California Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition

Santa Clara Convention Center

Friday, November 9 - Sunday, November 11, 2018

The deadline to order for this Show has already expired

Fire Regulations

The following guidelines have been instituted by County Convention Facilities in order to ensure the safe operation of any convention or trade show in these facilities. Please cooperate in abiding by these regulations.

  1. The use of the following materials, processes and equipment are prohibited.

    Liquid petroleum gas [Ref. SFFC Article 82]
    Gas operated cooking equipment
    Cellulose Nitrate Motion Picture Film
    Wood matches with all-surface strikes
    Portable heating equipment
    Flammable cryogenic gases
    Overnight sleeping
    Aerosol cans with flammable propellants
    Glitter
    Smoking in posted “No Smoking” areas
    Stick-on decals
    Fueling of motor vehicles
    Helium balloons
    Pressurized gas tanks, empty or full

NOTE: Oilpaper, tarpaper, sisal paper, nylon, orlon, and certain other plastic materials cannot be made flame-retardant, and their use is prohibited.

  1. Combustion Engines: any autos, trucks, motorcycles, boats, other motorized vehicles or other flammable fueled engines displayed shall conform to the following requirements:
    1. Fuel tanks, unless never having held fuel, shall be maintained with a quantity not to exceed one quarter of tank capacity or five gallons, whichever is less. Caps for fuel tank fill pipes shall be of the locking type and be maintained locked and sealed in an approved manner to prevent the escape of vapors. No vehicle may be started or operated within any assembly building during show hours. This shall include garden tractors, chain saws, power plants, and other gasoline-powered equipment. Adding or removing fuel, on site, shall be prohibited. LPG fuel tanks shall be removed. Vehicles shall not be moved during show.
    2. The electrical system shall be de-energized, either by:
      1. Removing the battery(ies); or
      2. Removing the battery cables; or
      3. Disconnecting both battery cables and covering them with electrical tape or other similar insulating material to prevent arcing.

  2. Exhibits shall be installed so as not to block emergency equipment, fire exits and equipment, including fire hose and hand fire extinguisher cabinets and fire pull boxes. Exhibits shall be installed so as not to interfere in way with access to or visibility of any required exit or exit sign.

  3. All aisle and display areas shall be free of obstruction.

  4. The following booth configurations require special approval:
    1. Platforms exceeding 500 square feet in area (No combustible storage is permitted under platforms)
    2. Exhibition booths with canopies
    3. Single level covered exhibition booths
    4. Booths/exhibits of a height exceeding 12'
    5. Booths and other structures, constructed within a building equipped with an automatic sprinkler system, shall not be constructed with any roof, ceiling, or other enclosure which would prevent the sprinkler system from protecting the booth area.

  5. The following provisions shall be applicable to all shows and/or exhibits:
    1. All decorative materials, or other combustible materials shall be made from a nonflammable material or shall be treated and maintained in a flame-retardant condition by means of a flame-retarding process approved by the Fire Department and/or the office of the State Fire Marshal.
    2. Treatments must be renewed as necessary or after cleaning. All treated materials or items must have a tag affixed (or a sign displayed in the booth) showing the date and type of treatment and the name of the firm which applied the treatment.
      EXCEPTIONS:
      1. Plywood or factory flame proofed cardboard is acceptable.
      2. Tables may be covered with ordinary paper products if the material is attached flat against the table with no overhang.
      3. Objects on display, such as arts or crafts, are not required to be flame retardant.

    As a general rule, a material is not flame retardant if, after being ignited, the material continues to burn after the igniting flame has been removed.

  6. If your equipment is flammable, you can either not use it and buy new material that is flame resistant from a company with a California Flame Retardant Certificate, or simply get it treated by a company licensed by the state of California, obtaining a Flame Retardant Certificate at that time. Only California Certificates will be accepted, and they must be prominently attached to the material used so they may be easily seen by the Fire Marshal. This does not apply to your product or any decorations provided by the official decorator. Self treatment of materials is not allowed.

  7. All electrical devices shall meet the following qualifications:

    1. All electrical equipment, cords, extensions, etc., must be Underwriters Laboratories (UL) approved, and shall meet all city and state codes.
    2. Flexible extension cords must be of adequate size and type for the equipment/appliances used. These extensions must be of the 3-prong, grounded type.
    3. Clamp-on types of portable spotlights shall be protected from metal-to-metal contact by having electrical insulating pads or wrapping permanently attached to the lamp holder clamp. Use of ceramic porcelain or molded composition type of neck-shell is the only type approved for use in Las Vegas Convention Facilities. On/off switches are usually located in the neck.

  8. Literature on display shall be limited to reasonable quantities (1 day's supply). Reserve quantities shall be kept in closed containers and stored in a neat and compact manner, free and clear of electrical cables or junction boxes.

Since most crates and cartons are not constructed of non-flame resistant wood and packing materials are not flame retardant, storage of these items are not permitted within Convention Facilities. Storage of any kind is prohibited behind the back drapes or display wall, or inside display area.

All cartons, crates, containers, packing materials, etc., which are necessary for repacking shall be labeled with "EMPTY" stickers and removed from the floor.