CryoFX® offers Licensed Pyro Operators as well as full permit facilitation and on site effects operation services for the equipment we rent (and some we don't) which requires a Fire Permit (Also called Pyro Permit).

This page will assist in informing you of the specifics, the details, estimated costs, and common questions we get surrounding rentals which require fire permits and the permits themselves.

 

Fire Prevention Departments,
Fire Departments, and
Agencies Controlling the allowance of Special Effects & Pyro Style Machines are referred to as "Authority Having Jurisdiction" (AHJs).

 

The information below (and in the graphic above) has general info, with relation to measurements or other, in which this may be different per jurisdiction as these are the general details which, for the most part, are on file with California and Nevada jurisdictions. Other states, counties, cities may have their own, which could be different than that stated here, so it is imperative to check with your local authorities as they hold the authority in the precise code and details, whereas this page does not, and is only provided for information purposes only. 

 

• ANY Cold Spark Machine of any type, flame producing device of any type, and anything that is categorized as "Flame Producing" or "Flammable" in the use of an event requires a permit.
• This permit is required to be filed by a "Licensed Pyrotecnic Operator", the person who will be operating the effects on site.
• The type of License held by the Pyro Operator must match with the type of event and type of "pyro" effect / machine / substance used. See Below "License Type".
• The client generally cannot apply for the Fire Permit because they do not Employ the Pyro Operator, have a Pyro Operator License (Personal or Business), or have the right insurance required by certain AHJ's.

 

This is why CryoFX® offers End to End Service on Equipment Rental, Fire Permit Application, Pyro Operator & Staff to Setup & Operate the Event, and all Communications / Facilitation with the Fire Jurisdiction (AHJ).

The application process and time requirements differ per jurisdiction, however as a general rule, 30+ days or more from the event start date is ideal to file the permit, not only to save costs, but for ample time for the AHJ to process, review plans, and should any corrections be needed, time to submit those.

The closer to the event the permit is filed, the higher the cost, both with CryoFX as well as the AHJ as additional resources have to be pulled and prioritized to ensure the permit is pushed through. These rush charges imposed by both CryoFX and the AHJs may include afterhours, overtime, or weekend facilitation, hence the higher costs with less time.

 

THE APPLICATION PROCESS:

1. Inform CryoFX of your machine type, quantity, and event details.

2. CryoFX will send you a quote via email (text format), as so any back and forth are handled via email so once final numbers are reached and approved, a formal quote will be provided.

3. Formal quote/invoice sent to you, and payment made BEFORE any work or efforts extended on your matter.

4. Once CryoFX Invoice is paid, AND plot diagram is sent with details discussed after payment only for Plot Diagram purposes, we will initiate efforts for the Fire Permit / Rental etc.

5. Rental Agreements, Fire Safety OfficeR/Fire Marshall Billing Agreement, and any other Forms to be completed ASAP to ensure forward movement on the process.

6. The Pyro Operator is booked, confirmation on Application Submission, Permit Awaits Approval. Any changes requested by AHJ would be compelted and submitted.

7. Permit Approved, Event Prepped. In some instances the AHJ / Fire Dept will want to see a demo. (See "DEMO" below)

8. Event carried out and completed.

 

DISTANCES REQUIRED
In general, 15' is required between any Cold Spark Machine and teh audience, props, and in somoe instances performers. The performers are subject to the submission and many factors including timing of the effect activation. The distance between audience and effects can not be compromised as this is Code / Law. It does not matter what excuse, detail, building or venue rule, etc,... this is a hard distance that will not change for the lesser. The same goes for the height distance from the effect heigh limit and the ceiling. If the effect machine is placed on anything that raises it off the ground, this needs to be included in Plot Diagram details with height to include in calculations. 

 

PLOT DIAGRAM REQUIRED
A plot diagram showing the layout of your event and where the Special Effects Machines will be placed is required. If you only have the plot diagram itself, this is required to be sent to us, and whether a pen markup by you, email with details, or phone call to confirm where the SPFX machines will go, the distance between them and the performers, audience, stage props, and ceiling can be noted. CryoFX will further markup the Plot Diagram for proper submission to the AHJ, in which you will receive it first to confirm all details are correct.

Note: Once the Plot Diagram is submitted with the permit application, NO CHANGES are allowed. Should changes be mandatory, additional fees (sometimes an entire resubmission) would be required.

Once the Permit Application is in and Permit is Approved, there are ABSOLUTELY NO CHANGES on site the day of. If there are, the entire Permit would be in violation and subject to cancellation. This is a Safety issue and directive by the AHJ therefore we do not violate this as in doing so cviolates the code and the law.

 

FIRE SAFETY OFFICER / FIRE MARSHALL BILLING AGREEMENT
This agreement (in short) informs you that in most instances the AHJs who issue the permits, will bill after the event is completed for any On Site Fire Staff who may be present during the event. This billing comes to CryoFX in which we forward bill you as the client. In some instances we can include this in the initial quote provided to you, in which it would have its own line item, however we do not control the Fire Staff and they may or may not stay the entire time, so since they control their hours, they bill afterwards, in some instances 30-60 or more days (not normal but we have seen it) after the event. These fees are generally around $100-200/hour with 4 hour minimums on each day, however could differ.

 

LICENSE TYPE 
Different Pyro Licenses are different in different states, however to simplify this for non-pyro information, the following would be best described:

1. Outdoor Aerial / Public Display Fireworks License = Allows the operator to operate the event utilizing outdoor (open air) Pyro (Fireworks, Cold Spark Machines, or anything that goes a specific height or higher). This License does not work inside venues.

2. Special Effects / Theatrical / Indoor = Although each are different in different jurisdictions, this is generally the License needed for Operation on events that are indoor or with coverings that have Cold Sparks, Flame of some type.

 

DEMO
On most occasions the Fire AHJs will want to see a DEMO of the Effects in Action before the event. In rare occurences they may also want to see a DEMO of the specific machine itself, standalone, at their agency or on site, before the permit is issued. Then yet, on other occasions they just want to see a LIVE DEMO before the event. In any instance this is billable time by them, by CryoFX for the operator, and will use consumables from the rental/event.

CryoFX, out of consideration for everyone, tries to book the DEMOs at the most conveinant time with respect to costs. So should an event be on a Friday starting at 5pm, we will try to have the DEMO at 4pm so the 4 hour minimum includes this demo and we don't book it a separate day, where you are being charged 4 hour minimum by us and the Fire AHJ for a 10 minute demo.

Should your event be ongoing from Friday through Tuesday for example and the "Pyro Effect" ONLY be needed for Sunday evening, we will work with you to try and book the DEMO Sunday morning before the event so you both CryoFX Staff/Pyro Operator and the Fire AHJ be handling the DEMO and the Live Activation the same day. In most instances (with CryoFX Staff/Operators, a day rate is better than 2 separate days with 4 hour minimums (sometimes turning into longer depending on event). Every event is different and this information just shows the type of thought process which goes into the DEMO setup.

Note: In the example above, the days not included in the Fire Permit before or after the "Allowed Dates" for pyro effects, are days in which the effects machines, even if on site and plugged in, ABSOLUTELY CANNOT be activated. If they are by anyone, this is a violation of the Law and Fire Code, which could not only violate and cancel the permit, but could shut your entire event down, as well as include fines or revocation of licenses for CryoFX, the Pyro Operator, and you as the client.

 

FIRE PERMIT vs PYRO OPERATOR
These are each line items on Pyro Equipment event and Pyro Operator bookings. The difference between them is as follows:

• Fire Permit Filing: This includes efforts to file fire permit, drawings updates, office admin correspondence between Fire AHJ, Operators, other Staff, inclusive drafting overlay/updates and interface with and permit fee itself with an inclusion of the fire permit up to specified value as stated on the Quote/Invoice. This ranges between $1500-2800 depending on many factors, including time of booking prior to event, rush fees, permit type, and readiness of plans and details provided to CryoFX.

• Pyro Operator: This is the physical presence of the Licensed Pyro Operator on site for the days of the event (and/ or DEMO) to setup, satrike, and/or activate the effects. This is completely separate from the Fire Permit line item, and generally billed in day rates since we have a minimum of 4 hours for any CryoFX Staff on a given day. Rates for this line item (depending on many factors including jurisdiction, type of license and others) range between $120/hour to $1400/day up to 10 hours, however each event is different and may be different (higher or lower) than the range here.

Depending on the event and specific factors, the Pyro Operator may ONLY be operating the Pyro related equipment itself, and may only be an Operator solely, whereas other staff would be required to Setup, Strike, and/or Operate any other equipment, including the Pyro Equipment. Generally the Operator will setup, operate, and strike the Pyro equipment, however depending on the event, timeframes, schedules of the Operator, the type of Pyro License, and other factors this could change. You will be in the know of this during the event booking in advance. 

 

IMPORTANT DETAILS:

 

We have our own rules, so we don't need to adhere to yours....
We have had hotels and venues inform us that the "rules outlined here and surrounding the distances or use of the effects" don't apply to them because they have their own. Simply put, NO. The Fire AHJ has the ultimate jurisdiction over you your venue wherever it is located, and in order to perate within that jurisdiction (and have a Public Certificate Occupancy allowing public to enter) you must adhere to Fire Code in the jurisdiction. So regardless whether your rules are different, your staff is trained, you employ your own Fire Staff etc, you MUST follow the Fire Jurisdiction rules local to you in which state distances, requirements, permits, etc. If you don't you could have your event shut down, and still if you don't have your Cert Of Occupancy Temporarily Suspended. This is extreme but is meant to get the point across.

CryoFX Operates within the Fire Code (Sorry, not only your rules) specifically, in order:

- IFC (International Fire Code), the
- NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency),
- State Fire Code (which generally adopts IFC and NFPA codes, and may amend them slightly),
- County Fire Code (which generally adopts IFC, NFPA and State codes, and may amend them slightly)
- City Fire Code (which generally adopts IFC, NFPA County, and State codes, and may amend them slightly)

 

We have our own Fire Marshall, we don't need to file a permit....
Incorrect, this may save costs on the On-Site Fire Safety Officer fees while event is using the Pyro Effect, however it does not constitute a lapse of the Permit/Filing itself (Mandated by the overaching Jurisdiction (City/County/State) and their permit process. 

 

We can control the equipment and your Operator can stand next to us....
No, this would counteract the need for a "Pyro Operator" in the first place. In fact, the Pyro related equipment needs to be on it's OWN DMX universe, controlled by its OWN controller by the Pyro Operator. This is due to safety, compliance, and allows ONLY the Pyro Operator to have control of it, without any false or accidental activations due to other non-pyro related equipmkent on the DMX universe, or others controlling equipment.

 

We can have the Pyro Operator at Front of House (or in the back of the room) to control....
No, the Pyro Operator MUST have CLEAR, DIRECT, LINE OF SIGHT of the entire stage, effects, and space around them. So typically the control is done from Stage Left or Right off to the side. In rare occasions Direct Line of Sight can be obtained from a camera in place of the whole stage or the entire stage is off limits to anyone around the effects, including clearance for performers so that the effects "could be" controlled by Front of House or another location. This is normally on large festivals and would not apply to smaller events.

 

*CryoFX reserves the right to update this page at any time without notice.