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Public Assembly Guidelines

Scope

This policy applies to all university buildings or portions of buildings used for gatherings of 300 or more persons for such activities as entertainment, dining, amusement, lectures, seminars, etc. (e.g., Bender Arena, Mary Graydon Center dining facilities, Ward Circle Building, Greenberg Theater). These are the minimum criteria for emergency evacuation planning and fire prevention practices to be implemented by university departments responsible for activities at such locations.

Emergency Planning

The employees or attendants at places of assembly should be trained in the duties they are to perform in case of fire, panic, or other emergency, to ensure the orderly exit of those assembled. 

Attendants should know the location of fire exits and portable fire extinguishers. Attendants should know how to use fire extinguishers. An announcement should be made at the beginning of the event, such as:

"ATTENTION: Emergency exit doors are located at the north and south ends of the arena floor. Look for the red exit signs. In the event of an emergency, please exit in a calm and orderly fashion and follow the directions of university officials. Thank you."

If evacuation is necessary, another announcement should be made repeating initial instructions. If possible, it is preferable that the fire alarms in the assembly area not be suddenly sounded as this may cause panic.

NOTE: In some buildings, the fire alarms will automatically activate. In this situation, consideration should be given to making an announcement concerning this possibility before the event.

Refer to the university’s Emergency Management Procedures, “Department Evacuation Plans” for evacuation sites on campus.

The number of people in any building or portion thereof shall not exceed the amount specified. 

Smoking in assembly areas is prohibited.

The storage or use of flammable liquids in assembly areas is prohibited.

Combustible materials must be treated with an effective flame-retardant material. Stage settings made of combustible materials must also be treated with flame-retardant materials as indicated below:

  • Plywood, wood, particle board, mineral and fiber board, hardboard, etc. must be flame treated or otherwise be UL listed with a flame spread of 75 or less (class B).

  • Fabrics such as draperies and curtains must be flame treated or non-combustible.

  • Plastics must be UL labeled with flame spread of 75 or less and must not exceed 10% of the wall or ceiling area. Pyroxylin plastics are prohibited.

  • Cardboard should be flame treated or painted with fire retardant paint and must not exceed 10% of the wall/ceiling area.

  • Carpet must meet Federal Flammability Standard FF-l-70.

  • Christmas trees and decorations need prior approval from Risk Management. Artificial trees must have the Underwriters Laboratories label ('UL").  Live trees must be sprayed with a fire retardant material and be composed of a root ball wrapped in burlap.

Per university safety guidelines, aisles, passageways, stairways and exit doors must never be obstructed or restricted by tables, showcases, or other objects.