Fire Regulations

GENERAL FIRE SAFETY GUIDELINES FOR WASHINGTON STATE CONVENTION CENTER AS A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY

Floor plans are reviewed by the Fire Marshal. After review, floor plans will be stamped "Approved", or required changes will be indicated. The WSCC Event Manager or Fire Marshal will communicate with the client or contractor on required plan revisions. After floor plans have received final approval, the Public Assembly Permit will be issued. The Fire Marshal will normally conduct a final walk-through of the show floor prior to first show day, and may also randomly inspect during show hours.

POINTS TO CONSIDER IN THE PERMIT PROCESS:

  1. Booth sales cannot begin until floor plans have been reviewed and approved by both the Seattle Fire Marshal and the WSCC Event Manager.

  2. Permit application, along with approved plans, must be submitted to the Fire Marshal at least 45 days before the first move-in day. (We suggest submitting floor plans as early as possible for review and approval.)

  3. The Seattle Fire Marshal requires three floor plan drawings be submitted, along with the Permit application. Floor plan drawings should be 8 1/2" x 11". The drawing should indicate aisles and aisle widths, booths and exhbits for 4A, B, C, D, E and F, the floor and all proposed use of lobby areas.  Drawings submitted for ballrooms and meeting rooms must indicate proposed use of corridors and lobby spaces (including registration areas, entry units, etc).

  4. Important: Permit applications received less than 10 days prior to the event for which they are being used will be assessed an additional late permit surcharge of 75% of the original permit fee. Applications received 3 business days or less prior to the event may not be processed and the permit not issued.

MISCELLANEOUS SHOW FLOOR CONSIDERATIONS:

  1. All decorations, drapes, signs, banners, plastic displays, hay, split bamboo, combustibles, etc. must be flame-retardant. Table coverings with overhang greater than 6" must also be flame-retardant. Items that require treatment with a flame-retardant product will be subject to a flame test prior to or during show hours. Wood panels greater than 1/4" original thickness are considered flame-resistant.

    The use of oilcloth, tarpaper, sisal paper, nylon, Orlon, and certain synthetic materials cannot be made flame resistant, and their use is strictly prohibited.


  2. Special Effects permits are required for indoor fireworks, etc. Each of these effects will be subject to extensive review and will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Permits are not required to use smoke machines or lasers. Smoke machine usage must be communicated to the Fire Marshal and Event Manager in case it becomes necessary to authorize deactivation of smoke sensors.

  3. Displayed vehicles must be indicated on submitted floor plans and are subject to the following restrictions:

    1. Fuel in tanks is limited to a maximum of ¼ tank or five (5) gallons. Diesel fuel tanks are limited to a maximum of ¼ tank. Vehicles with no or non-functioning fuel gauges will not be allowed in public assembly areas without prior approval by the Fire Marshal.

    2. Battery cables must be disconnected, with the cable ends taped over to prevent sparking.

    3. Fuel tank fill caps must either be lockable or taped shut.

    4. Visqueen should protect the flooring.

  4. Deep fat fryers can be used under the following conditions without prior approval or permit:

    1. Maximum capacity 1 gallon.

    2. Fire extinguisher readily available in the booth with a minimum UL rating of [Class "K".]

    3. A metal cover capable of covering the deep fat fryer shall be readily available in the booth.

    NOTE: Deep fat fryers with a capacity of more than 1 gallon require advance approval from the Fire Marshal.


  5. Candles may only be used in public assembly areas if done under permit for Open Flame, and only within an approved container (specific conditions apply). Sterno does not require a permit.

  6. LPG (Propane) and CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) are prohibited in the WSCC. Exception: 8 oz. butane canisters, which are used in conjunction with tabletop burners. Each exhibit booth is limited to one 8-oz. canister. If additional canisters are needed, they must be stored outside the building in an area that is acceptable to the Fire Department and the WSCC.

  7. Combustible storage is not allowed on the event floor. Combustible storage is specifically prohibited in dead areas, behind booth drapes or in unsold areas. Empty cardboard boxes intended for repackaging must be removed from the event floor. Booth storage of literature/brochures is limited to full boxes that can be easily stored under tables in the booth.

  8. Helium, Nitrogen, Oxygen and Nitrous oxide tanks are allowed on the event floor with prior approval by the Fire Marshal. Tanks must be properly labeled for contents and firmly secured in the upright position, with valves protected against damage. Nitrous oxide and Oxygen tanks over 250 cubic feet are prohibited. Oxidizing gases (Oxygen or Nitrous oxide) in amounts in excess of 503 cubic feet may only be used in public assembly areas under permit for Hazardous Materials.

  9. Indicate the location and size of Official Contractor Service Centers on exhibit floor plans when they are initially submitted during permit process. The air walls, which allow access from the truck service corridor into Exhibit Halls 4A, B, C, E and F must always be kept closed during show hours (including the man-doors in the air walls). The air walls are rated as 1 1/2-hour fire separation between the Exhibit Hall areas and the truck service corridor and are mandated by the Fire Code for public safety. Decorators, please note this Fire Code requirement.

  10. Event planners requesting permission to mask off areas or block access/visibility to an exit may in some cases be allowed to do so by adding illuminated exit signs and a double baffle in the drape, if they have received prior approval from the Fire Marshal. It should not be assumed that this variance would always be allowed. Instead, these proposals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Additional signs may be required for fire extinguisher or fire hose cabinets due to problems with visibility because of booths or displays.

Please follow the link below for a list of permits required by the seattle fire department.

http://www2.cityofseattle.net/fire/FMO/permits/permitSearch/SearchbyAllPermit.asp