UCL Fire Technical Note No: 041
Fire Safety
Technical Guide
GENERAL EXHIBITION - FIRE SAFETY
CODE
EXHIBITIONS CODE FOR FIRE SAFETY
1.
The fitting up and dismantling of stands shall not generally proceed whilst the Exhibition or
Function is open.
2.
No readily combustible material should be incorporated into the structure or the decoration
of Exhibition Stands. All timber, which is less than 25 mm (1”) in thickness, must be of a
type rendered fire retardant during manufacture and bear a distinguishing brand-mark
indicating such treatment.
3.
Surface linings shall have a flame spread rating, which is not inferior to Class 2
4.
Decorative drapes shall be inherently fire retardant or be so treated and sited to the
satisfaction of the UCL Fire Officer.
5.
Flame of Heating Devices - exhibition stands, which incorporate equipment using flame or
other heating devices, shall be sited to the satisfaction of the UCL Fire Officer to whom all
relevant details of such equipment should be submitted before installation within the
exhibition area. It will normally be required that such equipment shall be positioned upon,
and adjacent to, incombustible materials and for the Stand to be positioned adjacent to a
periphery wall. Flues shall be constructed of incombustible materials and discharge to
open air (or into a permanent flue) and be positioned and protected so that combustible
materials cannot come into direct contact with the surface.
6.
Fuel Supplies - fuel supplies within the exhibition areas shall be kept to the essential
minimum and where such fuels consist of liquefied or compressed gases, only one cylinder
will normally be permitted on any Exhibition Stand at any one time there should be alt least
3m of hose between the gas cylinder and heater unit.
7.
Empty liquefied or compressed gas cylinders must be removed from the site each day and
at the end of the exhibition or function.
8.
All reasonable precautions shall be taken to prevent spillage or escape of flammable
substances. Fuel supply piping shall be provided with secure connections and with readily
available shut-off arrangements. The construction of such piping must, where practicable
be of rigid metal.
9.
Fire Extinguishers - Exhibition Stands using equipment mentioned in (5) and any other
Stand, which, in the opinion of the UCL Fire Officer present similar risks, shall be provided
with suitable fire extinguishing media provide by the exhibitor (but may in exception
circumstances be supplied through the UCL Fire Officer). It must be kept readily available
for use and all persons who may reasonably be required to use such fire equipment shall
make themselves aware of its location. Such Stands shall be attended by staff
continuously whilst in operation.
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Date Last Amended: Jan 11
1.
Issued by the - Fire Officer, UCL, Estates & Facilities, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of
requirements and is in addition to relevant British Standards or any other instructions received from the Local Fire or Building Control Authorities.
UCL Fire Technical Note No: 041
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10.
Film Media - exhibition stands incorporating the projection of DVD / Films / Video media
shall be provided with means of egress to the satisfaction of the UCL Fire Officer and be
provided with fire extinguishing media in accordance with paragraph (7) above.
11.
Motor Vehicles - motor vehicles shall not be brought into the UCL premises without the
approval of the UCL Fire Officer and, where such approval is given, fuel tanks shall be
emptied of petroleum spirit: the battery of each vehicle must be disconnected.
12.
Waste Bins - waste bins and similar containers on Exhibition Stands shall be of
incombustible material and shall, where required, be provided with lids. The regular
removal of waste and debris from the exhibition areas must be arranged the Waste
Services (Estates & Facilities).
13.
Electricity Equipment - All temporary electrical equipment and circuits shall be installed in
accordance with current IEE. Regulations and Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, and
all flexible leads provided with proper connections. Taped joints in electrical circuits are
not permitted. Flexible insulated conductors must be located remote from textile fabrics
and, so far as possible, be positioned where they cannot be tampered with (and secured to
prevent a tripping hazard). Sufficient plug sockets must be provided for each stand to
minimise the use of multi-adapters. All plugs to appliances shall be fitted with a correctly
rated fuse.
14.
Escape Routes - exhibition stands and equipment shall not be so placed as to obstruct
gangways, exits, exit signs, alarm points, emergency lighting units and fixed fire points.
Gangways should have a minimum width of 1.2 metres and any variation of this figure must
be approved by the UCL Fire Officer.
15.
Exit doors shall be secured only by panic bolts or other fittings approved by the UCL Fire
Officer. Any additional securing devices (e.g. Padlock and Chains) shall be removed from
exit doors before persons are allowed on the premises and must not be replaced until the
premises have been cleared of the exhibition.
16.
Fire safety equipment, including alarm points, emergency lighting units, signs and notices
and portable extinguishers must not be misused, removed or tampered with or obstructed.
17.
Smoking - smoking is prohibited in all areas used for exhibition purposes and ‘No
Smoking’ signs must be prominently displayed as appropriate. All areas including external
areas at UCL are No Smoking!
* A number of proprietary brands of flame retarding solutions are available.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Date Last Amended: Jan 11
2.
Issued by the - Fire Officer, UCL, Estates & Facilities, Gower Street, London, WC1E 6BT - This guide is to be regarded as a general statement of
requirements and is in addition to relevant British Standards or any other instructions received from the Local Fire or Building Control Authorities.