Office of Environmental Health and Safety

Open Flame Use Policy - Film Shoots, and other Events on Campus

While open flames are prohibited in office areas and residence areas, there may be occasions where open flames are permitted. For example, in productions, a “Special Effects Permit” (Permit) can be requested. Notice must be given well in advance of the need for an open flame in order to allow time for Permit submittal and approval.

The following is a detailed procedure for obtaining a ‘Special Effects Permit’ (Permit) for use of open flame in an academic building or outdoor area on campus.

Note: Without an approved Permit in place, activities involving an open flame cannot proceed.

A student who would like to request a Permit for an open flame (candle, torch, campfire, etc.) must follow the steps below:

• Reach out to Lou Wirtz (louis.wirtz@purchase.edu), Associate Director, Environmental, Health & Safety (EH&S), to initiate the Permit process.
• Students should plan to submit the request well in advance, and no less than a full week prior to the proposed use of an open flame. This will give Lou time to reach out to the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) who must approve the request.
• The requester must designate a ‘production manager’ or a ‘location manager’.  This is needed on OFPC Permit.
• The Building Manager of the building where the open flame is requested must be involved as well and be copied on the request as an additional contact.
• Provide the academic building, including a specific room or location; or outdoor area where the open flame activity is planned.
• Identity dates and times of the event.
• Describe the use of the open flame in and how participants will interact with the flame during the activity. The more detail that can be provided, the better. This will move the process along without delay.
• Arrange to have a fire extinguisher in the immediate area. Even though a fire extinguisher may be present in the area, one will be brought in for the event.
• The details will be reviewed and controls will be developed so that the operation can proceed safely.
• Once EH&S has the details, the NYS Office of Fire Prevention and Control (OFPC) will be contacted and a Permit requested.
• OFPC will review the request and upon their approval, will issue a “Special Effects Permit”.
• Lou will send a completed OFPC “Special Effects Permit” to the student / permit requester.
• At that time the event can proceed with all specified controls in place.
• Display the Permit immediately outside the area where the event is taking place. It shall remain posted for the duration of the activity

When a request is made for an outdoor event that involves burning, the Associate Director, Environmental, Health & Safety must verify there are no “Burn Bans” in effect at the time. Weather conditions will determine if a ban is needed.

In some cases, for example when the fire alarm system needs to be taken offline, the use of an open flame may require a fire watch in the area.