Memorandum "On fire safety measures for heads of institutions (objects) where New Year and Christmas events are held"
The number of people in premises for New Year's parties shall be determined based on 0.75 sq. m per person, and for discos, recreation evenings, and other similar events – 1.4 sq. m per person (excluding the stage area). The occupancy of premises shall be limited considering the available capacity, dispersion, and width of evacuation exits.
During mass events with children, duty teachers or educators must be present at all times. These individuals must be aware of fire safety measures and procedures in case of a fire.
In buildings of fire resistance classes VI - VIII, mass events and New Year's celebrations are permitted only on the first floor.
The premises where mass events are planned must have at least two evacuation exits. Evacuation exits from the premises must be marked with illuminated signs with the inscription "Exit". The Christmas tree must be installed on a stable base (stand) in such a way that it does not obstruct the exit from the room. The branches of the Christmas tree must be at least one meter away from walls and ceilings. The illumination of the Christmas tree must be
to be performed only by an experienced electrician. The Christmas tree illumination must be installed securely, reliably, and in compliance with the requirements of the Electrical Installation Rules. The bulbs in the garlands must have a power rating of no more than 25 W. In this case, the electrical wires powering the Christmas tree lighting bulbs must be flexible, with copper conductors. The electrical wires must have intact insulation and be connected to the electrical network using plug connectors. In case of malfunction of the Christmas tree lighting (severe wire heating, flickering bulbs, sparking, etc.), the illumination must be immediately disconnected and not turned on until the malfunctions are identified and rectified. When decorating the tree, flammable toys and decorations are not permitted.
The head of the institution (facility) is obliged:
- before its commencement, to inspect the premises for compliance with fire safety requirements, and also to appoint persons responsible for fire safety and ensure their duty.
- to ensure the fire safety regime at the facility assigned to them, the maintenance in working and sound condition of fire protection and fire extinguishing equipment, fire water supply, and communication systems.
- access roads (exits), roads, driveways, and approaches to buildings, structures, outdoor installations, and water sources must be maintained in a condition that ensures free access for emergency response vehicles.
The use of the following is not permitted in buildings, structures, and premises:
- pyrotechnic devices; open flames (candles, torches, and other fire effects).
- decorations, props, stage and exhibition designs, draperies, and curtains must be made of low-flammable materials or treated with fire retardant to make them low-flammable.
- locks (latches) on doors located on evacuation routes (doors separating corridors, airlock vestibule doors, lobbies, halls, smoke-free stairwells, rooms with high occupancy, external evacuation doors) must allow for them to be opened freely from the inside without a key.
To ensure safe evacuation, the following are prohibited:
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obstructing passages, exits, doors on evacuation routes, evacuation exits to the roof,
installing exhibition stands, sales kiosks, furniture, flowers, plants, and other
property that reduces the minimum evacuation width and height.
- changing the direction of door opening to impede exit from buildings and premises.
- creating door imitations on evacuation routes, installing turnstiles (without duplicate passages with a swing gate ensuring the required evacuation width or without the possibility of forced opening) and other property that impedes safe evacuation.
- placing combustible materials under the flights of evacuation staircases and arranging various rooms, except for central heating control units and water metering units.
- in preschool and general secondary education facilities, fire works are prohibited in premises where children are present, as well as during mass events.
In case of fire, the head (official) of the institution (facility) is obliged, prior to the arrival of fire and rescue units, to:
- Organize the transmission of a fire report to fire and rescue units.
- Call for emergency medical services and utility services if necessary.
- Take immediate measures to ensure the evacuation of people and limit the spread of fire (up to shutting down equipment).
- Organize the implementation of actions provided for by fire safety instructions.
- Upon arrival of fire and rescue units at the fire scene, provide access to the territory and premises for the personnel of these units; report information on: a) the location of the fire and the presence (potential presence) of people at the facility; b) measures taken to extinguish the fire and persons involved in extinguishing the fire sources; c) the presence of
of explosive and fire hazardous materials, gas cylinders, flammable liquids, combustible liquids.
The following are prohibited in places where mass events are held:
- the use of combustible synthetic materials, artificial fabrics and fibers for interior decoration, scenery and stage equipment.
- storage of flammable and combustible liquids.
- installation of false doors and panels that resemble doors.
- installation of mirrors at human height.
- use of pyrotechnic devices, arc projectors and candles.
- carrying out fire, painting and other fire and explosion hazardous works before or during performances.
- reduce the width of aisles between rows and install additional chairs, stools, etc. in the aisles.
- completely extinguish the lights in the room during performances.
- decorate the Christmas tree with celluloid toys, as well as gauze and cotton wool not impregnated with fire-retardant compounds;
- dress children in costumes made of flammable materials;
- use shutters on windows to darken rooms;
- allow rooms to be filled with people exceeding the established norm.
In case of a Christmas tree fire, it is necessary to:
- de-energize the electric garland, evacuate people from the room, primarily children and the elderly;
- if possible, begin extinguishing the Christmas tree; to do this, it should be knocked over onto the floor, covered with a dense cloth, and doused with water.
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Water should not be used to extinguish a burning artificial Christmas tree made of polymer materials – synthetic materials
- bending over lit fireworks;
- being closer than 15 meters to lit pyrotechnic devices.
The fuse should be lit at arm's length. REMEMBER, that the fuse burns for 3-5 seconds. It is very difficult to extinguish a flying spark: therefore, if it gets on the skin, a burn is guaranteed.
Smoking is strictly prohibited when handling pyrotechnics. There should be no fire hazardous objects within a radius of 50 meters. In this case, spectators should be at a distance of 15-20 meters from the launch site, on the upwind side, so that the wind does not blow smoke and unburnt parts of the devices towards them. It is strictly forbidden to use devices that fly upwards near residential buildings and other structures: their flight path is unpredictable, they can hit a house, fly into the attic or roof, and cause a fire.
Upon detection of a fire or its signs (smoke, smell of burning or smoldering of various materials, temperature increase, etc.), it is necessary:
- immediately report it by phone "101" or "112" to the fire department
- activate the fire alarm system;
- take all possible measures to evacuate people in the building;
commence extinguishing the fire using available primary fire extinguishing means (fire extinguishers);
- notify the head of the institution (facility) or their substitute employee about the fire;
- organize the meeting of fire rescue units.
Happy and Safe
New Year and Christmas!