First-aid fire extinguishing equipment, furnishings and emergency access roads at a public event
First-aid fire extinguishing equipment are for example portable fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hose reels and stirrup pumps. Rescue departments help supervise the safety of public events. Contact your local rescue department for further information. Rescue departments will serve you in non-urgent matters during office hours.
First-aid fire extinguishing equipment
‘First-aid fire extinguishing equipment’ refers to portable fire extinguishers, fire blankets, fire hose reels and stirrup pumps. Portable fire extinguishers use, for example, dry chemical powder, water-based liquid, carbon dioxide or foam as the extinguishing medium. The event organiser must reserve a sufficient amount of first-aid fire extinguishing equipment suitable for the purpose at the venue. The first-aid fire extinguishing equipment must be appropriately located and accessible, with clear signage indicating its location.
Considerations relating to first-aid fire extinguishing equipment. At minimum, a public event must have:
- 6-kg dry powder fire extinguishers, usually rated at least 34A183BC,
- 6-litre water fire extinguishers, usually rated at least 43A,
- 6-litre foam fire extinguishers, usually rated at least 34A183B, and
- 5-kg carbon dioxide fire extinguishers rated at least 89B near electrical equipment.
Other considerations:
- At concerts, first-aid fire extinguishing equipment must be placed near the stage and the mixing desk.
- Buildings and temporary structures must have at least one first-aid fire extinguisher per 300 m².
- At least one extinguisher and fire blanket must be placed at locations where liquid gas is used.
- At least two portable fire extinguishers rated 43A183BC must be present for effects use and fire shows.
- A class F fire extinguisher intended for grease fires should be placed near any deep fryers.
- Fire extinguishers used in dry environments with little temperature variation must be inspected by an authorised inspection body at least once every two years.
- Fire extinguishers exposed to humidity, vibration or temperature variations must be inspected by an authorised inspection body at least once a year.
- Portable fire extinguishers must undergo maintenance by a portable fire extinguisher company approved by the Finnish Safety and Chemicals Agency after every use and whenever a need for maintenance is identified during their inspection. The maximum maintenance interval is five years for water fire extinguishers and ten years for other portable fire extinguishers.
Furnishings
Furnishings include curtains and other hanging textiles, fabrics, banners, upholstered seating, loose rugs and other products similar in terms of their use and material.
Furnishings used at public events must not be flammable and must not endanger the safety of people in case of an evacuation or hinder rescue operations. Furnishings must not produce abundant smoke when they burn or cause fire to spread quickly.
As a rule, public events must use fire-resistant furnishings (flammability class SL1, DIN 4102 B1 or equivalent). If the room is equipped with an automatic fire extinguishing system, the furnishings may be normally flammable (SL2, DIN 4102 B2 or equivalent).
However, if naked flames or pyrotechnics are used at the event, the area where they are used, such as the stage and in its immediate vicinity, must only have non-flammable or fire resistant furnishings and decorations.
The event organiser must be able to prove that the furnishings used meet the minimum fire safety requirements. Each piece of furnishing must have a certificate stating that it has been classified or fireproofed in accordance with the regulations. The product category can be found in the product’s test report, statement or product description.
Fireproofing can be done on site using a fire-retardant chemical and a fireproofing method suited to the purpose. A certificate must be provided for the fireproofing treatment. Fireproofing deteriorates with time and use, so the treatment must be redone in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
Emergency access roads
An emergency access road is a road that is intended for emergency vehicles. The purpose of emergency access roads is to ensure the rescue department can operate in the event of an accident. Emergency access roads must be marked in the emergency plan of a public event. The event organiser is obliged to keep the emergency access roads navigable and unobstructed throughout the event and to mark them appropriately.
