Fire safety watch; recognition of own forces

For events with increased fire risks, the operator of a place of assembly must set up a fire safety guard, whereby a fire safety guard from the fire department must be present at every event on large stages and stage areas with a floor area of more than 200 m².

A fire safety guard from the fire department is not required if the operator has a sufficient number of trained personnel to perform the tasks of the fire safety guard and the fire protection service has confirmed this to the operator.

The fire protection service in this sense is part of the district administrative authority.

The following minimum requirements are deemed necessary for the members of a fire safety guard provided by the operator:

• At least 18 years of age,
• Completed squad training (squad leader qualification)
• Knowledge of the local fire department,
• knowledge of the venue (e.g. fire safety regulations, alarm planning, etc.).

The fire protection authority may impose further requirements on the fire safety guard.

Anyone who fails to set up a fire safety guard in contravention of the Venue of Assembly Ordinance or fails to ensure that a fire safety guard from the fire department is present or fails to notify the authority responsible for medical and rescue services in good time in the case of events expected to attract more than 5,000 visitors is committing an administrative offense.

If the fire safety guard is provided by a municipal fire department, the municipality may demand reimbursement of costs for this.

Administrative court action