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PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
PLACES OF ASSEMBLY
General Regulations and Guidelines
March 2003


Place of Assembly Permit- Businesses with 50 or more persons gathered together for the purpose of
food or drink consumption, social or religious functions, recreation or instruction are required to obtain an
annual Fire Department Permit. The Permit shall include the occupant capacity of the room and be
posted in a conspicuous place near the main exit from the room. Failure to comply with occupant capacity
requirements shall be cause for revocation of the Place of Assembly Permit.
Fire Code, Sections 105 and 2501.16.1.


Overcrowding- Admittance of persons beyond the approved and posted occupant capacity is prohibited.
Business management is responsible for obtaining a continuous and accurate occupant tally. An
Administrative Citation may be assessed per violation. Fire Code, Section 2501.16.3 .


Exit Doors- Shall swing in the direction of the path of exit travel. Exit doors shall be openable from the
inside without the use of a key or any special knowledge or effort. Exit doors shall not be locked, chained,
bolted, barred, latched or otherwise rendered unusable. Exit doors shall not be provided with a latch or
lock unless it is panic hardware. Exception: The main exit door, or one leaf of a pair of main exit doors,
may be provided with a key-locking device, provided a readily visible sign is adjacent to the doorway
stating THIS DOOR MUST REMAIN UNLOCKED DURING BUSINESS HOURS. Fire Code, Sections
1207.2, 1207.3 and 2501.8.2.


Exit Signs- Shall be readily visible from any direction of approach. Exit signs shall be internally or
externally illuminated. In case of primary power loss, exit signs must remain illuminated for duration of not
less than 1½ hours by being connected to batteries or emergency generator. Exception: Approved self-
luminous signs that provide continuous illumination independent of an external power source. Fire Code,
Sections 1212.2, 1212.4, and 1212.5.


Emergency Lighting- Businesses with an occupant capacity of 100 or more shall be provided with
emergency lighting. Fire Code, Section, 1212.4, Building Code, Section 1003.2.9.1 and 1003.2.9.2


Means of Egress- Shall not be obstructed in any manner and shall remain free of any material or matter
where its presence would obstruct or render the means of egress hazardous. Fire Code, Section 1203


Decorative Materials Drapes, curtains, hangings and other decorative materials shall be flame resistant.
Fire Code, Section 1103.3.3 and California Code of Regulations, Title 19, Section 3.08


Candle and Other Open-Flame Decorative Device Permit- Only approved candles and open-flame
devices and an annual Fire Department Permit is required. Fire Code, Sections 25.01.17 and 1109.8


Fireworks, Pyr otechnics and Flame Special Effects- Are prohibited. Exception: A Fire Department
Permit is required, a licensed pyrotechnician must conduct the display and a Fire Safety Officer must be
present during the display. Fire Code, Sections 105 and 7801.3

For additional information or assistance on Assembly occupancies, please contact Inspection Services Section, Chris
Hahn at 686-8181 or Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Coleman 681-5554.