To present the duties and responsibilities of a fire detail officer to ensure Public Fire Safety at a public venue.

1. Training Program for Fire
Department Detail Officers
Harry J. Hallgring Jr.
Chief of Department

2.  RI State Fire Marshal’s Office
 RI Fire Academy
 Providence Fire Department
 Newport Fire Department Bureau of Fire
Prevention
 NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code
 NFPA 101 Life Safety Code

3.  Tragedy occurs, creates change.
 As the on-site professionalsYOU need to
know exactly what to do in the event of an
emergency.
 The public and the building managers will
look to you in their time of need.
 Your actions will be a major contributor to
saving lives.

4.  April 13, 1928 -West Plains, Mo., 40 dead,
dance hall (explosion).
Cause – Undetermined
 April 23, 1940 - Natchez, Miss., 198 dead,
Rhythm Night Club dance hall.
Cause – undetermined
 Nov. 28 1942 - Boston, Mass., 491 dead,
Cocoanut Grove Supper club.
Cause – Undetermined

5.  June 24, 1973 - New Orleans, 32 dead,
Upstairs Bar. Cause – Arson
 June 30, 1974 - Port Chester, NY., 24 dead,
Cause – Arson
 Oct. 24, 1976 - Bronx, NY., 25 dead, Puerto
Rican Social club. Cause – arson
 May 28 1977 - Southgate, KY., 164 dead,
Beverly Hills supper club. Cause – arson

6.  March 25, 1990 - Bronx, NY., 87 dead, Happy
Land Social Club.
Cause – Arson
 Feb. 20, 2003 -WestWarwick, RI., 100 dead,
Station Night Club.
Cause – under investigation

7.  To enable Detail personnel to understand their duties,
as well as the Ordinances of the City of Newport and
the General Laws of Rhode Island
 ExplainWhy Firefighters are at the detail
 Present General building design features
 To ensure proper enforcement
 Why?To protect the public from needless tragedy
 Present information as to how to correct a potential
problem
 Whom to contact for help

8.  How FireWorks

9.  The main purpose of a Fire Detail is to
maintain the Public Fire Safety at the venue.
 The firefighter shall maintain a visible
presence at all details

10.  Created a new category of public assembly
venue
 Requirements for announcements, sound
cessation and firefighter on duty
 Designated crowd control manager
 Creation of administrative warrants to force
compliance with inspection requests
 Instituted “tickets” for violations of the fire
code & stiffer fines
 Process still being worked out

11. Assembly Occupancies
 An occupancy used for a gathering of 50 or more
persons for deliberation, worship, entertainment,
eating, drinking, amusement, awaiting
transportation or similar uses, or…
 Any occupancy used as a special amusement
building regardless of occupant load
▪ NFPA 1 Uniform Fire Code

12.  A Special Amusement Building Concentrated
Occupancy [SAB/CO] place of assembly
 shall mean a Class A, B or C place of assembly
with a maximum occupancy calculated on the basis
of less than fifteen square feet (15 sq. ft.) per
person and for which there is either a license issued
pursuant to R.I.G.L. Chapter 3-7 (Retail Licenses)
or there is entertainment or there are both a liquor
license and entertainment.

13. Uniformed Firefighter(s) Required at:
 All places of occupancy greater than 1,000
 Occupancy load between 300 and 1,000 of less
concentrated use
 Occupancy load between 50 and 1,000 of
concentrated use
 Occupancy load between 50 and 1,000 of
concentrated or less concentrated use being
utilized for activities of unusual hazard

14.  Must be on approval list through State Fire
Marshal’s office
 Which Means?
 Gather event inspection checklist and the
pre-plan for your location

15.  Arrive 30 minutes ahead of the event to
provide time for building walk-through
 Check-in with proper authority:
event coordinator / building manager
 Perform inspection checklist
 Check sheet to be provided
 Detail Uniform as specified by Chief’s Office
 Radio and EMS kit

16.  Familiarize yourselves with all fire
protection features, and with the
condition of exits
 Exits Unlocked and unblocked
 Fire Extinguisher locations
 Radio box or pull station location (if
applicable)
 Pre-plan from specific venue provided by
building owner or manager

17.  Shall patrol the entire area of the tent during
the time it is occupied.
 Ensure that overcrowding is not permitted
 Aisles and exits are kept to be kept open
 Enforce the no smoking rules are observed

18.  The Following Items Should Be Inspected
While PerformingYour Checklist…

19.  Occupancy/Capacity signs posted and visible
 Every assembly occupancy room without fixed seating must
have occupant load posted
 Employees must be aware of the occupancies of
each floor, room and level
 There must be a system to count and keep track of
occupancy in each area

20.  Employees should be trained in duties they
are to perform in an emergency.
 Should be trained how to notify the Fire
Department (activate alarm system).
 Employees need to know locations of all exits
and how to direct patrons to nearest exit.

21. Means of Egress
 Continuous & unobstructed way of travel from
any point in a building or structure to a public
way consisting of three separate & distinct parts
1. Exit Access
2. The Exit
3. Exit Discharge

22.  No Furnishings, decorations, or other objects
shall obstruct exits, access thereto, egress
there from, or visibility thereof
 No obstruction by railings, barriers, furniture
or other objects are allowed
 Every door and principal entrance required to
serve as an exit shall be obvious and direct

23.  All exit doors open in direction of egress
travel
 Open / close easily and unobstructed
 Exit doors free of hold-open devices (ex.
wedges, straps, etc.)
 All exit doors inspected and not locked,
bolted or otherwise fastened, preventing
egress

24.  Exits shall terminate directly at a public way
or at an exterior exit discharge
 Means of egress shall be illuminated
continuously during the time that the
conditions of occupancy require the means of
egress be available for use

25.  Showing occupant load, seating diagram and
location of the exits should be on site
 Must be signed and approved by Assistant
Deputy State Fire Marshal

26. Fire alarm panel –
 Tells you where the alarm has been activated
 Only to be reset when scene has been
deemed clear
 Must have current inspection sticker
 Look for trouble or other alarms

27. Smoke Detectors –
 Commercial buildings:
Must be hard wired with
battery backup
 Must not be blocked by
anything, including dust,
cobwebs or paint
 Power light must be
active – steady blink

28. Heat detector –
 Used where smoke detectors too sensitive
 Rated for different temperatures
 Usually mounted on ceiling

29. Horn / Strobe –
 Notification to building occupants of fire by
sound and strobe light
 Will only stop when alarm panel is reset
 Must not be blocked or covered

30.  Located near exit doors
 Different operations but same idea
 Check to make sure not obstructed or unable
to function

31.  All places of assembly must have lighted
signs
 Must remain lit during power outage
 Signs must be lit and visible for all main
egress’

32.  All places of assembly must have working
emergency lighting.
 Can be checked by test button or central box.

33.  Must never be blocked
 Have marking sign above
 Properly mounted and located
near exits
 Inspection tag will tell you
when the last inspection was.
 Indicator gauge will tell you if
the extinguisher is in proper
working order (Green area).

34.  Automatic extinguishing systems must be in
place in all kitchens
 If necessary can be operated manually
 Know actuator location and how to use it

35.  Other items on checklist that you are not sure
about… ask!

36. Tents
Grandstands
Air-Supported Structures
Special Events

37.  Definition:
 Tent
 Membrane Structure
 Grandstand
 Permit Process
 Detail Duties

38.  Tents
 Circus, Carnival, Large Crowd Events

39.  Tent
 NFPA 101: “a temporary structure, for covering of which is
made of a pliable material that achieves its support by
mechanical means such as beams, columns, poles, or
arches, or by rope or cables, or both.”
 Membrane Structure
 “a building or portion of a building incorporating an air-
inflated, air-supported, tensioned membrane structure”.
 Grand stand
 A structure that provides tiered or stepped seating

40. Questions to ask…
 Number of people attending? (Needed for permit)
 Flame resistant certificates from tent
manufacturer
 Will there be a stage in the tent?
 Will cooking or heating devices be used?

41.  Number of people attending will be provided
by permit
 Egress must be maintained
 Tent must not take up more than 75% of
premises
 Area within and 10 feet around tent must be
free of debris and ground growth
 Exception: approved animal bedding

42. Flammable liquids or gases
▪ Must be stored at least 10’ away from tents
▪ Must not be refueled within 5’ of tent area
▪ Propane tanks must be secured from falling over,
strapped to a stationary object or staked to ground

43. Electrical
▪ Switches & fuses must be in approved enclosures
▪ Cables on ground traversed by public must be in
trenches or approved covers
▪ Generators must be no less than 5 feet away and
protected by fencing, enclosure or approved means

44.  NO SMOKING
 Exit signs for all egress, Lit for night events
 Emergency alarm or notification system must be
provided
 Fireworks or unauthorized open flames are
prohibited in any tent or temporary membrane
structure
 Egress shall meet the same requirements as that
for enclosed structures

45. 23-28.19-15 Detail of Firefighters
 Uniformed firefighters required for all circuses,
carnivals or other exhibitions where large crowds
assemble
 Detail must familiarize themselves with all fire
protection facilities and fire prevention features &
exits
 Detail shall patrol the entire area during the time it
is occupied

46.  Special police officers or firefighters
should see that overcrowding is not
permitted
 Aisles and exit ways are kept open
 No smoking rules are observed

47.  No tent exceeding 120 sq. ft. (10x12) shall be
erected, without a license (building permit)
 Licenses shall not be issued for more than 30
days.
 Any tent exceeding 400 sq. ft. require fire
department approval and an on-site
inspection:
 Building department, police department
 When used for more than 200 persons

48. • Schematic of tent size, location, use, and seating
plan
• Stage plan
• Date of set up, date & time of event, break down
• Flame resistant documentation, decorations
• Exit lighting, and emergency lighting
• Propane tanks properly spaced, secured, protected
• Fire extinguishers
• Electrical equipment (and protection)
• Generators
• All combustible debris and vegetation clear for 10 ft
surrounding tents

49.  NFPA 1 – Uniform Fire Code
 NFPA 101 – Life Safety Code
 NFPA 102 – Standard for Grandstands, Folding and
Telescopic Seating,Tents, and Membrane Structures
 NFPA 30 – Flammable and Combustible Liquids
 NFPA 54 – National Fuel Gas Code
 NFPA 58 – Liquefied Petroleum Gas Code

50.  Signs prohibiting smoking shall be prominently
displayed at all entrances.
 Frequent announcements regarding no smoking
shall be made
 Non-combustible containers shall be provided at all
entrances for cigar or cigarette butts, and a
uniformed attendant shall be stationed at locations
to advise patrons of the no smoking regulation

51.  Capacity of 100 or more: 2 exits
 Capacity >500: minimum 9 ft in width
 Exits not over 75 ft apart
 Poles between 8 -10 ft apart

52.  AislesWidth: Minimum 44” apart
 Rows (between): Minimum 12” ?

53.  Fire Extinguishers

54.  Assembly Occupancy: exceeding 1000
 One (1) trained manager for every 250 occupants
▪ Not inclusive of religious services (not exceeding 2000
occupants)
▪ May be reduced due to sprinkler system
 Festival Seating

55.  Uniformed firefighters shall be detailed to all
circuses, carnivals, or other exhibits where large
crowds assemble.
 All tents with a capacity of 1000 or more persons shall
have a minimum of two (2) uniformed fire fighters and any
additional when deemed necessary by the Chief
 All tents with a capacity of 301- 1000 shall have a
minimum of one (1) uniformed fire fighter and any
additional when deemed necessary by the Chief
 All tents with a capacity of 50 - 300 shall have a minimum
of one (1) uniformed fire fighter when deemed necessary
by the Chief.
▪ This provision may be waived by the Chief

56.  Seating
 If seating is provided, no standing in aisles is
permitted (site managers should enforce,
however firefighters have a duty to clear the
aisle).
▪ Not applicable to Ushers, police, other workers
 Any person violating this provision may be fined
up to $500.00
▪ Police enforcement

57.  Lighted candles in all
places of assembly
shall be protected by a
proper enclosure
manufactured for that
specific purpose
 No open or unprotected
flame
YES NO

58. Vent pipe?

59. FireWorks Displays

60.  Watch for unsafe handling and storage
 Watch assistants for ability to use
extinguishers or other safety equipment
 All personnel involved in the display must
wear proper PPE
 Safety Glasses, Long-sleeved shirt, long-pants
made of 100% cotton, leather or equivalent fabric

61. Immediate notification must be made if any of
the following occur:
 Injury to any person resulting from the display of
fireworks
 Fire or damage to property resulting from the
display of fireworks
 Unsafe or defective pyrotechnic products used or
observed

62.  Continue to enforce all items on checklist
 Pay special attention to corridors and exits
 Watch for unplanned events in performance
 If violations observed:
 Correct them immediately
 If problem, Notify Deputy Chief on-duty
 Ask Police Officer at the event to help enforce, if
necessary

63.  Rescue
 Anyone in immediate danger.
 If this should require more than a few seconds to
accomplish, the alarm should be sounded
immediately

64. Sound Alarm!
 Sounding the building Fire Alarm followed by
communication to dispatch via portable radio
 Give exact location & description of the situation
(Building name & address)
 Floor number
 Area
 Details of emergency
 Occupancy at time of fire

65. Confine the Fire
 Restrict fire to certain areas by closing doors and
cutting off further fuel or oxygen
 Performed as you leave the area to sound alarm
and direct patrons out
Evacuate the building!
 Direct all people to the exit
 Ensure that staff are following the Egress Plan

66.  Remain at your posted location until all guests have
left or until hazardous items are properly disposed
of
 Note any issues or concerns on your event checklist
 Report safety concerns to Assistant Deputy State
Fire Marshal
Upon Completion of the Detail
 Violations and/or questions shall be forwarded to
the Fire Marshal’s Office through the Deputy Chief’s
Office

67.  Job #1
 Safety of event participants and guests
Objects can be replaced but lives cannot