Apply for a permit for open flame effects at a special event

Include the following detail:

• Location of flame effect device(s), controls, and flame effect operator
• Area affected by the flame effect, in all directions
• Fire safety perimeter line delineating the hazard area both from the audience and from combustibles
• Location of the audience
• Clearance to combustibles
• Storage and holding area of fuel
• Fuel application and use areas
• Egress from both the flame effect area(s) and audience area(s) to the public way
• Location of appropriate supplemental fire protection features including trained fire safety staff, fire extinguishers, “No Smoking” signs, barricades, etc.

Learn how to prepare a site plan.

Information about your flame effects must include:

1. Event organizer name (organization or person)
2. Name of the local flame effect operator and a copy of their California Pyrotechnic Effect license, if applicable
3. Date(s) and time(s) when the flame effect will happen
4. Event location
5. Description of the life safety and building protection systems
6. Detailed description of each flame effect
7. Proposed Safe Clearance Distance (see below for the rules)
8. Description of how you will keep the safe distance between non-performers and the effect
9. Description of your plan for weather conditions (if outdoors) or ventilation (if indoors)
10. Proof that any combustible materials and clothing are either flame-proof of have been treated with flame retardant

You must provide the system design criteria with complete design information (including schematic drawings). We may also ask for the sequence of operation. It must include:

1. Flame effect equipment and components
   1. Include proof of UL listings, or
   2. Proof of compliance with appropriate standards
2. Flame effect control system including:
   1. Emergency stop
   2. Fuel management
   3. Effect valve, and
   4. The enabling, arming and firing of the effect
3. Flame effect control sequence
4. Manual fuel shutoff valve and power control
5. Automatic fuel shutoff valve
6. Method of confirmation of means of ignition
7. Method and frequency of leak detection
8. Type(s) of fuel used
9. Minimum amount of fuel needed to produce the flame effect
10. Minimum size of fuel tank required for the duration of the performance with supporting calculations
11. How unconsumed fuel is removed from the device or appliance in a safe location

Establish and enforce a safe distance between spectators, performers, staff, and operators. This is a minimum of 15 feet.

• Consider other factors that could impact safety and the safe distance you should establish:
  • Experience and qualifications of the operations and staff
  • Visual conditions
  • Magnitude of the potential hazard
  • Whether the flame effect is static (stationary) or dynamic (mobile) during the performance
• You need to justify your safe distance in your flame effect plan. The Fire Department may require a Fire Protection Engineer to review your plan. If that happens, we’ll charge you an additional hourly fee for the engineer’s plan check services.
• You may be required to hire a 3rd party to test and document the following:
  • An audience should not be close enough, where heat from an effect could raise the surface temperature of their exposed skin above 111°F (44°C).
  • Temperatures of combustible materials subject to the heat of the flame effect must not exceed 117 degrees Fahrenheit (47.20 C) above the ambient temperature after equilibrium temperatures is attained.