Fireworks and Pyrotechnic Displays on University Property

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DOCUMENT TYPE:

Policy

PURPOSE:

This document provides information and establishes general precautions and policies for members of the University of Kansas, and reporting affiliates, who plan to have a fireworks display or use pyrotechnic special effects as part of a University group activity.

APPLIES TO:

All property owned and operated by the University of Kansas.

CAMPUS:

Lawrence, Edwards

Table of Contents: 

1. Operational Policy
   1. Authority
   2. Policy
   3. Interior Pyrotechnics Restrictions
   4. Oversight
   5. Location
   6. Weather Conditions (exterior)
2. Procedures
   1. The University’s or University Organization’s Responsibility
   2. Pyrotechnics Contractor’s Responsibility
3. Performance Mode Protocols
   1. General Requirements
   2. Lied Center
   3. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
   4. Allen Fieldhouse

DEFINITIONS

Pyrotechnic effect simulation equipment – refer to “cold burning”, “cold shot”, “cold spark”, and/or “cold/sparkler” pyrotechnics.
 

POLICY STATEMENT: 

No exterior fireworks or interior pyrotechnic display will be allowed on the University of Kansas properties unless they have been authorized by the appropriate University departments, the Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer or designee, and all provisions for a safe fireworks display or pyrotechnic special effects as outlined in this policy have been met. Random use of any fireworks or pyrotechnic special effects on The University of Kansas properties is prohibited.

I. Operational Policy

A. Authority:

The following University requirements for pyrotechnic displays are drawn from the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Code for Fireworks Display (NFPA 1123, 2008 Edition), Standard for the Use of Pyrotechnics Before a Proximate Audience (NFPA 1126, 2016 Edition), Chapter 56 of the International Fire Code (2018 Edition), State Fire Marshal’s Office rules and regulations, and firsthand knowledge of existing on-site physical conditions. The storage and transportation of fireworks shall comply with NFPA 1124 Code for the Manufacture, Transportation, and Storage of Fireworks, 2017 Edition and is not redefined by this policy.

B. Policy:

Organizations, groups, and individuals sponsoring indoor or outdoor public display of fireworks shall comply with rules, regulations and procedures as outlined in this policy, as well as all applicable federal and state laws.

C. Interior Pyrotechnics Restrictions:

2023 K.S.A. 31-170, prohibits all pyrotechnical displays in interior occupancies. Exceptions are allowed in very few cases. Requests for displays in sprinkled buildings and buildings constructed of fire restrictive materials may be evaluated and determined appropriate on a case-by-case basis. The University Code Compliance Coordinator and representative of the State Fire Marshal’s Office reviews these requests.

D. Oversight:

The Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer or designee, the State Fire Marshal’s representative, and/or the KU Police Department have authority to suspend or terminate pyrotechnic displays on The University of Kansas campus at any time upon their own discretion and/or upon the advice of the University Code Compliance Coordinator, the producer of the event, or the local fire department.

E. Location:

The prospective locations for fireworks displays or special effects productions are considered on a case-by-case basis. Once a site has been requested for use, it is inspected by the University Code Compliance Coordinator, the company contracted to perform the fireworks display or special effects production, the appropriate representative from Facilities Services, and the University group making the request, to determine whether the fireworks display and/or special effects production can be accomplished on that site safely and without damage to University property. If so, approval may be granted by the Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer or designee, upon recommendation of the University Code Compliance Officer and subject to State approval. If not, an alternate site may be reviewed. At the time of this inspection, the actual size, style, type, and amount of fireworks is discussed for approval. Final responsibility for recommending that the Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer or designee approve fireworks and/or special effects production and site rests with the University Code Compliance Coordinator or designated representative.

Exterior fireworks displays must be completed by 10:30 p.m.

F. Weather Conditions (exterior):

If at any time the wind speed is 20 mph at ground level, or if unusually wet or dry conditions prevail, the exterior public display shall be canceled or postponed until weather conditions improve to an acceptable level.

II. Procedures:

A. The University’s or University Organization’s Responsibility:

1. Contact the University Code Compliance Coordinator (785-864-3286, joshua.m.zielke1@ku.edu) for review and approval that all the conditions of this policy have been met and to provide the name(s) of person(s) responsible for compliance with the fireworks policy. The required permit will not be issued until all conditions of this policy have been met and the Senior Vice Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer or designee has approved the display.
2. Contact an authorized fireworks display and pyrotechnic special effects company to perform the fireworks display. (This means a State of Kansas License holder, as required by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.)
3. Submit a service request to maximo.ku.edu. KU Operations is responsible for notifying the campus community and other units of the request (i.e., Facilities Services, Parking, KU Police Department, and/or units/occupants in surrounding buildings.
4. Organization(s) sponsoring the display must call 911 in the event of any problem with, or caused by, the fireworks display.

B. Pyrotechnics Contractor’s Responsibility:

1. Secure Fireworks Permit- Contact the University Code Compliance Coordinator in person or by phone at 785-864-3286, at least 60 calendar days before the scheduled fireworks display to request a review. The permit must be issued 30 calendar days prior to the event. Submit the permit request to: University Code Compliance Coordinator, FPD; Carruth-O'Leary Hall; 1246 West Campus Drive, Room 342; Lawrence, KS 66045-7505.
2. Repeat showings of a single event within a one-month period shall only require one permit. 
3. Provide Facilities, Planning & Development documentation of insurance at time of permit request to ensure Certificates of Insurance are on file to cover General Liability, $1.5 million minimum; Property Damage, $1.5 million minimum; and Workers Compensation. Insurance coverage requirements will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may be increased if the proposed display is in close proximity to a building or other physical structure or if circumstances otherwise so warrant. Safety zones established by NFPA for the type of pyrotechnics planned will guide the University in determining what is in “close proximity.”
4. Ensure that City, State and University safety requirements for fireworks displays have been met.
5. Ensure that all NFPA 1123 or NFPA 1126 Standards are met.
6. Ensure that the NFPA-required clearances are established first on paper, then at the site. A graphic plan shall be submitted to the University Code Compliance Coordinator indicating the necessary safety zone for displays per NFPA table 5.1.3.1. It shall be approved before the permit shall be issued.
7. Ensure that adequate fire extinguishing or fire-fighting equipment is available on site in the event of fire on site. Coordinate with local fire officials for emergency standby.
8. Ensure that only trained, certified and licensed pyrotechnic personnel are used to discharge the fireworks display. A current State of Kansas License issued by the State Fire Marshal’s Office is required.
9. Ensure that cleanup of the fireworks area is acceptable to the appropriate representative(s) of The University of Kansas.
10. The event producer and/or sponsoring organization shall be responsible for providing an adequate number of people to monitor the perimeter of the approved discharge site and potential landing areas immediately prior to and during the firing, and until the area is declared safe by the display operator. NFPA has strict requirements to control the landing zone. Copies of the NFPA requirements are available at the office of the University Code Compliance Coordinator. (1246 W. Campus Drive, Room 342, Lawrence, KS 66045-7505).
11. The University of Kansas Code Compliance Coordinator shall be called in to verify all procedures and all safety precautions. If NFPA standards are not maintained, the University of Kansas Fire Marshal Authority has the responsibility to stop all activities until corrections are made.

III. Performance Mode Protocols

A. General Requirements

1. For the purpose of interior pyrotechnical displays, the Lied Center theater and stage areas or any other campus building with a fire alarm system shall be capable of allowing the following protocol to be used. Areas not equipped will not be allowed to have pyrotechnical displays.
2. The Lied Center and the Murphy Hall Crafton-Preyer Theatre have a fire alarm "performance mode" programming settings actuated by a momentary key switch which will de-activate smoke detectors in specific areas for the expressed use of theatrical pyrotechnics. Once activated the system shall automatically reset after 4 hours. Theatrical pyrotechnics are those cold burning type approved for indoor use. All other Murphy Hall Theatres will not be permitted to utilize interior pyrotechnical displays.
3. The Stage Manager or organizer of the event will be responsible for securing all approvals prior to the event per this policy.
4. Only the stage manager or FS may activate this system by use of a security key.
5. The activation of this function will require a fire watch per the State Fire Marshal protocols, Fire Fact # 33. Notification to the University Code Compliance Coordinator, FS Instrumentation and the KU Police Department are required before activation of the performance mode. A trouble signal is observed on the fire alarm network when these functions are activated, which triggers a response from the KU 911 center.
6. The switch is accessible outside the panel and has an indicator light in the panel itself. Instructions should be posted near the switch.
7. If a performance is planned to go beyond the 4 hours, it is the responsibility of the stage manager to reset the 4-hour "performance mode" switch at the 2-hour mark to yield extra time.
8. A minimum of two qualified technicians from FS Instrumentation Shop are required for the fire watch associated to the fire alarm system itself; one at the panel, the other to verify alarms or troubles and report via radio event status. These must be requested at least two weeks in advance via maximo.ku.edu. 
9. Pyrotechnical displays at the locations listed below are governed by the general requirements and by the specific requirements noted for each location.

B. Lied Center

1. Cold burning displays are only allowed on a limited case-by-case basis when using cold shot pyrotechnic effect simulation equipment. Cold burning pyrotechnical displays are required to be reviewed by the Code Compliance Coordinator, and the permitting process is outlined in this policy. Special arrangements are required to ensure all theatrical smoke is contained within the stage footprint and does not migrate into the seating area. 

C. David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium

1. Pyrotechnical displays are only allowed with special permission by the Code Compliance Coordinator and must be close proximity pyrotechnic displays.
2. The fire alarm has a fire watch delay signal mode for all large events such as football games. This mode is not approved for pyrotechnical displays. 
3. All future displays shall be considered and reviewed by the Code Compliance Coordinator on a case-by-case basis upon request. This would also require the specified lead times described in this policy.

D. Allen Fieldhouse

1. Pyrotechnical displays are only allowed on a limited case-by-case basis when using cold shot pyrotechnic effect simulation equipment. The fire alarm system has a fire watch delay signal mode for events with over 5000 occupants per agreement with the State Fire Marshall's Office. Cold burning pyrotechnical displays are required to be reviewed, and the permitting process is outlined in this policy.

EXCLUSIONS OR SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES

Fireworks and pyrotechnic displays on the Edwards Campus require both a KU permit and a City of Overland Park permit for approval. The Kansas Memorial Union Ballroom does not allow pyrotechnical displays with the current fire alarm system.

CONTACT: