TRADE SHOWS

The Planning and Development Section reviews trade show floor plans, conducts inspections, and issues permits for shows at the Convention Center, the Honda Center, and hotels in Anaheim. The trade show decorator usually submits floor plans, and the plans are reviewed by the trade show fire inspector. The exhibitor usually obtains permits (see the permit section below). Inspections are conducted prior to the opening of a show and during the show. Additional information is provided below
for exhibitors and decorators:

INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS

Booth Requirements: All exhibit booths must be constructed with non-combustible or limited-combustible materials. Wood booths must be one quarter inch (1/4") thick or greater.

Plans for all two-story booths must be approved and stamped by a licensed structural engineer or architect and submitted to the Anaheim Fire Prevention Division (see permit section). The second story of a two-story booth equipped with one staircase is limited to an occupant load of nine (9) persons, and an occupant load sign is required.

Any booth with four walls and a ceiling requires a smoke detector to be installed on the ceiling, and be equipped with an outside audible alarm. A 2A/10BC fire extinguisher is required in the interior portion of the booth.

Decorative Material: All drapes and materials that are used for booth separation are required to be flame retardant. Canvas tents, canopies, awnings, curtains, straw, hay, and similar materials are also required to be flame retardant. A copy of the California State Fire Marshal fire retardant certificate must be provided to the Anaheim Fire Department to verify that the approved treatment has been applied, or the materials must be removed prior to show opening.

Storage: Literature on display shall be limited to reasonable quantities. Reserve supplies must be kept in closed containers and stored in a neat and compact manner. No more than a one-day supply of combustible storage is allowed beneath tables. No storage of any kind is allowed behind curtains or walls of booths in any facility.

General Conditions: Storage, booth construction, easels, and signs must not block access to any fire/life safety equipment and must not impede exit access, exit doors or aisles.Vehicles, boats and similar exhibited products having over one hundred square feet (100 sq. ft.) of roofed area must also have smoke detectors.

Electrical appliances and cords must be UL approved. Gas appliances must be A.G.A. approved.

All flammable or combustible aerosol containers used for display purposes must be empty (see permit section for use of aerosols). No liquefied petroleum gases (i.e. propane, butane, etc.) are permitted in any public assembly facility in Anaheim.

PERMITS FOR SPECIAL USES IN A TRADE SHOW

The following uses require a fire department permit. An application for a permit should be made ten (10) days in advance of the show and be accompanied by a permit fee of $30.00, payable to the City of Anaheim. An additional fee of $10 is charged when exhibitors fail to obtain their permits prior to the show opening.

Permits are required for the following in a public assembly/trade show:

Vehicles: All liquid or gas fueled vehicles, and gasoline/diesel-powered equipment for display must have batteries disconnected, fuel supplies at 1/4 tank or 5 gallons, whichever is less, and be furnished with locking gas caps or caps sealed with tape.

Cooking Appliances: (i.e. ovens, stoves, barbecues, hot plates, deep fryers, or any heat-producing cooking device.) All demonstrations using these appliances must be isolated away from the public by four feet (4’) or be protected with an 18-inch high, 1/4-inch thick clear plastic shield. The shield must be placed along the front and sides of the appliance.

Heat-Producing Equipment: (i.e. welding equipment, soldering devices, ovens, hot plates, etc.) All demonstrations using heat-producing equipment, conducted on the front table of the booth, must be protected with a 18-inch high, 1/4-inch thick, clear plastic shield across the front and down both sides of the demonstration area. Approved welding screens will be required for welding equipment.

Machinery: (electrical, mechanical, or dust-producing equipment that incorporates moving parts.) The fire department may require the use of a safeguard for the viewer’s protection. (This does not apply to normal electrical appliances such as lamps, computers, radios, microwave ovens, etc.)

Flammable or Combustible Aerosols: (devices using flammable or combustible aerosols.) Describe the type and amounts needed on the permit application. Quantities will be limited in accordance with the Uniform Fire Code.

Two-Story Booths: Plans must be submitted, and a permit obtained for all two-story booths.

Miscellaneous: A permit is required to use all decorative candles. A permit is also required to store or use flammable/combustible liquids, compressed gases cylinders, hazardous materials, chemicals and lasers.

Permits can be obtained by completing the Application/Permit and either mailing it with the required fee to the Anaheim Fire Department Fire Prevention Division, Attention: Trade Show Inspector, 201 South Anaheim Blvd., Suite 300, Anaheim, CA 92805, or faxing it to (714) 765-4608.

CLICK HERE FOR A COPY OF THE TRADE SHOW PERMIT APPLICATION

INFORMATION FOR DECORATORS

Floor plans should be submitted 30 DAYS prior to the event. Plans should be mailed to: ANAHEIM FIRE DEPARTMENT, Attention: Trade Show Inspector, Fire Prevention Division, 201 S. Anaheim Blvd., Suite 300, Anaheim, CA 92805.

Plan check fees are based on total square footage and are applicable to all events including tabletops, schoolroom seating, theater seating and trade shows. The plan check fee is applicable to EACH facility used. Plans should be accurately scaled, showing size and location of all aisles, exits, exhibits, registration areas, and fire and life safety equipment. AN APPROVED SET OF PLANS SHOULD BE AVAILABLE FOR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT INSPECTOR ON SITE IN THE DECORATOR’S BOOTH. The fire department must be notified IMMEDIATELY of ANY change in show plans. ALL FLOOR PLANS SHALL BE APPROVED BY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT BEFORE BOOTH SPACE IS SOLD.

For additional information, you may contact either the Trade Show Inspector or the Deputy Fire Marshal at the Planning and Development Section, (714) 765-4040 or fax us at (714) 765-4608.

PLAN CHECK SERVICES

The following is a list of fire protection systems requiring approval by Planning and Development prior to installation.

• Fire sprinkler systems (including any changes or additions)
• Underground fire lines for fire protection systems
• Fire alarm systems
• Private hydrant systems
• Fire extinguishing systems, such as wet/dry chemical and clean agent
• Spray booths and extinguishing systems for spray booths
• Standpipe systems

Plans are to be submitted to the Fire Prevention Division at 201 South Anaheim Blvd., Third Floor. Plan checks are usually completed by the fire department within ten (10) working days.

Building permits are required for the above systems except for fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems. Approved plans for fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems can be picked up at the Fire Prevention Division upon notification.

When building permits are required, the Anaheim Fire Department will forward the plans to the Building Division after approval. The Building Division will call when the plans are ready for pickup. The Building Division is located at 200 South Anaheim Blvd. on the First Floor. Proof of contractor's license, workers' compensation, and a City of Anaheim business license is required in order to obtain a building permit.

Fees are charged for plan check services and for the building permit. Expedited plan check is offered for an additional fee and must be pre-arranged. Call the Fire Prevention Division at (714) 765-4040 for more information.

NEW CONSTRUCTION INSPECTIONS

There are two types of new construction inspections conducted by the Planning and Development Section:

Building inspections and fire protection system inspections. The Planning and Development Section Conducts final inspections for all building permits except block walls, patios, and signs. A final inspection is
Required from the fire department before the Building Division will conduct a final inspection. Fire inspections
can be arranged by calling (714) 765-4040. A certificate of occupancy will be approved by the fire
Department after all fire department requirements have been satisfied

The following types of inspections are conducted by the fire department on fire protection systems:

1. FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMS – Underground hydrostatic test, underground flush, overhead hydrostatic test, and final inspection.
2. FIRE ALARMS - Full system test is required, a wiring (rough) inspection is not required. All monitoring systems for sprinkler systems must also be tested.
3. PRIVATE FIRE HYDRANTS – Underground flush, hydrostatic test, and flow test.
4. FIRE EXTINGUISHING SYSTEMS – Discharge test with utility shutdown verification.
5. SPRAY BOOTHS - Final inspection only is needed (extinguishing system should be tested/inspected at the same time).
6. STANDPIPE SYSTEMS - Final inspection with flow test at the topmost outlet.
7. Inspections should be arranged 48 hours in advance by calling (714) 765-4040.