Basic Fire Code Regulations
- Exhibit hall floor plans must be submitted to the Facility Management prior to the scheduled opening for Fire Marshal approval.
- All exhibit floor or registration plans are to include the following information:
a. Perimeter aisles of ten (10) feet must be included on all four (4) sides of the floor plan.
b. Official name of the show, sponsoring organizations, dates, and names of service providers must be provided.
c. All plans are to be drawn to scale.
d. Primary entrance doors and emergency exits must be readily determined.
e. Service desk locations should be indicated.
f. Service provider storage areas or “bone yards” must be clearly marked if located on the floor.
g. Specify if aisles are to be carpeted.
h. Distinction between pipe and drape or hard walls is to be clearly indicated.
i. Temporary exhibit floor food service areas are to be clearly indicated.
j. Fire floor ports are to be clearly identified.
k. Users of the Facility should be aware when planning activities in Halls D and E that there can be a perception of movement, created by rhythmic activity such as dancing, marching, certain machines, etc. Please consult the Facility Manager for specific details.
l. Hard copies of plans are available through the KCCEF Sales or Event Services Departments.
m. Plans may also be downloaded, in AutoCAD or AutoCAD format. Consult the Facility Manager to receive a link.
3. Submit plans to the Convention Center Manager before erecting a structure as a display inside an exhibit building, unless the decorative and construction materials are non-combustible or flameproof.
4. Heavy equipment operators must be licensed and at least 18 years of age.
5. Forklifts are not allowed to be in motion when general public is present in area.
6. Forklifts emitting smoke or visible exhaust are subject to testing and may be prohibited from use. Exhaust fans will be used for removal of exhaust or smoke at the discretion of Facility Manager.
7. All exit doors serving any occupied areas of the building must remain unlocked, unobstructed, and in proper operating condition. Exit signs must function properly and be visible from all areas.
8. All exits, hallways, and aisles leading from buildings or tents are to be kept clear and unobstructed at all times.
9. Equipment is not allowed on the show floor level of Lobby 2400.
10. All curtains, table skirts, drapes, and decorations must be either be constructed of flameproof material, treated with an approved flame proofing material, or treated with an approved flame proofing solution. (Treatment shall be renewed as often as necessary to maintain the flame proofing effect.) All such material is subject to inspection and flame testing by the Fire Marshal. No combustible materials, merchandise, or signs shall be attached to, hung from, or draped over flameproof side and rear divider draperies of booths, or attached to table skirting facing aisles, unless flame proofed.
11. All sawdust and shavings shall be stored and maintained in a manner approved by the Fire Marshall.
12. All evergreen used for decorating must be flame retardant, live, and growing (no cut trees) and balled in burlap. No pine boughs or cuttings are allowed.
13. Automobiles, trucks, boats, tractors, machinery and other motor vehicles utilizing flammable fuels, which are placed on display inside any building, shall have no more than five (5) gallons of fuel, or one-fourth (1/4) of a tank, whichever is less. All fuel tanks shall be locked or effectively sealed, and battery cables shall be disconnected from the ignition system. Ignition keys for vehicles on display shall be kept by a responsible person at the display location for removal of such vehicles from the building in the event of an emergency. Any vehicles requiring battery power for demonstration must use an auxiliary power source.
14. Scooters, bicycles, skateboards, Segways – both motorized and non-motorized – are not permitted for use inside of the facility.
15. The storage of combustible shipping containers must be confined to areas approved by the Fire Marshall.
16. The use of open flames, burning, or smoke-emitting materials as part of an act, display, or show must have prior approval from the Fire Marshal.
17. Combustible waste is to be collected as it accumulates, and stored in noncombustible covered containers which are to be emptied at least once each day.
18. The use of liquefied petroleum gases inside buildings, tents, or any other areas is restricted, except by special permit, and is subject to field inspection. Plans to use liquefied petroleum gases must be submitted for approval.
19. Approved fire extinguishing equipment must be provided and maintained in all areas as designated by the Fire Marshal.
20. All booths having cooking demonstrations that use liquid propane gas equipment must have a 2A-10BC fire extinguisher.
21. All standpipes and hose cabinets shall be kept clear and unobstructed at all times.
22. The use of welding and cutting equipment for demonstration purposes must be by permit from the Fire Marshal.
23. The demonstration or use of equipment using liquid fuel in the building is restricted, and is subject to plan review and permit. Cylinders of compressed gases are prohibited, unless approved by the Fire Marshal, and shall be secured in an upright position.
24. Propane tanks may not exceed five (5) pounds LPG capacity and require Fire Marshal approval. All tanks must be turned off and disconnected at the end of every day. Show management must provide appropriate fire extinguishers and have them readily available at all times LPG is in the building.
25. There shall not be obstruction, such as vehicles parked in doorways or barricades across sidewalks, blocking exit doors from the outside of any building.
26. No curtains, drapes, or decorations shall be hung in such a manner as to cover any exit signs.
27. No vehicles shall be parked in fire lanes outside of buildings.
28. No flammable liquids shall be used or admitted inside of buildings except by approval of the Fire Marshall.
29. The use of fireworks, sparklers and fire lanterns will need to be approved by Facility Management and Fire Marshall.
30. Artificial lighting, such as lanterns and candles, requires prior approval of the Facility Management.
31. The use of sterno-gel is prohibited.
32. The use of all gas-fired heating units, either portable or stationary, shall be in accordance with the City Code. The use of the “Salamander” stove is strictly prohibited.
33. Firefighting and emergency equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire hose cabinets, floor fire ports, fire alarm pull stations, and standpipes, may not be hidden or obstructed. If fire floor ports are in a carpeted area, the carpet must be marked and cut to allow for access.
34. Combustible waste, such as broken crates, empty boxes, packing material, etc., may not be stored in exhibit halls, meeting rooms, or exit areas.
35. Under no circumstances will crate storage or equipment storage be permitted to obstruct emergency exits from any area of the building.
36. Crate storage is the responsibility of the appropriate service provider. Limited crate storage is allowed in the exhibit hall if there is at least ten (10) feet of space between the trade show floor and all other walls. There should also be appropriate cross aisles to allow access to fire exits. Service providers need to submit all crate storage plans to Facility Management for approval.
37. All electrical equipment must be UL approved. All gasoline engines must be AGA approved.
38. All emergency exits, hallways, and aisles leading from the building are to be kept clear and unobstructed. Vehicles in fire lanes or blocking exhibits, etc. will be removed at the owner’s expense.
39. Merchandising areas in Municipal Arena are permitted only in the East and West alcoves.
40. The use of welding equipment, open flames, or smoke-emitting material as part of an exhibit must be specifically approved on an individual basis by the Facility Manager.
41. Written specifications may be submitted to Event Services to require Fire Marshal approval.
42. Fire lanes must be maintained at all times on the loading dock and in the parking garages.
43. For more information on fire code regulations, call the Fire Marshal’s office at (816) 784-9100.
Food and Beverage Guidelines
- All alcohol beverages, concessions, booth sales and novelty sales must be arranged through the in-house caterer/concessionaire who is the exclusive provider of these services. Caterers of plated meal functions, having wine served with dinner, will be able to pour the wine table side, however the wine must be procured from the in-house caterer and alcoholic beverage license holder, by the customer.
- In 2020 and beyond, all catering, alcohol beverages, concessions, and booth sales in the Grand Ballroom and Conference Center will be exclusively provided by the Loews Hotel.
- Catering at the Convention Facilities allows clients to select from an approved list of caterers.
- In general, donated food will not be allowed. Requests for the use of donated food and beverages must be approved, in advance, by the Director and coordinated through the in-house caterer/concessionaire.
- Due to liquor licensing laws (Missouri Statute 311.200 and City Charter Section 10-335), no alcohol is permitted beyond the premises specified in the liquor license.
- Sample-size food, of one (1) ounce or less, and/or beverage products consisting of three (3) ounces or less may be distributed by exposition sponsoring organizations and/or their exhibitors upon authorization of the Show Manager and the Facility Manager. Samples of alcoholic beverages require special arrangement through the Facility Manager.
- Backstage catering is for hired talent, stagehands, and to allow for rider requirements. Backstage catering is not subject to our exclusive catering contract.
Miscellaneous
1. Animals in the facility, for reasons other than assisting disabled persons, must have prior approval from the Facility Manager, and must be permitted through Animal Control.
2. All plantings, water features, etc. must have waterproof plastic materials underneath the exhibit.
3. Displays with temporary concrete ramps leading into exhibits must have plastic between the exhibit hall concrete floor and the temporary ramp.
4. Events or circumstances not covered in these building and operating guidelines may be subject to special consideration and stipulations as deemed appropriate by the Director.
5. Use of drones requires prior approval from Facility Management.
6. The Convention Center has a no-idling policy in the interior front and back of the house and in the dock areas.
7. COVID-19 Disclaimer: Warning: Scientific evidence clearly establishes that when groups of individuals gather together there is a higher risk of transmission of COVID-19. While this event may meet the KCMO Health Department’s (KCHD) minimum standards to provide protective measures, if actually followed, a risk still exists for transmission of the virus. All participants and event organizers need to understand the risks of gatherings and to personally assume those risks. KCHD does not guarantee the safety of participants and event organizers for this event with respect to the dangers of potential transmission of COVID-19.
