Key points:
- Outdoor markets and food festivals pose a range of health, safety, and fire risks.
- Trained and certified firewatchers work with security to assess for and respond to risk factors.
- Continuous patrolling is required to monitor electrical, multi-fuel sources, exits, and entrances.
Summer is in full swing, which means Denver is hosting an array of food festivals, farmer’s markets, street festivals, and outdoor events. These events pose unique fire and safety risks. Your outdoor permit mandates the number of designated security and food festival fire guards you must deploy. Beyond knowing who to staff, event organizers must learn their event’s top risks to create a sound Emergency Response Plan.
Occupancy control is often the first thing that comes to mind when managing outdoor events. Although crucial, it’s one of many risk factors mandated by the DFDs Fire Prevention Division. Vendors must be properly spaced and strategically positioned in definable rows that support intuitive egress. You must identify all fire risk factors, including generators, open flame, propane tanks, the electrical micro-grid, tents, umbrellas, and more.
The Multi-Fuel Threat
Whether it’s a food truck or a free-standing table, vendors require fuel to prepare their food. Non-food vendors and entertainment also require power. Let vendors know their voltage restrictions and allotted number of outlets and equipment. Leave ample margin, as events always require more power than expected.
Before the event begins, visually inspect food truck operators. This ensures compliance with NFPA 96 “grease-producing cooking” requirements of an Ansul-style automatic hood suppression system and a Class K wet-chemical fire extinguisher.
Multi-fuel threats include:
- Free-standing or in-truck portable propane tanks.
- Diesel generators to power food vendors, sound stages, and temporary structures.
- Any combination of open flames, deep frying cooking oil, and high-pressure gas lines.
- High winds can pick up open flames.
- Inexperienced vendors who don’t understand safe setup and operations.
- The temporary micro-grid for vendors and entertainers.
- Multiple power strips that require continuous monitoring for signs of malfunction or overload.
- Deliveries of combustible and non-combustible materials that can block fire lanes, entrances, and exits.
Umbrellas, Tents, and Overhead Décor
Food festival fire guards also monitor for non-combustible fire risk, including fabric and décor. Vendor tables and seating areas are often covered with umbrellas or tents to provide shade. Not only are umbrellas and tents flammable, but they mask rising smoke and fire. Overhead lighting and flammable décor add to this fire hazard.
Umbrellas and tents must be spaced at least 10 feet apart, vendors must be spaced at least 10 feet apart, and 10 feet from buildings, structures, and designated exits. This minimizes the risk of spreading if a fire ignites.
Strategic Electrical Grid
NEC Article 525 mandates the safety and durability of the electrical grid you set up for your event. Generators must be bonded to a grounding system. These heavy-duty copper grounding rods dissipate electricity to minimize the risk of shock, surge, and static. For large events with heavy electrical load, a generator farm may be safer than a series of strategically placed generators.
There’s no way around placing cables and cords on the ground. These electrical lines must be commercial-grade and covered in rubberized cable ramps. These heavy-duty ramps minimize trip risk and can withstand foot traffic and vehicle weight. They keep electricity continuous while minimizing short circuits, electrocution hazards, and the ignition of grass, timber, or flammable materials.
Food Festival Fire Guards in and Around Denver
Scout Security’s fire guards are trained and certified to prevent, detect, and respond to fire hazards. They audit festival grounds before the gates open. This includes inspecting food trucks for compliant hood suppression systems and extinguishers and assessing the placement of flammable and hazardous materials.
During the event they provide continuous patrols of the festival grounds, generator farm, electrical junctions, entrances, exits, and fire lanes. If emergency arises, they respond and initiate evacuation.
You can pre-schedule our team or book us last-minute for festivals in Denver and The Springs.
