Technical specifications
Requirements specific to flame effects with certified flame generators

1. Special effects are prohibited in tents and marquees.

2. Risk assessment must be carried out under the supervision of a certified special effects expert, in charge of all special effects.

3. The special effects expert must hold a certificate issued by Natural Resources Canada and must supervise the preparation and operation of all special effects during the event.

4. All equipment used in the production of flame effects must be designed and manufactured by specialized manufacturers who conduct a rigorous risk assessment pertaining to their operation, and implement protection devices as a result. The NFPA-160 standard describes technical criteria, including the performance level, taking into account the technical specificities of the equipment.

5. Pressure vessels and the overpressure safety relief devices identified with “CE” may be used only if they are authorized by the Régie du bâtiment du Québec (RBQ) following a request for a different or equivalent measure.

6. Vessels must be maintained and used in accordance with the manufacturer’s requirements, may not be modified, and may not use fuel different from the fuel prescribed in the manufacturer’s, specifications.

7. The control post must be designed in such a way to allow the operator to have a permanent and unobstructed view of the artists, objects and décor, as well as of the flame-generating devices, so as to fully control the special effects and to stop their production immediately, if required.

8. The control panel must be equipped with a two-step locking system meant to prevent accidental ignition or an unintentional release of fuel. This system must include devices namely designed for:

a. emergency stop (without automatic activation)
b. controls for the activation of the system (power switch) and confirmation the system is on;
c. controls to arm the system;
d. ignition controls.

9. Solidly anchor open flame devices on incombustible fixtures and position them in such a way that the flame does not come in contact with combustible materials.

10. The distance between areas affected by the flames and the public must be of at least 5 m.

11. The clearances for combustible materials and flame generators may never be inferior to those recommended.

12. Special effects may never expose people to temperatures exceeding 44°C nor may they increase the temperature of combustible materials by more than 47 °C above room temperature.

13. Ensure that combustible materials that are in proximity were properly fireproofed.

14. Provide staff to supervise the set-up and realization of the special effects.

15. Inform staff and the artists of inherent risks and safety precautions with respect to flame effects.

16. Be equipped with at least two portable 4A-40BC fire extinguishers for first response purposes.

17. Carry out, prior to every show, inspections as per the manufacturer’s instructions, so as to ensure that the equipment and its components and piping are safe prior to their use. The results of these inspections must be recorded in a report signed and dated by the person or persons who have carried them out and kept by the person in charge of special effects.

18. Ensure that no parameters of a pyrotechnic effect deployment in a building constitute an obstacle to the proper functioning of fire protection and ventilation equipment in the building.

19. The stocking and distribution of propane must be in conformity with the Code sur le stockage et la manipulation du propane, CSA B149.2, also including the Québec amendments.

20. Any reusable bottle or batch of bottles weighing at most 5 lbs (2.3 kg) of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) may be authorized for use inside a building, with permission by the RBQ and under certain conditions set by the latter. Containers certified by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers are not accepted due to the high gas volume

21. Having a safety measure plan, means of communication and means of integrated safety measures already in place inside the building or at the site of the special effects.

22. Submit to the Service de sécurité incendie de Montréal a written report of any incident that occurred during the set-up, the show or at any stage of the process