Hi everyone, just joined the site yesterday but have been lurking around for a few. Looking forward to learning from you all. My question is regarding fire proofing. I designed my booth on both a budget and space requirement (everything has to fit in a compact car). I think I have it all worked out except the fire proofing. I'm a little confused on this ( I've heard a 100 different things) and need to know how strict are the fire marshals at these events. My materials are certified in New Mexico from a state licensed organization. I need to know if this cert. will travel? Do I have to get a cert from every state? Or is there an organization out there that will give me a nation wide cert? My booth walls are made of canvas and so are my table cloths(sprayed with a fire retardant). I like the look and really hope to make it work. Any info will help.
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Thanks you guys, you took a load off of my mind. I live in Albuquerque and am going to do a few city run events which required a "floor plan" of my booth and long discussions with the fire marshal on the subject of fire proofing and all of the hoops I must jump though. It scared the hell out of me, thinking I would have to do this in every state. Anyway, thank you again, relieved -mike
Unless you have hay bales, lit candles, a camp fire, etc I doubt the fire marshal will say boo to you. I have never had a fire marshall ask about my fire proofing. I have heard stories of them grabbing a piece of drape and trying to light it, but I've come to think of these as urban show legends.
I do carry an extra piece of my fabric that has been fire proofed and the certificate in case I ever am asked by someone to burn my drapes. Actually I've never even been approached by a fire marshal, nor have I heard of anyone else being approached.
my experience - mostly on the west coast
C
You sound like you have more info for the fire marshal then most of us do.
I've seen it years ago at a few union controlled indoor shows. And occasionally at Ann Arbor where the fire marshals control a lot of what goes on. But in general they were more concerned with the width of the street between booths to make sure the fire engines could make it through.
In general most professionally made canopies had a certificate sewn into the top that said they were fire retardant, or at least came with a copy of the certificate. Another issue where fire marshals is involved is whether or not your fabric touches the floor where a light cigarette could touch it. But I don't think it's an issue anymore. Keep a copy of your certificate with your show stuff in the event you are challenged. And if you read the instructions in the show application and acceptance information and follow them you shouldn't have a problem.
I've done over a thousand art shows and have only seen this be an issue a few times and not for many years.
Replies
Unless you have hay bales, lit candles, a camp fire, etc I doubt the fire marshal will say boo to you. I have never had a fire marshall ask about my fire proofing. I have heard stories of them grabbing a piece of drape and trying to light it, but I've come to think of these as urban show legends.
I do carry an extra piece of my fabric that has been fire proofed and the certificate in case I ever am asked by someone to burn my drapes. Actually I've never even been approached by a fire marshal, nor have I heard of anyone else being approached.
my experience - mostly on the west coast
C
You sound like you have more info for the fire marshal then most of us do.
In general most professionally made canopies had a certificate sewn into the top that said they were fire retardant, or at least came with a copy of the certificate. Another issue where fire marshals is involved is whether or not your fabric touches the floor where a light cigarette could touch it. But I don't think it's an issue anymore. Keep a copy of your certificate with your show stuff in the event you are challenged. And if you read the instructions in the show application and acceptance information and follow them you shouldn't have a problem.
I've done over a thousand art shows and have only seen this be an issue a few times and not for many years.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100