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Facility / Event Planning Guide /
10. Fire & Safety Reulations /
b. Fire Safety Code Fact Sheet
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View printable version of the EPG Fire & Safety Regulations
Fire Safety Code Fact Sheet
The following is a listing from the NFPA 101 Life Safety Code Handbook - 1994. This listing
represents general fire safety rules that the Providence Fire Department has specified as "Must Comply" codes.
It is the responsibility of each Show Manager to review and comply with these codes.
Life Safety Code - 1994
Section 8-4.4.1 - Exhibition Halls - No display or exhibit shall be installed or
operated as to interfere in any way with access to any required exit or with visibility of any
required exit or any required exit sign, nor shall any display block access to fire fighting equipment.
Section 8-4.4.3 - Exhibits shall comply with the following:
(a) The travel distance within the exhibit booth or exhibit enclosure to an exit access aisle shall not be greater than 50 feet.
(b) Exhibit booths shall be constructed of non-combustible or limited-combustible materials, pressure-treated
fire retardant wood meeting the requirement of NFPA 703 Standard for Fire Retardant Impregnated Wood and Fire
Retardant Coatings for Building of Fire Tests for Flame-Resistant Textiles and Films, both small and large
scale tests. Textile wall coverings, such as carpeting have a napped, tufted, looped or similar surface
used as wall or ceiling finish, shall comply with 6-5.2.3 Plastic shall be limited to Class A or Class B
interior wall and ceiling finish.
(c) Curtains, drapes, and decorations shall comply with 31.1.4.
(d) Acoustical and decorative material including, but not limited to, cotton, hay, paper, straw, moss, split
bamboo, and wood chips shall be flame-retardant treated to the satisfaction of the Providence Fire Department.
Materials that cannot be treated for flame retardancy should not be used.
(e) Exhibit booths that are multilevel, consist of multiple rooms with ceilings, or are over 225 sq.
ft. with ceilings shall be protected by automatic sprinklers in buildings so protected.
EXCEPTION: Vehicles, boats, and similar exhibited products having over 100 sq. ft. of
roofed area must provide smoke detectors acceptable to the Providence Fire Department and the State Fire Marshal.
Section A-8-4.4.3(d) - The Providence Fire Department may use the field flame test contained in
NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame-Resistant Textiles and Films, as one method of determining flame retardancy.
Cooking/Heating
A. Cooking and food warming devices in exhibit booths shall comply with 31-2.4. and the following:
1. Gas fired devices will not be used.
2. Devices shall be isolated from the public by at least 4 ft. or a barrier between the device and the public.
3. Devices shall be limited to 288 sq.in. (.19sg m) of cooking surface area.
4. Devices shall be placed on noncombustible surface materials.
5. Devices used for cooking shall be separated from each other by a minimum distance of 2 sq ft. (61 cm).
6. Devices shall be kept a minimum of 2 ft (61 cm) for any combustible materials.
7. Single-well cooking equipment using combustible oils or solids shall have a lid available for immediate use. Multi-vat cooking will not be used.
8. Each exhibitor must provide a 20 BC fire extinguisher or an approved automatic extinguishing system located
in their booth for the length of the show.
Propane Gas
Section 3-4.8 - Propane Use in Buildings for Demonstrations or Training, or in Small Containers. Pre-approved
10-pound propane tanks may be used in exhibits. All propane tanks must be separated by at least 20 feet. All
tanks must be approved 10 days in advance of the show in writing by the Rhode Island Convention Center.
3-4.8.1 Containers having a maximum water capacity of 12 lb (5.4 kg) [nominal 5 lb (2 kg)
LP-Gas capacity] shall be permitted to be used temporarily inside buildings for public exhibitions or demonstrations,
including use in classroom demonstrations. If more than one such container is located in the same room, the containers
shall be separated by at least 20 ft (6m). All propane tanks must be pre-approved in writing by the Rhode Island
Convention Center at least 10 days in advance of the show opening.
Floorplans
Plans, in a form acceptable to the Providence Fire Department, shall be submitted to the Department for approval
120 days prior to the move-in of any exhibit or trade show. The plan shall show all details of the proposed
exhibit or show. No exhibit or trade show shall occupy any exhibit hall without approved plans.
Section 8-4.4.4 - Vehicles - Vehicles with an exhibit hall shall comply with the following:
(a) All fuel tank openings shall be locked and sealed in an approved manner to prevent the escape of vapors.
Fuel tanks shall be not more than three-quarters or less than one-eighth full.
(b) At least one battery cable shall be removed from each set of batteries.
(c) Fueling or de-fueling of vehicles shall be prohibited.
(d) Vehicles shall not be moved during shows.
Section 8-4.4.5 - Compressed flammable gases, flammable or combustible liquids, hazardous
chemicals or materials, Class II or greater lasers, and explosives shall be prohibited within exhibit halls.
EXCEPTION: The Providence Fire Department having jurisdiction, may permit the limited use
of any of the above items under special circumstances.
Section 31-1.4 - Draperies, curtains, and other similar furnishings and decorations shall be
flame resistant where required by the applicable provisions of this chapter. These materials required herein
to be tested in accordance with the NFPA 701, Standard Methods of Fire Tests for Flame-Resistant Textiles
and Films, shall comply with both the small- and large-scale tests.
Section A-31-1.4.1 - For details of flame-retardant treatments and tests thereof, see
NFPA 701, Standards for methods of Fire Tests for Fire-Resistant Textiles and Films. Furnishings and
decorations tested in accordance with this standard should comply with both the small- and large-scale tests.
Section 31-1.4.2 - Christmas trees not effectively flame-retardant treated, ordinary
crepe paper decorations and pyroxylin plastic decorations may be classed as highly flammable.
Section 31-1.4.3 - Fire retardant coatings shall be maintained so as to retain the
effectiveness of the treatment under service conditions encountered in actual use.
Section 31-2.3 - Open Flame Devices - No open flame devices shall be used in any assembly occupancy.
EXCEPTION No. 1: When necessary for ceremonial, religious, or demonstration purpose, the Providence
Fire Department may permit open flame devices under such restrictions as are necessary to avoid danger of ignition of
combustible materials or injury to occupants.
Section 31-2.4. - Special Food Service Devices - Portable cooking equipment, not flue connected shall
be permitted only as follows:
(1) Equipment fueled by small heat sources that can be readily extinguished by water such as candles or
alcohol-burning equipment (including solid alcohol "sterno"), may be used provided adequate precautions
satisfactory to the authority having jurisdiction are taken to prevent ignition of any combustible materials.
(2) Candles may be used on tables used for food service if securely supported on substantial, non-combustible
bases so located as to avoid danger of ignition or combustible materials and only if approved by the Providence
Fire Department. Candle flames shall be protected.
(3) "Flaming Sword" or other equipment involving open flames and flamed dishes, such as cherries jubilee,
crepes suzette, etc., may be permitted provided that necessary precautions are taken and subject to the
approval of the authority having jurisdiction.
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Tel: 401-458-6000 • Fax: 401-458-6500 • Email: jmcginn@smgricc.com
One Sabin Street, Providence, RI 02903-1814
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