Los Angeles Municipal Code § 57.4701 Assemblage Occupancies

The provisions of this section and applicable provisions of Titles 19 and 24, C.C.R. shall regulate fire and life safety requirements for assembly occupancies. Such provisions apply to all assembly occupancies requiring a fire permit and define who shall be responsible for providing the fire and life safety within. The provisions recognize that life safety consists of more than exit requirements alone and address the proper use of decorative materials, open flame, flammable liquids and gases, and the operation of motion picture theaters and projection rooms. The provisions do not address building construction features that are regulated by Chapter 9 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (Building Code).

A permit is required to engage in the business of operating a place of assemblage or to temporarily use a building or part thereof or premise as a place of assemblage.

No person may engage in the business of operating a place of assemblage without a valid permit issued from the Chief in accordance with Section 57.105.6.5.

No person may use a building or premise as place of assemblage without a valid permit issued from the Chief in accordance with Section 57.105.7.1.3.

EXCEPTION: A building or premise with an existing permit under Section 57.105.6.5 that does not exceed its operating restrictions.

Pursuant to Section 57.105.5, the failure to comply with any provision of this article may result in the denial, suspension, or revocation of a permit issued under Sections 57.105.6.5 and 57.105.7.1.3.

The owner, manager, or person in control of any assembly occupancy shall be responsible for compliance with the fire and life safety provisions of this chapter. The person in control of any assembly occupancy shall, upon request of the Chief provide the name, address, and telephone number of the owner, manager, representative, or lessee. Every place of assemblage shall be under the constant supervision of the owner, manager, or a person in control who shall be on the premises during the time that the occupancy is open to the public.

In addition to other requirements in this article, the owner, manager, or person in control of an assembly event operating pursuant to a permit under Section 57.105.7.1.3 shall meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. Before the issuance of the permit, provide to the Department documentation that all fire protective systems within the building or premise have been maintained and are functioning properly;

2. Before the issuance of the permit, provide to the Department a valid certificate of occupancy issued by the Department of Building and Safety for the applicable building;

3. Be physically present and provide constant supervision at the building or premise during the time that the assembly event is open to the public;

4. Comply with Chapter 8 of the California Fire Code and CCR Title 19, and provide flame certifications for all fabrics and decorations;

5. Provide and maintain exits, seating arrangements, exit signs, occupant loads, and access facilities in accordance with Sections 57.1001 through 57.1031; and

6. If an assembly event includes stages or platforms more than 30 inches above grade or temporary structures higher than 12 feet, procure a separate Temporary Installation permit in accordance with Section
91.106.1.3.1.

The person in control of any assembly occupancy shall provide and maintain exits, seating arrangements, exit signs, occupant loads, and access facilities in accordance with Chapter 10 of this article.

In addition to the exiting requirements found in Chapter 10 of this article, assemblage occupancies shall also comply with Sections 57.4701.4.1.1 through 57.4701.4.1.4

No person shall maintain or place any chair, table, stool, sofa, settee, booth, easel, camera, microphone, cable, false front, rope barrier, or other obstruction except a breakaway rope necessary to control and maintain order in any exit of any assembly occupancy while the same is open for business or while there are persons other than employees therein.

No person shall maintain or place any chair, table, stool, sofa, settee, booth, easel, camera, microphone, cable, false front, rope barrier, or other obstruction which will reduce the required exit width in any lobby, foyer, mezzanine, or other public area of any assembly occupancy while the same is open for business or while there are persons other than employees therein, except by written permission by the Chief.

No person shall block, impede, or obstruct any exit to a public way or any access to a building, structure or premises, in such manner as to prevent or interfere with the use of such exits or access by any person who is exiting or entering said occupied assembly occupancy.

In theaters, restaurants, and similar places of assemblage where persons are admitted to the occupancy at times when seats are not available for them and are allowed to wait in a lobby or similar space until seats are available, such use of the lobby or similar space shall not encroach upon the required clear width of exits. Such waiting shall be restricted to areas other than the required exit way. Maximum occupant load for waiting spaces shall be one person for each 5 square feet of waiting space. Exits shall be provided in addition to the exits specified for the main assembly area and shall conform in arrangement with Chapter 10 of this article.

No person shall use an open flame upon any stage or platform, inside any dressing room, or within the public area of any assembly occupancy, except by authority of a Special Permit from the Chief pursuant to Section 57.105.8.

EXCEPTIONS:

1. Approved heating appliances.

2. Smoking in any area where smoking is permitted.

3. The use of candles as part of a religious ritual, ceremony, or service, provided that such candles are located in a portion of a room, building, or premises not normally occupied by any persons except

those charged with ministration duties, and provided that such candles are safely supported in a manner approved by the Chief.

When the occupant load is 100 or more, no person shall operate or maintain any live theatrical production utilizing scenery and/or settings, lighting, or other stage dressing or paraphernalia, in any motion picture theater, theater or little theater except by authority of a permit in accordance with Section 57.105.7.

No person shall operate, maintain, or allow to exist any unvented portable fuel-burning heater in any assembly occupancy except by Special Permit from the Chief pursuant to Section 57.105.8.

Compressed gases or liquefied gases shall comply with Sections 57.4701.8.1 through 57.4701.8.3.

No person shall, without a Special Permit from the Chief, pursuant to Section 57.105.8, use or store compressed gases or liquefied flammable gases within any assembly occupancy for demonstrations, exhibitions, trade shows, lectures or any other purpose which, in the opinion of the Chief, would create a fire, life, or panic hazard.

Special Permits from the Chief, pursuant to Section 57.105.8, shall specify the following conditions for the proper use or display of compressed gases or liquefied flammable gases within any assembly occupancy:

1. Cylinders and their appurtenances shall be designed, fabricated, tested, and maintained in accordance with Chapter 53 and Chapter 61 of this article.

2. Cylinders shall be stored in a place and manner approved by the Chief.

3. The use or display of compressed gases or liquefied flammable gases shall not exceed 30 consecutive days.

4. Liquefied flammable gas cylinders shall be installed in an upright position and be secured to prevent movement.

5. Cylinders shall not be exposed to any heat above ambient temperature.

6. Cylinders equipped with protective caps shall, except when in use, have the caps in place.

7. Cylinder valves shall be closed at any time the demand for gas ceases so that pressure will not be maintained on any attached equipment.

8. The amount of gas and number of cylinders shall not exceed the amount and number approved by the Chief for a specific location.

9. Not less than one 10B:C portable fire extinguisher shall be provided and accessible at each location where open flame is used.

10. Liquefied flammable gas cylinders shall not exceed 5.76 gallons water capacity in size.

11. Liquefied flammable gas cylinders shall not be filled with more than 50% of nominal charging capacity.

12. The total amount of liquefied flammable gas cylinders on the premises shall not exceed 60 gallons at any time.

13. Liquefied flammable gas used for the preparation or warming of food for retail sale is prohibited.

Liquefied flammable gas used for space heating shall be supplied from a fuel cylinder located outside of and at least 10 feet from any assembly occupancy. An approved heater and piping system shall be used. Flexible hose in length up to 36 inches may be used if it is designed for a minimum bursting pressure of 1,750 psig, and such hose shall be marked with “L.P.-GAS” or “LPG” labeling.

Cylinder pressure regulating devices shall be located adjacent to the cylinder. Cylinders and regulating devices shall be located and protected to prevent physical damage.

No person shall conduct, operate, maintain or allow standing concert attendance inside a structure.

EXCEPTION: Public assembly occupancies with occupant loads below 1,000 may utilize standing concert attendance under the provisions of a Special Permit from the Chief pursuant to Section 57.105.8. Such permit shall be issued only if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Chief that the physical layout of the event and the proposed security measures are adequate to insure that the audience will neither rush the stage, nor gather at the stage in such a manner as to create a dangerous level of crowd density. In evaluating the adequacy of such layout and security, the Chief shall consider the anticipated size, volatility, and behavior of the audience as demonstrated by the past history of like audiences.

No person shall conduct, operate, maintain or allow standing concert attendance at a public assemblage not in a structure except by authority of a Special Permit from the Chief pursuant to Section 57.105.8. Such permit shall be issued only if it is demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Chief that the physical layout of the event and the proposed security measures are adequate to insure that the audience will neither rush the stage, nor gather at the stage in such a manner as to create a dangerous level of crowd density. In evaluating the adequacy of such layout and security, the Chief shall consider the anticipated size, volatility, and behavior of the audience as demonstrated by the past history of like audiences

The owner, manager, or person in control of any assembly event with an anticipated attendance of 1,000 or more persons must submit a crowd management plan as part of the permit application for permits issued under Section 57.105.6.5 or Section 57.105.7.1.3. The crowd management plan must be approved by the Fire Code Official before the permit is granted and must satisfy all the safety needs of the assembly event, including the safety of persons in the area surrounding the assembly event. At a minimum, the plan must demonstrate or contain the following elements:

1. The layout of the event is satisfactory for the safe movement of the crowd between different areas of the assembly event;

2. The contingency for entry at the start of the assembly event;

3. The contingency for exiting at the end of the assembly event;

4. The contingency for evacuation and evacuation safe locations;

5. The number and assignments of crowd management personnel; and

6. Safeguards against the development of dangerous levels of crowd density.

In evaluating the adequacy of the crowd management plan, the Fire Code Official shall consider the anticipated size, predictability, and behavior of the audience as demonstrated by past history of like audiences.

Except for assembly occupancies that are classified as Group A or Group E occupancies, the Department has the authority to prescribe or require the development of an approved medical plan for an assembly event for permits issued under Section 57.105.6.5 or Section 57.105.7.1.3 where the Department determines that such event may adversely impact the delivery of public safety services (e.g., the number of people in attendance, diminishing access to buildings, structures, fire hydrants, fire apparatus access roads, etc.) or where such gatherings adversely affect public safety services of any kind. The failure to secure approval of a required medical plan or to implement an approved medical plan may result in the denial, suspension or revocation of a permit issued under Section 57.105.7.1.3.