowed 1/4 of a tank or 5 gallons whichever is less. All gas covers shall be taped or have a locking gas cap. Battery cables shall be disconnected and taped. Vehicles with no fuel gauge or with a broken fuel gauge shall not be allowed on the event floor and shall not be displayed, unless the Fire Marshal's Office gives prior approval. Use of liquid or gas-fueled vehicles or equipment for working demonstrations or competition in an assembly must be reviewed and approved by the Fire Marshal's Office. Requirements can vary based on the nature of the competition/demonstration, number of spectators, etc. Because of the varying requirements, contact the Fire Marshal's Office at (206) 386-1450 and request to speak to a representative of the Special Events Section.

Required Permit: Special Hazards

Fireworks

Ceremonial Fireworks

Certain types of fireworks for ceremonial purposes may be allowed under a special no-fee permit. See Seattle Fire Department Client Assistance Memo 5033 for more information. See below for information on non-ceremonial fireworks and pyrotechnics.

Required Permit: Temporary Special Events

Fireworks / Pyrotechnics

Special Effects Use & Display General requirements for Fire Marshal's Office approval of pyrotechnics include the following:

Operation must be under the direct supervision of a State of Washington Licensed Pyrotechnician.

Certificate of insurance for a minimum of two million dollars. (Certificate must be reviewed and approved by the City of Seattle Office of Risk Management)

Product list
Product placement
Outdoors displays might require FAA approval
Required Permits: Fireworks Use/Display, Fireworks Barge Load/Unload (if applicable)

Exclusion Zone

The Fire Marshal's Office will establish the boundaries of an "exclusion zone" around the area where fireworks are being discharged. No spectators may be in this zone during the fireworks display.

Debris Removal

The discharge of fireworks creates debris that falls to the ground/water below the display. It is the event organizer's responsibility to remove all debris as part of their post-event clean up plan. In addition, any fireworks display near or over waterways, must implement the Fireworks Best Management Practices Plan as detailed below.

Fireworks Best Management Practices Plan (FBMPP)

The City of Seattle Municipal Code, Stormwater Code (SMC22.800- 22.808) requires the implementation of operational best management practices (BMP) to reduce the pollution potential to Receiving Water Bodies. Permittee shall implement the elements in the Fireworks Best Management Practices Plan (FBMPP) to prevent or reduce the discharge of pollutants associated with the public display of fireworks over or adjacent to waterways.

Permittee shall consider the use of alternative fireworks produced with new pyrotechnic formulas that replace perchlorate with other oxidizers and propellants that burn cleaner, produce less smoke and reduce pollutant waste loading to surface waters.
No later than 24 hours following the public display of fireworks, Permittee shall conduct three (3) sweeps of the water surface and shoreline in the display site area to collect, remove, and manage particulate matter and debris from ignited and un-ignited pyrotechnic material including aerial shells, paper, cardboard, wires and fuses found during inspection of the water surface and shoreline. Collected material shall be disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations as set forth by jurisdiction of Federal, State or Municipal authorities.
If fireworks are discharged over or adjacent to a body of water, all equipment used to hold and launch the fireworks shall be secured properly in accordance with applicable laws and regulations as set forth by jurisdiction of Federal, State or Municipal authorities and in such a way as to minimize the risk that the equipment and fireworks would fall into the water. Other than system firing cables and common or grounding wires intended to be recovered after the display, electric igniter wires used to trigger the fireworks shall be secured to minimize the risk that the wires would fall into the water during or after the discharge. As soon as practicable, and no later than 24 hours following a public display of fireworks, the decks of any barge or floating platform that contained fireworks shall be raked or swept to gather fireworks debris and prevent it from being deposited into the water. Waste shall be disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations as set forth by jurisdiction of Federal, State or Municipal authorities.
All hazardous fireworks waste, including duds, resulting from the set-up, firing, and strike of the public display, including live pyrotechnics waste, shall be handled and managed in accordance with applicable fireworks and hazardous waste laws and regulations as set forth by jurisdiction of Federal, State or Municipal authorities.
All non-hazardous solid waste resulting from the set-up, firing, and strike of the public display, including wires, boxes, and packaging, shall be collected and properly disposed of in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations as set forth by jurisdiction of Federal, State or Municipal authorities.
Permittee shall complete a written log (Attachment A - Post Fireworks Cleanup Report) for the public fireworks display event. The log shall be completed and shall be provided to the City of Seattle, Special Events Committee no later than thirty(30) days following the public fireworks display event . The log shall contain the following information:
1. The date and time of the public fireworks event; and
2. Certification that the FBMPP was fully implemented; and
3. The amounts of fireworks debris collected, the dates, times and visual monitoring observations noted from the three (3) sweeps of the body of water to pick up debris from the water; and
4. any other pertinent information
In the event that there is spill or unplanned release of fireworks materials into the body of water or on the shoreline, Permittee shall immediately contact the Washington Dept. of Ecology at 1-800-258-5990; and the National Response Center at 1-800-424-8802; and SPU at 206-386-1800 to report the spill or release1. The following information shall be provided:
1. Date; and
2. Time; and
3. Nature of spill or discharged material and estimated quantity (label, placards, NFPA symbol); and
4. Location of spill or discharged material; and
5. Contact person name and phone number where person can be reached.