§ 26-319. Fire performance art.

Sec. 26-319.1. General.

The term "Fire performance art" shall be defined as any act (fire juggling, fire eating, etc.) in a public or private place, which utilizes fire for entertainment purposes, outside of a protective housing or in ways in which it travels through the air (by one person or multiple persons). These acts do not include pyrotechnics or other open flame devices as regulated by other code sections or permits.

Sec. 26-319.2. Permits. An operational permit in accordance with Section 105.6 shall be secured from the fire code official prior to the date of the fire performance art taking place.

Sec. 26-319.3. Space Considerations. A ten (10) foot distance shall be maintained between the fire-involved item and the any member of an audience, any combustible decoration/construction, and any combustible item within the immediate performance area. A minimum ten (10) foot ceiling height is required.

Sec. 26-319.4. Extinguishing Agents. At minimum, one (1) 2A-10BC multipurpose fire extinguisher shall be required for every five (5) performers at each performance. Additional fire extinguishers may be required by the fire code official based upon the unique circumstances of the performance and occupancy.

Sec. 319.4.1. One (1) wet towel for each active fire performer shall be provided to extinguish the fire implement. The towel shall be white in color to differentiate its use from other colors that may be used to clean up flammable or combustible liquid spills. Towels use for cleaning up flammable or combustible liquid spills shall be stored in an approved metal container with a tight fitting lid.

Sec. 26-319.4.2. One (1) listed fire blanket shall be provided for every five (5) performers.

Sec. 26-319.5. Personal Safety. A five-gallon open-topped bucket of water will be provided for each fire performance area.

Sec. 26-319.5.1. Spotter. One trained spotter shall be provided for each performance. The spotter shall be positioned between the active fire performer and the audience. Spotter should be trained in the proper use of fire extinguishers. The spotter may be a performer who is not engaged in the current performance. The fire code official may require additional spotters based on the unique circumstances of the performance and occupancy.

Sec. 26-319.6. Fuels. Approved common fuels used for fire performance art include: denatured alcohol; lamp oil (odorless and smokeless); kerosene (for outdoor performances only); stove fuel; "Shell Sol T" brand fuel; "Allume Fue" brand fuel; "Fire Water" brand fuel. Gasoline is prohibited under any circumstances.

Sec. 26-319.6.1. Fuel Quantities and Storage. All fuels shall be stored in their original container(s) with the caps in place when not in use. The maximum quantity of fuel on site shall be no more than one (1) US gallon per performer.

Sec. 26-319.7. Wicks. Wick material shall consist of cotton wrapped in Kevlar to prevent the breakdown of the cotton as it burns. All synthetic wick material shall be avoided.

Sec. 26-319.8. Clothing. It is recommended that the clothing worn by the performers be made of fire resistive materials such as natural fibers or Nomex/PBI.

Sec. 26-319.9. Smoking. Smoking is prohibited within fifty (50) feet of the performance area and fuel storage. No smoking signs shall be posted accordingly.

Sec. 26-319.10. Bond or Insurance policy required; Amount. Before an operational permit shall be issued for a fire performance art, the applicant shall have on file with the fire chief a certificate of insurance or copy thereof, with a company acceptable to and approved by the city's corporate safety and risk manager, stating that the applicant has in effect liability insurance in the amount acceptable to the corporate safety and risk manager, but not less than $1,000,000.00 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage for outdoor performances and not less than $5,000,000.00 combined single limit for bodily injury and property damage for indoor performances. In addition, the certificate of insurance shall state that the city is an additional insured and that a mandatory ten-day notice of material change or cancellation shall be given to the city. The certificate of insurance shall evidence coverage afforded for any and all fire performance art events which are presented by or for the named insured (applicant) during the period.

(Ord. No. 150169 , § 1, 4-9-15; Ord. No. 160349 , § 1, 5-26-16)