The Standard Fire Prevention Code has been adopted by the City of Myrtle Beach and is strictly enforced. Exhibitors, service contractors, producers of events, etc. are required and expected to comply with all Federal, State and Municipal Fire Codes which apply to places of public assembly.
Therefore, the following requirements shall be enforced for all shows at the Convention Center.
General
- All exhibit booths shall be installed in a manner that does not obscure the vision of required exit signs nor obstruct access to required emergency exits.
- Exhibit booths shall not obstruct access to the building’s firefighting equipment (e.g. fire extinguishers and fire hose cabinets).
- Individual exhibitors shall ensure that their booth is properly constructed. Drapes, signs, banners, acoustical materials, cotton, paper, hay, straw, moss, split bamboo, plastic cloth and similar materials shall be flame retardant or fabricated of inherent fireproof materials. Note: Documentation of flame-retardant treatment or a flame test shall be performed when deemed appropriate by the fire department. Oil cloth, tarpaper, nylon and certain plastic materials cannot be made flame retardant and their use is prohibited.
- Aisles shall be maintained free of obstructions at all times. Easels, signs, etc. shall be kept inside the booth, not in the aisles.
- Literature, supplies and handouts shall be permitted in reasonable quantities. Reserve quantities shall be compactly stored inside the booth in closed containers.
- Crate storage is prohibited within the exhibit hall.
- Helium-filled balloons are prohibited inside the exhibit halls. The balloon may break away, rise to the ceiling and activate the building fire alarm system.
- Smoking is prohibited inside the building. However, posted smoking areas may be established on the loading dock or other areas outside the building.
Indoor Display of Vehicles
Written Authorization Required
- Written authorization from the fire department is required for the following operations:
- Display and/or operation of any heat producing open flame device such as, but not limited to heaters, grills, candles, lanterns, torches, smoke generators, etc.
- Display and/or operation of any electrical, mechanical or chemical device that is deemed hazardous by the fire department.
- Storage or use of combustible/flammable liquids, compressed gases or hazardous chemicals.
- Note 1: Displays or exhibits that require the use of LP gas or compressed gas cylinders shall be limited to a maximum of one (1) five pound LP cylinder and one (1) standard D (40 cubic feet) oxygen cylinder or one (1) standard ACB (40 cubic feet) acetylene cylinder. Cylinders shall be secured at all times to prevent them from being knocked over.
- Note 2: All booths or exhibits that use an open flame device shall have a fully charged and currently tagged (within the last 12 months) five pound ABC fire extinguisher in the booth.
Exhibits Involving Food Preparation
Portable cooking equipment that is not fuel-connected shall be permitted only as follows:
- Equipment fueled by small heat sources that can be readily extinguished by water, such as candles or alcohol burning equipment (including solid alcohol), shall be permitted to be used provided adequate precautions satisfactory to the authority having jurisdiction are taken to prevent ignition of any combustible materials.
- Candles shall be permitted to be used on tables used for food service if securely supported on substantial noncombustible bases located so as to avoid danger of ignition of combustible materials and only if approved by the authority having jurisdiction. (Candle flames shall be protected).
- "Flaming sword" or other equipment involving open flames and flamed dishes, such as cherries jubilee or crepe suzette, shall be permitted to be used provided the necessary precautions are taken and subject to the authority having jurisdiction.
- Listed and approved LP-Gas commericial food service appliances as permitted by NFPA 58, Standard for the Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases.
Note: NFPA 58 permits portable butane fueled appliances in restaurants and in attended commercial food catering operations where fueled by no more than two 10 oz. (0.28-kg) LP-Gas capacity non-refillable butane containers having a maximum 1.08-lb. (0.4-kg) water capacity per container. Containers must be directly connected to the appliance, and manifolding of containers is not permitted. Storage of cylinders is also limited to 24 containers, with an additional 24 permitted where protected by a 2-hr fire resistance rated barrier.
Cooking and warming devices shall be permitted as follows:
- Cooking and/or warming devices that produce grease laden vapors shall be electric. (An approved testing laboratory such as U.L. and/or F.M. shall list all cooking devices).
- Cooking and warming devices shall be isolated from the public. The device shall be placed a minimum of four(4) feet from the front of the booth (Measurement shall be from an aisle), or provided with a fixed "Non-Combustible" shield (i.e., 1/4 inch thick Plexiglas or stainless steel) 18 inches high, across the front and on both sides of the demonstration area.
- A Maximum of (2) cooking and/or warming devices shall be permitted per booth. At least 2 feet of distance shall be maintained between cooking devices at all times.
- Individual cooking and/or warming devices shall not exceed 288 square inches of cooking surface area (12" x 24").
- The table surface beneath the cooking and/or warming device shall be of a non-combustible material.
- Combustible materials shall be kept a minimum of 3 feet away from cooking and/or warming devices.
- A 40:BC extinguisher (10lb BC) and a metal lid (for each cooking device) shall be provided within any booth utilizing cooking and/or warming devices.
These requirements are referenced National Fire Protection Standards and/or adopted fire codes. Copies of the standards and/or fire code(s) are available upon written request to the City of Myrtle Beach Fire Department - Fire Marshal's Office.
City of Myrtle Beach Fire Department
Fire Marshal's Office
921-B Oak Street (2nd Floor)
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-918-1109 OR 843-918-1192
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