A quick story....

A venue in Essex, near Dunton, requires third party Entertainers, DJ's and Act's to set up in front of a 3 foot wide fire exit.

Now, I know what you're thinking. And you're probably right.

But If it's wrong to set-up in front of a venue fire escape - why do venues (such as this one) set up FOUR buffet tables across THREE fire exits?

I like to go for a WIN WIN WIN situation on functions.

The client is happy.
The venue is happy.
The DJ is happy.

But when you are asked to break a rule or law to where you must set-up - THINK!

Equipment can be confiscated - in certain circumstances. No PAT certificate or PLI will mean "diddly squat" to an inspector with gaining Police escort!!!

That was all. :wavey:

Professional Mobile Disco Essex, Wedding Disco for Essex, Wedding DJ in Essex

Being very very close to that neck of the woods can you advise me which one it was......... just in case.

Forewarned is forearmed

Many years ago we (the TVDJA) had a rep of Berks Fire & Rescue give us a talk, and this question came up. It is not illegal to set up in front of a fire exit, provided they is room for people to reach the fire exit.

So you set up 6 to 8 feet from the wall / fire exit, that leaves enough room for people to reach the fire exit, provided you do not put the table with your CD's on right in front of the door. It's all very iffffy, and I'm sure that each fire service has it's own ideas.

Why not ring your local fire officer and ask.

Well its better than seting up infornt of the little boys room.
People walkin' round behind me, I keep thinkin' they want to request a song.

Don't leave your drink in view if there's a Q

Little bro is a station officer with Surrey FB - he has always advised me that when a venue tell you that it is ok to set up in front of a fire door as the room has four others, it is not. If there are five fire exits it is because the size of the room demands them.. should two be cut off by fire then there are still three available for guest to vacate by. You can set up "close too" them but never obstruct them. It is very rare that a fire safety officer calls to a venue on spec but if you use common sense then you should be ok. Most of the time the duty manager has no idea about fire regulations anyway.

I was asked last Saturday night to set up in front of a fire exit - I refused and opted for a better solution which meant the whole room set had to be changed around.

My solution was better but the venue manager had the hump with me all night and refused to serve me at the bar.

But no doubt he would have been over the moon 'had' you actually had a routine visit from the FB

"He" was actually a She and yes you're probably right.

Revolving the 'Fire door' subject (excuse the pun - no don't)
isn't it a pain when you have to move your equipment along a service corridor that has fire doors every few metres. I keep meaning to take a few wedges with me.
On one occasion we used fire extinguishers to hold them just long enough to move the gear thru - the duty manager saw us & 'if the fire inspection officer calls now we're in trouble & so are you!!!'
But it is 3o'clock in the morning said I!
Paul S

..good for you Ian, what a cow not to serve you drinks all night though - probably didnt like the thought of you, a mere dj, knowing more about H&S and fire regulations than she did! Just to add my bro is never off duty - he may be at a venue socially but if fire regulations are not being adhered to he will have a very strong word with the management - after all these regs are to save peoples lives and tough luck on any duty manager who expects any dj to disregard them - the fire brigade do not need a police escort to shut a venue down. Good for you Ian

Apart from the fact I couldn't fit my gear in such a small place...that had a part to play in it as well...using H&S regs was the better option though when making my point

Had a gig weekend gone - arrived at the rear of building, knocked on the backdoor where I could see a bod moving chairs.... he came to the door, pushed the release and the door fell off!

I laughed so much when he asked if I had a screwdriver!

I replied "ok, no probs - may I set up?"

He said "Er, yeah - could you set up in front of these fire doors to stop people using them!!!"

In disbelief, I replied "Sorry - it's against Health & Safety - doors working or not!!!"

(I just had to share that one!!!)

Did a Masonic Lodge some years ago (with a band, not disco). One set of double fire doors had one door screwed shut (screwed to the floor), and the other door screwed open (screwed to the wall).
Our drummer, whose brother is a fireman, gave the doorman a good ticking off then proceded to wrench the doors open/closed respectively.
The door which had been screwed to the floor actually split near the bottom because of the force he used (strong lad), but when the doorman protested about the cost of the damage our drummer just said "well sue me then".
Upside: we all got some personal satisfaction seeing the daft sod squirm.
Downside: we didn`t get any more bookings there.

QUOTE (discodirect @ Apr 23 2003, 02:10 PM)

A quick story.... A venue in Essex, near Dunton, requires third party Entertainers, DJ's and Act's to set up in front of a 3 foot wide fire exit.

Good Post! I am sure that this place is the only "wedding venue" in Dunton and I am working there n a few weeks. I will keep you posted on where I am asked to set up.

Hi BigNige! Keep us informed - dont forget to let them know why they have more than one fire door in the room!