Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
 
Agency
Department of Housing and Community Development
 
Board
Board of Housing and Community Development
 
chapter
Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code [13 VAC 5 ‑ 51]
Action Update the Statewide Fire Prevention Code
Stage Final
Comment Period Ended on 6/29/2018
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5/15/18  11:08 am
Commenter: J. E. Boisseau Colonial Heights Fire and EMS

Event Prepareness
 

The below sections of the fire code should not be deleted.  The fire code official should be able to develop a safety and emergency plan at any large event.  There was a large event in Dinwiddie that resulted in a shooting.  The Boy Scout event several years ago at Ft A P Hill that resulted in several injuries because of the weather.  Without local government being involved on the front side these event could be out of control or delay emergency services obtaining access.  This section should stay and allow the local government that authority to work with the host to plan for the safety of those attending.Typ

403.11.2. Public safety plan for gatherings. In other than Group A or E occupancies, where the fire code official determines that an indoor or outdoor gathering of persons has an adverse impact on public safety through diminished access to buildings, structures, fire hydrants and fire apparatus access roads or where such gatherings adversely affect public safety services of any kind, the fire code official shall have the authority to order the development of or prescribe a public safety plan that provides an approved level of public safety and addresses the following items:

1. Emergency vehicle ingress and egress.

2. Fire protection.

3. Emergency egress or escape routes.

4. Emergency medical services.

5. Public assembly areas.

6. The directing of both attendees and vehicles, including the parking of vehicles.

7. Vendor and food concession distribution.

8. The need for the presence of law enforcement.

9. The need for fire and emergency medical services personnel.

403.11.3. Crowd managers for gatherings exceeding 1,000 people. Where facilities or events involve a gathering of more than 1,000 people, crowd managers shall be provided in accordance with Section 403.11.3.1.

403.11.3.1. Number of crowd managers. The minimum number of crowd managers shall be established at a ratio of one crowd manager for every 250 persons.

Exception: Where approved by the fire code official, the number of crowd managers shall be permitted to be reduced where the facility is equipped throughout with an approved automatic sprinkler system or based upon the nature of the event.

403.11.3.2. Duties. The duties of crowd managers shall include, but not be limited to:

1. Conduct an inspection of the area of responsibility and identify and address any egress barriers.

2. Conduct an inspection of the area of responsibility and identify and mitigate any fire hazards.

3. Verify compliance with all permit conditions, including those governing pyrotechnics and other special effects.

4. Direct and assist the event attendees in evacuation during an emergency.

5. Assist emergency response personnel where requested.

6. Other duties required by the fire code official.

7. Other duties as specified in the fire safety plan.

403.11.3.3. Training. Training for crowd managers shall be approved.

 

CommentID: 65310