Building Code Guide 19-10: Temporary Arts and Cultural Events

1. Fees. The fee for an annual permit for temporary arts and cultural events in a non- assembly building is per the adopted PF&R fee schedule.

2. Pre-Inspection. The Fire Marshal and the Building Official, or their designees, shall conduct an inspection with the applicant present prior to commencement of work in preparation for the use as a temporary arts and cultural event space. The inspection shall determine if the building or area is appropriate for the events and identify what work needs to be completed prior to operation.

   NOTE: Construction-related modifications may require other building or trade permits from PP&D.

3. Post-Inspection. If work is required, the FMO shall conduct another inspection with the applicant after the work is completed. The inspection shall verify that the life safety systems are operational and that all requirements of the permit have been met. Events may not commence until the successful completion of this inspection.

Maximum Number of Occupants Allowed.The maximum number of occupants shall be calculated using an occupant load factor of one individual for every 25 square feet of room area, with a maximum of 75 occupants regardless of square footage of the space.

Exception: A facility may have up to 99 occupants in a temporary arts and cultural event space, if the space meets the minimum occupant load factor of 25 square feet per person. A pre-approved plan must be used for this exception. This exception will only be allowed under the annual permit a maximum of 4 times per calendar year, with a maximum duration of 4 consecutive calendar days per event. Beyond the 4 allowable exceptions, the regular permit application process for non-assembly buildings must be followed and permit fees will be assessed accordingly. See Portland Policy Document FIR 3.12-Temporary Public Assembly Permits for Non-Assembly Type Occupancies.

1. PermittedUse
   1. The current use/occupancy has been maintained per the last permitted use approved by PP&D.
   2. All construction related modifications in the proposed space were completed under benefit of required building or trade permits through PP&D and PF&R.

   3. There are no open building or trade permits.

      Exception: An open building permit allowing the proposed temporary use for the facility is allowed if PP&D issued a Temporary Certificate of Occupancy.

   4. There are no open building or fire code violations.
2. Sprinklers. It is not required for a building to have sprinklers to be used as a temporary assembly space for most arts and cultural events. However, buildings with fire sprinkler systems may be granted more flexibility as noted:
   1. When a building is fully protected with a fire sprinkler system, temporary assembly spaces may be located on any building floor level.
   2. When a building is not fully sprinkled, temporary assembly spaces may only be located on the first (ground) floor or second floor.
   3. Temporary assembly spaces are not permitted in basement areas of a building that is not protected with a fire sprinkler system.
3. Means of Egress (Exits). All floor levels with a temporary event space shall have a minimum of two means of egress (exits) with outward swinging doors. For purposes of this code guide, fire escapes are not considered a means of egress.
   1. The exits serving the room shall be separated by a distance equal to at least one half of the longest diagonal distance of the room.
   2. Doors shall have panic hardware.
4. Emergency Evacuation Plan.An emergency evacuation plan shall be created for all temporary assembly spaces. The plan must address the evacuation of all visitors and staff during an emergency event. At a minimum, the emergency evacuation plan shall contain all the following:
   1. Building Floor Plans. Building floor plans for each floor being used as temporary event spaces and the level of exit discharge shall be clearly identified;
   2. Egress Path. A plan to show egress from the proposed temporary assembly spaces and from the building; and
   3. Life-Safety Systems. Information regarding fire sprinkler or fire alarm systems in the building.

1. The approved arts and cultural event permit and floor plans must be kept at the event where they are accessible to any fire or police official. Plans must be an actual representation of the events and must be drawn to scale.
2. Documentation of all fire life safety requirements, including the emergency evacuation plan, must be submitted to the FMO. Copies must be maintained on- site and be available at the request of the FMO.
3. Exit signs shall be fully illuminated at all times.
4. Exit paths shall be unobstructed and exit doors maintained to be readily openable.
5. There shall be no smoking or open flames allowed within the building. A portable fire extinguisher shall be located within 75’ of all areas within the temporary assembly space.
6. Rooms used for temporary events shall limit the number of occupants using 25 square feet per person with a maximum of 75 occupants regardless of the size of the space.
7. An accurate and up-to-date list of the site event schedule shall be provided to the FMO. Changes to the schedule shall be communicated as soon as they are known. Failure to communicate event schedule changes may result in revocation of the conditional use permit.
8. Additional permit requirements can be found on the FMO permit application, 300.08ART – Annual Permit for Temporary Arts and Cultural Events.
9. Other conditions may be required on a case-by-case basis.

Relationship to other Portland Fire & Rescue Conditional Use Permits. Buildings may have more than one FMO conditional use permit for assembly events in non-assembly buildings. One annual permit may be requested for arts and cultural events meeting the requirements of this guidance. For any event that does not meet the requirements of this guidance, a separate permit must be requested in accordance with FIR-3.12 Temporary Public Assembly Permits for Non-Assembly Type Occupancies.

NOTE: Utilizing the exception noted in Section D, will count as one event under Policy FIR 3.12.